How to connect the second screen on Xiaomi: all the ways to smartphones and TV

Connecting the second screen to Xiaomi devices opens up new possibilities, from presentations on the big screen to comfortable watching movies from the phone. But not everyone knows that modern Redmi smartphones, POCO and Mi TVs support several multi-screen modes at once – duplication, expanding the desktop and even using the phone as a game controller. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including hidden MIUI functions that are not dokumented in the official instructions.

Many users confuse screen duplication (when the second display displays the same as the main) with desktop extension (when the second screen becomes an additional window area). For example, for wireless duplication, a built-in Miracast is enough, and for expanding the desktop to Windows, a similar mode will be needed. USB-C → HDMI DisplayPort Alt Mode adapter, and then the details for each scenario.

1. Wireless screen duplication (Miracast/Wi-Fi Direct)

The easiest way to bring Xiaomi to the second screen is to use Miracast technology, which is built into most modern smartphones and TVs.This method works wirelessly, but requires both devices to support Wi-Fi Direct or Miracast. On Xiaomi, the feature is called Wireless Display and hidden in the connection settings.

To activate duplication:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Connections and sharing → Wireless display.
• 🔍 Click Device Search – the smartphone will start scanning available screens.
• 🖥️ Select the target device (e.g., Mi). TV monitor with Miracast adapter).
• ✅ Confirm the connection on both devices (entry may be required) PIN-code).

Important: On some POCO and Redmi models (like the POCO X3 Pro), the wireless display option is hidden deeper in Settings → Additional → Function Lab. If it is not available, upgrade to the latest version of MIUI 14+.

⚠️ Note: Dubbing through Miracast can cause delays of up to 100-150 ms, which is critical for gaming.

Make sure your TV supports Miracast (check in network settings)

Turn off VPN – it can block Wi-Fi Direct

The charge of the phone should be >30% (wireless transmission consumes the battery)

Distance between devices not more than 5 meters

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2. Wireless connection via HDMI (DisplayPort Alt Mode)

For minimal latency and maximum image quality, use a wired connection via the USB-C → HDMI adapter. This method is supported by Xiaomi flagship models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Black Shark 5) and some devices of the Redmi K series. The main condition is that the adapter must support the DisplayPort Alt Mode standard, otherwise the screen will not be determined.

Step-by-step:

1. Buy a certified adapter (we recommend the Anker 565 or the original from Xiaomi).
2. Connect the adapter to the port USB-C smartphone, and the other end is to HDMI-port.
3. On the phone screen, a notification will appear “External display is connected” – tap on it.
4. Select a mode: 🔄 Duplicate screen – the same image on both displays. 🖥️ Expand the screen – the second display becomes an extension of the desktop (like on a PC).

In Expansion Mode, you can drag and drop app windows (like Chrome or WPS Office) to a second screen, just like on a computer.This is convenient for multitasking, but doesn't work on all models - check support in your device's specifications.

⚠️ Note: On budget models (Redmi) 10A, POCO M4) port USB-C It does not support video output. Check specifications before buying an adapter!

3.Using Xiaomi as a Second Screen for PC (Reverse Tethering)

The reverse is that when a Xiaomi smartphone acts as a second monitor for a computer, it's useful for remote work or gaming, and you can do this through applications like Spacedesk or Duet Display, but there are also built-in solutions from Xiaomi, the PC Screen feature in MIUI 13+.

How to set up:

1. Install the Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi) on your PC.
2. Connect your phone to your computer via USB (File Transfer Mode).
3. Turn on your smartphone Settings → Connections and Sharing → PC screen.
4. On the PC in the Mi PC Suite, select the option "Use as Display".

5.Desktop Mode for Productivity

Starting with MIUI 12.5, some Xiaomi models support Desktop Mode, which converts the smartphone interface into a simplified version of Windows, allowing the phone to be used as a mini PC with mouse, keyboard and multitasking on the second screen.

How to turn on:

1. Connect the phone to the monitor through HDMI-adapter (see section 2).
2. In the notification about the connected display, select Desktop Mode.
3. Connect a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard (or use a touch screen).

In this mode, available:

• 📁 File Manager with Drag and Drag Support.
• 🌐 Chrome browser in the desktop version.
• 📊 Opening multiple windows at the same time (e.g. Excel) + Telegram).

Limitations:

• Not all apps are adapted (for example, Instagram will open in the mobile version).
• It works only on flagships (Xiaomi 12/13, Black Shark, Mix Fold).

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Desktop is the best choice for document or big screen programming, but is not suitable for gaming due to lack of support for game controllers.

6. Alternative methods: Chromecast, Steam Link, Rainway

If built-in methods don’t work, consider third-party solutions:

For gamers, the best choice is Steam Link (requires a PC with Steam installed). The app streams games over a local network with a delay of up to 20 ms when connected via an Ethernet cable. For streaming video from your phone to TV, Google Home is more convenient (if you have a Chromecast or a TV with Google Cast built in).

⚠️ Note: When using Steam Link on POCO F4 GT Black Shark 5 – Turn off performance mode in battery settings – this will reduce the heating of the phone while streaming.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even with the right setup, you can get errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🔴 No sound when dubbing: Check that the output is selected in the phone sound settings HDMI/Wireless display. Reboot both devices. TV Update the firmware to PatchWall 4.0+.
• 🔴 The screen plugs in, but the image is blurry: Reduce the resolution on the phone (in the wireless display settings). Use the cable HDMI 2.1. 4K. Turn it off. HDR TV settings.
• 🔴 Latency too big for gaming: Switch to wired connection (USB-C → HDMI). Use 5GHz Wi-Fi instead of 2.4GHz. Close background apps on your phone.

Critical information: On Xiaomi phones with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), when connected via HDMI, the “Game Turbo” mode is automatically activated, which reduces latency to 5 ms. To turn it on manually, go to Settings → Special Features → Game Turbo → External Display.

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If the phone overheats when you display it on the second screen, activate the "Energy Saving" mode in the battery settings - this will limit performance, but reduce the temperature.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions