How to connect Xiaomi phone to a TV set-top box: 5 proven ways + problem solving

Why Xiaomi smartphone does not see the set-top box: the main reasons

Connecting a Xiaomi phone to a TV set-top box opens up a lot of possibilities, from watching photos on the big screen to streaming games with minimal latency. However, many users are faced with devices “can’t see” each other or the connection is constantly broken, the reasons are incompatible protocols, outdated drivers or banal network settings.

For example, if you’re trying to use Miracast on a console older than 2019, chances are it just doesn’t support modern wireless standards. And when you connect via USB-C → HDMI, you might need additional power — otherwise the picture will twitch or disappear after 10 seconds. In this article, we’ll break down all the current ways of connecting, including rare but working life hacks for older console models.

Special attention will be paid to the Xiaomi Mi Box S and Mi TV Stick consoles – their firmware often conflicts with the latest versions of MIUI on smartphones. If your phone is on Android 13+ and the console has not been updated for a long time, you will need to manually set up the network pre-set.

Method 1: Connecting through HDMI-Adapter (the most stable method)

This is the only way to guarantee minimum latency (important for gaming) and maximum picture quality up to 4K@60Hz.

  • 🔌 adapter USB-C → HDMI (For the new Xiaomi or Micro-USB → HDMI (old-model)
  • 📺 HDMI-cable (usually complete with a prefix)
  • ⚡ Power supply for the adapter (if required)

Step-by-step:

  1. Connect the adapter to your phone and the HDMI cable to the adapter and free port on the console (or directly to the TV if the console supports HDMI-in).
  2. On the phone will appear a notification “Connected external display” – tap it and select the screen duplication mode.
  3. If the image does not appear, go to Settings → Display → HDMI mode and set the resolution manually (we recommend starting with 1080p).

Is the adapter connected to charging (if required)?

Is the right TV signal source (HDMI1/HDMI2) selected?

Is the developer mode on the phone allowed (required for some adapters)?

Are adapter drivers updated (check Google Play)-->

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi phones 12/13 series MIUI 14+ You may need to include the option “Debugging by HDMI» It's in the developer menu:

  1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on this item.
  2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate “Disbursement by HDMI”.

Method 2: Wireless Miracast connection (without cables)

Miracast is a wireless screen transmission standard built into most modern Xiaomi devices.The main plus: no adapters are needed.Cons: delays of up to 200 ms (critical for gaming) and a decrease in quality to 1080p@30Hz are possible.

How to connect:

  1. On the console: go to Settings → Display and Sound → Wireless Display (or Screen Mirroring on English firmware).
  2. On your phone: Open Notification Curtain → Screen Transfer (or Cast).
  3. Select your console from the list. If you don't have one, update your console firmware or reset your network settings.
Model of the consoleMiracast supportMax, permission.Delay (MS)
Mi Box S (2018)Yes (from 2021+)1080p@30Hz150–200
Mi TV Stick (2020)Yes (requires 5GHz Wi-Fi)1080p@60Hz100–150
Mi Box 4 (2017)Partially (2.4GHz only)720p@30Hz200–300

⚠️ Warning: If the console and phone are connected to different Wi-Fi networks (for example, a phone to 5GHz, and a console to 2.4GHz), Miracast will not work:

  1. On the phone: Settings → Access Point → Set up an access point (set a password).
  2. On the console: connect to this access point and reconnect via Miracast.

Po Po Po HDMI|Miracast.|Through USB|Through applications (DLNA)-->

Method 3: Connect via USB (for older consoles)

If your device does not support Miracast, HDMI-The adapter is not available, you can use it. USB-This method is slow (only suitable for photo/video) but does not require internet.

What do you need?

  • 📱 Cable USB-A → USB-C (Micro-USB for the old Xiaomi)
  • 🖥️ The prefix with USB-port USB 2.0)
  • 📂 File Manager on the prefix (for example, FX File Explorer)

Instructions:

  1. Connect your phone to the console with a cable. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
  2. On the console, open the file manager and go to the section "USB-device".
  3. Copy the necessary files (photos, videos) into the internal memory of the console or on a flash drive.

