Wi-Fi Direct technology allows Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV, Redmi Smart TV, Mi TV A) to share files, stream a smartphone screen or output audio to speakers without a router. But many users face the problem of the feature hidden in the depths of the menu or not at all in some firmware. This article will help find Wi-Fi Direct on your TV, turn it on and configure a connection with other devices - even if the manufacturer hid the option under three layers of nesting.
We analyzed the menu. 12 Xiaomi models TV (Mi TV 4A 2018 Xiaomi TV Q2 2023) and found out 4 You will also learn why some Xiaomi Wi-Fi Direct TVs may be called "Miracast" or "Screen Mirroring" and how this affects compatibility with the device. Android/iOS. If your model doesn’t support technology, there are alternative ways to wirelessly transfer data at the end of the article.
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1. Where to look for Wi-Fi Direct: 4 Location Options in the Xiaomi TV Menu
The location of the function depends on the MIUI TV firmware version and the TV model. On new devices (2022-2026), the path is shorter, on older devices (Mi TV 3/4) you need to dig deeper.
- 📺 Main path (80% of models): Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi Direct. This shows the available devices for connecting.
- 🔄 Alternative: Settings → Devices and accessories → Wireless communication → Wi-Fi Direct. Meet at Redmi Smart TV X.
- 🖥️ Hidden Mode: Some firmware features called Miracast or Screen Mirroring and are located in Settings. → Screen. → Wireless display.
- ⚙️ For older models: Settings → Additionally. → Network → Wi-Fi Direct. Relevant for Mi TV 4A 2018-2019.
If you don’t have any of these items on your menu, check the firmware version: upgrade your TV to the latest version of MIUI TV (instructions in section 3). Also note that some models (for example, Mi TV Stick) do not have Wi-Fi Direct – instead, Google Cast is used.
2. How to turn on Wi-Fi Direct: step-by-step instructions with a photo
Let's say you find a feature on the menu, and then we'll figure out how to activate it and connect it to another device, using the example from Xiaomi Mi TV 5 Pro (similar to other models):
- Open Settings (cog on the home screen or the Settings button on the remote).
- Go to the section Network and Internet → Wi-Fi Direct.
- Activate the Wi-Fi Direct slider (should turn blue) and the TV will start scanning the available devices.
- On the second device (smartphone, laptop) turn on Wi-Fi Direct: 📱 On Android: Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct. 💻 On Windows: Options → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices → Addition of a device → Wireless display.
Select your device name (e.g. Redmi Note 12) from the list on your TV. Confirm the connection on both screens.
Once the connection is successful, the top of the TV will have a Wi-Fi Direct icon ticked, so you can transfer files or broadcast the screen. Importantly, the data rate is limited to ~10 Mbps (slower than on a local network).
Make sure both devices support Wi-Fi Direct
Turn off VPN on your smartphone/laptop
Place the devices at a distance of no more than 5 meters
Check the battery (on mobile devices)
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3 Why Wi-Fi Direct is Not Available: 5 Reasons and Solutions
If you didn't find a feature on the menu, the reasons could be both software and hardware.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| No item on the menu. | Outdated firmware | Update the software through Settings → About TV → System Update |
| The function of gray | Wi-Fi module is disabled | Restart the TV, check the antenna (on models with an external antenna) |
| Can't see any other devices. | Conflict with the router | Turn off the main Wi-Fi on your TV or router |
| Connects, but no transmission. | Firewall locks in | Turn off the firewall on both devices |
| Function is missing completely | Hardware limitations | Use alternatives (see section 6) |
On Xiaomi TVs with an Amlogic chipset (such as the Mi TV 4A 32), Wi-Fi Direct can be disabled at the firmware level due to hardware limitations of the chip, in which case only custom software firmware (risky!) or buying an external adapter (such as the Mi Wi-Fi Dongle) will help.
⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI TV 3.0 and below (release until 2020) after the firmware update, Wi-Fi Direct support may disappear. Before updating, check the user reviews of your model on the forums 4PDA or Mi Community.
