How to send an image from your phone to your Xiaomi TV: all the working ways

Transferring photos from your phone to the big screen of Xiaomi TV is a challenge that users face when watching family photos, presentations or just for easy viewing of content. Xiaomi’s modern smart TVs (Mi TV A Pro, Redmi Smart TV, Mi TV Q1/Q2) support several ways of transmitting images, but not all of them are equally convenient or stable. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven methods – from wireless technologies to wired connections – and also reveal the nuances of settings for different models of smartphones (Android, iPhone) and Xiaomi TVs from 2020-2026.

The main problem that users face is protocol incompatibility or non-obvious settings. For example, Miracast may not work on older Redmi Note models, and AirPlay is not officially supported by Xiaomi TVs without additional tricks. We tested each method on real devices and identified the only method that is guaranteed to work on 90% of Xiaomi models without lags is using the Mi Home app with pre-binding devices to one account.

1. Transmission via Mi Home (the most reliable way)

The Mi Home app (now Xiaomi Home) is the official tool for managing Xiaomi’s ecosystem, including TVs, which works even on budget Redmi Smart TVs and requires no additional hardware.

Algorithm of action:

📱 Install the Mi Home app on your phone (Android/IOS).
🔗 Sign in to one account on your phone and TV (check Settings) → Account and security).
🖼️ Open the gallery on your phone, select a photo and click "Share» → «Mi Home».
📺 In the list of devices, select your Xiaomi TV – the image will appear on the screen.

⚠️ Warning: If the TV doesn't appear in the list of devices to transmit, upgrade the TV firmware to the latest version. TV 4S 2019 and older may require manual updates through Settings → On TV. → Updating the system.

Install Mi Home on your phone|Link TV and phone to one Mi Account|Update the TV firmware|Enable Wi-Fi on both devices-->

2.Use of Miracast (Wireless Display)

Miracast is a wireless screen transmission standard supported by most Xiaomi TVs (except the most budget series), which allows you to duplicate the screen of a smartphone on TV without the Internet, but with some restrictions:

🔄 It only works on Android (iPhone requires third-party software).
🎮 Image delay can be as long as 1-2 seconds (unsuitable for gaming).
📶 Requires Wi-Fi Direct support on your phone.

How to connect:

On TV: Settings → Connection and Sharing → Wireless Display (Miracast) → turn on the option.
On Android: For Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco: Settings → Connection and Sharing → Screen Transfer. For other brands: Settings → Screen → Wireless Display or Smart View.

Xiaomi

⚠️ Note: The iPhone for Miracast will require an app like Screen Mirroring for Xiaomi TV (available in the App Store, but the transmission quality will be worse than through the Mi Home. TV P1 In 2021 and later Miracast can shut down after 10 minutes of inactivity – this is a feature of energy saving.

💡

If Miracast is permanently shut down, turn off the power saving mode on the TV in Settings → Power → Sleep mode.

3. Transfer via Google Cast (Chromecast)

Xiaomi Android TVs (such as Mi TV Q1, Mi TV A Pro) support Google Cast technology similar to Chromecast, which allows you to stream images from apps like Google Photos or Gallery directly to the TV screen.

Instructions:

Make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Open Google Photos on your phone, select an image and click Translate (the wave screen icon).
In the list of devices, select your Xiaomi TV.

Why Google Cast can't find TV?

1. Devices are connected to different Wi-Fi networks (including guest networks). 2. The mDNS protocol is disabled on the TV (found after resetting settings). 3. The router firewall blocks multicast packets (try to turn it off for 5 minutes). 4. The phone has power saving mode on for the Google Photos app.

4. Wired connection via USB or HDMI

If wireless methods don’t work (for example, due to weak Wi-Fi signal), you can use a wired connection. Xiaomi TVs support two options:

Method	Equipment required	Pluses	Cons
USB (as a drive)	USB-C/USB-A cable (depending on phone)	No delays, simplicity.	Phone is locked, not all models support MTP
HDMI (via adapter)	USB-C/HDMI adapter or Slimport	Full screen duplication, 4K support	You need an adapter, the phone discharges faster.
USB-OTG + card reader	OTG adapter + memory card	It doesn't load the phone.	Additional costs for the adapter

For USB connection:

Connect the phone and TV with a cable.
On the TV, select the USB signal source.
On the phone in the notification curtain, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
In the TV file manager (Mediacentre), find the DCIM or Pictures folder.

