Why connect the tablet to the console Xiaomi and what you need for this
Connecting the tablet to Xiaomi (whether itโs the Mi Box S, Mi TV Stick or Mi Box 4K) opens up new possibilities, from streaming content from the tablet screen to a large TV to using the tablet as a game controller or second screen. However, not everyone knows that the ways of connecting depend on the console model, the version of Android TV, and even the type of tablet (for example, an iPad or Android tablet require different protocols).
In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods of connection, including wired (via HDMI and USB) and wireless (via Miracast, DLNA and specialized applications). Particular attention will be paid to the compatibility of protocols between Android 12+ tablets and Xiaomi consoles with Android TV 11/12, where there are often problems with screen mirroring, and you will learn how to circumvent manufacturer restrictions and what settings need to be changed for stable operation.
Before you start, make sure you have:
- ๐ฑ Tablet with Miracast support (for wireless connection) or port USB-C/HDMI (wired).
- ๐บ Xiaomi (any model, but with the current firmware).
- ๐ Cables: HDMI-HDMI, USB-C to HDMI or USB OTG (methodically).
- ๐ถ Stable connection to a single Wi-Fi network (for wireless methods).
Method 1: Wired connection via HDMI (for tablets with video output)
The most reliable way is to connect the tablet directly to the console via HDMI, which is suitable for tablets with HDMI video output support (for example, the Samsung Tab S8, Huawei MatePad Pro or Xiaomi Pad 6), Xiaomi in this case acts as an intermediary between the tablet and the TV.
You'll need:
- ๐ adapter USB-C to HDMI (if the tablet has a port USB-C).
- ๐ Cable HDMI-HDMI (usually comes with a prefix).
- โก Power supply for the tablet (with prolonged use).
Step-by-step:
- Connect the USB-C to HDMI adapter to the tablet.
- Connect the adapter to Xiaomi via the HDMI IN port (on the console).
- On the TV, select the signal source - the port to which the console is connected.
- On the tablet, you may need to enable HDMI-output mode in the screen settings (usually activated automatically).
The tablet supports the conclusion HDMI|Adapter compatible with tablet model|The console is on and connected to the TV|Cable HDMI intact-->
An important nuance: some tablets (for example, iPad) do not support direct output over HDMI without additional software. In this case, use wireless methods (see the following sections).
โ ๏ธ Note: If the image does not appear on the TV, check the screen resolution settings on the tablet. Xiaomi consoles may not support the resolutions above 4K@30Hz through HDMI-IN. Try to install it. 1080p@60Hz manually.
Method 2: Wireless Miracast Mirror (for Android tablets)
Miracast is the wireless screen standard that most of Xiaomiโs Android tablets and consoles support, with the main advantage being no wires and delays (with a good Wi-Fi signal). However, there are also downsides: not all apps support mirroring due to DRM limitations (for example, Netflix or Disney+ can block output).
How to connect:
- Make sure that the tablet and console are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (preferably 5 GHz for stability).
- On Xiaomi, go to Settings โ Device โ Screen and Sound โ Wireless Display.
- On the tablet, open Settings โ Connections โ Screen Mirror (the name of the item may differ).
- Select your Xiaomi console (usually displayed as MiBox-XXXXX).
- Confirm the connection on both devices.
If the connection fails:
- ๐ Reboot both devices.
- ๐ถ Check that Wi-Fi is running in the 5 GHz band (2.4 GHz can be lags).
- ๐ง Update the firmware of the console (in Settings) โ About the prefix โ Updating the system).
๐ก
If mirroring is working with delays, try reducing the tablet screen resolution to 720p in the developer settings (Settings โ About Tablet โ Build Number โ tap 7 times to unlock).
Method 3: Connect via USB (OTG mode for console control)
This method is suitable if you want to use the tablet as an input device (for example, for games or navigation on the menu). USB OTG, But with limitations: the tablet must be recognized as HID-device).
What you need:
- ๐ Cable USB OTG (s USB-C or micro-USB on USB-A).
- ๐ฎ Gamepad emulation app (e.g. Octopus or GameKeyboard).
Instructions:
- Connect the tablet to the console via USB OTG.
- On the prefix Settings โ Devices โ USB select mode HID-device.
- On the tablet, install a management application (such as Unified Remote).
- Follow the instructions of the application for pairing.
โ ๏ธ Note: Not all applications on the console will work correctly with the tablet in mode USB OTG. For example, YouTube or Kodi can ignore commands from a tablet.
Method 4: Streaming via DLNA/Google Cast (for multimedia)
If you only need to stream videos, music or photos to your TV, rather than the entire screen, itโs more convenient to use DLNA or Google Cast protocols. Xiaomi consoles support both standards, but the setting is different.
For DLNA:
- Install a media server application (for example, BubbleUPnP or VLC) on the tablet.
- Open the Media Center app (pre-installed on the Mi Box).
- In the list of devices, select your tablet and start playing.
For Google Cast:
- Make sure that the tablet and console have the Google Home app installed.
- In an app that supports Cast (such as YouTube or Google Photos), click the broadcast icon and select your console.
| Protocol | Supported formats | Delay. | Required SOFTWARE |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLNA | MP4, MKV, JPG, MP3 | Minimum | BubbleUPnP, VLC |
| Google Cast | MP4, WebM, JPG, PNG | Medium | Google Home, YouTube |
| Miracast | Any content from the screen | Depends on Wi-Fi. | Built-in settings |
Why is Google Cast not working on some tablets?
Method 5: Use of specialized applications (Kodi, Plex, Steam Link)
If standard methods don't work, you can use applications that create a local network for streaming, such as:
- ๐ฌ Kodi โ to play media files from a tablet on the console.
- ๐ฎ Steam Link โ for streaming games from tablet to big screen.
- ๐ Plex โ for organizing a home media server.
Example of Kodi setup:
- Install Kodi on the tablet and console Xiaomi.
- On the tablet in Kodi, enable UPnP/DLNA in the service settings.
- On the console in Kodi, add the source of UPnP Devices and select your tablet.
The advantage of this method is that there are no restrictions on file formats and DRM, like mirroring, but you need to pre-configure.
๐ก
Apps like Kodi or Plex can bypass the limitations of Miracast and Google Cast, but require more time to set up.
Common Problems and Their Solutions
Even with the right connection, errors can occur, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:
1. The console does not see the tablet when connected by Miracast
- ๐ง Check if Miracast is enabled in your tablet settings (sometimes hidden in Developer Mode).
- ๐ถ Reconnect both devices to Wi-Fi (sometimes network change helps).
- ๐ Update the firmware to the latest version.
2.Mirror works with lags
- ๐ถ Switch to Wi-Fi 5 GHz (if you use 2.4 GHz).
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Reduce the screen resolution of the tablet to 720p.
- ๐ Connect the tablet to charging (at a low level of the battery can brake).
3. The console does not recognize the tablet on USB
- ๐ Try another cable. USB OTG (Not everyone supports data transfer).
- ๐ง In the settings of the consoles, turn on debugging by USB (Settings โ About the prefix โ Assembly number - tap 7 times).
๐ก
If neither method works, try resetting the network settings on the console (Settings โ Network โ Reset).