Modern users of the Apple ecosystem often face the desire to broadcast content from a smartphone to the big screen, but the lack of built-in support for AirPlay in basic versions of MIUI firmware can be an obstacle. Integration of iOS and Android TVs requires understanding the features of wireless protocols or the use of specialized adapters. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi equipment have several effective ways to establish a connection, each of which has its own technical nuances and limitations on the quality of signal transmission.
The challenge is that Apple’s native AirPlay 2 protocol isn’t originally built into the Android TV or PatchWall operating system on which the brand’s TVs are based.However, the company’s engineers have made it possible to expand functionality through installing third-party software or activating hidden service functions. Wireless connectivity is possible only if both devices are on the same LAN Wi-Fi subnet, a fundamental requirement that makes it impossible to detect devices from each other.
There is also a wired connection option that provides maximum stability and minimal latency, which is critical for gaming or watching high-resolution video. The choice of method depends on your TV model, the version of the operating system and the availability of additional accessories like Lightning-to-HDMI adapters. Below we will discuss in detail all available options, from free software solutions to hardware methods.
Use of built-in Mi Remote and wireless projection
The first and most obvious way, which does not require installing additional software on a smartphone, is based on Miracast technology, known in the Xiaomi ecosystem as “Wireless projection”, which allows you to duplicate the iPhone screen on the TV, albeit with some restrictions compared to the native AirPlay. To get started, you need to make sure that the TV is activated signal reception mode, which is often hidden in the depth of the menu or requires the launch of a special application.
Most current Mi TVs and Redmi TVs have an app preinstalled. You need to find it in the installed program list, it can be called "Wireless Display," "Miracast" or "Translation." Once the app is launched, the TV will have a waiting interface with the device name and instruction. Miracast runs at the Wi-Fi Direct level, which means that the Internet is not required in theory, but both devices must support this standard.
However, since iOS doesn’t support Miracast natively, a direct connector through the standard Screen Replay menu may not work without an intermediary. This is where the built-in Mi Remote app or PatchWall service functions come to the rescue. In some regions, the firmware allows you to activate AirPlay reception via a hidden menu. To do this, the Wireless Projection app on the TV often has a switch or settings button where you can select iOS compatibility mode.
⚠️ Note: When using the method of wireless projection through Miracast emulators, the picture quality can be lower than with native AirPlay, and the input delay (input lag) can be from 1 to 3 seconds, which makes playing dynamic shooters uncomfortable.
If the standard app doesn't see the phone, try rebooting the router and both devices. Often the problem is that the router distributes the network at different frequencies (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), and the devices end up in different network segments without seeing each other. Make sure the iPhone is connected to the same frequency as the TV, or that the router has a client isolation feature on it, which should be turned off.
Broadcasting through third-party AirPlay repetitor apps
The most reliable software method to fully use AirPlay features on Xiaomi TVs is to install a specialized repetitor application. Since the Android system itself cannot receive signals from Apple devices out of the box, we need a software intermediary to emulate the AirPlay receiver. The most popular and proven solution in the Xiaomi TV owner community is the AirScreen application or its counterparts, such as AirPin.
The setup process starts with finding and installing the app through the built-in Google Play Store on your TV, and if the store is not available or the app is not, you can use the installation function through the app. APK-files by downloading the installer to a flash drive or through the built-in browser. After installation, you need to launch the application and provide it with all the requested permissions, including access to the local network and microphone (to transmit sound).
In the AirScreen application interface, you need to press the Start or Run button. The program will diagnose the network and create a virtual device that will become visible to your iPhone. At this point, the confirmation code or simply the name of the device may appear on the TV screen, for example, "AS-Xiaomi-TV-4K." Now, taking the iPhone in hand, you need to open the Control Point (swipe down from the upper right corner on new models or from the bottom up on old ones) and click on the Screen Repeat icon.
The list of available devices should include a name that broadcasts the app running on the TV. After selecting, the pairing process will begin. AirPlay protocol provides high-resolution video and sound with minimal compression. It is important to note that free versions of such applications often have restrictions, such as on-screen banners or a session time limit, so it makes sense to consider buying a premium version for permanent use.
☑️ Checking AirScreen settings
It’s worth mentioning that some users prefer to use the Cast to TV or Web Video Caster app, which works on a slightly different principle: they don’t duplicate the screen completely, but instead stream a specific video stream from a browser or player.
Google Chromecast for iPhone Owners
Because Xiaomi TVs run on Android TV or have built-in Chromecast built-in support, this opens up another powerful channel of interaction with the iPhone. Unlike AirPlay, which is tailored to the Apple ecosystem, Chromecast is a cross-platform standard from Google. For iPhones, this means the ability to stream content from apps that support the technology, such as YouTube, Netflix, Spotify and many others.
To get started, make sure your iPhone has Google Home installed. This is the remote control for all Chromecast devices. Once you install and log in to your Google account, the app automatically detects your Xiaomi TV on the local network. If the TV is found, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing, which may require you to enter the code displayed on the TV screen.
