How to connect your phone to Xiaomi: all ways with step-by-step instructions

Connecting your smartphone to the Xiaomi TV Box (or any other console of the brand) opens up a lot of possibilities, from streaming video from the phone screen to the big screen to using the phone as a remote control or a gamepad. However, many users face difficulties — the console does not see the phone over Wi-Fi, the sound is transmitted with a delay, the image “brakes”. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of connection (including hidden MIUI functions), explain which method is best for your tasks, and give checklists for correcting errors.

It is important to understand that the connection algorithm may differ depending on the console model (Xiaomi Mi Box S, Mi Box 4K, Mi TV Stick) and the firmware version. For example, the Mi Box 3 does not support Miracast, and the Mi Box 4 does not have a USB-OTG port. We took these nuances into account and prepared universal instructions with notes on compatibility. Also at the end of the article you will find a table comparing all methods on speed, transmission quality and supported models.

1. Wi-Fi Direct connection (the most universal way)

Wi-Fi Direct allows you to connect your phone and console directly, without a router, and is ideal for streaming videos, games or presentations if you don’t have access to the LAN, with the main advantage of minimal latency (latency up to 50ms) and support for resolution up to 4K@30fps on new models.

To activate Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi TV Box:

• 📺 Turn on the console and go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi Direct.
• 🔍 Wait until the console finds your phone (the name of the device will appear in the list).
• 📱 On the phone, open Settings. → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct (only) Xiaomi/Redmi The path may be different: Settings → Additionally. → Wireless networks).
• 🔗 Select your console name from the list and confirm the connection.

If the console can't see the phone:

⚠️ Note: Some Mi Box S firmware (especially versions below) MIUI TV 2.0.100) Wi-Fi Direct can be disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings → About the prefix → The software version and 5 times click on the line with the build number. After that, the menu will appear the item For developers where you need to turn on Wi-Fi Direct manually.

To broadcast the screen after connection:

• 🎬 On Android: Use the built-in Screen Broadcast feature (in the notification curtain or in Settings) → Screen. → Broadcasting).
• 🍎 On iPhone: Install ApowerMirror or LetsView (free versions have watermarks).

Connection via HDMI (for mirroring without delay)

If you want maximum picture quality (for example, to watch movies in 4K HDR or stream games), the best way to do this is to physically connect via HDMI.

• 📱 Supported phone USB-C → HDMI (Most of Xiaomi’s flagships since the Mi 9).
• 🔌 adapter USB-C to HDMI (We recommend original from Baseus or Anker).
• 🖥️ Free port HDMI on the console (or TV, if the console is connected to it).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the adapter to your phone and the other end to the HDMI IN port on the console (or TV if you use an HDMI ARC).
2. On the phone in the notification curtain, select HDMI or DisplayPort mode (name depends on the firmware).
3. On the console, go to Settings → Screen and sound → Signal source and select the appropriate HDMI-port.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Zero Latency (ideal for gaming).
• 🎥 Support 4K@60fps and HDR10+.
• 🔇 The sound is automatically transmitted (no need to be set separately).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi phones with Snapdragon processors 8 Gen 1/2 (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro, 13 Ultra) when connected via HDMI You can have an artifact that's green on the edges of the screen, and that's a hardware feature of the chipset. 1080p in the phone display settings.

Check support USB-C → HDMI phone-on

Buy a certified adapter (not a cheap fake)

Update the firmware to the latest version

Turn off power saving on your phone (in battery settings)

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3.Using Miracast (wireless mirroring)

Miracast is a wireless screen transmission standard built into most modern devices, and unlike Wi-Fi Direct, it does not require pre-connection devices, but can work less consistently with weak signal.

How to turn Miracast on Xiaomi TV Box:

1. Open Settings → Screen and sound → Wireless display.
2. Activate the Miracast slider.
3. On your phone, open Settings → Screen → Screen Translate (or Smart View on Samsung).
4. Select your console from the list of available devices.

Features of Miracast on Xiaomi:

If the image is slowing down or tearing:

• 📶 Reduce the broadcast resolution in the phone settings to 720p.
• 🔄 Reboot the console and phone.
• 🚫 Disconnect other devices from the same Wi-Fi network (they may interfere with the network).

4. USB connection (for files and management)

If you need to copy files (movies, music, photos) from your phone to the console or use your phone as a USB-modem, cable connection is fine:

• 🔌 Use the cable. USB-A → USB-C (Micro USB if you have an old phone).
• 📱 On the phone, turn on File Transfer mode (in the notification curtain after connecting).
• 📺 Open the file manager (or ES The conductor, if installed).

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Mi Box S and Mi TV Stick doesn't support USB-OTG (You can’t connect your phone as a storage device).
• ⚠️ On the Mi Box 4K when connecting the phone in mode USB-modem Internet speed is limited to 100 Mbit / s.
• 🔋 Connection through USB discharges the phone (we recommend using a charger).

To use the phone as a gamepad:

1. Connect your phone to the console via USB.
2. Install the RetroArch emulator or PPSSPP.
3. In the emulator settings, select USB Gamepad as the input device.

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If the console can't see the phone through USB, try using a powered Y cable to solve the problem of lack of power to transmit data.

5. Bluetooth connection (for sound and remote)

Bluetooth is the best way to connect your phone to a console for:

• 🎧 Transmission of sound to headphones or speakers.
• 🎮 Using your phone as a gamepad (via Octopus or GameSir apps).
• 📱 Control the console from the phone (like a remote control DU).

Instructions for interface:

1. On the console: Settings → Devices → Bluetooth → Add the device.
2. On the phone: Turn on Bluetooth and select your console from the list (Mi Box S is displayed as Xiaomi_MiBox_S_XXXX).
3. Confirm the pairing code (usually 0000 or 1234).

To transmit the sound:

• 🔊 On the console in the audio settings, select Bluetooth audio as the source.
• 📱 On the phone in Settings → Sound. → Sound output select the console.

⚠️ Attention: Mi Box 3 and Mi TV Stick when connected via Bluetooth can be observed delay of sound up to 200 ms. BCM4335. Solution: Use Wi-Fi Direct for sound or connect headphones directly to your phone.

6. Use of third-party applications (for advanced features)

If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't suit you, you can use third-party apps that offer additional features, such as:

• 🎮 Steam Link – for streaming games from PC to console via phone as an intermediary.
• 📺 LocalCast – for broadcasting local video from the phone without restrictions on formats.
• 🖱️ Unified Remote – to control the console from the phone (including keyboard and touchpad).

LocalCast setting:

1. Install the app on your phone and console (via Google Play on the console).
2. Open LocalCast on your phone and select a file to stream.
3. Click on the console icon in the list of available devices.
4. On the console, confirm the beginning of the broadcast.

Advantages of third-party applications:

• ✅ Support for rare video formats (.mkv,.flac).
• ✅ Possibility of broadcasting with subtitles.
• ✅ Customize bitrate and permissions manually.

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The side of the app is often updated more often than the firmware Xiaomi has built in, so they can support new formats and features before official updates.

FAQ: Frequent Questions and Answers