Connecting your smartphone to your Xiaomi Mi TV offers a range of possibilities, from streaming YouTube videos to the big screen to controlling your TV as a remote control via an app. However, not everyone knows that there are at least 5 different ways to sync, from wireless protocols to wired connectivity. The choice of method depends on the TV model (for example, Mi TV 4S, Mi TV Q1 or Mi TV A2), the firmware version and even the operating system of the smartphone.
In this article, we will discuss each method in detail, with hardware requirements, step-by-step instructions and typical errors, and focus on the hidden features of Mi Home, which allow you not only to duplicate the screen, but also to adjust the TV remotely through the Xiaomi cloud. If you have previously encountered problems like “does not see the phone” or “no sound when connected”, here you will find solutions.
1. Connection via Mi Home: Cloud Synchronization
The most “native” way for Xiaomi ecosystem is to use the Mi Home app (renamed Xiaomi Home in newer versions), which works even if the phone and TV are on different networks, as communication is via the Xiaomi cloud, the main condition is that both devices must be linked to the same Mi Account.
To tie the phone:
- Install the Mi Home app on your smartphone (available for Android and iOS).
- Sign in to your Mi Account (if not, register).
- Add the TV to the app: press + → Add the device → select the category "TVs".
- Follow the instructions on the screen. The TV should be displayed in the list of devices.
Once you've tied it, you can:
- 📺 Control the TV as a remote (on/off, adjust volume).
- 🔄 Duplicate the screen of the smartphone on TV (Screen Mirroring function).
- 📁 Transfer files (photos, videos) directly to the TV gallery.
- 🔧 Configure the TV settings remotely (for example, enable child mode).
⚠️ Warning: If the TV doesn't show up in Mi Home, check if it's connected to the Internet and if the firmware is up to date. TV 4A (2018 may require manual updates through USB.
2. Wireless screen broadcast (Miracast/Wi-Fi Direct)
Miracast technology allows you to duplicate the screen of the smartphone on the Xiaomi Mi TV without wires using direct Wi-Fi Direct. This method is supported by all modern TV models (Mi TV Q2, Mi TV P1 and later) and smartphones on Android 5.0+ or iOS 11+ (via Screen Mirroring).
Instructions for Android:
- On TV: go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Wireless screen broadcast.
- Activate Miracast or Wi-Fi Direct.
- On your smartphone: open Settings → Connections → Screen Broadcast (on Xiaomi – Quick Settings → Screen Duplication).
- Select your TV from the list of available devices.
For the iPhone:
- Open the Control Point (swipe down from the upper right corner).
- Press Screen Duplication (or Screen Mirroring).
- Select the Xiaomi Mi TV from the list.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| TV not visible on the list of devices | Wi-Fi Direct is disabled on TV | Enable settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct |
| Image lays | Weak Wi-Fi signal | Bring your phone closer to the TV or use 5GHz |
| No sound when broadcasting | The wrong sound source is selected on the TV. | Check the settings → Sound → Source |
| Connection is broken | Energy saving on the phone | Turn off battery optimization for the duplicating function |
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If the broadcast is slowing down, try reducing the screen resolution of your smartphone to 720p in the duplication settings.
3. DLNA connection: viewing media files
DLNA allows you to stream photos, videos and music from your smartphone to your Xiaomi Mi TV without full-screen duplication. This is convenient for viewing movies from the gallery or playing playlists. DLNA supports all Mi TV models since Mi TV 3 (2016).
How to set up:
- On TV: Enable DLNA in Settings → Network → DLNA.
- On your smartphone, install a media server application, for example: BubbleUPnP (Android) VLC (Android/iOS) LocalCast (Android)
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Advantages of DLNA:
- 🎬 Supports formats MKV, MP4, FLAC convertible.
- 📶 It works even on weak Wi-Fi (only media files are broadcasted, not the whole screen).
- 🔄 You can control playback from the phone (pause, rewind).
⚠️ Attention: On the iPhone for DLNA Additional application will be required (e.g, 8player), iOS does not support the protocol out of the box".
Install a media server on your phone|Turn it on. DLNA TV-wise|Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network|Check the file format (TV should be supported)-->
4. Wired connection via HDMI (MHL/Slimport)
If wireless methods are not suitable (for example, due to weak Wi-Fi), you can connect the phone to the Xiaomi Mi TV via the phone. HDMI-That's going to require an adapter:
- For Android: MHL or Slimport (depending on the smartphone model).
- For iPhone: Lightning → HDMI (the official adapter from Apple).
Step-by-step:
- Connect the adapter to the smartphone, and HDMI-cable to the TV (port) HDMI 1/ARC or any other).
- On the TV, select the signal source: Settings → Entry → HDMI.
- On the smartphone, you may need to turn on HDMI Mode (on Xiaomi – in the notification curtain).
Compatibility of adapters with Xiaomi Mi TV models:
| Model TV set | Supported adapters | Max, permission. |
|---|---|---|
| Mi TV 4S/4A | MHL, Slimport, USB-C → HDMI | 4K@30Hz |
| Mi TV Q1/Q2 | USB-C → HDMI (with support for 4K@60Hz) | 4K@60Hz |
| Mi TV P1 | Any adapter with HDMI 2.1 | 8K@30Hz |
⚠️ Important: When connecting your iPhone via Lightning adapter → HDMI It's just a screen that's duplicated, and it's going through the phone. To make it through the TV, use Bluetooth (see next section).
5. Bluetooth connection: for sound and remote
Bluetooth on Xiaomi Mi TVs is used for two purposes:
- Sound transmission – for example, to listen to movies through headphones connected to the phone.
- Using your phone as a remote control (via the Mi Remote app).
How to connect headphones to the TV via phone:
- On TV: Turn Bluetooth on in Settings → Connection and Sharing → Bluetooth.
- On the phone: connect the headphones and activate Audio mode via Bluetooth (in the audio settings).
- In the Mi Home app, select the TV and enable the Sound option via Bluetooth.
To use the phone as a remote:
- 📱 Install the Mi Remote app (available for Android and iOS).
- 🔍 Choose a TV model (Mi) TV 4S, Mi TV Q1 etc.).
- 🎯 Point your phone on TV and follow the instructions for setting up the IR port (if any).
How to check the Bluetooth version on a Xiaomi Mi TV?
6. Removal of common errors
Even with the right connection, there can be problems, and here are the most common solutions.
Problem 1: The TV doesn’t see the phone when trying to connect via Miracast.
- 🔌 Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (even Wi-Fi Direct sometimes requires a shared network).
- 🔄 Restart router and TV.
- 📱 On Xiaomi smartphone, turn off the dual Wi-Fi connection function in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally.
Problem 2: There is no image when broadcasting via HDMI.
- 🔌 Check that the cable and adapter support the desired resolution (for example, for the 4K@60Hz is needed HDMI 2.0).
- 🔧 On the TV, choose the right source: HDMI 1, HDMI 2/ARC etc.
- 📱 On the smartphone in the screen settings, turn on Mode HDMI or the exterior display.
Problem 3: The sound is coming through the phone, not the TV.
- 🔊 For Miracast: in the broadcast settings on your phone, select Sound through the TV.
- 🔊 For HDMI: On iPhone, sound is always coming through your phone – use Bluetooth for headphones or speakers.
- 🔊 For DLNA: in a player application (e.g, VLC) select the audio output device.
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If the Xiaomi Mi TV doesn’t support Miracast but there is Wi-Fi Direct, use the LocalCast or ApowerMirror app to stream the screen.