The modern user often faces the need to display multimedia content from a mobile device to the big screen. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem often look for ways to synchronize a Mi or Redmi smartphone with a Mi TV or Xiaomi TV. One of the first options that come to mind is wireless connection via Bluetooth. However, this method has its own unique features and limitations, which you need to know about before you start setting up.
Unlike wired or Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth in the context of TVs is most often designed to transmit audio or files, but not to mirror images in real time. Understanding this technical detail will help avoid frustration and save time. In this guide, we will detail the pairing process, available features and alternative solutions for comfortable use.
It should be noted that Bluetooth does not support the transmission of high-definition video stream for broadcasting a smartphone screen to a Xiaomi TV, a fundamental limitation of channel bandwidth, but it is quite effective and convenient in the home for listening to music or watching photos.
Limitations of Bluetooth technology when working with TV
Before you start setting up, it’s important to be clear about what exactly this protocol is designed for in Xiaomi TVs. The main purpose of Bluetooth here is to provide wireless connectivity to peripherals such as gamepads, keyboards, mice and, most importantly, headphones or external speakers. Video transmission requires significantly higher data exchange rates, which standard Bluetooth can not provide.
Users often confuse the ability to "connect" with the ability to "broadcast the screen." When you connect a smartphone and TV over Bluetooth, you create a channel for sharing files or audio. If your goal is to run a game on your phone and see it on your TV, this method is not suitable. For such tasks, there are technologies Mi Cast, Chromecast or AirPlay that work over a Wi-Fi network.
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To stream videos and games, use the “Translation” function in the smartphone notification curtain, rather than searching for Bluetooth devices.
But Bluetooth is not worth ignoring, because it does a great job in the background, like you can run a podcast on your smartphone, plug it into your TV, and use the TV as a powerful Bluetooth speaker, and it frees your hands and allows you to enjoy quality audio without any extra wires.
Preparation of devices for pairing
Successful connection depends on proper pre-preparedness of both devices. On the Xiaomi TV side, you need to make sure that the wireless module is activated and in visibility. Depending on the version of the Android TV or PatchWall operating system, the interface may differ slightly, but the logic remains the same.
The smartphone should also enable Bluetooth and clear the list of old, unused connections, which will help avoid addressing conflicts and speed up the search process. Make sure that both devices are in close proximity to each other, preferably within 3-5 meters, without physical obstacles in the form of walls or large household appliances.
☑️ Checking before connection
An important step is to update the software. Manufacturers regularly release patches that improve connection stability. Check for updates in Settings → About TV → System Update. A similar procedure is recommended on your smartphone through Settings → About phone.
Step-by-step instructions for connecting a smartphone
The pairing process doesn't require much knowledge, but it does require careful attention when selecting the devices on the list. First, go to the settings menu of your Xiaomi TV. Find the section responsible for connections and networks. In the Android TV interface, it's usually the top right corner or a separate line in the main menu.
Next, perform the following actions:
- 🔹 Select Add Accessory or Bluetooth in the TV settings menu.
- 🔹 Wait for the search indicator or list of available devices to appear.
- 🔹 Take your smartphone and open your Bluetooth settings.
- 🔹 In the list of available devices, find the name of your TV (e.g. Mi). TV 4A Xiaomi TV Stick).
- 🔹 Click on the name to initiate the connection.
You may see a request on your TV to confirm the code pairing, make sure the code on your smartphone and TV matches, and click "Confirm" or "OK" on the remote control, and after the successful connection, the status will change to "Connected".
What to do if the code does not appear?
Transfer of files and multimedia via Bluetooth
Once paired successfully, the user can transfer data, most often via Bluetooth to Xiaomi TVs, transmit photos or music tracks, and to do this on the smartphone you need to select a file, click "Share" and choose the transfer type "Bluetooth".
The TV will receive a request to receive the file, and it is important to quickly confirm it with the press of a button on the remote, since requests for file transfer often have a timeout, and after confirmation, the transfer process will begin, the speed of which depends on the version of the protocol and the size of the file.
| Type of content | Support via Bluetooth | Recommended format | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio (music) | Complete. | MP3, AAC, FLAC | Sound delay (latency) |
| Images | Complete. | JPG, PNG | Transmission speed |
| Video files | Partial (like a file) | MP4, MKV | It is impossible to stream, only downloading |
| Screen broadcasting | No. | - | Technically impossible |
It should be borne in mind that transferring large video files via Bluetooth will take a significant amount of time. USB-Bluetooth in this case acts as a means of fast transfer of small documents or photos for demonstration.
Using TV as Bluetooth speaker
One of the most useful features is using Xiaomi’s TV speaker system to output sound from your smartphone, which is true if you’re watching videos in a phone browser that doesn’t support Cast, or playing a mobile game.
To activate this mode after pairing, you need to click on the gear or triangle icon next to the name of the connected TV on your smartphone in Bluetooth settings. In the menu that opens, you need to switch the usage profile to Media Audio or Sound.
Note the latency of audio. When you transmit audio over Bluetooth, you can see the lip-sync issue. This is normal for this type of connection. If you're watching a movie, you'd better use the built-in TV apps (YouTube, Netflix) where the sound is processed locally.
Alternatives for image broadcasting
Since Bluetooth is not designed to transmit video stream, other technologies should be used to mirror the screen of a smartphone on a Xiaomi TV. Owners of Android smartphones are recommended the Mi Cast function or the Chromecast built into the Google system.
To activate the broadcast:
- 📱 Make sure your smartphone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- 📱 Open the notification curtain on your smartphone and find the button “Translation”, “Smart View” or “Mi Cast".
- 📱 Select your TV from the list.
- 📱 The phone screen will appear on the TV.
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Always use Wi-Fi (Miracast/Chromecast) to watch videos and games, as Bluetooth cannot physically transmit a video stream.
Apple device users can use AirPlay 2 technology if the Xiaomi TV model supports this feature (new models), otherwise you can install the Xiaomi TV app from the App Store, which allows you to stream photos and videos over the local network.
Solutions and Connection Problems
Users may encounter various difficulties in setting up, most often due to devices not seeing each other or the connection being permanently broken, which may be caused by interference in the air or outdated drivers.
⚠️ Warning: If the TV doesn't appear in the Bluetooth list on your smartphone, try restarting both devices. Often, a temporary failure of the detection service is solved by simply turning off and turning on the power.
Another common problem is the inability to transfer a file to a specific format: Android TVs may not have pre-installed codecs for some rare audio or image formats, in which case the file will be accepted but not opened.
⚠️ Note: When transferring files via Bluetooth, never interrupt the process by turning off the smartphone screen.This can cause file damage and the need to restart the procedure.
If the connection is established but the sound is not available, check the volume settings on both devices. Sometimes on a TV, the volume of the Bluetooth channel is reduced to zero regardless of the main volume, and it is also worth checking whether the TV is connected to other Bluetooth headphones that can intercept the audio stream.