The modern Xiaomi Mi Box and TV Sticks turn a regular TV into a powerful multimedia center, but their full potential is only revealed when synchronized with a smartphone. Connecting your phone to a console via a home Wi-Fi network gives you access to screen broadcasting, media management, and even using your mobile device as a remote control. HDMI-cables or handle Bluetooth pairing for each new task.
The setup process can vary depending on your gadget’s operating system, Android or iOS, and the firmware version of the Android TV itself. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the ways you can integrate devices, from built-in Google Cast features to advanced methods of transferring files over the local network.
To successfully implement all of the scenarios described below, it is critical that both devices are on the same subnet, which means that your smartphone and TV set-top box must be connected to the same router. If you have a dual-band router, make sure that both devices are running at the same frequency, although modern routers usually handle packet transfer between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz without problems.
Network Preparation and Basic Settings
Before pairing, you need to make sure that the network equipment is working correctly. Often users find that devices simply “can’t see” each other, and the reason lies in customer isolation or guest Wi-Fi. Go to your router’s settings and check that the AP Isolation function is turned off, as it prevents devices inside the network from communicating.
On the console itself, Xiaomi should also check the network settings. Go to the Settings menu → Network and Internet and make sure that the connection status is active and IP-The address is correct, and in some cases, manual input helps. DNS-servers, for example, from Google (8.8.8.8), which can speed up device detection on the local network.
⚠️ Note: If you use a guest Wi-Fi network for guests, connecting your phone to a set-top box is likely to fail. Guest networks are by default isolated from the main LAN where the TV box is usually located.
Also worth looking at is the SMB version if you plan to access files. Android TV consoles can default to old sharing protocols, which requires either updating the router's settings or using modern conductor apps. Make sure both devices are enabled with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as some services use Bluetooth for the initial handshake.
Broadcasting the screen via Google Home (Chromecast)
The most naive and stable way to stream an image from an Android smartphone to a Xiaomi console is to use Google Cast technology. Since the console is based on Android TV, the Chromecast feature is built in there by default. You don't need to install additional receivers, you just need to have a Google account and the Google Home app on your phone.
To start the broadcast, open the Google Home app on your smartphone. It will automatically scan the network and find available devices. Your Mi Box or TV Stick should appear on the list. Click on the device icon, then select the Cast my screen button. The TV may have a request for confirmation of connection, which you need to receive by the remote.
- 📱 Open the Google Home app on your mobile device.
- 📺 Select your Xiaomi console from the list of available devices.
- 🔘 Click the “Translate screen” button in the lower menu.
- ✅ Confirm the connection request that appeared on the TV screen.
The quality of the broadcast depends on the speed of your Wi-Fi connection. To transfer video at 1080p or 4K resolution, it is recommended to use 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or later. If you notice delays or image artifacts, try bringing the router closer to the console or switch to the 5 GHz band, which is less crowded.
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To reduce latency when streaming games, close background apps on your smartphone that consume traffic, such as torrents or cloud downloads.
Using the Translation feature in Android
Owners of Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI shell or HyperOS) and other Android devices can use the built-in Translation feature without installing third-party software.This method works on the Miracast or Wi-Fi Direct protocol, creating a direct connection between the phone and the console, bypassing the router for video streaming, which often reduces the lags.
To activate this feature, lower the notification curtain on your smartphone and look for the Translation icon (sometimes called Projection or Wireless display). If the icon isn't there, edit the Quick Settings Panel and add it from there. Once turned on, the phone will start searching for available displays. Your Xiaomi console should be determined as an available device.
Unlike Chromecast, which streams specific content from apps, this method duplicates the entire screen of a smartphone, which is useful for showing a photo gallery, navigating a map or running games that do not support Cast. However, it is worth considering that the smartphone screen must be turned on, which increases battery consumption.
⚠️ Attention: When in use Miracast/Wi-Fi Direct audio can be transmitted with a delay. If you watch a movie, the audio and video can be dissynchronized. For video content, it is better to use the built-in Cast buttons inside applications (YouTube, Netflix).
The resolution and frame rate settings can often be changed from the menu of the broadcast feature itself on the phone. Set a 60Hz value for a smoother picture if your network allows. Also in the Settings menu → Additional features → Projection on Xiaomi phones, you can turn on low latency mode optimized for games.
