If youโre the lucky owner of a Xiaomi TV with a Chromecast Built-in in specs, but donโt fully understand what it means and how to use it โ youโre not alone. This technology, developed by Google, is a game-changer in the way we manage content on the big screen, but it's often underappreciated because of a lack of information. HDMI, Chromecast is already integrated into the TV firmware, making it more user-friendly and versatile.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how the Chromecast Built-in works on Xiaomi Mi TVs. TV 4S/4A/5 Pro and other models, what content formats are supported, how to configure screen transfer from your phone or computer, and also reveal hidden features that the manufacturer often does not speak about. Particular attention will be paid to typical problems (for example, the error "Device not found" or freeze during streaming) and how to solve them without contacting the service center.
What is Chromecast Built-in and how is it different from a regular Chromecast?
Chromecast Built-in is a built-in version of Google Cast technology that allows you to stream content from mobile devices, computers or cloud services directly to the TV screen without additional wires or adapters. Unlike the external Google Chromecast (e.g. Chromecast 3 or Chromecast with Google) TV), plug-in HDMI-port, built-in version:
- ๐ Does not require separate power - works from the firmware of the TV.
- ๐ถ Uses Wi-Fi TVs, not builds your own network.
- ๐ Updates with TV, not separately via Google Home.
- ๐ฎ Supports voice control via Google Assistant (on compatible models).
It's important to understand that Chromecast Built-in is not a standalone application, but a system function that is activated in your TV settings. DIAL (Discovery and Launch, which is used by services such as YouTube, Netflix, Spotify and others to detect compatible devices on a local network.
In practice, this means that you can:
- ๐ฑ Send YouTube videos from your smartphone to TV with one tap on the Cast icon.
- ๐ป Duplicate the laptop screen (Windows/macOS) via Chrome browser.
- ๐ต Stream music from Spotify or Yandex Music without connecting speakers.
- ๐ฎ Play mobile games on the big screen (with support for gamepads).
โ ๏ธ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall (branded shell), the Chromecast feature can conflict with embedded apps. For example, when streaming Netflix through Cast, sometimes the sound disappears - this is a well-known problem solved by resetting network settings.
What Xiaomi models support Chromecast Built-in
Not all Xiaomi TVs have a built-in Chromecast, a feature that has been in the lineup since 2019 and is dependent on the Android firmware version. TV Google TV. Below is the compatibility table of the main models:
| Model TV set | Support for Chromecast Built-in | Version. Android/PatchWall | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi TV 4S (2018โ2020) | โ No, only Miracast) | Android 8.1 / PatchWall 1.0 | External Chromecast is required |
| Mi TV 4A (2020โ2022) | โ Yes (with an upgrade to PatchWall 3.0)+) | Android 9.0 / PatchWall 3.0 | The function is hidden in Settings โ Connections โ Chromecast |
| Mi TV 5 Pro | โ Yes, by default) | Android 10 / PatchWall 4.0 | Supports 4K HDR streaming |
| Redmi Smart TV X (2021โ2023) | โ Yes. | Android 10 / PatchWall 3.5 | Limitation: No screen duplication with iOS |
| Xiaomi TV A2 / A Pro (2023) | โ Yes, Google. TV) | Android 11 / Google TV | Full compatibility with Google Home |
To check the support on your TV:
- Open the Settings. โ On TV. โ Version. PatchWall/Android TV.
- If the Android version TV 9.0 or later, the Chromecast is likely to be available.
- Go to Settings. โ Connections โ Chromecast (or Wireless Networks) โ Chromecast on old firmware).
โ ๏ธ Note: On TVs with PatchWall below version 3.0, the feature may not be available even if you have Android 9. USB (instruction).
How to Enable and Configure Chromecast Built-in on Xiaomi TV
The activation of Chromecast Built-in takes less than a minute, but requires the correct network configuration.
- Connect your TV and smartphone to a single Wi-Fi network. ๐ถ Use a support router 802.11ac (5 GHz is recommended for 4K-content). ๐ Turn it off. VPN On the phone โ it can block device detection.
Turn on Chromecast in your TV settings:
Settings โ Connections โ Chromecast โ EnableIn some models, the path may differ:
Settings โ Network and Internet โ Chromecast Built-inSet up the device name
Mi TV 5 Pro
Allow guest access
Connected to a single Wi-Fi network|Chromecast is included in TV settings|On the smartphone installed Google Home app|Power saving modes on the phone are turned off-->
After activation of the icon Cast (๐บ) will appear in supported apps (for example, YouTube or Netflix) if it is not available:
- ๐ Restart the TV and smartphone.
- ๐ฑ Update the app you are trying to stream from.
- ๐ ๏ธ Reset your network settings to TV (Settings) โ Network โ Reset).
๐ก
If the Chromecast isnโt, try connecting the phone to a 2.4GHz network โ some Xiaomi models donโt work well with 5GHz in Cast mode.
