Connecting Xiaomi phone to TV via USB to watch videos: full instruction with error solutions

You want to bring video from Xiaomi smartphone to the big screen of the TV, but do not know how to use it correctly USB-Many users mistakenly believe that just plugging a wire into both devices will immediately show up, but in practice, you need to set up the data mode correctly, choose a compatible cable, and sometimes even update the TV firmware.

In this article, we will discuss all the working ways of connecting through USB, including hidden settings MIUI, You can get around the limits on video output, you can learn why the TV can't see the phone, how to turn on the mode. MTP or PTP, What alternative solutions should be used if USB-The connection is not working, and there's also a compatibility table for Xiaomi models and different brands of TVs.

Why? USB-The cable doesn’t always work for video output.

The main problem is that the standard USB-The cable is designed to transfer files, not to broadcast the screen.Most modern TVs (including models from Samsung, LG Sony and the company simply don’t support the function. USB Display – they recognize the smartphone as a flash drive, but not as a source of video signal.

However, there are exceptions:

• 📺 Android TVs TV (For example, Xiaomi Mi TV, Philips or TCL) can support the regime USB Debugging for screen output.
• 🔌 Xiaomi smartphones on the MIUI 12+ have a hidden function USB Display that can be activated through the Engineering Menu.
• 🔄 USB-to-HDMI adapters (e.g. Xiaomi) USB-C to HDMI) This allows you to bypass the restrictions, but requires additional settings.

If your TV is not in these categories, USB-The cable will only help to view saved videos (via built-in media player TV), but not to duplicate the screen of the smartphone in real time.

What cables and adapters will be needed

Not everyone. USB-This is the cable that's good for connectivity:

For most Xiaomi users, the best solution is a USB-C to HDMI adapter (such as the original from Xiaomi or certified Anker), which allows you to display the image in resolution up to 4K@30Hz, but requires:

• 🔋 Activation of DisplayPort mode in smartphone settings (path: Settings) → Screen. → Advanced settings → Wireless display).
• 🔄 Support HDCP on TV (without her) Netflix/YouTube may not work).

⚠️ Attention: Cheap uncertified adapters often don't support video output due to the lack of a DisplayPort Alt Mode chip. USB-IF packed.

Step-by-step: USB connection (for files)

If your goal is simply to view saved videos (such as movies or clips) on your TV, rather than duplicate your smartphone screen, follow this instruction:

Enable debugging mode on USB developer-setting|Use the original Xiaomi cable|Update the TV firmware to the latest version|Disable ad blockers (they may interfere with device recognition)-->

1. Activate file transfer mode on your smartphone: Connect the cable to your phone and TV. A notification will appear on your smartphone screen — tap it. Select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
2. Open a media player on your TV: On the TV remote, press the Source (or Input) button. Select the USB source. Your Xiaomi should appear in the list of devices.

Play the video:

• Go to the DCIM or Movies folder on your smartphone.
• Select the file (MP4, MKV, AVI formats are supported).

If the TV can't see the phone:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 🔌 Try another one. USB-TV port (preferably) USB 3.0).
• 📱 On your smartphone, go to Settings → Additionally. → Regime. USB and change regimen to PTP.

⚠️ Note: Some TVs (such as Samsung series) QLED 2020-2022) block access to files on connected smartphones due to security policies, in which case only an adapter will help HDMI.

💡

If the video slows down when playing from USB, copy it to a USB drive and connect it directly to the TV – this will eliminate the lag associated with the speed limits of data transfer over USB 2.0.

How to enable screen output via USB (hidden MIUI settings)

On Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later, there is a hidden USB Display feature that allows you to duplicate the screen on the TV via USB.

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times)
2. Activate debugging via USB: Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging via USB
3. Connect your smartphone to your TV and execute a command via ADB: adb shell settings put global usb_display_enabled 1 If ADB Not installed, download the Platform Tools from Google.
4. Restart your phone and select USB Display mode in the connection notification.

This method doesn't work on all models, and here's a list of the devices that we've tested.

• ✅ Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra (MIUI 13.0.12)
• ✅ Redmi K40 Pro (MIUI 12.5.7)
• ❌ Poco X3 Pro (no support) USB Display)
• ⚠️ Xiaomi 12T (It only works with Android TVs. TV)

Alternative ways to connect if USB is not working

If none of the USB methods worked, consider these options:

The most universal way — HDMI-Adapter, for example, the official Xiaomi USB-C to HDMI near 1500 Rubles and guaranteed to work with the flagships of the Mi series 10/11/12. For budget models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Adapter based on the Realtek chip is suitable RTD2173.

If you need a wireless option:

1. Turn on Wi-Fi Direct or Screen Mirroring on your TV.
2. On Xiaomi smartphone, go to Settings → Connections → Wireless display.
3. Select the TV from the list of available devices.

⚠️ Note: When using Miracast on TVs LG (webOS) may cause up to 1 second of latency. Solution: in the TV audio settings, turn on Game Mode.

Solving common problems

Here are the common mistakes and ways to fix them:

• 🔴 "Device not identified" (on TV): Try another USB-port (front TV port often runs slower than rear port). USB Update the TV firmware (on Samsung, this is done through Settings). → Support → Update of the PO).
• 🟡 "No signal" (when used HDMI-Adapter: Check if your smartphone supports DisplayPort Alt Mode (the list of compatible models is available on the Xiaomi website). Connect the adapter to the phone before connecting to the TV. In the settings of the smartphone screen (Settings for the smartphone screen) → Screen. → Extended) turn on Autoturn.
• 🔊 "No sound when output through HDMI: On a smartphone in Settings → Select the sound. HDMI It's like an output device, if you're using Netflix or Disney.+, check the settings DRM: Some services block the output of sound through HDMI.

If the problem is not solved, try resetting the network settings on your TV:

Settings → Network → Network Reset → Confirm

💡

Before the purchase HDMI-Check if your smartphone Xiaomi supports DisplayPort Alt Mode technology. the list of compatible models can be found on the official website in the specifications section of the device.

Comparison of USB and alternative connectivity methods

To choose the best way, compare the key parameters:

For watching movies from the phone the best choice — HDMI-Adapter (no delays, maximum quality) If you want to show photos or presentations quickly, Wi-Fi Direct will do. USB-The cable is convenient only for file transfer, but not for streaming.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi to a TV