Xiaomi’s PatchWall TVs have evolved into powerful multimedia hubs, but smartphone screens are still the main source of content for millions of users. Often, there is a need to bring your favorite movie, family photos or presentation to the big screen to share the experience with family or colleagues. Fortunately, the Android TV ecosystem on which most Xiaomi models are based offers many built-in tools for wireless image transfer.
There are several proven ways of screencasting (screen broadcasting) and DLNA-Streaming (transferring media files), each of which has its own advantages depending on the type of your smartphone and the quality of the Wi-Fi network. In this article, we will discuss in detail the regular functions of the operating system, third-party applications and the nuances of connecting devices from Apple, so that you can enjoy content in maximum quality without unnecessary wires.
Before you start setting up, it’s important to understand that connection stability is directly dependent on the router. If you plan to watch movies in 4K resolution, make sure both devices are connected to a 5GHz network, as the 2.4GHz frequency range may not be able to handle high-bitrate video streaming, causing delays or artifacts on the screen.
Device preparation and basic requirements
The first step to successful synchronization is to ensure that the smartphone and the TV are on the same local network. DLNA Miracast, which uses local IP-Address to find devices. Go to your router settings and make sure that the client isolation function is available (AP Isolation is disabled, otherwise gadgets simply “will not see” each other, even if you are in the same Wi-Fi network.
On the Xiaomi TV side, you need to activate the appropriate signal reception mode. Depending on the firmware version and region, this module can be called Cast, Broadcast or Wireless Display. It is usually located in the application menu or in the network settings section. Once this mode is started, the TV goes into a waiting state of connection, scanning the air for requests from mobile devices.
Note the version of your smartphone’s operating system. Android devices are more likely to have version 6.0 or higher, as older versions may not support modern video compression codecs when streaming. iPhone users are critically concerned about having AirPlay 2 support on a Xiaomi TV, which is relevant for models released after 2019, or using third-party emulator apps.
⚠️ Note: When broadcasting heavy video in high resolution (4K HDR) The processor of the smartphone can significantly heat up, and the battery - quickly discharge, as there is active encoding of the video stream in real time.
☑️ Checking before connection
Broadcasting through the built-in “Translation” function on Android
The easiest way to display an image from an Android smartphone screen to a Xiaomi TV is to use the standard “Translation” (Cast) function, which is based on the Miracast protocol and does not require additional software installation. It allows you to completely duplicate the phone screen, which is ideal for showing photo albums, games or browsers that do not have their own casts function.
To activate, lower the notification curtain and look for the Translation, Smart View icon (on Samsung) or Translate icon. If the icon is not available quickly, go to Settings → Connected Devices → Connection settings → Broadcast. After scanning, the network will show a list of available devices. Select your Xiaomi TV from the list, and in a few seconds the image will appear on the big screen.
Importantly, when using Miracast, picture quality may be slightly inferior to native playback through apps, as the video stream is compressed on the fly. However, the input delay is minimal, making this method preferable for interactive content. If you use a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone, the feature can be called Mi Drop or integrated into the control center.
- 📱 Open the Quick Settings Panel on your smartphone.
- 📺 Launch the Translation app or analogue on Xiaomi TV.
- 🔗 Select TV from the list of available devices for pairing.
- 🎬 Enjoy content on the big screen with minimal latency.
Using Google Home for Chromecast Built-in
Most Xiaomi TVs are equipped with built-in support for Chromecast technology, which allows you to stream content directly from the player applications (YouTube, Netflix, Kinopoisk) without duplication of the entire screen of the smartphone. To manage this process and initial configuration, it is recommended to use the official Google Home application, which acts as a central hub for the smart home.
The process of streaming via Chromecast is radically different from Miracast, in which the phone acts only as a control panel: it sends a link to the TV to the video stream, and the TV independently downloads and decodes the video through its Internet channel, which means that the discharge of the phone’s battery is much slower, and the quality of the picture is determined by the capabilities of the TV, not the speed of the Wi-Fi module of the phone.
If Google Home doesn’t see the TV, check if Chromecast is enabled in your TV settings. Sometimes you need to reset your device settings in the Google Home app and re-detect, and make sure the router doesn’t block the ports required for mDNS, which is responsible for detecting devices on the local network.
