Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have evolved into powerful multimedia centers capable of storing gigabytes of photos, 4K videos and streaming content. However, the screen size of a mobile device is often not enough to comfortably watch a family movie or presentation. Wireless connection to a large display solves this problem, eliminating the need to search for adapter cables.
The Android operating system, which runs the MIUI or HyperOS shell, already has all the necessary protocols for broadcasting images, you don't need to install third-party apps or purchase expensive hardware if your TV supports modern standards, just set up both devices correctly and choose the right method of data transfer.
There are several core technologies, each with its own features and use cases: some are ideal for viewing gallery videos, others are better for duplicating the screen in real time, and others are designed to stream content from online cinemas. Understanding the difference between Miracast, DLNA and Google Cast will help you choose the best option.
In this guide, we will take a detailed look at all available methods, eliminate common connection errors and ensure stable signal transmission, and learn how to manage content from your phone, turning your TV into a smart display for your digital media.
Wireless technologies: Miracast, Chromecast and DLNA
Before you start setting up, you need to understand the fundamental differences between data protocols. Xiaomi smartphones support all three basic standards, but they work differently. Miracast (often called "Translation" or "Wireless Display") creates a direct connection between the phone and TV, broadcasting an exact copy of what happens on the smartphone screen, this duplication of the entire interface, including notifications and system menus.
The DLNA technology works differently: it doesn't duplicate the screen, but transfers the media file (video, photos, music) from the phone's memory to the decoder of the TV, in which case the phone acts only as a remote control, and you can turn the application down or even lock the screen while the video is played, which saves battery power and processor resources.
The key difference between Chromecast (Google Cast) is that the app on the phone does not transmit a video stream, but only sends a command to the TV to play the content directly from the Internet, which ensures the highest quality of the picture and no delays, since the TV downloads the video itself through its Wi-Fi module.
- 📺 Miracast – full screen duplication, ideal for games and browsers.
- 🎬 DLNA — file transfer, saves battery, allows background playback.
- 🌐 Chromecast – streaming online content, minimal load on the smartphone.
The choice of method depends on your goal. If you want to show friends photos from a trip or play a game from a mobile on a large screen, you need Miracast. DLNA is better for watching downloaded movies, and Cast is built-in for YouTube and Netflix.
Preparation of devices and compatibility check
Successful connectivity is impossible without infrastructure preparation. The first and most important condition is to have both devices on the same LAN. Xiaomi and Smart TVs must be connected to the same router. If you have a dual-band router, make sure both are on the same frequency (either both at 2.4 GHz or both at 5 GHz), although modern routers often combine them into the same network.
Check the software version on your TV. Outdated Smart TV firmware may not support the current codecs or security protocols used by new Xiaomi smartphones. Go to the TV settings and find the software update section. It’s also worth making sure that the phone has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules on it (the latter is often used to initially detect the device).
☑️ Checklist before connection
Some antivirus programs or router privacy settings can block local device detection. If the gadgets can't see each other, try temporarily disabling AP Isolation in router settings, a common problem in office networks or hotel Wi-Fi, where direct communication between devices is prohibited.
⚠️ Note: When using public Wi-Fi networks (cafes, airports), the broadcast may not work due to router limitations, in such cases it is better to use a mobile hotspot if the TV supports a direct connection to Wi-Fi, or create a hotspot on the phone.
Translation method (Miracast) on Xiaomi
Xiaomi's built-in feature, called Translation, is the fastest way to display an image. It's based on the Miracast standard and doesn't require any additional software. To start, open the control panel (curtain) and find the Translation icon. If it's not there, click on the edit button (usually three dots or a pencil) and drag the icon to the active area.
Once activated, the phone will start looking for available displays. The TV needs to run the app. On Samsung models, it's called Screen Mirroring or Smart View; on LG, Screen Share; on Sony, Screen Duplication. Android TV often has built-in support, and no separate launch is required.
