Modern technology allows you to turn any Xiaomi smartphone into a powerful multimedia content control remote, which is especially important for watching video on a large screen. Users often face the need to display an image from a mobile device to a TV to enjoy their favorite videos in high resolution without having to look at a small screen. The process of synchronizing devices has become much easier thanks to the development of wireless protocols such as Miracast and Google Cast. However, despite the apparent simplicity, the system settings can hide nuances that prevent instant connection.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to stream content from phone to TV, focusing on the operation of the YouTube app. You will learn how to use the built-in features of the MIUI or HyperOS shell, as well as how to configure third-party solutions for stable operation. The key to a successful connection is to find both devices in the same subnet Wi-Fi router, which is often overlooked when you first set up. We will consider not only the software part, but also possible hardware limitations that can affect the quality of video streaming.
If you plan to use your smartphone as a signal source for your home theater, it's important to understand the difference between simply duplicating your screen and intelligently broadcasting. In the first case, the TV becomes just a monitor that repeats everything on your phone, which can drain the battery faster. In the second case, the device acts only as a remote, and the video stream is downloaded directly by the TV, which saves the resources of the smartphone. The choice of the right method depends on your goals and the technical characteristics of the equipment available.
Technical requirements and equipment preparation
Before you start setting up, make sure your hardware meets the minimum requirements for stable wireless interfaces. Most modern TVs released after 2016 already have built-in support for Smart TV technology, which eliminates the need to buy additional consoles. Xiaomi smartphones from the budget models of the Redmi series also have the necessary Wi-Fi Direct modules for data transfer.
Special attention should be paid to operating system versions and application updates. Outdated software may contain errors that block device detection on the local network. It is recommended to check for updates for Android and the YouTube application itself through the Google Play store.
☑️ Checking before connection
It is important to note that for high-resolution video transmission 4K full HD If the router is far away or the signal is overloaded by neighbouring networks, there may be delays or image artifacts. LAN-cable, which will provide maximum channel capacity.
⚠️ Note: Using a guest Wi-Fi network or Guest mode on a router can isolate devices from each other, making them impossible to detect on the LAN.
Use of built-in broadcast function in MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s MIUI shells and new HyperOS offer a handy built-in tool for screen duplication, often called “Translation” or “Wireless display.” This method allows you to fully mirror images from your smartphone to your TV, which is not only suitable for YouTube, but also for showing photos, games or working with documents.
To start the process, you need to open the curtain control panel and find the "Translation" icon. In some versions of the firmware, it can be hidden in the menu of additional buttons available after the swipe down, and after turning on, you will start searching for available devices within the range of the wireless network.
If the TV doesn't appear on the list, check its settings. Many Samsung, LG, or Sony models need to manually allow new devices to be connected or to run the Screen Share app. Sometimes you need to confirm on the TV screen via the remote control.
What to do if the broadcast is lagging?
It is worth remembering that with active screen duplication, the smartphone can significantly heat up, since the processor and Wi-Fi module work in a strengthened mode. The battery in this mode is consumed faster than usual, so it is better to keep the device connected to charging when watching movies for a long time.
Broadcasting directly through the YouTube app
The best and most energy-efficient way to view videos is to use the native casting function inside the YouTube app itself, in which case the phone acts only as a remote control, sending commands to the TV, and the video stream is downloaded directly through the TV's Internet channel, which ensures better picture quality and no delays typical of mirror mode.
To get started, open the YouTube app on your Xiaomi smartphone and make sure you're logged in to your Google account. Then click on the broadcast icon, which looks like a wave rectangle in the corner (usually in the top right corner of the interface).
If the TV supports Chromecast built-in technology or has a YouTube Smart TV app installed, it will appear in the list. Once the device is selected, a confirmation code may appear on the TV screen, which you will need to enter on the smartphone to pair, a security measure to prevent unauthorized access to your TV.
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If the broadcast icon doesn’t appear, make sure your phone and TV are using the same Google account, or that both devices are on the same subnet (not separated by the router’s settings into isolated segments).
The advantage of this method is the ability to control playback, pause, rewind video or even turn off the screen of the smartphone without interrupting the display on the big screen, which is ideal for creating an atmosphere of evening watching movies without excess light from the phone display.
Setup via Mi TV Assistant and third-party apps
In the Xiaomi ecosystem, there is a special Mi Remote app (Mi Remote) that is often pre-installed on the brand’s devices, which allows you to manage compatible Mi TVs and Android TVs, as well as stream content. However, if your TV is of a different brand or does not support native Xiaomi protocols, universal solutions will come to the rescue.
One of the most popular third-party applications is Cast to TV or Web Video Caster, which can pull a video stream from a browser or other applications and send it to the TV using DLNA or Chromecast protocol, which is especially useful if you are watching video not through the official application, but through a browser.
The setup process is usually simple: install an app from Google Play, run a network scan, and select your TV. Some apps may require you to install a small client module (receiver) directly on your TV if it runs on an Android TV.
Using third-party software gives you more flexibility in settings for file quality and format, but may be less stable than native methods.
Comparison of methods of connection and their features
The best way to connect depends on the specific tasks of the user and the technical capabilities of the equipment. To make it easier for you to determine, we have prepared a comparative table of the main characteristics of various methods of broadcasting from Xiaomi devices.
| Method | Image quality | Battery consumption | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast (Miracast) | Depends on the Wi-Fi signal. | High-pitched | Medium |
| YouTube Cast | Maximum (up to 4K) | Low. | Tall. |
| Mi Remote | Good. | Medium. | High (for Mi TV) |
| HDMI cable | Perfect (no compression) | Charging is coming. | Maximum |
As you can see from the table, the best way to view YouTube is to use the built-in casting mechanism within the app, which provides the best balance between image quality and power consumption, and the mirroring method is best reserved for situations where you need to show the content of the screen that does not have its own broadcast support.
If wireless connection is impossible or unstable for some reason, there is always the option of a physical connection via the USB-C to HDMI adapter. This ensures no delays, which is critical, for example, when playing, but deprives the convenience of wireless control.
Solving and eliminating connection errors
Even if you follow all the instructions, users can run into difficulties, and one of the most common problems is when the phone simply "does not see" the TV on the list of available devices, often solved by a banal reboot of the router, which could "remember" the wrong routes of data packets.
Another common mistake is to desynchronize time on devices, so if your phone and TV have very different system time, security protocols can block the connection, and make sure that both devices have automatic network time synchronization.
⚠️ Warning: Antivirus programs or built-in firewalls on a router can block ports needed for protocols to work DLNA Try temporarily disabling the protection to test the hypothesis.
If there is sound and no image (black screen), the problem may be in the video codec or HDCP protected content. Some movies in streaming services have copy protection that prohibits broadcasting to uncertified devices or through certain types of connections.
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90% of connection problems are solved by restarting the router and checking that both devices are in the same frequency band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).