The main advantage of this method over screen duplication (Screen Mirroring) is that the TV itself downloads content from the Internet. This means that the iPhone battery is minimally consumed, and the video quality depends only on the speed of the Internet and the capabilities of the TV, not on the power of the smartphone processor. You can turn off the YouTube app and respond to messages in instant messengers while the film is on the large screen.
⚠️ Note: The “Cast Screen” feature inside the Google Home app on the iPhone is unstable and often requires additional settings or third-party assistant apps, unlike native support on Android smartphones.
If you want to stream your iPhone desktop, rather than content from a specific app, it's harder to do that through Chromecast, and you'll need to use third-party translation apps that capture the image from your iPhone screen and send it as a video stream to a virtual Chromecast receiver running on your TV, which creates double compression of the video and can lead to audio dissynchronization.
Wired connection via Lightning/USB-C to HDMI adapter
For situations where the wireless network is overloaded, unstable, or where you want to transmit the image in the maximum quality without compression artifacts, the only right solution is wired connection. For iPhone owners, this means using official or certified (MFi) adapters. For models up to iPhone 14, this is the Lightning to Digital AV Adapter adapter, and for iPhone 15 and later, a cable or USB-C to HDMI adapter.
The connection is simple: you plug an adapter into the iPhone charging socket, and you plug in an HDMI cable that goes to the TV, and the Xiaomi TV is just like a monitor, and you need to switch the source to the appropriate HDMI port using the remote control, and the image will appear instantly, without having to set up a network or install applications.
The main advantage of the method is the lack of latency, which makes it ideal for games, presentations or displaying photos in high resolution.In addition, many Lightning adapters have an additional port for charging, which allows you to simultaneously play and recharge the battery of the smartphone, which when the screen and the processor are active is consumed quite quickly.
| Parameter | Wireless (AirPlay/Wi-Fi) | Wireless (HDMI) | Chromecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Image quality | Depends on the signal (up to 1080p/4K) | Native (up to 4K HDR) | Up to 4K HDR |
| Delay (Latency) | High (100-500 ms) | Minimum (< 10 ms) | Low (with streaming) |
| Stability | Medium (depending on router) | Maximum | Tall. |
| iPhone battery consumption | High-pitched | Low (charging in) | Minimum |
But there are downsides to wired technology, and the main one is that you can tie your smartphone to a cable-length TV, you can't go to the kitchen for tea without interrupting the broadcast, and you'll need a free HDMI port on your TV, which can be a problem if you already have a console, a sound bar, and a receiver on your TV.
Why isn't the cable working?
Solving Typical Connection Problems
Despite its apparent simplicity, the process of synchronizing devices across ecosystems is often accompanied by technical failures. One of the most common problems is when the TV simply “does not see” the iPhone in the list of available devices for broadcasting. 90% of the time this is due to router security settings. Many providers or network administrators include AP Isolation, which prevents devices within the same Wi-Fi network from communicating with each other.
To solve this problem, you need to log into the router's settings (usually through 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 in the browser) and find the Wireless Settings section. You need to make sure that the AP Isolation option is disabled. If you use a guest Wi-Fi network, the isolation there is on by default, and you will not be able to connect to the TV - use the main network.
Another common problem is desynchronization of audio and video, which often happens when using cheap wireless methods or with a weak Wi-Fi signal. In such cases, it helps to reduce the quality of the broadcast in the settings of the replica application or approach the router to the TV. It is also worth trying to turn off the iPhone feature “Cellular Data” during broadcasting, so that the system does not try to load content over the mobile network, creating routing conflicts.
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If audio is coming through the phone speaker and video is on the TV: At the iPhone control point (where the AirPlay button is), click on the speaker icon and in the list of audio output devices, select your Xiaomi TV or console.
Sometimes it helps to simply reset network settings on your iPhone.This won't delete your data or apps, but will clear stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings, which often "shakes up" the network stack and fixes software bugs.The path to reset: Settings → Mainstream → Removing or resetting iPhone → Reset → Reset the network settings.
Comparison of methods and final recommendations
The best way to connect your iPhone to your Xiaomi TV depends solely on your current tasks. If you need to quickly show photos to friends or demonstrate the application, the built-in wireless projection feature or Google Chromecast is perfect. These methods do not require the purchase of additional equipment and are set up in a couple of minutes.
For regular high-quality movies, especially if you have a subscription to streaming services, it is best to set up a bundle through an AirPlay replica app like AirScreen. This will provide the best balance between picture quality, ease of control and no wires. However, be prepared for the fact that free versions of the apps can interrupt the viewing with ads.
Gamers and professionals conducting presentations should think about buying a high-quality adapter. Lightning/USB-C to HDMI. Only a wired connection ensures no delays that can cost a game win, and provides a stable picture without “squares” and compression artifacts, which is critical for text and fine graphics.
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The golden rule of stable broadcasting: Both devices must be on the same local area network (the same SSID), and the router must not block the exchange of data between clients (AP Isolation = Off).
Remember that Xiaomi TV software is regularly updated. Periodically check for system updates in the Settings menu → About TV → System Update, as new firmware versions can add native AirPlay 2 support, which will make installing third-party apps uninspired.