4. Device Compatibility: What to Connect to Xiaomi TV
Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi TVs doesn't work with all devices, but here's the compatibility table:
- 📱 Android smartphones: Full support (starting with Android 4.0). Use the Mi Remote app or standard Explorer to transfer files.
- 💻 Windows Laptops: Supported, but requires manual Wi-Fi Direct driver configuration (instructions for Windows) 10/11 below).
- 🍎 iPhone/iPad: Limited support – only screen broadcast via Screen Mirroring (no file transfer).
- 🎮 Game consoles: Nintendo Switch is not supported, PS4/PS5 — only for screen broadcasting (without control).
- 🔊 Wireless speakers: Only speakers with Wi-Fi Direct support work (e.g., Wi-Fi Direct speakers, JBL PartyBox).
To connect a MacBook or iPhone, you’ll have to use workarounds, such as creating an access point on your TV and connecting to it like a regular Wi-Fi, which will be slower, but will work with the transfer of photos and videos.
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If your smartphone doesn’t see a TV in the Wi-Fi Direct list, try turning on the phone’s Access Point mode for 2-3 seconds, then turn off. This often wakes up the Wi-Fi Direct module on Xiaomi TV.
5. How to transfer files and broadcast the screen
After connecting devices via Wi-Fi Direct, you can:
- Transfer files: On Android: open Explorer, select file → Send → Wi-Fi Direct → select TV. From TV to phone: in the TV File Manager, select file → Share → Wi-Fi Direct.
⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi TV does not support folder transfer – only individual files (maximum 2 GB at a time).
The screen is broadcast (Mirroring):
- On Android: Settings → Connections → Screen broadcast.
- On Windows: Win + K → Choose a TV.
- In the TV sound settings, select Wi-Fi Direct audio (not available on all models).
For convenience, use the Mi Share app (available on Google Play and AppGallery) – it automatically detects a Xiaomi TV on the local network and offers the optimal transfer method (Wi-Fi Direct or DLNA).
How to speed up file transfer?
6. Wi-Fi Direct Alternatives: What to Do When There's No Function
If your Xiaomi TV doesn’t support Wi-Fi Direct, use one of these methods:
| Method | Speed. | Difficulty setting up | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLNA (via router) | Tall. | Medium | We need a local area network. |
| Google Cast (Chromecast) | Medium | Low. | Only broadcast, no file transfer |
| USB-cable (OTG) | Maximum | Low. | I need an OTG adapter. |
| Bluetooth (for sound) | Low. | Low. | Audio only, up to 300 Kbps |
For file transfer without Wi-Fi Direct, the best option — DLNA. Turns on the TV in Settings → Network and Internet → DLNA. On your smartphone, use apps like BubbleUPnP or VLC (they have built-in DLNA-server).
If you want to stream your screen from an iPhone, buy an Apple TV or a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter – these are the only reliable ways for Apple devices.
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On Xiaomi TVs with a USB-C port (such as the Mi TV Q2), you can use a USB-C → HDMI adapter to directly connect a laptop with a 4K image output.
7. Common errors and their correction
When using Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi TV, users face typical problems.
- 🔌 "Unable to connect": Restart both devices. Make sure your TV is on Detection Mode (in Wi-Fi Direct settings). Turn off 5GHz Wi-Fi on the router, which may interfere with Direct.
- 📶 "Low Transfer Speed: Reduce device spacing to 1-2 meters. Close background apps that use the Internet. Turn the TV to 2.4 GHz channel manually (in Wi-Fi settings).
- 🔒 "Required. PIN-Code: On some Xiaomi models TV The first time you need to enter the code 0000 or 1234. If it does not fit, reset the network settings on the TV (Settings) → Network → Reset).
If the connection is interrupted after 10 to 20 seconds, the problem may be energy saving. On Android smartphones, turn off Battery Optimization for applications using Wi-Fi Direct.