⚠️ Note: On the iPhone, transfer through USB It is not possible without additional software (for example, Documents by Readdle), and Xiaomi TVs do not support the format. HEIC (iPhone: Pre-convert images to JPEG.

📊 What kind of image transfer you use more often?

Mi Home

Miracast

Google Cast

Wired connection

Other

5. Cloud services (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)

If you have an Internet connection, you can upload images to the cloud and then open them to TV, which is universal, but depends on the speed of the Internet.

Method 1: Google Photos

📤 Upload photos to Google Photos on your phone.
📺 On your TV, open the Google Photos app (install from Google Play if it isn't available).
🔍 Find the right image in the album.

Method 2: Mi Cloud (only for Xiaomi phones)

📱 Enable gallery sync in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → gallery.
🖼️ On the TV, open Mi Cloud (the app is pre-installed on Mi). TV).
🔑 Sign in to the same account and select a photo.

⚠️ Note: When using Mi Cloud, images are uploaded in compressed format (maximum 16 MP). To transfer originals, it is better to use Google Photos in the “Original Quality” mode (requires a paid subscription).

💡

Cloud services are convenient for regular syncing, but are not suitable for transferring large numbers of photos due to traffic and compression limitations.

6. Alternative methods (for advanced users)

If the standard methods do not work, you can use alternative solutions:

1. LocalCast (Android) app

It allows you to stream images to your TV via DLNA or Chromecast, even if native features are disabled. Supports HEIC, RAW and WEBP formats.

2. FTP-TV-server

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) TV 4X) can be incorporated FTP-server:

Settings → Network settings → FTP- Server → Include

Then connect to it via the file manager on your phone (such as Solid Explorer) at the address ftp://[IP_television].

3. Live broadcast via VLC

The VLC app on your phone can broadcast the screen over the local network. On your TV, open the VLC and select the "Open Network Stream" option.

How do you know? IP-TV address FTP?

1. On the remote, press Settings. → On TV. → Network status. 2. IP-address will be listed in the line IPv4. 3 If the address starts with 169.254, the TV is not connected to the router (check the network).

FAQ: Frequent Questions and Problems

🔍 Why Xiaomi TV is not visible when it is transmitted via Miracast?

The problem could be: Wi-Fi Direct turned off on your phone (check in Wi-Fi settings); TV firmware that is outdated (update via Settings → System Update); router lock (turn off AP Isolation in router settings); iPhone Miracast is not natively supported, use Mi Home or Google Cast.

📱 How to transfer photos from iPhone to Xiaomi TV lagless?

On iPhone, the best options are Mi Home (requires a single account binding); Google Photos + Chromecast (if the TV is on Android TV); Lightning → HDMI adapter (wired without delay). Avoid AirPlay - Xiaomi TVs do not support it without third-party firmware.

🖼️ Why are the photos displayed in low quality?

Reasons: Mi Cloud (compresses images to 16 MP); Google Photo settings ("High quality" instead of "Original"); Miracast limitations (maximum 1080p on most models); Solution: use a wired connection or LocalCast to transmit in the original resolution.

🔌 Can I transfer photos from my phone to Xiaomi? TV wireless?

Yes, there are three ways: Miracast (works over Wi-Fi Direct, no router (USB or HDMI). FTP-server (if you pre-configure the local network between devices). For Miracast, make sure that the TV is turned on Wi-Fi Access Point (Settings) → Wi-Fi → Mode of access point).

🛠️ What to do if your Xiaomi TV can’t see your phone USB?

Check: Connection mode on the phone (should be) MTP, Cable (use original or certified) USB 2.0/3.0). TV settings: Settings → Devices → USB-setting → Storage mode on the iPhone. USB-Connection is not supported without additional software (for example, Documents by Readdle). + Lightning-to-USB adapter).