How to stream content from your phone, tablet or computer
Chromecast Built-in supports three main ways of transferring content: streaming from apps, screen duplication and broadcasting from the browser.
1. Streaming from mobile applications (YouTube, Netflix, Spotify)
It's the simplest and most reliable way.
- Open a supported app (e.g. YouTube).
- Launch the video and click on the Cast icon (๐บ) top-right.
- In the list of devices, select your Xiaomi TV.
- Playback control will be available from both the phone and the TV remote.
List of popular apps with Cast support:
- ๐ฌ YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Kinopoisk HD
- ๐ต Spotify, Yandex Music, Apple Music (Android only)
- ๐ฑ Google Photos, Chrome (for web pages)
2. Duplication of screen with Android/iOS
If you want to show any content on your smartphone screen (such as photos, games or apps that are not supported by Cast), use Mirroring (screen duplication).
For Android:
- Open Google Home โ Click on the icon of your TV.
- Select Translate screen โ Start broadcasting.
For iPhone/iPad:
- Use the control panel. โ Screen duplication (only on Android models) TV 10+).
- On older Xiaomi TVs, iOS duplication is not supported โ you will need an external Apple TV or Chromecast Ultra.
โ ๏ธ Attention: When dubbing the screen, there may be a delay of up to 200-500 ms, which is critical for games.
3. Computer broadcasting (Windows/macOS/Linux)
To transfer content from the PC:
- ๐ป In Chrome browser, click โฎ โ broadcast โ Choose a TV.
- ๐ฎ To stream your desktop, use the Google Cast for Education extension (setting required).
- ๐ง On Linux, install mkchromecast via the terminal: sudo apt install mkchromecast
How to stream local videos from PC?
Common Problems and Their Solutions
Even with the right Chromecast Built-in setup on Xiaomi TVs, users are faced with common bugs, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| No device found. | Different Wi-Fi networks on TV and phone | Connect both devices to the same network (check out the link). 2.4/5 GHz) |
| Video lagging or slowing down | Weak Wi-Fi signal or network congestion | Reconnect to 5GHz, disconnect other devices from router |
| No sound when streaming. | Conflict with HDMI-CEC or TV sound settings | Turn it off. HDMI-CEC in the TV settings or reset the sound |
| Connection error after update | PatchWall firmware failure | Reset network settings or roll back firmware |
| Duplication with iPhone does not work | Incompatibility with iOS | Use an external Chromecast or Apple TV |
If none of these methods worked, reset your Chromecast settings:
- Go to Settings. โ Annexes โ System applications โ Chromecast.
- Choose Clear Data and Reset Settings.
- Reboot the TV.
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On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall, the Chromecast reset does not affect other TV settings, unlike a full reset to factory settings.
Hidden features of Chromecast Built-in on Xiaomi TV
In addition to basic streaming, the built-in Chromecast on Xiaomi TVs allows you to:
- ๐ฎ Play cloud games via Google Stadia or Xbox Cloud Gaming (requires a gamepad connected to your phone).
- ๐บ Stream IPTV via apps like TiviMate or Lazy IPTV Cast-supported.
- ๐ Use TV as a Bluetooth speaker for music from your phone (via Google Home).
- ๐ฑ Control your TV with your voice through Google Assistant (e.g., โOK Google, turn on Netflix on your TV").
One of the most useful features is guest mode, which allows friends to stream content to your TV without connecting to your Wi-Fi:
- Activate guest mode in Chromecast Settings โ Guest access.
- The guest connects to a temporary network generated by the TV and can stream content for 24 hours.
For advanced users, settings through ADB (Android Debug Bridge, for example, to force support 4K HDR streaming:
adb shell settings put global cast_hdr_mode 1โ ๏ธ Note: Change of hidden parameters through ADB This can cause the TV to work in an unstable way. Before experimenting, back up your settings through Settings. โ System system โ Backup.
How Chromecast Built-in is better than Miracast and DLNA
Many users confuse Chromecast Built-in with other wireless content transfer technologies โ Miracast and other technologies. DLNA. Discuss the key differences:
| Technology | Protocol | Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromecast Built-in | DIAL (Google Cast) | โ Low delayโ Support 4K HDRโ Remote control from the phone | โ Demands the Internet.โ Limited list of supported applications |
| Miracast | Wi-Fi Direct | โ It works without the internet.โ Full screen duplication | โ High delay (up to 1c)โ No support. 4K most devices |
| DLNA | UPnP | โ Support for local filesโ Compatibility with older devices | โ No playback control from the phoneโ Frequent disruptions in streaming |
Chromecast Built-in wins over competitors in three key ways:
- Quality of streaming: supports 4K@60fps s HDR10 Dolby Vision (on compatible Xiaomi models).
- Control convenience: you can pause, rewind or adjust the volume directly from the phone.
- Integration with the Google ecosystem: works with Google Assistant, Google Photos and other services.
However, Miracast can be useful in situations where there is no Internet access (for example, on a trip), and DLNA โ to view local files from NAS-server.