Modern multimedia consoles like the Xiaomi Mi Box S or TV Stick are turning a regular TV into a full-fledged Smart TV center. However, one of the most popular features is the ability to stream content from a mobile device to a large screen, which allows you to show photos and videos from the gallery, run games or show presentations in high resolution without wires.
The process of synchronizing a smartphone with a console can be carried out by several methods, each of which has its own characteristics. Some methods are built into the Android TV operating system itself, others require the installation of third-party software. It is important to understand that for all functions to work smoothly, devices must be on the same local network, and it is the quality of Wi-Fi connections that often becomes a determining factor in success.
In this guide, we will cover all the current methods of connection, from standard system functions to specialized applications. You will learn how to configure screen broadcasting, how to use your phone as a remote control and what to do if devices can not see each other.
Preparation of equipment and network
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that all the components are ready to go. The fundamental condition for most wireless methods is a stable Wi-Fi connection. The Xiaomi Mi Box and your smartphone must be connected to the same router. If you have a dual-band router, make sure that both devices "see" the same frequency, although modern standards usually allow you to work within the same subnet.
Check the version of the operating system on the console. For the translation functions to work correctly, you often need to update the components of Google Cast and system services. Go to the Settings menu → Device → About the system → System Update and check. Outdated software may contain errors that block the detection of external devices.
Also worth paying attention to is the power saving settings of the smartphone: Aggressive battery saving algorithms can force the background processes needed to maintain a connection to the console to turn off the power saving mode temporarily or add the system broadcast services to exceptions.
⚠️ Note: If your router uses customer isolation (AP Isolation, devices on the network will not see each other, and this feature is often enabled in guest networks of hotels or public places.
Make sure that the permissions are enabled on the smartphone. Translation or Smart View (on Samsung) requires access to the LAN. Without that permission, the phone won't be able to find the phone. IP-local-network address.
Use of the built-in Chromecast feature
The most reliable and high-quality way to display an image is using Google Cast technology (Chromecast built-in), which is built into the Android TV operating system on which the Xiaomi Mi Box is based, which allows you to stream content from apps or the entire screen of a smartphone directly to the TV.
To get started, make sure your smartphone has a Google Home app, which is where you first set up and manage your device groups, open the app, find your console on the list of available devices, and if it's displayed, the network is set up correctly.
To broadcast the content of a particular application (for example, YouTube or Netflix) does not require complex settings. Just open the video in the application on your phone and click on the icon of the rectangle with waves (Cast icon), the system will prompt you to choose the target device — Xiaomi Mi Box.
- 📱 Open the application with content on your smartphone.
- 📺 Click on the broadcast icon in the video corner.
- 🔗 Select your console from the list of devices.
- ▶️ Enjoy the content on the big screen.
If you want to broadcast your smartphone screen, the process is a little different. In the Google Home app, select your console, click the "Cast my screen" button, which will allow you to display everything that happens on the phone's display, including menus and games.
Why can the quality of the picture be low?
It is important to note that when using the built-in Chromecast, the phone acts only as a stream control panel, the main load of decoding video takes on the console, which saves battery power and provides a more stable picture.
Miracast Technology and Wireless Display
Unlike Chromecast, Miracast technology (often called Wireless Display or Wireless Display) creates a direct connection between devices, a standard that does not require a router, as devices can connect directly over Wi-Fi Direct, although work over a shared network is also supported.
On the Xiaomi Mi Box, Miracast is supported through the system app. You don't have to download anything from the Play Market. Just look up the Wireless Display or Cast icon on the app menu. Run it, and you'll see a wait for the connection on the TV screen.
On pure Android smartphones (Pixel, Motorola, Nokia), the feature is called Translation. On Samsung devices, it's hidden in a notification curtain called Smart View. Huawei and Honor have Project, Xiaomi have Translation. The algorithm is the same: turn on the feature on the phone, select the console in the list.
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If you’re using an iPhone, the built-in AirPlay feature on the Xiaomi Mi Box may not work well or be stable, in which case it’s best to use third-party apps like AirScreen available on Google Play on the console itself.
Miracast has the advantage of low latency, making it a preferred method for displaying presentations or even simple games, but image quality can vary depending on the interference in the air.
⚠️ Warning: When connected via Miracast, the smartphone screen will burn constantly, resulting in a fast battery drain.It is recommended to connect the phone to the charger during a long broadcast.
It is worth considering that some content-protected applications (DRM-The protection system can block the Miracast image transmission, in which case you'll see a black screen with a sound or an error message.
