How to connect your Android phone to your Xiaomi TV to watch movies from the Internet: 5 proven ways

Modern Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV A Pro, Mi TV Q1/Q2, Redmi Smart TV, and others) support many ways to wirelessly and wired sync with Android smartphones. But how to choose the best method if you need to stream movies from the Internet — from YouTube, KinoPoisk HD or IVI — directly to the big screen? In this article, we will analyze all the current connectivity options, their pros, cons and nuances of settings.

The main problem users have is broadcast delays (lag), poor picture quality or lack of sound, most often due to the wrong choice of data technology. For example, Miracast is suitable for local files, but can slow down when streaming in 4K, and Google Cast requires stable Wi-Fi. We tested all methods on Xiaomi TVs 2020-2026 and compiled a checklist for the perfect connection.

1. Preparing Xiaomi TV to Connect

Before syncing with your phone, make sure your Xiaomi TV is ready to receive the signal. Most problems arise from outdated firmware or disabled features.

The first thing you need to do is update the TV software.

1. Open the Settings menu → About the TV → System Update.
2. Click Check Updates and wait for the process to complete.
3. If an update is found, confirm the installation and restart the TV.

Then activate the necessary functions:

• 📶 Wi-Fi: Connect your TV to the same network as your phone (important for wireless methods).
• 🔄 Miracast/Wi-Fi Direct: Enable in Settings → Connections → Wireless projection.
• 📱 Google Cast: Activate in Settings → Connections → Cast (for models with Google) TV Android TV).
• 🔌 HDMI-CEC: Enable in Settings → HDMI-CEC telegraph.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware below MIUI TV 3.0 may not support Google Cast. In this case, use Miracast or a wired connection.

If you plan to stream content in high resolution (1080p or 4K), check the display settings:

• Go to Settings → Display and Sound → Resolution.
• Select the maximum resolution supported (e.g. 3840×2160 for the Mi TV Q2 75).
• Activate Automatic Frame Frequency Switch for smooth playback.

Method 2: Wireless Miracast (Wi-Fi Direct)

Miracast is a wireless screen transmission standard built into most Xiaomi TVs and Android smartphones (since version 4.2).It does not require a connection to a router, but has range limits (up to 10 meters) and is sensitive to interference.

To connect:

1. On TV: open Settings → Connections → Wireless projection and select Miracast.
2. On the phone: lower the notification curtain and tap the screen transfer icon (or Smart View on Samsung, Wireless Display on Xiaomi/Redmi).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No router dependency – works directly between phone and TV.
• ✅ Minimum Lag (Lag) When Viewing Local Files.
• ✅ Supports sound and video in Full HD (on some models — 4K).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Can slow down when streaming online video (depends on the power of the phone).
• ❌ Not all apps (such as Netflix or Disney)+) They are also supported by Miracast because of DRM-defense.
• ❌ With a weak signal, connection breaks are possible.

Turn on Wi-Fi on your phone and TV|

Update the firmware of the TV |

Close the background apps on the phone |

Locate devices at a distance of up to 5 meters-->

⚠️ Warning: If there is no audio after you connect, check the audio output settings on your phone. On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 12 Pro+) You need to manually choose HDMI/DisplayPort Settings menu → Sound.

3. Method 2: Google Cast (Chromecast built-in)

Xiaomi TVs based on Android TV or Google TV (such as Mi TV Q1E or Xiaomi TV A2 43) support Google Cast technology, which allows you to “send” content from your phone to the TV screen without dubbing the entire display, ideal for streaming movies from apps like YouTube, KinoPoisk or OKKO.

Instructions for connection:

1. Make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Open an app that supports Google Cast (like YouTube).
3. Slip on the broadcast icon (usually in the upper right corner) and select your Xiaomi TV.
4. Start playback – the video will be broadcast on TV, and the phone can be used for control.

List of popular apps with support for Google Cast:

Important: To stream content in 4K via Google Cast, the phone must support the HEVC standard (H.265) and have a stable connection to 5 GHz Wi-Fi. Budget smartphones (such as the Redmi 9A) can automatically reduce the quality to 720p.

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If the video slows down when streaming via Google Cast, try reducing the bitrate in the app settings or reconnecting to a 5 GHz network (if the router supports).

Method 3: Wired connection via HDMI (best quality)

If you want maximum quality without delay, use a wired connection via HDMI.This method guarantees stable broadcast even in 4K HDR and is suitable for gaming or watching high-bitrate movies.

