How to connect your phone to Xiaomi: all ways + problem solving

Connecting a smartphone to Xiaomi (whether it’s the Mi Box S, Mi TV Stick or Mi Box 4K) opens up a lot of possibilities, from streaming video from your phone’s screen to the big screen to using your phone as a remote control or a gamepad. However, many users face difficulties — the console can’t see the phone, there are lags when mirroring or some functions do not work. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of connecting (including hidden chips), and also solve typical problems.

It's important to understand that the way you connect depends on the purpose: whether you just need to duplicate the screen (mirror), transfer files, control the console from your phone or use it as a source of content. We'll look at options for Android and iOS devices, and also pay attention to the features of the MIUI and Android TV firmware. If you previously tried to connect and encountered an error, at the end of this article there is a section with solutions.

1. Wi-Fi connection (screen mirroring)

The most versatile way is wireless mirroring via Wi-Fi Direct or Miracast, which works on most modern Xiaomi smartphones and consoles, but requires a stable signal. The main advantage is that there is no need for cables, and the delay is minimal (with a good router).

On Xiaomi consoles, mirroring is implemented through the built-in Wireless Display feature (in some firmware called Screen Mirroring).Importantly, the phone and console must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network or use a console access point (if there is no router).

• 📱 On Android Phone: Open Settings → Connections → Screen transfer (or Samsung's Smart View). Select your Xiaomi console from the list.
• 🖥️ On the console: go to Settings → Display and sound → Wireless Display and activate the option.
• 🍎 On iPhone: Use Screen Mirroring in Control Point, but pre-installe the AirScreen app (available on Google Play on Android) TV).

If the console does not appear in the list of devices, check:

• 🔄 Is the firmware on the console updated (relevant for the Mi Box S with the version below Android) TV 9).
• 📶 Are both devices connected to the same network (sometimes reconnecting helps).
• 🔒 Is it off? VPN or firewalls on the phone.

2. USB connection (MTP and OTG)

If you need to transfer files (movies, music, photos) from your phone to the console or vice versa, it is easiest to use. USB-Xiaomi consoles support modes MTP (for file sharing) and OTG (But there are nuances to connecting the periphery:

Not all cables will do! You need USB-C → USB-A (or Micro-USB → USB-A if you have an older phone model) with data support. Charging cables often don't work for this purpose. Also make sure the console supports OTG - the first-generation Mi TV Stick doesn't have this feature.

USB-C/Micro-USB Cable → USB-A with Data Transfer

Developer mode on the phone (for some models)

File Manager on the console (for example, FX File Explorer)

Disabled "Charging mode" in the USB settings on the phone

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Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the console with a cable.
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. On the console, open any file manager (for example, embedded Files or Solid Explorer).
4. Your phone will appear in the list of devices – open it and copy the necessary files.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (for example, MIUI 12.5) when connecting to Android TV You may see a "Device not supported" error. Solution: Enable Developer Mode on your phone and activate Debugging by Debugging. USB.

HDMI Connection (for Supported Phones)

Few people know, but some flagship Xiaomi smartphones (for example, Mi 11 Ultra, Redmi K50 Gaming) support HDMI image output via USB-C port. This requires a special USB-C → HDMI adapter (preferably with DisplayPort Alt Mode support), This method gives minimal latency and maximum picture quality (up to 4K@60Hz), but does not work on all models.

How to check compatibility:

• 🔍 Check out your phone’s specifications on mi.com – look for DisplayPort or HDMI output.
• 🛠️ Buy an adapter with a Realtek chip RTD2173 or Parade PS175 (Cheap Chinese adapters often don’t work).
• 📱 Connect the adapter to the phone and HDMI-cable to the prefix (if it has an entrance) HDMI IN, Like a Mi Box. 4K passthrough).

⚠️ Note: When connecting through HDMI You can use a Y-shaped powered cable or you can connect your phone to charge in parallel.

4. Bluetooth connection (remote, gamepad, headphones)

If you need to use your phone as a remote control, a gamepad or connect wireless headphones to the console, Bluetooth will help. Xiaomi consoles support A2DP (for sound), HID (for control) and LE (for low-energy devices).

How to connect your phone as a remote control:

1. Install the official Mi Remote app on your phone (available for Android and iOS).
2. Select your console (Mi Box or Mi TV Stick) from the list of devices.
3. Follow the instructions on the interface screen.

How to connect a gamepad (for example, for emulators):

• 🎮 On your phone, turn on Game Controller mode in Bluetooth settings.
• 🖥️ On the console, go to Settings → Input devices → Add an accessory.
• 🔄 Select your phone from the list and confirm the pairing.

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If the console does not see the phone over Bluetooth, try resetting the network settings on both devices: on the console go to Settings → System → Network Reset, on the phone – to Settings → System → Additional → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth.

5. Connection via applications (DLNA, Kodi, Plex)

You don't have to use mirroring to stream content from your phone to your console. DLNA-server or use specialized applications like Kodi or Plex:

• 🎬 Broadcast movies in original quality without compression.
• 🎵 Listen to music from your phone on speakers connected to the console.
• 📁 View photos and videos without copying to the console.

DLNA setting:

1. On the phone, install a server application, such as BubbleUPnP or Plex.
2. On the console, install Kodi or the built-in Media Center player.
3. In the player settings, select the source - your phone will appear in the list. DLNA-device.

Kodi setup:

• 📱 On your phone, enable Transfer of files over the local network in Kodi (Settings) → Services → UPnP/DLNA).
• 🖥️ On the console in Kodi add a source Add video → UPnP Protocol.
• 🔍 Select your phone from the list and start browsing.

6. Solving Connection Problems

Even with the right settings, the connection may not work. Here are the typical errors and their solutions:

Additional advice:

• 🔄 If the Xiaomi console is getting stuck when connecting, make a soft reset: press the power button for 10 seconds.
• 📱 On Xiaomi phones with MIUI Sometimes it helps to disable the optimization function. MIUI developer-setting.
• 🖥️ If mirroring works with lags, try ApowerMirror – it uses its own transmission protocols.

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For stable mirroring over Wi-Fi, use a router with Wi-Fi 6 support (802.11ax) or connect the console via an Ethernet adapter (for Mi Box S sold separately).

FAQ: Frequent questions