Where to Find WiFi Direct on a Xiaomi TV: The Complete Guide

Many smart TV owners face the need to quickly transfer files or output images without using a router, and in this context, the question often arises about where to find WiFi Direct on a Xiaomi TV, which allows for direct wireless connection between devices without using a home network.

However, the MIUI TV shell interface may not be obvious to new users. Hidden menus and specific terminology often confuse those who are used to standard Android smartphones. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm for finding and activating the function.

It's worth noting that in some firmware, this option can be integrated into other settings. Understanding the logic of the Android TV operating system will help you navigate the menu faster.

What is WiFi Direct and Why is it Necessary on Smart TV?

WiFi Direct is a wireless standard that allows two devices to connect directly, and unlike the classic router connection, one device takes over the functions of an access point, ideal for situations where the home network is overloaded or missing.

On Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi TV, this feature offers a lot of multimedia options: You can stream high-resolution video, play games from your mobile phone on a large screen, or display presentations without delay, while transferring data speeds much faster than Bluetooth.

It's important to understand the difference between regular WiFi and Direct mode, and if the former requires a router to communicate, the latter creates a one-on-one local network, which reduces latency and increases connection stability when streaming heavy content.

⚠️ Note: When WiFi Direct is activated, the TV may temporarily lose internet access if it uses the same radio module to give out the signal.

The use of direct connectivity is especially important for older routers who can’t handle 4K video streaming. Direct channel provides the bandwidth needed. This makes the technology indispensable for home theaters.

Find the function in the settings menu MIUI TV

To find the right option, you need to go to the advanced system settings. The standard path is often hidden from the eyes of the average user. You need to go to the Settings section through the main menu or sidebar.

The next step is to vary depending on the version of the firmware installed, and in most cases, the path is: Settings → Network and Internet → WiFi Direct. However, in some regions, the menu may be called differently.

If you don't see the obvious "WiFi Direct" item, look for Wireless Networks, which is where the extra connectivity settings often hide, and the system groups all wireless interfaces in one place for easy management.

For accurate search, use the remote and partition navigation. Take your time, as the points may not be in logical order. Mindfulness will help you find hidden switches.

Alternative ways of activation via remote control

There's a faster way to get to the settings you want without going deep into the menu. There's a button on Xiaomi's remote, often marked with a setting icon or three dots, and clicking on it brings up a context menu.

In the window that appears, select Settings or All Settings, and this action will take you straight to the root directory of system parameters, and from there the path to network settings becomes shorter.

You can also use voice search if your remote supports this feature, just say "WiFi Direct" or "Network," and the system will suggest you go to the desired section. Google Assistant or Yandex are great at navigation.

• 📺 Press the button "Menu" or "Settings" on the remote for quick access.
• 🗣️ Use voice input to search for the "Network" section".
• ⚙️ In the side menu, select the gear icon for a full list of parameters.

Hot keys make the setup process much faster, and this is especially useful when you need to connect the guest device quickly, and the time savings in these situations are significant.

Configuring connection from Android-smartphone

Once you've found and enabled the feature on your TV, you need to set up a connection on the smartphone side. On Android devices, this process is standardized, but it has its own nuances. Open the WiFi settings on your phone.

The list of available networks should show the name of your Xiaomi TV, which often contains the device model or user name given when you first set up.

You'll see a request on your TV to confirm your connection, which is a security measure to prevent unauthorized access, and use the remote to select Accept or Connect.

Sometimes the system may request input PIN-Enter the code that is displayed on the TV screen, enter it in the appropriate field on the smartphone, and after successful authorization, the status of the connection will change to Connected".

Using Miracast and screen broadcasting

Often users search for WiFi Direct precisely to duplicate the screen of a smartphone. In the ecosystem of Xiaomi and Android, this is more often used by the Miracast protocol, which is based on WiFi Direct technology.

You don't have to look for a separate app to start the screen duplication. There's a "Translation" or "Projection" button in the Android smartphone notification curtain. By clicking on it, the phone will start looking for compatible devices within range.

Select your TV from the list. An image from a mobile device will appear on a large screen with minimal latency, which is convenient for viewing photos, videos from a gallery or showing apps.

⚠️ Attention: When the screen is actively duplicated, the smartphone battery discharges much faster. It is recommended to keep the phone connected to the charger during long sessions.

The quality of the image depends on the signal strength and the distance between the devices. For best results, try not to move further from the TV than 5-7 meters. Walls and obstacles can degrade the signal.

Solving the visibility problems of the device

There are times when the TV is not visible on the list of available devices or the connection is constantly broken. First of all, check if the router is activated in isolation mode (AP Isolation), which is a parameter that prevents devices on the network from seeing each other.

Also make sure both devices are in the same frequency range.While WiFi Direct operates independently, it is preferable to use the 5GHz band for a large amount of data.It provides faster speeds and is less prone to interference.

Rebooting the WiFi module on your TV often helps solve software failures, so you can just turn off and turn on WiFi again in your TV settings, and it will reset the network stack and update the neighbors list.

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Before looking for connection issues, make sure the date and time on the TV and smartphone are synchronized.The time difference can block security protocols.

If nothing works, try removing the stored networks on both devices and re-pairing. Sometimes the accumulated configuration cache prevents you from establishing a new connection. Clean start often solves the problem.

Comparison of device connection methods

To understand the benefits of WiFi Direct, it’s worth comparing it to other data transfer methods, and the table below shows the main characteristics of the various connectivity methods available on Xiaomi TVs.

As you can see from the table, WiFi Direct is the middle ground between wireless convenience and high speed, it doesn't require wires, but it does provide a quality close to wired connectivity, making it the perfect choice for multimedia.

Bluetooth is only good for transferring small files or connecting peripherals like keyboards. DLNA is good for streaming, but depends on the quality of the home network. Direct connectivity is devoid of these drawbacks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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WiFi Direct on Xiaomi TVs is a powerful tool for transmitting content without wires, which is often hidden in the depths of the Network and Internet menu or activated automatically when selecting the Translation feature.