Where to find Wi-Fi Direct on a Xiaomi TV: a detailed guide with photos and tips

Wi-Fi Direct technology allows Xiaomi TVs to connect directly to other devices — smartphones, laptops or tablets — without the mediation of a router, which is convenient for broadcasting a screen, transferring files or using the TV as a monitor, but many users face the problem: the function is either hidden in the depths of the menu, or not at all in the firmware.

In this article, we will discuss where to look for Wi-Fi Direct on different models Xiaomi TV (including Mi TV 4/5, Redmi Smart TV mi TV Q1/Q2), How to activate it and what to do if it doesn't show up, and you'll learn about the hidden nuances of connectivity and alternative ways to wirelessly transfer data.

Wi-Fi Direct is not the same as Miracast or DLNA, And if you're trying to stream a screen from a phone, maybe you need Miracast, not Direct. We'll explain the difference and help you choose the best option.

Let’s start looking for a function and start with the most obvious places where it should be looked for first.

1. Standard Wi-Fi Direct location in the Xiaomi TV menu

On most Xiaomi TVs (especially those released after 2020), the Wi-Fi Direct option is located in the network settings section.

Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi Direct

If you have an older firmware (for example, on Mi). TV 4A 2018, the path may be slightly different:

Settings → Wireless Networks → Wi-Fi Direct

In some cases, the feature is hidden behind additional parameters. TV X50 needle:

1. Go to Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
2. Choose the Web and the Internet.
3. Scroll down to the additional item.
4. Find Wi-Fi Direct or Direct Wi-Fi connection.

If you don't see this item, don't panic -- maybe your model doesn't support it. We'll talk about that in the next section.

2.Why Wi-Fi Direct may not be on the menu

There are several reasons why you won’t find this feature on your TV:

• 📵 Hardware constraints: budget models (e.g. Mi) TV 4A 32") often lack Wi-Fi Direct module to reduce production costs.
• 🔄 Outdated firmware: in older versions of the software, the function could be disabled or hidden.
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: In some markets (e.g. China), Wi-Fi Direct is being replaced by proprietary solutions from Xiaomi.
• 🔧 Failure of settings: after reset or update, the item may "disappear" from the menu.

On Xiaomi TVs from 2023 to 2026 (e.g. Mi) TV Q2 Pro or Redmi Smart Fire TV) Wi-Fi Direct is often replaced by Mi Screen Mirroring, the proprietary wireless broadcast technology. If your model is fresh, look for it.

To find out exactly if your TV supports Wi-Fi Direct, check the specifications on the official Xiaomi website or in the documentation.

1. Find the model on the box or in the Settings menu → On TV.
2. Type the model name into a search engine with a request for the Wi-Fi Direct specification.

3. Wi-Fi Direct Alternatives on Xiaomi TV

If your TV doesn't support Wi-Fi Direct, don't despair. There are at least 4 alternative ways to wirelessly connect:

The most versatile variant is the Miracast, which works on all Xiaomi TVs released after 2019.

1. On TV: Settings → Connection and Sharing → Miracast (or Wireless Display).
2. On your smartphone: Turn on Screen Translation (on Android) or Screen Mirroring (on iPhone).
3. Select your TV from the list of available devices.

If the broadcast is lagging, try to reduce the screen resolution on your phone or connect to the router via cable (if the TV supports 5 GHz Wi-Fi).

💡

For stable operation Miracast turn off the phone power saving mode and make sure that the TV and smartphone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (even if you use a direct connection).

4. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect via Wi-Fi Direct

If your TV supports Wi-Fi Direct, follow this instruction to connect to, for example, a laptop or smartphone:

Make sure Wi-Fi Direct is enabled on both devices|

Turn it off. VPN and a proxy on your phone/laptop|

Charge the devices to at least 50%|

Check that the distance between the devices is not more than 5 meters-->

Step 1: Activation on the TV

Go to Settings. → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi Direct and turn on the feature. The TV will start searching for available devices.

Step 2: Connecting your smartphone (Android)

1. Open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct
2. In the list, find the name of your TV (for example, Xiaomi-TV-1234).
3. Confirm the connection on both devices.

Step. 3. Connecting a laptop (Windows) 10/11)

1. Press Win + I, select Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click Hidden Networks → Other parameters.
3. Turn on Wi-Fi Direct and select the TV from the list.

Step 4: Checking the connection

When you connect, you'll see a notification on the TV.

• 📱 Broadcast the screen of the smartphone (if supported).
• 💾 Transfer files via Explorer (on Android).
• 🎮 Use the TV as a monitor for PC.

If the connection is interrupted, try:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📶 Move closer to the TV.
• 🔌 Disable other wireless devices (e.g. headphones).

💡

Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi TV It only works in "point of access" mode, which means that the TV creates its own network, and other devices connect to it, but not vice versa.

5. Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even if Wi-Fi Direct is enabled, users often encounter errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If your TV can’t see your device, check if it supports Wi-Fi Direct. For example, the iPhone (before iOS 17) can’t connect to TVs using this technology — only via AirPlay or Miracast.

If Wi-Fi Direct has disappeared from the menu after updating the firmware, try resetting the network settings:

1. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Reset network settings.
2. Confirm the action.
3. Reboot the TV.

On some models (e.g., Mi) TV P1) After reset, you may need to reconfigure all wireless connections, including Bluetooth.

6. Hidden Wi-Fi Direct features on Xiaomi TV

Few people know, but Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi TVs can be used for more than just broadcasting. Here are some non-obvious uses:

• 🎮 Game mode: connect the gamepad (e.g., Xiaomi Game Controller) directly to the TV without delay.
• 📷 Viewing photos/video: transfer files from your phone to TV without cloud services.
• 🔊 Wireless headphones: Some models support Bluetooth headset connectivity via Wi-Fi Direct (e.g. Redmi AirDots).
• 🖥️ Remote desktop: Control your PC from your TV via TeamViewer or AnyDesk.

To connect the gamepad:

1. Turn on Wi-Fi Direct on your TV.
2. On the gamepad, hold the pairing button until the indicator flashes.
3. Settings menu → Input devices select your gamepad.

If you want to transfer files from your phone:

1. Connect to the TV via Wi-Fi Direct.
2. On the phone, open the explorer and select the files.
3. Click "Send" and select the TV as your destination device.

Note: File transfer speeds over Wi-Fi Direct are usually lower than cable but higher than Bluetooth.

7 Security: Risks of using Wi-Fi Direct

Wi-Fi Direct is convenient, but has several vulnerabilities that you should be aware of:

• 🔓 Lack of encryption: Some devices connect without a password, allowing attackers to intercept traffic.
• 👀 Connecting extraneous devices: If you don’t turn off Wi-Fi Direct after use, other users can connect to your TV.
• 📡 Interference to other networks: Wi-Fi Direct may impair your main Wi-Fi signal.

To minimize the risks:

⚠️ Warning: Always turn off Wi-Fi Direct after use, especially if the TV is in a public place (such as an office or hotel). → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi Direct and deactivate the function.

It is also recommended that:

• Update the firmware of the TV (new versions often fix vulnerabilities).
• Do not transfer sensitive files (such as documents or passwords) over Wi-Fi Direct.
• Use it. VPN on a connected device (for example, on a laptop).

If you want maximum security, it is best to use a wired connection (HDMI or USB) Or set up a secure network via a router.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi TV