Third-party broadcast applications
If standard methods don’t work or advanced features are needed, third-party solutions come to the rescue. The Xiaomi Mi Box’s Google Play store offers a variety of applications emulating different data protocols.
One of the most popular solutions is the AirScreen app, which is unique in that it adds support for the AirPlay protocol (for Apple devices), as well as improves compatibility with Miracast and Google Cast. Once you install and launch the app, follow the on-screen instructions to activate the service.
Another powerful tool is the Web Video Caster app, which works by installing a receiver app on a console, and using a browser or a dedicated sender app on your phone, which allows you to stream video files directly from your browser, bypassing the restrictions of some sites.
- 📥 Install the receiver app on the Xiaomi Mi Box.
- 📲 Download the companion app on your smartphone.
- 🔗 Tie the devices through QR-code.
- 🎬 Select a file to play back.
There are also dedicated applications for gamers that allow you to stream images from a PC or phone with minimal latency, but they often require a more powerful router that supports Wi-Fi 5 (AC) or Wi-Fi 6 (AX).
When using third-party software, it is important to monitor permissions, and the application may need access to storage, microphone (for voice search), and local network, without which the functionality will be limited.
Using the phone as a remote control
Connecting your phone to a set-top box is not just about broadcasting a picture, it's also about managing it. The standard keyboard and remote are not always easy to type when you search for movies or when you set Wi-Fi passwords.
Google's official Google Home app or Android TV Remote Control makes your smartphone a full touchpad. You can swipe across your phone screen as you move your cursor on your TV, use voice input and keyboard, and it makes navigation on Android TV much faster.
The interface process is simple: run an app on your phone, it will find a console on the network and ask you to enter the code displayed on the TV screen, then the phone will become the main control, some applications even allow you to transfer files from the phone to the console.
☑️ Checking connection readiness
In addition to official means, there are universal remotes that work through the IR port (if you have one in your phone) or through Wi-Fi. They allow you to control the volume, power and other functions of the TV, if your model supports CEC.
Using a smartphone as a keyboard is especially important when installing complex applications or entering search queries in the browser. The speed of entering text from the virtual keyboard of the phone is several times higher than switching letters with the remote.
Comparison of connection methods
To choose the best way to do it, you need to understand the differences between technologies, and each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, depending on your goals: watching movies, playing games, or working with documents.
The table below compares the main characteristics of the different ways to connect your phone to the Xiaomi Mi Box.
| Method | Quality. | Delay. | Battery consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromecast (in the appendix) | High (up to 4K) | Low. | Minimum |
| Miracast / Wireless display | Medium/High | Medium | High-pitched |
| Third-party applications (AirScreen) | Depends on the network. | Medium | Medium. |
| HDMI cable (adapter) | Maximum. | Absent. | Charging. |
For high-resolution movies, the built-in Chromecast is clearly the leader in apps, it doesn't load the phone and provides a better picture, and Miracast or a wired connection is better for games or desktop demos.
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The golden rule: for video use Cast inside the app, for photos and menus - Miracast, for games - cable or Wi-Fi 6.
Remember, wireless quality is directly dependent on the congestion of the channel. If you have many devices on your network, you may twitch the image, in which case it is recommended to use 5 GHz Wi-Fi range.
Solving problems and mistakes
Even when set up correctly, there can be failures. The most common problem is that devices can't see each other. 90% of the time, this is solved by checking the network: make sure that the phone and the console are connected to the same network (for example, not to Guest and not to different frequencies if the router divides them into different subnets).
Another common issue is desynchronization of audio and video. This is treated by restarting the router and cleaning the app cache on the console. Go to Settings → Applications → Wireless display (or corresponding application) → Clear the cache.
If the broadcast is interrupted or the image is “dropped”, try to zoom in on the router or use a Wi-Fi repeater, and it also helps to turn off the VPN on your smartphone, since virtual networks often block local device detection.
⚠️ Warning: If you don't have a connection after all the manipulations, reset your network settings completely on your router, sometimes temporarily shutting down your antivirus or firewall on your phone if they block local connections.
In rare cases, codec incompatibility is a problem. If the phone broadcasts an image but there is no sound, check the audio output settings on the console. Try switching the audio format from Auto to PCM in the Xiaomi Mi Box audio settings.
Regular reboot of the console (complete shutdown once a week) helps to avoid the accumulation of system errors that can block the operation of network modules.