When the TV appears on the list on your smartphone, tap the name of the TV. It takes a few seconds to connect. After that, the phone screen will fully appear on the TV. You can switch between apps and the image will change in real time. However, it is worth considering that this method puts a high load on the battery and can cause the case to heat up.
| Parameter | Miracast (Translation) | DLNA | Chromecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of transmission | Screen duplication | File transfer | Replay command |
| Dependence on the phone | High (screen active) | Low (can be turned off screen) | Low (management) |
| Delay (Latency) | Got it (0.5-2 sec) | Absent. | Absent. |
| Quality. | Depends on the signal. | Original file | Maximum. |
If you notice a desynchronization of sound and video, try lowering the resolution of the broadcast in the engineering menu or simply restarting the router, often the problem lies in the overload of the Wi-Fi channel with neighboring networks.
Hidden Developer Settings for Broadcasting
Google Home and Chromecast built-in
For owners of TVs with Android TV or built-in Chromecast, the most convenient way is to use the Google ecosystem. Make sure that your Xiaomi has Google Play services installed (on global versions they are by default, on Chinese versions they require installation).
Download and launch the Google Home app. It will automatically scan the network and find your TV. Click on the device icon, then select the Cast my screen button. The system will alert you that the sound and image will be broadcast. Confirm the action.
The advantage of this method is stability. Google Cast is better optimized for video content than standard Miracast. In addition, many applications such as YouTube, Netflix, IVI have a built-in broadcast button (a square with waves), clicking it, you send a link to the video directly to the TV, unloading the smartphone.
In such cases, using the native Cast button inside the app is the only legal way to display a picture in high resolution.
- 📱 Open the Google Home app.
- 📺 Select your TV from the list of devices.
- 🔘 Press "Translate screen".
- ✅ Confirm the request for conjugation.
⚠️ Note: When streaming through Google Home, notifications coming to the phone (messages in messengers, calls) will be displayed on the TV screen.
Third-party applications and DLNA for advanced users
If the built-in methods are unstable or your TV is older, third-party solutions will come to the rescue, the leader in this area is the Web Video Caster or LocalCast application, which allows you to stream video files stored in Xiaomi memory or links from the browser to the TV using DLNA protocol.
You can use the built-in MI Share (or Mi Drop in older versions) to transfer photos and videos from the gallery if your TV supports the Xiaomi Cast protocol. However, for universal compatibility, it is better to install a receiver app on the Smart TV, such as AirScreen or Receiver for Xiaomi. These programs emulate the work of standard protocols, making the TV visible to the smartphone.
In the case of DLNA-Players such as BubbleUPnP or VLC For Android, the process is this: you open a file in the application, select "Translate" and specify the target device. The TV itself decodes the stream, so the quality of the picture is independent of the power of the phone's processor.
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To transfer heavy 4K files without buffering, use a 5GHz router and position the phone closer to the access point. 2.4GHz may not be able to handle the high bitrate of video.
Solving problems: delays, black screen and cliffs
Wireless connectivity is always affected by external factors. The most common problem is image delay (lag). This is critical for games, but less noticeable when watching movies. To minimize lag, close the background apps on Xiaomi, turn off downloads and make sure that no one on the network is downloading torrents.
If you see a message saying "Replay not supported" or a black screen with sound, the problem is codecs. The TV may not be able to decode the video format (e.g. HEVC or AV1) that the phone plays, in which case the transcoding (on-the-fly conversion) that some players are able to do, or using a screen duplication method, where decoding takes over the phone will help.
Frequent communication interruptions can indicate a weak signal. Walls, microwave ovens and working Bluetooth devices cause interference. Try rebooting your router by changing your Wi-Fi channel to a less busy one. Also check if the router is power-saving mode for the wireless module is on.
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The stability of a wireless connection is 90% dependent on the quality of the Wi-Fi signal and the absence of interference in the air, not only on the characteristics of the smartphone.