Owners of the Apple ecosystem often face the need to bring content to the big screen, especially when it comes to watching movies or showing photos. Xiaomi, as one of the leaders of the smart TV market, offers many solutions for integration with iOS, but the process is not always intuitive due to differences in operating systems. Wireless connectivity has become the de facto standard, but the quality of the connection depends on the correct network setting and choice of data protocol.
There are several proven methods to sync iPhone and Android TV without the use of unnecessary wires. In this article, we will discuss in detail the native features of AirPlay, third-party applications and wired options that guarantee a stable picture even in the absence of the Internet.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your router supports the 5GHz standard as high-resolution video transmission (4K) 2.4 GHz can cause artifacts and interruptions.
Using AirPlay support on Xiaomi TVs
Modern models of Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi TV often have built-in support for AirPlay 2 protocol, which is the easiest way to duplicate the screen. To get started, you do not need to install additional apps on your smartphone, just activate the corresponding feature in the TV menu, usually located in the settings section or available via swipe to the right in the main interface PatchWall.
The connection process is as follows: open Control Point on your iPhone (swipe down from the top right corner or bottom up depending on the model), select Screen Replay and find your TV in the list. The key is to find both devices on the same Wi-Fi network, otherwise the search will not yield results. If the TV requests a confirmation code, enter it on the smartphone screen to establish a secure connection.
Some users may find that AirPlay is not active by default, and in such cases, you should go to Settings → Network and Internet → Apple AirPlay and switch the slider to On. It is also worth checking if the TV firmware is updated to the latest version, since support for Apple protocols is often added by the manufacturer during security updates.
☑️ Checking before connection
Broadcasting through the Mi Home app and the smart home ecosystem
The official Mi Home app serves as the central control center for all the brand’s equipment and allows you to mirror the screen without complex manipulations. Once you install the app on your iPhone and log in to your Mi Account account, you need to add the TV to the list of devices, which will open access to advanced features, including transferring media files and duplication of the interface.
Inside the app, select your TV from the list of available gadgets. In the control menu that opens, find the Translation button or the arrow screen icon. This method is especially convenient if the built-in AirPlay is unstable or requires constant confirmation of connection. The app also allows you to transfer local video files and photos from the gallery directly to the TV buffer.
It is worth noting that the functionality of the application may vary depending on the region specified when registering an account. For users from CIS countries and Europe, the interface may differ from the Chinese version, where some broadcast functions are implemented deeper. If the standard broadcast button does not work, try using the built-in browser of the application to open the video and click the "Cast" button in the player.
| Connection method | Stability | Delay (Latency) | Image quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPlay (Native) | Tall. | Low. | Up to 4K HDR |
| Mi Home App | Medium | Medium | Up to 1080p. |
| Third-party annexes | Depends on the software. | Tall. | Compressed. |
| HDMI adapter | Maximum | Absent. | Original |
Third-party applications for screen duplication (Screen Mirroring)
If the regular products don’t meet your requirements or the TV is an older model without AirPlay support, third-party solutions will come to the rescue. There are many applications available in the App Store, such as Web Video Caster, Cast to TV or Replica, which use DLNA and Miracast technologies. These programs create a virtual bridge between iOS and Android TV, emulating standard transmission protocols.
The principle of such applications is simple: you run the program on the iPhone and on the TV (via the Google Play app store on TV), after which the devices find each other over the local network. Web Video Caster is especially good for transferring video files, since it can stream video from the browser directly to TV, bypassing buffering on the phone itself.
However, it is worth considering that free versions of such applications often contain ads that can interrupt viewing, and when using third-party software, audio and video can be desynchronized, especially when playing files with high bitrate.
Wired connection via Lightning/USB-C to HDMI adapter
For situations where maximum image quality is required or there is no Wi-Fi network, the only reliable option is a wired connection. You will need the original Apple Digital AV Adapter (for Lightning or USB-C depending on the iPhone model) and a standard HDMI cable.
