Xiaomi’s modern Smart TV turns a regular TV into a powerful multimedia center, but its potential is only fully realized with the right interaction with a smartphone. Owners of Android devices can transmit images in up to 4K resolution wirelessly using Wi-Fi Direct and Chromecast standards built into the MIUI TV shell. The process of combining gadgets into a single network opens up access to a huge array of content that can be displayed on a large screen without loss of quality.
Many users have difficulty in initial setup, not understanding the difference between simply duplicating a screen and streaming media content. Broadcasting can be done in several ways, each with its own advantages depending on your goals. We will break down all the current methods, from built-in system functions to specialized applications for deep device integration.
You don’t need to have a lot of technical knowledge to synchronize successfully, but you need to have certain network connectivity conditions. Android TV and your phone must be on the same local network to make sure that the device detection protocols work properly. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the algorithms that are guaranteed to help establish a stable connection between your mobile device and your TV.
Equipment preparation and network infrastructure
Before you start configuring software interfaces, you need to make sure that both devices are physically ready to work. The Wi-Fi router is the centerpiece of the entire system, and its configuration directly affects data speed and no delays. The ideal condition is to support the 5 GHz standard, which provides enough bandwidth for broadcasting high-definition video.
Check that your Xiaomi Mi TV and smartphone are connected to the same network. Often in apartment buildings, routers broadcast two bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), and if one device is connected to the first and the second to the second, they may not see each other due to client isolation settings at the router firmware level. It is also worth making sure that both devices are enabled Bluetooth module, as it is often used for primary interface of remotes and fast transfer of profiles.
☑️ Checking before connection
An important aspect is the relevance of the software: Outdated versions of Android TV may not support new codecs or security protocols used by the latest versions of mobile OS. Go to the TV settings and check for system updates to rule out software conflicts during the diagnostic phase.
Use of the built-in broadcast function (Chromecast)
The simplest and most native way to display an image is Google Cast (Chromecast), which is built into the operating system of most Xiaomi TVs, which allows you to transfer content from apps directly without loading your smartphone processor with constant encoding of the video stream.
If automatic detection has not occurred, check the settings in Settings → Apps → Google Cast Receiver. Here you can see the status of the service and if necessary clear the cache or update the application. Forced activation of the function sometimes requires activation of the developer mode, but in standard use cases this is not required.
What to do if the Cast button does not appear?
The advantage of this method is that the phone acts only as a remote control, and buffering is done by the TV itself, which allows you to watch high-quality video, while responding to messages or working with other applications on the smartphone, without interrupting playback on the large screen.
Screen Duplication via Miracast and Wi-Fi Direct
When you want to bring to the TV exactly what is happening on the screen of the smartphone (games, presentations, browser), Miracast technology is used. In Xiaomi TVs, this feature is often called “Wireless Monitor” or “Screen Mirroring”. Unlike Chromecast, it streams the entire video stream in real time, which creates a minimal but noticeable latency.
To start the process on the remote, press the button with the image of the square with the arrow or go to the signal source menu (Input) and select "Wireless Display". On your smartphone, open the notification curtain, find the function "Translation", "Smart View" or "Projection" (the name depends on the phone model) and wait for the name of your TV to appear.
It should be noted that when using Miracast, the smartphone screen must be constantly on, which increases battery consumption.In addition, the resolution of the broadcast image will be limited to the resolution of the phone screen, even if the TV supports 4K. For viewing photos or videos from the gallery, this method is perfect, providing an instant response to the interface.
Controlling TV through Mi Remote app
The official Mi Remote app (or Xiaomi Remote) turns your smartphone into a full-fledged remote control with advanced functionality, which allows you not only to switch channels and adjust the volume, but also to enter text using the phone's keyboard, which is especially convenient when searching for YouTube videos or browser strings. Connection occurs through a local Wi-Fi network or an infrared port, if it is available in the phone.
Once you install the app and add the device (automatically or by selecting a model from the Xiaomi TV list), you get access to a virtual touchpad. This allows you to use the smartphone as a touchpad to navigate the Android TV interface, which is much more convenient than controlling the cursor using buttons on the classic remote.
One of the key features of the app is the ability to transfer files. You can upload photos or video files directly from the phone gallery to the TV, simply by selecting the "Send to TV" option. The file will automatically open in the built-in media player that supports most popular container formats.
Comparison of connection methods: Characteristics table
To make it easier for you to choose the best way to synchronize for a particular task, we have prepared a comparison table of basic characteristics, which will help you understand which protocol is best used for games, watching movies or working with documents.
| Characteristics | Chromecast (Google Cast) | Miracast (Translation) | Mi Remote (Management) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of transmission | Streaming | Screen cloning | Management teams |
| Dependence on the phone | Low (working in the background) | High (screen active) | Medium (active only when entered) |
| Delay (Latency) | Minimum | Medium (notable in games) | Instant. |
| Battery consumption | Economical | High-pitched | Low. |
As you can see from the table, for long-term viewing of movies, the Chromecast is best suited, since it does not discharge the phone and provides a stable picture. Miracast is ideal for presentations or photo albums, and Mi Remote is indispensable for comfortable navigation on the menu.
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For games from the TV Xiaomi is better to use a separate gamepad, as wireless broadcast from the phone introduces a delay input (input lag).
Third-party applications for synchronization and DLNA
Embedded tools do not always cover all user needs, especially when it comes to playing specific video or audio formats. DLNA. Leaders in this niche are BubbleUPnP, LocalCast and VLC for Android.
These programs scan the network, find your Xiaomi TV and allow you to send almost any media file stored in your phone’s memory or network storage (NAS) to it. The advantage is support for subtitles, the choice of audio paths and the ability to create playlists that the TV will play autonomously.
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The VLC app allows you not only to stream video, but also to control playback on your TV using your phone as a remote, even if the app itself does not have built-in Cast support.
There are also gaming apps like Steam Link or GeForce Now that allow you to run computer games on your TV using your phone as a controller or simply displaying an image.This requires a very fast and stable Wi-Fi connection, preferably in the 5GHz band.
Diagnostics of problems and troubleshooting
Even when set up correctly, there can be situations where devices stop seeing each other or broadcasting is interrupted. A common cause is the aggressive energy savings on a smartphone that kills the background data transfer process. You need to add a broadcast app to the battery exclusions and allow it to work in the background.
⚠️ Warning: If the broadcast is constantly interrupted in the middle, try to reduce the quality of the video in the source application. 4K-video, causing buffering or breaking the connection.
Another common problem is the “sticking” of network services on the TV, in which case the full cycle of rebooting the router and TV (shutting off the socket for 30 seconds) helps. Resetting the network settings on the phone (Settings → System → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile Internet and Bluetooth settings) also often solves detection problems.
Secret method of rebooting services
In rare cases, antivirus software or a firewall on a router that blocks ports required for DLNA and Cast protocols can cause a problem. Try temporarily disabling network protection to test your hypothesis. If everything works after that, add your TV to the Whitelist in the router settings.