Why you need Wi-Fi Direct on your Xiaomi TV and how it differs from Miracast
Have you ever tried to quickly transfer photos from your phone to the big screen, but USB-Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi TVs solves this problem โ it allows you to connect devices directly, without a router. But many people confuse it with Miracast, although these are different technologies.
Wi-Fi Direct creates an access point between two devices (e.g., a smartphone and a Mi). TV 5 Pro), while Miracast is designed to mirror the screen, the first is suitable for file transfer, the second is for video streaming, a key advantage of Wi-Fi Direct: it works even if you do not have Internet, and data transfer speeds up to 250 Mbps (on models with support). 802.11ac).
In this article, we will discuss:
- ๐ How to check Wi-Fi Direct support for your Xiaomi model TV
- ๐ฑ Step-by-step setting up the connection with Android/iPhone
- โ ๏ธ Typical errors and how to fix them (e.g., "Device not found")
- ๐ Alternative methods of wireless data transmission
What are Xiaomi models? TV Supports Wi-Fi Direct: Full List
Not all Xiaomi TVs feature Wi-Fi Direct.The technology has been in the lineup since 2018, but some budget models (like the Mi). TV 4A 32" doesn't support it. Here's the current list of compatible devices:
| Series | Models with Wi-Fi Direct | Max, speed. | Miracast support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi TV 5 | 55"/65"/75" (modifications) | 867 Mbps | Yes. |
| Mi TV 4S | 43"/50"/55"/65" | 433 Mbps | Yes. |
| Redmi Smart TV | X50/X55/X65 (2020 newer) | 300 Mbps | No. |
| Xiaomi OLED Vision | 55"/65" | 1200 Mbps | Yes. |
How to check for support on your TV:
- Open Settings โ Network and Internet โ Wi-Fi Direct.
- If there is no item, your model does not support the technology.
- On the new firmware (MIUI TV 3.0+) The option may be called "Direct Connection".
โ ๏ธ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with an Amlogic processor T962 (Like Mi. TV 4A 2022) Wi-Fi Direct is unstable due to driver problems.
Step-by-step: how to turn on Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi TV
The activation process takes no more than 3 minutes, but requires precise steps โ MIUI TV 3.5+).
Turn on Wi-Fi on your smartphone|Turn it off. VPN/proxy|Charging the phone >30%|Distance to TV <5 meters-->
Step 1: Activation on the TV
- Take the remote and press the Settings button.
- Go to the Web and the Internet โ Wi-Fi Direct.
- Turn on the slider "Enable Wi-Fi Direct".
- Remember the name of the network โ it will be necessary to connect (for example, "DIRECT-MiTV5-Pro-XXXX").
Step 2: Connecting from an Android smartphone
- ๐ฑ Open the Settings. โ Connections โ Wi-Fi.
- ๐ Find a prefixed network DIRECT- (name of your TV).
- ๐ Enter your password (by default - 12345678 or empty).
- โ After connecting on the TV screen will appear notification.
Step 3: File transfer
Use: To exchange data:
- ๐ Conductor (built-in MIUI) โ Select files and click "Send". โ Wi-Fi Direct".
- ๐ต Gallery - highlight photo / video and tap "Share" โ Wi-Fi Direct".
- ๐บ The Mi Remote app has a built-in file manager for TV.
๐ก
If the TV is not visible in the network list, restart both devices and try again. On some models, resetting the network settings helps (Settings). โ System system โ Reset โ Resetting the network).
Connecting iPhone to Xiaomi TV Wi-Fi Direct: Bypassing Appleโs Restrictions
The iPhone doesn't support Wi-Fi Direct at the software level -- Apple blocks this feature in iOS.
Method 1: Use of AirPlay for models with MIUI TV 3.0+)
- Make sure that your TV and iPhone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- On the TV, activate AirPlay: Settings โ Connections โ AirPlay.
- On iPhone, swipe down for Control Point โ "Screen duplication" โ Choose your Xiaomi TV.
