Connecting Xiaomi smartphone to the TV via USB: all the ways and nuances

Connecting Xiaomi smartphone to the TV through USB-cable seems like a simple task, but in practice, users face a lot of nuances: from the lack of response of the TV to the connection to the error of image transmission. MIUI, Features of different versions of Android TV and bypassing typical problems.

It is important to understand that USB-Connection between a smartphone and a TV can work in three modes: file transfer (like a flash drive), MHL/Slimport (image output) and USB-We're going to focus on the first two, because they're relevant to the development. 90% If your TV supports your users USB-C or HDMI s MHL, The chances of a successful connection are much higher โ€“ but even with a regular Micro-USB, there are solutions.

The article will suit the owners of all modern models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO base MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-14, with Samsung TV compatibility in particular, LG, Sony Bravia and Xiaomi TV, Because their silk is handled differently USB-device.

1. Compatibility check: which USB-cable and TV you need

Before you connect your smartphone, make sure your TV supports at least one of three scenarios:

  • ๐Ÿ“บ USB-port MHL/Slimport: This allows you to display images from your smartphone to your TV screen via an adapter, MU), Sony Bravia (2013โ€“2018 d.) and some LG.
  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode: modern TVs (for example, LG OLED C1 Samsung QLED 2021+) They can directly receive video USB-C โ†’ HDMI adaptless.
  • ๐Ÿ“ Regime. USB-Driver: if the TV does not support image output, the smartphone can be used as a flash drive to view photos / videos (works on 99% of TV).

To check for MHL support, look at the back of the TV for a USB port labeled MHL or HDMI (MHL). For USB-C, look for the DisplayPort or monitor icon next to the connector. If none of these are available, only the drive mode remains.

๐Ÿ“Š What brand is your TV?
Samsung
LG
Sony
Xiaomi
Philips
Other

The cable must meet two criteria:

  1. Have connectors suitable for a smartphone (USB-C or Micro-USB) and a TV (USB-A, USB-C or HDMI).
  2. Support data transfer (not all charging cables are suitable!) It is optimal to use the original Xiaomi cable or a certified USB 3.0+.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Cheap cables without screening can cause image artifacts or no signal at all. If the TV screen flashes or scatters into pixels, the cable is the problem.

2. Connection mode USB-storage device (to view files)

This is the most versatile method that works even on older TVs without MHL. The smartphone will appear as an external drive, and you will be able to view photos, videos and music through the built-in media player TV.

Step-by-step:

โ˜‘๏ธ Xiaomi Connection as a Related USB-storage

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  1. On your smartphone, go to Settings โ†’ About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
  2. Return to Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ For developers and enable USB debugging.
  3. Connect your smartphone to your TV with a cable. A notification will appear on your smartphone screen โ€“ select File Transfer (or USB-accumulator).
  4. On the TV, open the Media Player, Photos or Music app and select your smartphone as the source.

If the TV cannot see the device:

  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Try another one. USB-TV port (usually one of them is designed to connect external devices).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Reboot your smartphone and reconnect.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ In the settings MIUI Go to Settings. โ†’ Connections โ†’ USB Change the mode from Charging to File Transfer.
Why canโ€™t the TV see files on Xiaomi?
If the files are recorded on SD-The problem is that the card is not in the internal memory, some TVs don't display them, and the problem may be in the file system format: exFAT is not supported by all TVs, but by the same system. FAT32 Has a limit on the file size of 4 GB.

3. display of the image on the screen (MHL/Slimport)

If your TV supports MHL or Slimport, you can duplicate your smartphone screen on TV at up to 1080p (some models have 4K).

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Xiaomi Smartphone with Support MHL (Most models on the Snapdragon 600+ Series: Mi 9, Redmi Note 10 Pro).
  • ๐Ÿ“บ Port TV HDMI (MHL) or USB (MHL).
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ adapter USB-C/Micro-USB โ†’ HDMI (for MHL) Slimport adapter (for the respective models).

Instructions:

  1. Connect the adapter to your smartphone and then connect it to your TV via HDMI.
  2. On your smartphone, select MHL or HDMI mode in the notification (if it appears).
  3. On the TV, switch to the right one. HDMI-Entrance (usually signed as MHL).
  4. If the image does not appear, go to Settings โ†’ Screen โ†’ Output to an external display and activate duplication.

Critical nuance: adapters MHL demand food USB-If the TV doesn't supply enough current, use a Y cable with additional charging power.

Xiaomi modelSupport for MHLMax, permission.The right adapter.
Xiaomi Mi 11/12โŒ No (USB-C without MHL)โ€”DisplayPort Alt Mode
Redmi Note 10 Proโœ… Yes (Micro-USB)1080p@60HzMicro-USB โ†’ HDMI (MHL)
POCO X3 Proโœ… Yes (USB-C)1080p@30HzUSB-C โ†’ HDMI (Slimport)
Xiaomi Mi 9/10โœ… Yes (USB-C)4K@30HzUSB-C โ†’ HDMI (MHL)

โš ๏ธ Note: On smartphones with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi) 9A) MHL It may not work due to processor limitations.

4. Connect via USB-C โ†’ HDMI (DisplayPort Alt Mode)

Modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with the Mi 10) and USB-C TVs (like the LG OLED 2020+) support direct image output via DisplayPort Alt Mode.This method does not require MHL and provides a resolution of up to 4K@60Hz.