You'll need:

• 📱 Smartphone with support USB-C (Micro-USB for older models).
• 🔌 adapter USB-C → HDMI (for example, Xiaomi USB-C to HDMI Adapter or cable USB-C → HDMI.
• 🖥️ Free port HDMI TV-wise.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the adapter to the phone.
2. Connect the adapter to the TV through HDMI-cable.
3. On the TV, select the appropriate signal source (e.g. HDMI 1).
4. A request for permission to transfer the screen may appear on the phone - confirm it.

Advantages of wired connection:

• ✅ No lags and tears - perfect for 4K and HDR.
• ✅ It supports Dolby Atmos sound and DTS:X (If the phone and TV are compatible).
• ✅ You can charge your phone at the same time with the same adapter (if it supports Power Delivery).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi phones (like Poco) F3 or Redmi K40) when connected through HDMI You can turn off the internal speaker. To get the sound back on the phone, go to Settings. → Sound. → Output of sound and select the Phone Speaker.

5. Method 4: Connecting over DLNA (for local files)

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a protocol for sharing media over a local network, which is convenient if you want to stream movies uploaded to your phone without using cables or duplicating the screen, but for streaming from the Internet (for example, from YouTube), this method is not suitable.

How to set up DLNA:

1. On TV: Open the Media Player or Photos and Video app (depending on the model).
2. Select the DLNA or Local Network section.
3. On the phone, install a server application, for example: BubbleUPnP (for Android), LocalCast (with Chromecast and DLNA support), Plex (for a full-fledged media library).

Xiaomi TV

DLNA limitations:

• ❌ Not supportive. DRM-Protected content (such as movies from Netflix or Apple) TV+).
• ❌ Can slow down when playing files with high bitrate (for example, 4K Blu-ray).
• ❌ No synchronization of subtitles in some applications.

If the DLNA is not working:

• Check that your phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• Turn off the firewall or VPN on your phone.
• Restart the router and both devices.

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DLNA is only suitable for local files (downloaded to your phone or external drive).

6. Method 5: Connecting through USB-cable (for files and charging)

If your Xiaomi TV has a USB Type-A port, you can connect your phone through a cable to watch movies stored in the device’s memory.This method is not suitable for streaming from the Internet, but is convenient for viewing uploaded videos or photos.

How to connect:

1. Connect the phone and the TV USB-cable (use the original cable to avoid data transmission problems).
2. On the TV, select the USB signal source.
3. In the TV file manager menu, find the DCIM, Movies, or Download folder (depending on where your files are stored).
4. Select the file to play back.

Supported formats:

Limitations:

• ❌ The TV will not be able to read the files DRM-protection (for example, downloaded from Netflix).
• ❌ Some Xiaomi models TV supportive MKV subtitled.
• ❌ When connected, the phone may start charging, but the data transfer will be blocked (in this case, select File Transfer mode in the notification curtain).

7. Solving Connection Problems

If none of these methods work, check the following points:

Problem 1: The TV can't see the phone

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📶 Make sure that Wi-Fi is on and devices are connected to the same network (for Google Cast and other devices). DLNA).
• 🔧 Update the firmware of the TV and phone.
• 🛠️ Reset network settings on the TV: Settings → Network → Resetting network settings.

Problem 2: No sound when broadcasting

• 🔊 Check if the sound on your phone or TV is off.
• 🎧 In the audio output settings of the phone select HDMI/DisplayPort (wired).
• 🔄 Reconnect devices (especially for Miracast).

Problem 3: Playback legs and brakes

• 📶 Connect to 5 GHz network (if the router supports it).
• 📱 Close the background apps on your phone.
• 🖥️ Reduce video resolution in the app settings (e.g., YouTube select) 1080p instead 4K).

Problem 4: Google Cast is not working

• 🔍 Make sure your TV supports Google Cast (check out the model on Xiaomi’s website).
• 📱 Update the app you’re trying to stream from (like YouTube or KinoPoisk).
• 🔧 Turn off the router settings AP Isolation (customer isolation).

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If the image on the TV is cropped or does not fit on the screen, change the scale in the phone display settings: Settings → Display → Screen size (select Default or 100%).

8. Comparison of all methods of connection

To choose the best method, focus on your tasks:

For most users, the best solution is:

• 🎬 Google Cast – to stream movies from the Internet.
• 📱 HDMI — for maximum quality and games.
• 📁 DLNA/USB — viewing.

FAQ: Frequent questions