Wireless screen broadcasting from your phone or laptop to a large screen TV has long become the standard for modern Smart TVs. Among all technologies, Miracast stands out as one of the most versatile solutions – it does not require Internet, works on most devices and provides minimal delays. Owners of Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV 4/5 series, A Pro, P1, Q2 and others) often face questions: what is this feature, how to turn it on and why sometimes the image “brakes” or does not transmit at all?
In this article, we will take a closer look at how Miracast works on Xiaomi TV, how it differs from alternatives like Google Cast or AirPlay, and give step-by-step instructions for setting up — from basic connectivity to solving rare bugs.
What is Miracast and how does it work on Xiaomi TVs?
Miracast is a wireless screen broadcast standard developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Unlike Chromecast or Apple TV, it doesn’t need additional devices: the technology is built into most modern TVs (including Xiaomi) and is supported by Android smartphones, Windows laptops, and even some cameras.
The principle is simple: your phone or PC becomes a transmitter, and your TV becomes a receiver, and the data is transmitted directly over Wi-Fi Direct, which means:
- 📶 Internet-free: Connection between devices directly, without router.
- 🔄 Two-way synchronization: The screen is duplicated in real time (as opposed to the screen being duplicated in real time). DLNA, where only media files are transmitted).
- 🎮 Minimum delays: suitable for gaming (if supported Game Mode on TV).
In Xiaomi TVs, the feature is called Wireless Display and is available in the Settings menu. → Connectivity and sharing. Important: despite the universality of the standard, there are nuances:
- 📱 Android: Supported since version 4.2 Jelly Bean, but for stable operation better Android 8.0+.
- 💻 Windows: Built-in support is available in Windows 8.1/10/11 (function "Connect to the wireless display»).
- 🍎 iOS/macOS: Not officially supported (needs third-party apps like AirServer).
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs older than 2018 (e.g. Mi) TV 3S) Miracast may not be supported due to a weak Wi-Fi module.
Miracast differs from Google Cast, AirPlay and DLNA
Users often confuse Miracast with other broadcast technologies, and let's look at the key differences in the table:
| Technology | Need the Internet? | Supported devices | Delay. | What's being transmitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miracast | ❌ No. | Android, Windows, some Linux | Low (50-100 ms) | Full screen (duplication) |
| Google Cast (Chromecast) | ✅ Yes. | Android, iOS, Chrome | Medium (200-500 ms) | Content from apps (YouTube, Netflix) |
| AirPlay | ✅ Yes, for AirPlay 2) | iOS, macOS, some Android | Low (with good Wi-Fi) | Screen or media files |
| DLNA | ✅ Yes (local area network) | Any devices with DLNA-server | Tall (1-2 seconds) | Media files only (photos, videos, music) |
A critical nuance for Xiaomi TV: in firmware until 2022, the Google Cast feature was often called “Miracast” on the menu, although it used a different protocol. Check the software version in Settings → About TV – if it is older than MIUI TV 3.0, an update is required!
When to choose Miracast:
- 🎮 You need to play from the screen of the phone on TV (minimum lags).
- 📱 No internet access, but you need to show a presentation.
- 🔧 All screen duplication is required, not just video from the app.
Step-by-step: how to connect Miracast to Xiaomi TV
The Miracast setup on Xiaomi TVs takes no more than a minute, but there are a few pitfalls.
- Turn on the function on the TV: Open Settings → Connection and Sharing → Wireless display. Activate the slider On. Remember the name of the device (for example, Xiaomi-MiTV-P1-1234) – it will be needed to connect.
- Connect your smartphone (Android): Open Settings → Connected devices → Wireless display (name may vary). Select your TV from the list. Confirm the connection on both devices.
Connect your laptop (Windows 10/11):
- Press Win + K and select Connect to the wireless display.
- Find your Xiaomi TV on the list.
- If necessary, enter PIN-code (displayed on the TV screen).
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) TV 4A) Miracast is disabled after going to sleep mode. To avoid disconnection, turn off the automatic screen shutdown in the power saving settings.
Common Miracast Problems on Xiaomi TV and Their Solutions
Even with the right setup, users are faced with errors.-5 problems and ways of eliminating them:
1.The TV is not visible in the list of devices
Reasons:
- 🔌 Outdated firmware TV or smartphone.
- 📡 Interference from other Wi-Fi networks (especially in apartment buildings).
- 🔒 Firewall or antivirus blocking the connection.
Decision:
- Update the TV software through Settings → About TV → System Update.
- Switch Wi-Fi to a 5 GHz channel (if supported).
- Temporarily disable the antivirus on your smartphone/PC.
2. The image is braking or tearing.
Reasons:
- 📶 Weak Wi-Fi Direct Signal.
- 🖥️ High resolution smartphone screen (for example, 1440p).
- 🔋 Power savings on your phone limit Wi-Fi performance.
Decision:
- Reduce the phone’s screen resolution to 1080p in the display settings.
- Connect your phone to charging – this removes the restrictions on Wi-Fi.
- Make sure there are no physical barriers (walls, furniture) between the devices.