Modern multimedia capabilities go far beyond the small screen of a smartphone, allowing you to enjoy content on a large TV using the powerful Xiaomi Mi Box. The image transfer process, known as screencasting or screen dubbing, opens up access to games, movies and presentations in high resolution without the need to plug in cables. Users often look for a way to instantly output a video from a gallery or run a mobile game on the entire diagonal of the panel, and the Android TV ecosystem provides several native tools for this.
In this article, we will take a look at all the current ways to connect your mobile device to a media player using built-in Google Cast, Miracast protocols and specialized software. Whether you are using an Android or iOS smartphone, you will be able to find the best solution for your situation. It is important to understand that the quality of the connection depends on the stability of the wireless network, so before you start setting up, make sure that both devices are on the same local Wi-Fi network.
Technical requirements and equipment preparation
Before you start live streaming, you need to make sure your infrastructure is ready to transmit heavy video streaming. The basic requirement is to have a working wireless network to which both the smartphone and the Xiaomi console are connected. If the router supports dual-band mode, using 5 GHz is critical to minimize latency and improve picture quality, especially when streaming video in 4K.
Make sure the console software is updated to the latest version, as older firmware versions may not support new codecs or security protocols. Check the relevance of system components in Settings → Device → System → System Update. It is also worth checking that the smartphone has enabled the necessary permissions to detect devices on the local network.
There are several key technologies that enable signal transmission, and understanding their differences will help you choose the right method:
- 📡 Chromecast built-in is Google’s native technology that allows you to stream content from supported apps directly without loading your phone.
- 📱 Miracast is a wireless image transfer standard that completely duplicates the smartphone screen in real time.
- 📺 DLNA — Multimedia file sharing protocol, ideal for viewing photos and videos from device memory.
⚠️ Note: If your router has a client isolation function (AP Isolation, devices will not be able to see each other on the network. To successfully connect, this feature must be disabled in the router settings.
Use of the built-in Chromecast feature
The most common and stable way to transfer content is to use Google Cast technology, which is built into the Xiaomi Mi Box operating system. This method does not require installing additional applications on the console itself, since the functionality is already integrated into Android TV. To start, you just need to run any support application on your smartphone, for example, YouTube, Netflix or Google Photos.
In the app interface, find the characteristic rectangle icon with waves in the corner of the screen. Once you click on the icon, the system scans the network and offers a list of available devices. Select your Xiaomi console from the list, and the video stream will play on the TV while the phone can be used as a remote control.
This method is especially effective when you need to stream content from specific services, as it provides the best image quality and minimal load on the battery of the smartphone.
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For the best picture quality when using Chromecast, make sure that the router is located no further than 5-7 meters from the console and is not shielded by metal objects.
If the standard app doesn't see the console, try rebooting the Google Home module on your smartphone. Sometimes the device detection service cache requires cleaning to properly perform the search on the local network.
Screen broadcasting via Miracast and built-in tools
When you want to show the full contents of the screen, for example, to demonstrate a game or work in a browser, Miracast technology is used. On Xiaomi devices and other Android smartphones, this feature is often called Translation, Wireless Monitor or Smart View depending on the manufacturer’s shell. Xiaomi Mi Box supports this protocol at the system level.
You don't often have to do anything to activate the reception mode on the console, but in some cases you need to run a special application. Go to the app menu on the TV and find the Wireless Display or Cast program. After you run the application, you'll see a wait for the connection on the screen.
On your smartphone, perform the following actions:
- 🔍 Open the notification curtain and find the “Translation” or “Connect” button».
- 📲 In the list of available devices, select your Xiaomi console.
- ✅ Confirm the connection if a permission request appears on the TV screen.
Once paired successfully, the phone image will appear on the TV, and it should be noted that in this mode the phone may become more hot, and the aspect ratio of the screen may not coincide with the TV, which will lead to black stripes on the sides.
☑️ Checking before connecting Miracast
Broadcast from iPhone and iPad (AirPlay)
Apple device owners don’t have to worry about compatibility, as Xiaomi’s ecosystem supports the AirPlay 2 protocol either through built-in features or through third-party apps. AirPlay native support in Android TV allows you to stream photos, videos and screen of the device without installing additional software on the console, if the firmware version is fresh enough.
To start streaming, open Control Point on your iPhone (swipe down from the top right corner or bottom up on older models). Click Screen Replay (two rectangles). In the list that appears, select your Xiaomi console. If the system requests a code, enter it from the remote or confirm the connection.
If native support is not working or is unstable, you can use an intermediary app. Install the AirScreen or AirPin app on Xiaomi from the Google Play store. These programs emulate the AirPlay receiver, making the console visible to Apple devices.
⚠️ Note: When broadcasting from iPhone in high resolution (HDR) On older TVs, the colors may look faded. In AirPlay settings on your phone, try changing the video format to "Compatibility».
Third-party applications for enhanced capabilities
Staffing is sometimes not enough for specific tasks, such as transferring files in specific formats or managing a computer. There are many extension apps available on the Google Play Store, and one of the most popular solutions is a bunch of server-client applications.
Let’s take a look at the popular software options:
- 📺 Web Video Caster – allows you to stream video from sites directly to the console, bypassing browser restrictions.
- 🖥️ TeamViewer Host – gives full remote access to the screen of a smartphone or PC through the console interface.
- 📂 VLC for Android – a powerful player that can receive streaming video over the network through the protocol DLNA/UPnP.
To use such applications, you need to install the client part on the phone and server (or just run the application) on the Xiaomi console. Synchronization usually occurs automatically when you are on the same network, or through the same network. QR-code that is displayed on the TV screen.
Should I install paid versions of apps for broadcasting?
Comparison of Connection Methods and Their Characteristics
The best way to broadcast depends on your goals: whether you just want to show a photo to friends, watch a high-quality movie, or demonstrate workflow, each technology has its own limitations in terms of delays, picture quality, and energy consumption.
The table below compares the basic methods available to Xiaomi console users:
| Method | Image quality | Delay (Latency) | Battery consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromecast | High (up to 4K) | Low. | Minimum |
| Miracast | Medium/High | Medium | High-pitched |
| AirPlay | High. | Low. | Medium. |
| DLNA | Original file | N/D (file) | Low. |
For games, wired connection or technology with minimal latency is best, but even Miracast can give a palpable lag over Wi-Fi. DLNA is ideal for watching movies from the gallery, since it does not compress the stream and transfers the original file.
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Always choose Chromecast or AirPlay to watch online videos, as they transmit a link to the stream rather than a video signal from the screen, saving your phone resources.
Solving problems and troubleshooting
Despite the ease of setting up, users may encounter situations where the phone can't see the console or the connection is constantly broken, most often the problem lies in network settings or energy saving. If the devices do not detect each other, check whether the router is on guest Wi-Fi mode, which isolates the devices from each other.
Another common reason is to use different frequency bands: If a router distributes a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network under different names (SSID), make sure that both the phone and the console are connected to the same network.
Try the following steps to diagnose:
- 🔄 Reboot the router, console and smartphone.
- 🔌 Turn it off. VPN on a smartphone, if it is active – this often hides the device from the local network.
- 📡 Get closer to the router to prevent loss of data packets.
If the image twitches or is low resolution, lower the output quality in the phone settings or close the background apps that consume traffic. In some cases, resetting the network settings on the smartphone helps, but this will require re-entering the password from Wi-Fi.