⚠️ Note: Chromecast requires that apps on your phone (e.g. YouTube) and TV be logged in under the same Google account. Otherwise, the “Translate” feature in the app may be inactive or give a connection error.
What if Google Home doesn’t find TV?
Connect iPhone and iPad (AirPlay) to Xiaomi TV
Apple ecosystem users often have difficulty connecting iPhones to Android TVs, but Xiaomi offers native AirPlay support in many of its models.This allows iPhone, iPad and Mac owners to stream content without having to buy an Apple TV. The feature can be called AirPlay, Apple AirPlay, or be part of a common wireless projection module.
To activate, you need to go to your TV settings, find the partition associated with Apple devices and turn it on. Some Xiaomi models may require you to confirm the connection on the TV screen when you first pair with the iPhone. After turning on, opening the Control Point on the iPhone (swipe down from the upper right corner), you will see the Screen Replay button.
Note that AirPlay implementations on Android TVs sometimes work unstable when playing DRM-protected content (for example, paid movies in the iTunes Store).In such cases, the image may be streamed, but the sound will be absent, or the screen will go out. For full screen duplication (Screen Mirroring) through AirPlay, stability is usually higher than for streaming video from applications.
- 🍏 Make sure that AirPlay support is enabled on TV in network settings.
- 📶 Check that your iPhone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi router.
- 🖥 Open “Control Point” on your iPhone and select “Screen Replay».
- 🔐 Enter the confirmation code if it appears on the TV screen.
Third-party applications for advanced broadcasting
If standard methods do not work or require advanced functionality (for example, streaming video files from the phone’s local memory that do not see standard players), third-party applications come to the rescue. The leaders in this niche are Web Video Caster, LocalCast and BubbleUPnP. These programs can “throw” almost any video format to the TV, taking on the role of a codec converter.
The Web Video Caster app, which allows you to stream video directly from your phone's browser, you open a website with an online cinema in the app's built-in browser, launch a video, and it goes to your TV without the screen of your smartphone, is the perfect way to watch content from sites that don't have official Smart TV apps.
For users who want to stream a desktop with minimal latency for games, ApowerMirror requires the installation of the client part on both the phone and the TV (via APK file if it is not in the Play Market store on TV), this solution is paid, but offers better performance and support for managing the phone from the remote.
| Annex | Type of content | Platform TV | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Home | Streaming video | Android TV | Native support, stability |
| Web Video Caster | Online video, files | Any (DLNA/Cast) | Working through a browser, subtitles |
| AirScreen | AirPlay, Miracast | Android TV | Emulation of AirPlay on Android |
| BubbleUPnP | Local files | DLNA renderers | Support for Hi-Res audio formats |
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To transfer high quality video files (over 4 GB) over DLNA, make sure that the flash drive or phone file system is formatted in exFAT or NTFS, as the old FAT32 does not support files larger than 2 GB.
Wired connection via HDMI and USB-C
When wireless connection is impossible due to poor signal or requires maximum image quality without compression, the only option is wired connection. To do this, your smartphone must support MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) or DisplayPort Alt Mode technology via USB Type-C connector. Not all budget Xiaomi models support video output through the charging port, so this point should be specified in the specifications of a particular model.
You'll need a USB-C to HDMI adapter to connect to your phone, and an HDMI cable to your TV, and then switch the signal source on your TV (Input button or the square icon with the arrow on the remote) to the appropriate HDMI port. The image will appear automatically, often the phone will go into a special presentation mode.
The advantage of the wired method is that there is no delay (Latency) and independence from the speed of Wi-Fi. You can play demanding mobile games or watch 4K HDR video with a bit rate of 100 Mbps without jerking. In addition, through active adapters, it is often possible to simultaneously charge the device, which is critical for long-term viewing of movies.
⚠️ Note: When buying an adapter USB-C on HDMI Pay attention to the version of the standard. 4K 60 Hz requires a cable and adapter that supports the standard HDMI 2.0 and a bandwidth of at least 18 Gbps. Cheap cables can limit resolution to 1080p 30 Hz.
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Wired connection through HDMI-Adapter is the only way to guarantee a zero latency when playing cloud gaming services or console streams on a Xiaomi TV.