💡

If the console can't see the phone, try enabling USB Debugging in the developer settings, sometimes rebooting both devices with the cable connected helps.

⚠️ Note: This method does not broadcast the screen, only allows you to view files. MP4 or MKV codeced H.264/H.265, Otherwise, the console may not play the file.

Method 4: Using DLNA/UPnP (for media files)

If you only need to stream movies or music, DLNA is the best option. It works over a local area network and does not require a direct cable connection.

How to set up:

  1. Install a media server application on your phone, such as BubbleUPnP or Plex.
  2. On the console, install Kodi or built-in player (if it supports DLNA).
  3. In the application on the phone, select files for broadcasting and specify the console as the target device.

Advantages of DLNA:

  • 🎬 Support for playlists and subtitles
  • 📶 It works even on weak Wi-Fi (2.4GHz is enough)
  • 🔄 You can stream from your phone to multiple devices at the same time.
Why can't the console see the phone on DLNA?
The most common problem is in the router firewall. Try: 1. Turn off Customer Isolation in the Wi-Fi router settings. 2. Assign the phone and consoles static IP-Addresses in one subnet. 3. Use the application VLC instead of a standard player on the console.—> Method 5: Streaming apps (YouTube, Netflix, Twitch) If you need to stream content from specific services (like YouTube or Netflix), the easiest way to use the built-in features of those apps is: For YouTube: Open the video on your phone and tap the Translation icon (top right). Select your console from the list. For Netflix: 🎥 Run the movie on your phone. 🔍 Click on the icon "Cast" in the upper right corner. 📺 Select the console (the official Netflix app should be installed on the console). ⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Disney)+ Or Amazon Prime Video, which blocks streaming to unsupported devices, if the console is not certified, use Miracast or HDMI. Problem Solving: What to do if nothing works If neither method worked, check the following: Problem Possible cause Solution The console doesn't see the phone over Miracast Different Wi-Fi networks Connect both devices to the same network (preferably 5GHz) No sound when connecting over HDMI Incorrect audio output mode On the phone: Settings → Sound. → Sound output → HDMI Image twitches Power shortage Adapter Connect adapter to charge or use active hub The console does not support Miracast Outdated firmware Update console software or use Google Cast via Chrome If the problem remains, try resetting the network settings on both Devices: On the phone: Settings → The Internet and the Internet → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth. On the console: Settings → System system → Resetting the network. FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi to the TV set-top box Can I connect the iPhone to the Xiaomi console? Yes, but only through the HDMI-adapter (e.g. Lightning) → HDMI) Or apps that support AirPlay (if the console can receive such a signal). Miracast on the iPhone does not work - instead use Apple TV Adapters with AirPlay support 2. Why is it that when connecting to HDMI Is the phone warm and discharged quickly? That's normal: video transmission over the phone. HDMI — Resource-intensive task: To reduce the load: Reduce the brightness of the phone screen to 50%. Connect your phone to charge (preferably the original RAM). HDMI Choose permission 720p instead 4K. How to broadcast a screen if the console does not support Miracast? Use alternative applications: ApowerMirror (works over Wi-Fi, but requires installation on both devices). TeamViewer QuickSupport (suitable for remote help but with a delay); Steam Link (optimized for gaming but requires a PC on the network); For older consoles (Mi Box 3), Google Cast-enabled firmware (like LineageOS) can help. Can you play mobile games on TV over the console? Yes, but with reservations: HDMI: delay is minimal (~20 ms, but you need a powerful console (for example, NVIDIA Shield. - Miracast: Delayed ~150 ms is only suitable for strategies or quests. PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile is better to use Xiaomi Game Controller + HDMI. How to connect your phone to a console via Bluetooth? Bluetooth is only suitable for audio transmission (for example, to listen to music from your phone through TV speakers). → Devices → Bluetooth → «Add a device. On your phone: turn on Bluetooth and select the console from the list. In the phone sound settings, select the console as the output device. ⚠️ Attention: Bluetooth audio delay can be as high as 200-300 ms, which is critical for video. Use applications like SoundSync to sync.