Introduction: why connect your smartphone to your TV and what you need
Connecting Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro to TV via USB-The cable offers many possibilities, from viewing photos on a large screen to streaming high-resolution videos, but many users face problems — the TV does not recognize the phone, the screen does not duplicate, or the files simply do not display. The Redmi Note 8 Pro does not support standard mode. MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link for video transmission USB, But there are workarounds.
In this article, we will discuss all working ways of connecting, including phone settings, choosing the right cable, and alternative methods if you want to use the phone. USB-You'll learn how to transfer media files, control your phone from the TV remote, and even display your smartphone screen on the display -- despite the limitations of the protocol. USB 2.0 in your model, with a special focus on compatibility with popular TV brands: Samsung, LG, Sony Bravia and Xiaomi Mi TV.
What you need to connect: Checking the equipment
Before you start setting up, make sure you have everything you need. Here's the minimum set:
- 📱 Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro with a battery charge of at least 30% (connection via USB It can discharge the phone faster).
- 📺 TV with USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0 for stable data transmission).
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C — USB-A (Best Original from Xiaomi or Certified USB-IF).
- 🔄 adapter OTG (If the cable does not directly connect to the TV port).
Important: The Redmi Note 8 Pro does not support USB Host, so direct control of the phone from the TV is not possible, but you can use the phone as a drive or broadcast the screen through alternative protocols.
| Equipment | Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USB cable | Type-C → USB-A, length up to 2 m | Long cables can cause delays in data transmission. |
| USB-port | Support for MTP or PTP | The ports on the back of the TV are often more powerful than the front. |
| Phone firmware | MIUI 12 and higher | The older versions do not have a file manager mode. |
If your TV is released before 2018, check if it supports MTP (Media Transfer Protocol).Old models can only work with FAT32 flash drives, which will limit file transfers of more than 4GB.
Step 1: Set up your phone before connecting
To get the Redmi Note 8 Pro to be correctly defined by the TV, you need to turn on file transfer mode.
- Connect the cable to the phone (do not insert the second end into the TV yet).
- In the notification that appears, select File Transfer (or MTP). If the notification does not appear, go to Settings → Connected Devices → USB.
- Unlock your phone screen – some TVs require access confirmation.
Samsung and LG TVs may require additional permission to access files. If the phone screen goes out during the connection, just unlock it - the connection will not be interrupted.
Enable file transfer mode (MTP)|Unlock the phone screen|Use the original cable|Check the battery charge (>30%)-->
⚠️ Note: If you connect your phone to your TV USB-Hub, some TV models may not recognize the device. Try connecting directly or using an externally powered hub.
Step 2: Connect to the TV and select mode
Now insert the second end of the cable into USB-The next step depends on the TV model:
- 📺 Samsung Smart TV: On the remote, press Source. → choose USB. You may have a folder with your phone name (e.g. Redmi) on the menu).
- 📺 LG WebOS: Go to Media → USB-If the phone isn't showing, try restarting the TV.
- 📺 Sony Bravia: Select the source USB → Photo/Video/Music: Some models require you to confirm access to the Settings menu → External devices.
- 📺 Xiaomi Mi TV: Automatically identifies the phone as a storage device. Go to Media Center. → USB.
If the TV can't see the phone, check:
- 🔄 Switch the mode. USB phone-wise MTP on PTP (for photographs; or RNDIS (net).
- 🔌 Try another one. USB-TV port (rear ports are often more powerful).
- 📱 Restart your phone and TV.
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If the TV can't see the phone's folder, create a DCIM folder on the Redmi Note 8 Pro's internal drive and put photos in it. Many TVs automatically scan the directory.
Step 3: File Transfer and Control from the Remote
Once you've successfully connected, you can view media directly from your phone, and this is how it works across different TVs:
| Action. | Samsung | LG | Sony | Xiaomi TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viewing photo | Media → USB → folder DCIM | Photos and videos → USB | album → USB-device | Gallery → USB |
| Video playback | Supports MP4, MKV up to 1080p | Requires conversion to AVI for older models | Plays MP4 with H.264 codec | Support for MP4, MOV, 3GP |
| File management | Only viewing, no editing | You can delete files from the remote. | Only reading. | Full access (removal, removal) |
Note: TVs do not usually support the HEIF (photo) and FLAC (audio) formats that the Redmi Note 8 Pro uses by default. Convert files to JPEG and MP3 in advance.
⚠️ Note: When connecting through USB Your phone may start to run out quickly, especially if the TV is on Fast Charging. Turn off this option in your TV settings or use an external power supply for your phone.
Step 4: Alternative ways to connect if USB is not working
If your TV doesn’t recognize the Redmi Note 8 Pro via USB, try these methods:
- 📶 Wi-Fi Direct / Miracast: Wireless screen transfer. On phone: Settings → Connection and sharing → Wi-Fi transmission on TV: turn on Screen Mirroring.
- 🎮 HDMI-Adapter: Use the adapter USB-C → HDMI (For example, Xiaomi Mi USB-C to HDMI Adapter supports screen output in 1080p.
- 🌐 DLNA/UPnP: Applications like BubbleUPnP or LocalCast allow you to stream media over a local network.
- 📱 Chromecast/Google Cast: If you have Android TV or Chromecast, use the built-in Broadcast feature in Google Photos or YouTube.
For HDMI-The adapter requires support for the DisplayPort Alt Mode, which the Redmi Note 8 Pro has.However, some adapters may not work due to manufacturer restrictions.
Why doesn't it work? HDMI-Adapter with Redmi Note 8 Pro?
Step 5: Solving Common Problems
Even with the right connection, errors can occur, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| TV can't see the phone | Incompatible cable or port | Try another cable or USB 3.0 port (blue). |
| Files won't open. | Unsupported format | Convert your video to MP4 (H.264) and your photo to JPEG. |
| Phone's running low. | TV's back-current. | Turn off Fast Charging in TV settings or use a powered hub. |
| The phone screen is not duplicated | USB does not support MHL. | Use it. HDMI-adapter. |
If the phone starts to warm up after you connect, disconnect it from the TV and let it cool down. Long-term USB data transfer can be loading the Helio G90T processor, especially when working with large files.
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For stable operation, use a short cable (up to 1 m) and a USB 3.0 port on your TV, which will reduce data latency and reduce phone heat.
Step 6: Optimizing Connectivity Performance
To speed up file transfers and avoid hanging up, follow these recommendations:
- 📁 Organize files: Create folders on your phone by media type (e.g. Films, Music) and it will speed up the scanning of your TV.
- 🔄 Disable background apps: Close all programs on your phone except File Manager.
- 🔋 Use an external drive: If the phone is slowing down, copy files to a flash drive and connect it to the TV.
- 🔍 Update the firmware TV: on older versions of the software may be bugs with recognition MTP.
To speed up video transfer, turn on the Developer Mode on your phone and activate the USB Debugging option. This doesn’t always help, but in some cases increases the speed of reading data.
If you frequently connect your phone to your TV, consider buying a network drive (NAS) or media player (such as the Xiaomi Mi Box S).