Method 2: Intermediary applications
Install one of these apps on your iPhone (free versions have limitations):
- ๐ฑ LocalSend โ open source, transfer over a local network.
- ๐ค Send Anywhere โ 6-digit code generation for sharing.
- ๐ Feem โ creates a local network between devices.
โ ๏ธ Warning: When using third-party apps, turn off Private Wi-Fi address in your iPhone settings (Settings) โ Wi-Fi โ [i] This feature Apple can block direct connections.
Typical errors when connecting Wi-Fi Direct and their solutions
Even with the right setup, users are facing problems, and here are the most common errors on Xiaomi TVs and how to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "No device found." | Senior firmware or Wi-Fi channel conflict | Update the TV to MIUI TV 3.5+ Or change the router channel to 6-11 |
| "Unable to connect." | Incorrect password or firewall restrictions | Reset your network settings on TV or turn off the firewall on your smartphone |
| Low transmission speed | Interference from other 2.4 GHz networks | Switch TV to 5GHz (if supported) |
| The network is saved, but without the Internet. | This is normal โ Wi-Fi Direct does not provide internet access. | Ignore the warning and use it to transfer files |
Additional advice:
- ๐ If file transfer is interrupted, reduce the distance between devices to 2-3 meters.
- ๐ถ On the Redmi Smart models TV X50 Disabling the Smart Connection feature in network settings can help.
- ๐ With long-term data transfer, connect the TV to the 220V network - in energy-saving mode Wi-Fi Direct works unstable.
What do you do if nothing helps?
Alternatives to Wi-Fi Direct for Xiaomi TV: What to use if nothing works
If your TV doesnโt support Wi-Fi Direct or you canโt set up a connection, consider these options:
1. Miracast (for screen streaming)
It's good for streaming videos from Android devices.
Settings โ Screen โ Wireless display โ EnableOn a smartphone: Settings โ Connected devices โ Screen broadcasting.
2. DLNA/UPnP
Use apps like BubbleUPnP (Android) or 8player (iOS) for streaming media files. Activate on TV:
Settings โ Applications โ System applications โ Media server โ Enable3. USB-OTG + adapter
For models with port USB 3.0 (e.g. Mi) TV Q1 75"):
- ๐ Buy an adapter. USB-A โ USB-C/Lightning (smartphone-dependent).
- ๐ Connect your phone to TV โ it will be defined as a removable drive.
- ๐ฌ Use the built-in File Manager on TV to watch.
4. Cloud services
If the internet speed allows, upload files to:
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Mi Cloud (Integration with Xiaomi Ecosystem).
- ๐ Google Drive (install the app on TV via Google Play).
- ๐ฅ YouTube (download the video as "Not in the list", then open through the TV browser).
๐ก
Use files with a volume of more than 1 GB USB-OTG local-network (FTP). Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi TV speedily ~50 Mbps in practice, which slows down the transmission of large videos.
Wi-Fi Direct Security: How to Protect Your Data
Direct connectivity is convenient, but it creates risks: if an attacker connects to your Wi-Fi Direct network, they can intercept the files being transmitted.
Basic protection measures:
- ๐ Change the standard password (by default) 12345678) complex (e.g, XiaomiTV_2026!Direct).
- ๐ต Disable Wi-Fi Direct after use โ long-term network activity increases the risk of attack.
- ๐ก๏ธ Update the firmware - in older versions MIUI TV Vulnerabilities (e.g., vulnerabilities, CVE-2021-3389 wi-fi).
Additional settings (for advanced users):
- Limit network visibility: add router settings MAC-whitelisted.
- Use it. VPN on a smartphone (e.g. ProtonVPN) to encrypt traffic.
- To transfer confidential files, archive them with a password (via 7-Zip WinRAR).
โ ๏ธ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware older MIUI TV 2.5 (released until 2020) Wi-Fi Direct uses an outdated protocol WPA-TKIP, Update the software or use alternative methods of data transmission.