Connect the adapter to the smartphone, and then connect it with a cable HDMI with the appropriate port on the Xiaomi TV, switch the signal source to the TV to the desired one. HDMI-entrance, HDMI 1 HDMI The iPhone image will instantly appear on the screen in full resolution, which is the only way to broadcast protected content (DRM) apps like Netflix or Apple TV+ maximum quality without restrictions.
An important nuance is power: with prolonged use, the adapter can heat up and the smartphone can discharge, as part of the energy is used to transmit the video signal. It is recommended to use adapters with an additional charging port to power the iPhone at the same time. Also make sure that the HDMI cable supports HDCP 2.2 if you plan to watch content in 4K.
⚠️ Note: When using cheap unlicensed adapters, the image may periodically disappear or an error message may appear. HDCP Violation of the Content Protection Protocol.
Network setup and fixing connection problems
A common reason for failure when trying to connect iPhone and Xiaomi TV Make sure that both devices are connected to the main network, not to the guest network, as the isolation of customers in guest networks prohibits the exchange of data packets between devices. IGMP Snooping, which is necessary for the correct operation of multicast traffic.
If the TV is not visible on the list of available devices, try rebooting the router and both. Sometimes it helps to temporarily turn off mobile data on the iPhone to force a search request through the Wi-Fi module. In the router settings, check whether the division of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies into different SSIDs is included - ideally they should be combined or the devices should be in the same frequency range.
For advanced users, you can log into the TV's engineering menu via a remote control, where you can check the status of network services. However, be careful: changing unknown parameters in Settings → About → Build Number (clicking 7 times) can lead to unstable system operation. In most cases, it is enough just to forget the Wi-Fi network on both devices and connect again.
Secret code for resetting the network
Features of sound transmission and file formats
When streaming an image, it is important to consider audio codec support. Xiaomi Android TVs are great at AAC and MP3 formats, but may have difficulty with Lossless audio (ALAC, FLAC) when streaming through AirPlay. In such cases, the sound may be absent or played with a crack. The solution lies in the audio output settings in the source application itself or in the settings of the TV (Settings → Sound → Out).
If you stream video files locally, the container format also plays a role. Standard Android TV players may not "see" ASS/SSA subtitles when streaming, although the video will go fine. For full compatible playback, it is better to use the broadcast through client applications that recode the stream on the fly, or use the TV's built-in player to access network folders (SMB/DLNA).
For users planning to use the TV as a display for presentations or simple games, the wireless input lag can range from 100 to 300 ms. This is critical for dynamic games, but is quite acceptable for slideshows or photo albums. In such scenarios, it is better to switch to Game mode in the TV image settings to minimize post-processing of the picture.
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To reduce the audio delay when watching YouTube via AirPlay, try using the YouTube TV app to select the “Connect to Phone” option and control playback from your smartphone rather than streaming the browser tab in its entirety.
Quality Comparison: AirPlay vs Chromecast built-in
Many Xiaomi TVs have built-in Chromecast, which raises the question: why not use it? The difference between AirPlay and Chromecast is the transmission architecture. AirPlay transmits the already ready-made video stream (screen to screen), creating a load on the Wi-Fi channel, but retaining an exact copy of the iOS interface. Chromecast often downloads content directly from the Internet by link, which saves phone traffic, but does not allow you to duplicate the screen of arbitrary applications.
If your goal is to show a photo from a gallery or an app interface that is not available on Android, AirPlay remains the leader. If you want to watch videos from YouTube or Netflix, the built-in Cast feature inside the app on the iPhone will work more stable and with less power consumption than full mirror display of the screen through AirPlay.
Ultimately, the choice of method depends on the specific task: for a home theater, it is preferable to use native apps on the TV or Chromecast itself, and for displaying content from the iPhone screen, the AirPlay protocol. The flexible combination of these technologies allows you to unlock the potential of the iPhone + Xiaomi TV bundle by 100%.
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The golden rule: Use AirPlay to duplicate screen and photos, and the built-in Cast (Chromecast) to stream video from apps to save battery and picture quality.