☑️ Pre-broadcast checks
Connection of iPhone and iPad (AirPlay)
Users of the Apple ecosystem may be faced with the question of how to connect an iPhone or iPad to Xiaomi, since native support for AirPlay in Android TV is not. However, this problem is solved by installing a special repetitor application on the console itself. The most popular and stable solution is the AirScreen application or AirReceiver.
First, you need to find and install AirScreen through the Google Play Store on your TV set-top box. Once launched, the app will ask you to confirm some permissions and run the AirPlay virtual server. Once status changes to Launch, your iPhone will see the set-top box as a broadcast device.
Open Control Point on your iPhone (swipe down from the top right corner or up from the bottom, depending on the model) and click Screen Replay (two rectangles). In the list, select your Xiaomi console. The image from your phone will instantly appear on your TV. This method supports high-quality audio and video transmission.
| Annex | Type of license | 4K support | Advertising |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirScreen | Freemium | Yes. | It's in the free version. |
| AirReceiver | Paid | Yes. | No. |
| Cast to TV | Free of charge. | Limited. | There is. |
It is important to note that when using third-party applications for AirPlay, the load on the console processor increases. If you notice a slowdown in the interface, try to close other applications running in the background on the console via the Settings → Applications menu. Also make sure that the console is enabled hardware acceleration in the developer settings, if such an option is available.
Control of the console from a smartphone
Connecting your phone to a console is not only for broadcasting pictures, but also for easy control. Text input from the remote is a time-consuming task, especially when searching for movies or entering Wi-Fi passwords. The official Google TV app (formerly Google Home) or Android TV Remote Control solves this problem by turning the smartphone screen into a touchpad and keyboard.
Install Google's Android TV Remote Control app on your smartphone. When you first run it will suggest finding devices online. Once paired (you'll need to enter the code displayed on your TV screen), you'll have full navigation access. Swips on your phone screen replace the touchpad movements on the remote, and the keyboard appears automatically when you need to type in.
Secret functions of the management application
Xiaomi users may also be interested in Mi Remote, although it is more focused on controlling through an infrared port or for Mi TVs. However, in conjunction with the Mi Home ecosystem, you can create scenarios where the phone acts as a trigger for the console to turn on, which is especially convenient for organizing a Smart Home.
Some third-party apps, such as CetusPlay, offer advanced functionality, including file transfer and management of a Kodi or VLC media player, if installed on a console, which allows you to use the phone as a full-fledged multimedia center remote with support for macros and voice commands.
File transfer and access to local folders
One of the most practical ways to use a phone-to-confix connection is to share files, so instead of copying a video or a photo to a flash drive, you can transfer it directly over Wi-Fi, and you need to have a network-enabled file manager, like an X-Plore or a File Commander, installed on the console.
In the X-Plore application on the console, you need to enable the "Server" in the section LAN. The app will show IP-address and port, for example, 192.168.1.5:2221. On the phone in any file manager (for example, MI File Manager or ES Conductor) select the connection to FTP/SMB And you can type in that data. Now you can copy files between devices at high speed.
Alternatively, you can use transmitter applications like Send Files to TV, which are installed on both the console and the phone, and the apps find each other on the network, and you just have to select a file on your phone and click "Send." The transfer speed is limited only by the capabilities of your router and can reach 10-20 MB/s.
⚠️ Note: When transmitting large amounts of data (movies in the 4K) Wi-Fi to make sure that the console does not overheat. Prolonged writing to internal memory or reading from it can cause the processor to trottling and reduce network speed.
Advanced users can access it via the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) protocol, and by enabling USB debugging in the developer menu on the console, you can connect to it from your computer or phone at the command adb connect 192.168.1.X. This gives full access to the file system and the ability to install applications on the command line.
adb connect 192.168.1.55
adb install -r my_app.apkThis method is especially useful for developers or those who install modified versions of applications that are not in the official store, but beware: improper actions in ADB can lead to unstable system operation.
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Using a local area network (SMB/FTP) to transfer files is significantly faster and more reliable than using Bluetooth or cloud services for large amounts of data.