WiDi in Xiaomi: Wireless Display Technology – How it Works and Where It Is Used

If you've ever tried to stream a smartphone or laptop screen on a Xiaomi big TV without wires, you've probably come across the acronym WiDi. This technology, despite its low popularity among mainstream users, remains one of the key solutions for wireless video transmission in the Xiaomi ecosystem. But what is it really like? Why is it confused with Miracast or AirPlay in some instructions, and it appears and disappears in device settings?

In this article, we will take a closer look at what WiDi is in the context of Xiaomi technology, from Mi TV TVs to smartphones and TV- boxes, how it works at the hardware level, how it differs from alternative protocols, and why support for new models has become rare, and how to turn WiDi on different devices of the brand and solve typical connection problems.

What is WiDi: the decoding and history of technology

WiDi (from English Wireless Display) is a technology for wireless transmission of audio and video stream from a source device (smartphone, laptop, tablet) to a screen receiver (TV, monitor, projector), developed by Intel in 2010 as part of the Wi-Fi Direct standard, but over time evolved into a separate protocol.

WiDi was originally positioned as an alternative to HDMI- cables for Intel-based laptops. However, with the rise of smartphones and smart TVs, the technology has adapted to mobile devices as well. Xiaomi began integrating WiDi support into its devices around 2015, but its peak was in 2017-2019, during the period of active development of the Mi TV and TV- boxes line.

It's important to understand that WiDi is not the same as Miracast. Although both protocols use Wi-Fi Direct to transmit data, they have different video encoding mechanisms, support for permissions, and device compatibility. For example, WiDi has historically performed better with content at 1080p, whereas Miracast initially supported 4K (albeit with delays).

• 📅 2010 - Intel introduces the first version of WiDi for laptops.
• 📱 2015–2017 – Xiaomi is beginning to roll out the technology in smartphones and TVs.
• 🔄 2020–2023 — WiDi will be phased out in favor of Miracast and proprietary solutions (e.g., Mi Screen Mirroring).
• ⚡ 2026 — The technology is virtually unused in new Xiaomi devices, but remains in older models.

How WiDi works in Xiaomi devices: technical details

The WiDi technology in Xiaomi’s ecosystem relies on three key components:

1. Hardware support: Wi-Fi chip with Wi-Fi Direct support (usually Qualcomm or MediaTek in smartphones, Amlogic in TVs).
2. Software layer: drivers and firmware that implement WiDi protocol (in Xiaomi, it is often integrated into MIUI or PatchWall).
3. Transmission protocol: Compress video (usually H.264) and audio (AAC or MP3) in real time.

The main difference between WiDi and Miracast is the use of proprietary compression algorithms from Intel, which should theoretically reduce latency during broadcasting. However, in practice, the difference is minimal, and in some cases Miracast works more stable. For example, in Mi TV 4S (2018), WiDi could broadcast a smartphone screen with a delay of ~50 ms, while Miracast gave ~70 ms, but more often “hang” with a weak signal.

The data transfer speed in WiDi depends on the version of Wi-Fi:

In devices, Xiaomi WiDi most often works via Wi-Fi Direct, but some models (such as the Mi Box S) support hybrid mode when broadcasting over a local network. This allows you to bypass range restrictions, but requires a stable router.

WiDi vs Miracast vs AirPlay: Comparison of Xiaomi technologies

Users often confuse WiDi with other wireless broadcast protocols, and let's look at the key differences:

• 🔄 WiDi: Developed by Intel, optimized for devices with their processors. Supports 1080p@60fps and 4K@30fps (compressed). Works over Wi-Fi Direct or local area network. Xiaomi is found in older models (Mi TV 3/4, Mi Box).
• 📡 Miracast: Open standard, supported by most Android devices. Theoretically compatible with 4K@60fps, but in practice often "brakes." Requires Wi-Fi Direct, does not work through the router. Used in new Xiaomi TVs (e.g. Mi TV Q2).
• 🍎 AirPlay: Apple's proprietary protocol, out of the box incompatible with Xiaomi. Supports 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos. Mi TV requires third-party software (e.g. AirScreen) to run.

The main question is: what is the best choice for Xiaomi? The answer depends on the device:

⚠️ Warning: If you have a 2020 Xiaomi TV or a newer one, chances are it doesn't have WiDi hardware support. Instead, use Miracast (in the Screen or Connections menu) or the proprietary Mi Screen Mirroring.

For older models (Mi TV 3/4, Mi Box), WiDi may be preferred because of less latency, but only if both devices (source and receiver) support the technology. For example, the Xiaomi Mi 8 smartphone with MIUI 10 could stream the screen to Mi TV 4 via WiDi, while the Redmi Note 7 already used only Miracast.