You'll need:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Smartphone with USB-C DisplayPort support (see official Xiaomi documentation for the list).
  • ๐Ÿ“บ TV with USB-C or HDMI (adapter-wise).
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Cable USB-C โ†’ HDMI DisplayPort support (e.g. Anker 810 or Baseus).

How to connect:

  1. Connect your smartphone and TV with a cable.
  2. On the smartphone in the notification, select Output to an external display or USB-C Display.
  3. On the TV, select the appropriate HDMI-entrance.
  4. If the image does not appear, go to Settings โ†’ Screen โ†’ Display Mode and set the resolution.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the TV screen displays only a part of the image, on the smartphone in the screen settings, turn on the โ€œSubogon under the screenโ€ mode and select the 100% scale.

5. Solving typical problems in the USB-connection

Even with the right setup, users are faced with errors, and let's take a look at the most common solutions:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
The TV does not respond to the connectionWrong. USB-portUse an MHL or USB 3.0 port. Try another cable.
Image is there, but no sound.The sound is displayed on the speakers of the smartphoneIn the smartphone sound settings, select HDMI as the output device.
The screen flashes or "crumbles"Poor quality cable or adapterReplace the cable with a certified USB 3.1 or original from Xiaomi.
Smartphone does not offer to choose USB modeUSB debugging disabledEnable USB debugging in the developer settings.

If none of the methods work:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Update your smartphone and TV firmware to the latest version.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Reset network settings on your smartphone (Settings) โ†’ Network โ†’ Reset).
  • ๐Ÿ“บ On the TV, turn off the Quick Start function (may block) USB-device).

๐Ÿ’ก

If your TV doesnโ€™t support MHL or DisplayPort, the only reliable way to display an image is wireless (Miracast, Google Cast), and USB is only suitable for file transfer.

6. Alternative ways to connect (if USB does not work)

If USB connection is not possible, consider alternatives:

  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Miracast/Wi-Fi Direct: Wireless screen duplication. Works on most Xiaomi smartphones and Android TVs TV smart TV 2016+ garland.
  • ๐Ÿ”— Google Cast (Chromecast): If you have a Chromecast or TV with Google built-in TV, Use the Google Home app to stream.
  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ HDMI-Adapter with external power: if the TV does not support MHL, but HDMI, Use an adapter with additional power from the socket.

For Miracast:

  1. On your smartphone, turn on Wi-Fi and Miracast (Settings โ†’ Connections โ†’ Wireless display).
  2. On the TV, activate Screen Mirroring or Wi-Fi Direct.
  3. Select a TV from the list of available devices on your smartphone.

For Google Cast:

  1. Connect your smartphone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Open the video in the app (like YouTube or Google Photos) and click the Cast icon.
  3. Choose your TV from the list.

7. Optimize image and sound when USB-connected

If the connection is successful, but the quality of the image or sound leaves much to be desired, use these tips:

  • ๐ŸŽต Sound: In the smartphone settings go to Sound โ†’ Output device and select HDMI. If the sound is late, turn on Low Latency (if there is one).
  • ๐Ÿ“บ Image: In Settings โ†’ Screen. โ†’ Permission HDMI set up 1080p (if 4K Turn off Auto Brightness for stable signal.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Power: Connect your smartphone to charging during broadcast โ€” MHL DisplayPort consumes a lot of energy.

For high-resolution games or videos:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ Turn on the TV game mode (reduces input delay).
  • ๐Ÿ“น In the video player settings (for example, MX Player) select Hardware Decoding.
How do you reduce the latency of sound?
If the sound is behind the image, try: 1. Use external speakers connected to the TV via HDMI ARC. 2. In the smartphone settings, disable all sound effects (Settings โ†’ Sound โ†’ Effects). 3. Reduce the output resolution to 720p (sometimes the delay is associated with 4K processing).

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi to a TV

โ“ Can you connect Xiaomi to your TV? USB adaptless?
Yes, but only in USB mode (to view files). To display the image on the screen, you need a USB โ†’ HDMI adapter (for MHL) or USB-C โ†’ HDMI (for DisplayPort).
โ“ Why does the TV write โ€œUnsupported Deviceโ€ when connected?
This error occurs for three reasons: The TV does not support the TV. MHL or USB-Smartphone locked (unlock screen before connecting) Uncertified cable used (replace with original) Check compatibility of your devices in the table above.
โ“ How to connect Xiaomi to a Samsung TV?
For Samsung TVs (J, K, MU, QLED): Use an HDMI (MHL) port (usually HDMI 1). USB-C smartphones need a USB-C โ†’ HDMI adapter with DisplayPort support. On your TV, turn on Source โ†’ HDMI and select MHL. On 2020+ models (such as Q80T), DisplayPort Alt Mode without MHL runs.
โ“ Why is it that you connect through USB smartphone starts to discharge?
MHL and DisplayPort adapters consume a lot of power. Solutions: Connect your smartphone to charging at the same time as you output to your TV. Use a Y cable with additional power from the outlet. Reduce the brightness of your smartphone screen by up to 50%. On some models (for example, POCO F3), turning off Adaptive Brightness helps.
โ“ Can I control the TV from a smartphone after connecting?
Yes, but with limitations: In mode USB-The only way to control the drive is through the TV remote (MHL/DisplayPort) The smartphone becomes a mouse, you can use the touch screen to navigate. For full control, install the Mi Remote app on both devices).