Transferring files from your phone to your Xiaomi TV seems like a simple task, as long as you donβt encounter connection errors, slow speeds or protocol incompatibility. In 2026, users have at least 5 current ways to transfer data β from the classic to the traditional. USB-It's a cable to wireless technologies like Mi Share or Google Cast, but which one to choose if you want to drop it off. 4K-10 seconds video? Or if the TV is older than 2020 and doesn't support current standards?
In this guide, we will analyze each method with regard to the real limitations of MIUI TV and Android firmware: why Mi Share sometimes βdoes not seeβ the device, how to bypass the locking of file transfer via FTP on new models, and what to do if Xiaomi TV refuses to accept files larger than 2 GB. All instructions are tested on the TV series Mi TV A2, Xiaomi TV Q2 and Redmi Smart TV X with the latest software updates.
1.Share transfer (formerly Mi Drop) is the fastest way for Xiaomi ecosystem
Mi Share is Xiaomiβs proprietary file-sharing protocol for the brandβs devices, running at speeds of up to 20 MB/s (in theory). In practice, the speed depends on the firmware version of the TV and smartphone, as well as the load of the Wi-Fi network. The method is ideal for transferring photos, short videos or documents, but can fail when working with files weighing more than 1.5 GB.
To download the file through Mi Share, follow the steps:
- π± On your phone: Open the Mi Share app (or Quick Transfer in newer versions) MIUI), Select files and click "SendΒ».
- πΊ On TV: Go to Settings β Connections β Mi Share and activate the reception mode.
- π Wait for the devices to detect each other (can take up to 30 seconds).
- β Confirm the transmission on both devices.
Telephone and TV connected to the same 5 GHz Wi-Fi network|
The TV has "Visibility for All" on Mi Share|.
VPN or proxy is disabled on the phone |
Files are not more than 1.5 GB (MIUI TV 2023+ firmware restriction)
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β οΈ Note: On Xiaomi TVs 2021-2022 release (for example, Mi) TV P1) Mi Share may not work with iPhone, in which case use alternative methods in the following sections.
| Model TV set | Support for Mi Share | Max, speed. | File size limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi TV Q2 (2023) | Yes (MIUI TV 3.0+) | 18-20 MB/s | 2GB |
| Redmi Smart TV X (2022) | Yes (MIUI TV 2.5) | 12-15 MB/s | 1.5GB |
| Mi TV A2 43" (2021) | Yes (requires an update) | 8-10 MB/s | 1GB |
| Mi TV 4S (2019β2020) | No (only via FTP) | β | β |
2.Use of USB-cable or external storage device β reliable, but not always convenient
Connecting your phone to a Xiaomi TV USB-cable is the only method that is guaranteed to work even on older TV models (e.g. Mi). TV 3 2017). However, there are nuances:
- π Xiaomi TVs are only supported by the USB 2.0 (speed up to 480 Mbps), so the transfer of the film to the 4K It'll take 5-7 minutes.
- π± On phones. Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco When connecting to TV, select File Transfer Mode (MTP), Not "ChargingΒ».
- π« On the iPhone, this method does not work β Apple blocks direct access to the file system through the Internet. USB.
Alternative to cable - use USB-flash drive or external hard disk in format FAT32 (For files up to 4GB) or exFAT (for files over 4GB) the algorithm is simple:
- Copy files from your phone to your flash drive (via a USB-C/OTG adapter or computer).
- Connect the drive to the USB-A port on your TV.
- Open the file manager on TV (Media β Local Devices).
π‘
If the TV can't see the flash drive, format it into FAT32 through your computer. Use Rufus for robust formatting.
β οΈ Note: Xiaomi PatchWall-based TVs (e.g. Mi) TV 4X) supportive NTFS β The files on this disk will not be displayed.
3. Wireless transmission through FTP-server (for advanced users)
If Mi Share is not working and the cable is not at hand, you can start FTP-This method requires minimal technical skills, but allows you to transfer files of any size without restrictions. The speed depends on the Wi-Fi network: at 5 GHz it reaches 10-12 MB / s.
Instructions for TVs on MIUI TV:
- On TV, go to Settings. β Network and Internet β FTP-server.