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WiDi is inferior to Miracast in versatility, but wins in stability on supported Xiaomi devices from 2017-2019.

What Xiaomi devices support WiDi: full list

Xiaomi’s WiDi-enabled devices are limited to models released before 2020, and here’s the current list:

Televisions

• 📺 Mi TV 3 (all modifications, 2016–2017)
• 📺 Mi TV 4 (43", 49", 55", 65")
• 📺 Mi TV 4A (32", 43", 50")
• 📺 Mi TV 4S (55", 65")

TV- Boxes and consoles

• 📦 Mi Box (1st and 2nd generation)
• 📦 Mi Box S (2018–2019)
• 📦 Mi TV Stick (only in firmware until 2021)

Smartphones and tablets

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 6/8/9
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi Mix 2/3
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi Note 3
• 📱 Xiaomi Black Shark (1st and 2nd models)
• 📱 Xiaomi Pad 4 (tablet)

Important: Even if your device is on the list, WiDi support can be disabled in new firmware versions, for example, after upgrading Mi TV 4 to PatchWall 3.0, the option disappeared from the menu.

How to enable and configure WiDi on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

The process of connecting via WiDi depends on the type of device, and let's look at two of the most common scenarios: streaming from a smartphone to a TV and from a laptop to a Mi TV.

Method 1: From Xiaomi smartphone to TV

Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network | Check that the TV is WiDi| enabled Update the firmware on your smartphone and TV to the latest version | Close background apps on your smartphone for stable broadcast-->

1. On Xiaomi TV, go to the menu: Settings → Connections → Wireless display.
2. Select WiDi (or Intel Wireless Display) and activate standby mode.
3. On your smartphone, open Settings → Connections → Screen broadcast.
4. In the list of available devices, select the name of your TV (e.g. MiTV-XXXXX).
5. Confirm the connection on both devices. The broadcast will start automatically.

Method 2: From a Windows laptop to a Mi TV

For this scenario, the laptop must support WiDi (usually models with Intel Core processors of the 4th generation and later).

1. Install the Intel Wireless Display driver from the Intel site (unless installed automatically).
2. On your Xiaomi TV, turn on WiDi mode (see steps above).
3. On your laptop, press Win + K (or open Settings → System → Display → Connect to a wireless display).
4. Select your TV from the list and wait for the connection.

If the broadcast does not start, try:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📶 Reconnect to Wi-Fi (sometimes changing the router channel helps).
• 🛠️ Update the WiDi driver on your laptop or TV firmware.

⚠️ Warning: Some Xiaomi TVs (e.g. Mi TV 4A) have WiDi hidden. To activate it, you need to type in the engineering code: ##6484## (in the remote control) or use the ADB- command: adb shell am start -n com.android.tv.settings/.device.widi.WidiSettingsActivity

Typical WiDi Problems in Xiaomi and Their Solutions

Despite the simplicity of the technology, users often encounter errors when connecting.

If none of the solutions worked, try resetting the network settings on your TV:

1. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Additional → Network Reset.
2. Confirm the reset and restart the device.
3. Reconnect via WiDi.

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If the broadcast is permanently interrupted, try reducing the screen resolution on your smartphone to 720p before connecting, which will reduce the load on Wi-Fi and increase stability.

Alternatives to WiDi in new Xiaomi devices

As WiDi is gradually moving away from Xiaomi’s ecosystem, users of new devices are having to look for alternatives.

• 🔄 Miracast: Built into all modern Xiaomi TVs and smartphones. Supports 4K, but with possible delays. Works without the Internet (via Wi-Fi Direct).
• 📱 Mi Screen Mirroring: Xiaomi's proprietary broadcast solution with MIUI Optimized for the ecosystem (fewer lags than Miracast) Requires a Mi Account account.
• 🌐 Google Cast: Uses a local area network (needs a router) supports streaming from apps (YouTube, Netflix) doesn't broadcast the whole screen, only content.
• 🔌 HDMI- Cable: Zero latency, maximum quality. Requires physical connectivity. Smartphones need an adapter USB-C/HDMI.

For Xiaomi 2021 and newer TV owners, the best choice would be the Mi Screen Mirroring.

1. On TV: Settings → Account → Mi Screen Mirroring.
2. On the smartphone: Settings → Connections → Screen broadcast → Mi Screen Mirroring.
3. Sign in with one Mi Account on both devices.

If you want to stream from an iPhone or Mac, you’ll have to use AirPlay through third-party apps (like AirScreen for Mi TV), but the quality and stability will be worse than native solutions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about WiDi in Xiaomi