- Activate the server and record it. IP-address (e.g, ftp://192.168.1.100:2121).
- Put it on the phone. FTP-client (e.g. Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
- Connect to the server using the recorded IP, username mi and password mi (default).
- Drag files to /storage/emulated/0/Download.
What to do if FTP is not connected?
β οΈ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware older than 2021 (MIUI TV 1.x) FTP-The server may be missing. In this case, use the DLNA (see next section).
4. Streaming over DLNA/UPnP (for media files)
DLNA is a protocol for streaming media files (photos, videos, music) without physically copying them to a TV, convenient for viewing content on the fly, but not suitable for documents or archives, the main advantage is working with any device, including iPhone.
How to set up DLNA on a Xiaomi TV:
- πΊ On TV: Settings β Connections β DLNA β turn on the option.
- π± On your phone: Android: use BubbleUPnP or LocalCast apps. iPhone: install nPlayer or VLC.
- π In the app, select the TV from the list of devices and send the file.
Limitations of the method:
- β No files with resolution above are supported 4K@30fps (TV can be "supplantedΒ»).
- β No possibility to transfer documents (.pdf,.docx).
- β The iPhone requires additional AirPlay setup (see Section 5).
Mi Share (fast gear)|
USB-cable|
FTP or DLNA|
Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) |
Another method
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5. Google Cast and AirPlay for iPhone and modern TV owners
If you have an iPhone or Android phone without Mi Share, you can use the standard Google Cast (for Android) or AirPlay (for iOS) protocols, which work on Xiaomi TVs with MIUI TV 2.5+ and support media streaming, but do not allow you to save files to TV.
For Android (Google Cast):
- Make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the video/photo in Google Photos or YouTube.
- Press the Cast icon (π‘) Choose your Xiaomi TV and choose your own.
For iPhone (AirPlay):
- On TV: Settings β Connections β AirPlay β turn on the option.
- On iPhone: Open the Control Panel, press Screen Duplicate and select the TV.
- Use the Photo or Apple TV apps to transmit media.
π‘
Google Cast and AirPlay don't store files on your TV, they only broadcast content. Use Mi Share or FTP for permanent storage.
β οΈ Note: On Xiaomi TVs until 2020 (Mi) TV 4, Mi Box S) AirPlay may not work smoothly due to lack of hardware support H.265.
6.Cloud Services: Mi Cloud, Google Drive and Alternatives
If direct file transfer is not possible (for example, due to different Wi-Fi networks), you can use cloud storage. This method is universal, but depends on Internet speed and can be paid for large files.
Comparison of services for Xiaomi:
| Service | Free seat | Loading speed | Support TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Cloud | 5GB | Limited (up to 5MB/s) | Yes (embedded app) |
| Google Drive | 15GB | Up to 10MB/s | Yes (via browser) |
| Yandex Disc. | 10GB | Up to 8MB/s | No (required) TV-attachment) |
| Mega | 20GB | Up to 15MB/s | Yes (via browser) |
Instructions for Mi Cloud:
- On your phone, upload files to Mi Cloud (app or cloud.mi.com).
- On TV, open the Apps β Mi Cloud and sign in to the same account.
- Download files to your local TV storage (if necessary).
β οΈ Note: When uploading videos to Mi Cloud via mobile internet, operators can block traffic. VPN.
Comparison of all methods: which one to choose?
To avoid wasting time on experiments, use our selection table:
| Purpose | Best method. | The alternative | Transfer time (1 GB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick transfer of photo/video | Mi Share | FTP | 30-60 sec. |
| Transfer of large files (>2 GB) | FTP or USB | Cloud. | 2-5 minutes |
| Streaming browsing without saving | DLNA/Google Cast | AirPlay (for iPhone) | β |
| Transfer from iPhone | AirPlay or the cloud | DLNA | 1-3 minutes |
| Older TV models (until 2020) | USB or DLNA | FTP (if supported) | 5-10 minutes |
If none of the methods worked, check:
- π Update the TV firmware (Settings) β On TV. β Updating the system).
- πΆ Reconnect to Wi-Fi (sometimes changing the router channel from 6 or 11 to your car helps).
- π οΈ Reset your network settings to TV (Settings) β System system β Resetting the network).