How to watch movies from Xiaomi phone on TV USB-cable: 3 proven methods

You downloaded the movie on your Xiaomi Mi but want to enjoy watching on a big TV screen? USB-The cable seems like the easiest solution — no extra adapters, Wi-Fi delays, or compatibility issues — but in practice, users are faced with errors like “Device is not supported,” “No signal,” or the inability to play video. In this article, we will analyze all working ways to transfer movies from Xiaomi to TV through the Internet. USB, including hidden settings MIUI bypassing manufacturers' restrictions.

The main problem is that modern TVs (especially Samsung) are not so good, LG Sony and others often don’t recognize the smartphone as USB-It's a drive because of the data protocols, and Xiaomi's defaults are on mode. MTP (Media Transfer Protocol, which doesn't always work well with TV, we tested the solutions on the Mi 11, Redmi Note 10 Pro and the other models. POCO X3 Pro – all methods in the article work on MIUI 12–14.

Before you go to the instructions, check two key points:

• 🔌 Cable: Use the original cable USB-C/USB-A Xiaomi Cable (or Certified) USB 2.0/3.0). Cheap cables often don’t support data transfer, only charging.
• 📺 Port TV: Connect the cable to the USB-the port of the TV, not to the antenna or HDMI. On some Samsung models, only a port with a mark is running. USB (5V 1A).

If you've tried to connect and you've got a mistake, don't blame the technology. 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved by changing the USB mode on your smartphone or updating the TV firmware, and then step-by-step instructions for different scenarios.

1. The way to modern TV (2018–2026 d.): regime USB-storage (MTP/PTP)

The most versatile method that works on most Smart TVs (including Samsung Tizen, LG webOS and Android TV) is to make Xiaomi’s smartphone define itself as an external drive, but by default, MIUI hides the settings.

Here's how to turn on the correct mode:

1. Connect your smartphone to your TV through USB-On the screen Xiaomi will appear a notification “Charge through” USB». Put it on him.
2. In the window that opens, select File Transfer (MTP), and if there is no such option, move to the next step.
3. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → USB. Select File Transfer (MTP) or PTP (for photo/video) here.
4. On the TV, open the source of the signal (Source button or Input button on the remote) and select USB.

If the film is not displayed after these actions:

• 🔄 Restart your smartphone and TV.
• 📁 Check that the file has a supported format:.mp4,.mkv or.avi (see the full list in the table below).
• 🔧 Update the TV firmware through Settings → Support → Update of the PO.

⚠️ Note: Some Samsung TVs 2020-2022 release mode MTP It's blocked because of security policy, and in this case, use the method. №3 (OTG-adapter №2 (shooting app).

2. Alternative method: streaming via USB using the LocalCast app

If the TV doesn’t see the files MTP, supportive DLNA Miracast, you can stream video through USB-cable is like "wired Wi-Fi." This will require the LocalCast app (free on Google Play).

Instructions:

1. Install LocalCast on your Xiaomi.
2. Connect your smartphone to your TV via USB (MTP or Charging mode – it doesn’t matter).
3. Open LocalCast, select a movie and tap the TV icon in the upper right corner.
4. Your TV will appear on the list of devices, select it, and the video will play on the big screen.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎬 All video formats are supported (including.mkv with subtitles).
• 🔊 It transmits sound without delay (unlike Wi-Fi).
• 📱 It works on older TVs without a smart one. TV (if there is a port USB).

Disadvantages:

• 📶 Minimum data transfer speed is required (USB 2.0 can brake when 4K).
• 🔋 Battery charge will be enough for 2-3 movies (it is better to connect charging).

💡

If LocalCast does not find a TV, turn on the TV function "Network Screen" or "Screen Mirroring" in the network settings.

3. For old TVs without Smart TV: OTG-adapter + flash-drive

If your TV is released before 2016 year and year, and does not MTP/DLNA, The only reliable way to use OTG-Adapter and external drive. This method works even on Xiaomi Redmi 4A mi A1.

You'll need:

• 🔌 OTG-adapter (USB-C → USB-A For new Xiaomi or microUSB → USB-A old-model).
• 💾 USB-flash drive or external hard drive (formatted into FAT32 exFAT).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. OTG-adapter to the smartphone, and to it – flash drive.
2. Copy the movie to a flash drive through any file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager).
3. Unplug the adapter from the phone and connect the flash drive directly to the TV.
4. On TV, select a USB source and start the video.

Please note:

• 📹 Some TVs do not play files larger than 4GB per FAT32. In this case, format the flash drive in exFAT.
• 🔄 If the video is slowing down, try converting it to MP4 bitrate less than 10 Mbit/s.

⚠️ Attention: On the TVs Xiaomi Mi TV (especially the Mi models TV 4S mi TV Q1) when connected through USB You may get a device not supported error, so you can either update the TV firmware to the latest version or use a method. №2 (LocalCast).

4.The solution to the problem: why TV can't see your phone through USB

If you’ve followed all the steps, but the TV still doesn’t recognize Xiaomi, check out the following:

• 🔌 Cable: 60% of the problems are due to faulty or "charged" cable. check it on another device.
• 📱 Regime. USB: firmware MIUI point MTP To turn it on, go to Settings. → About the phone and 5 times tap on the "Version" MIUI». Back to Settings → Additionally. → Developer settings and select “Configuration” USB default → MTP».
• 📺 Port TV: Try it all USB-Some of the models are ported to the TV. LG Only the port is working. USB 3.0 (usually blue).
• 🔄 Reboot: Disconnect the cable, restart both devices and reconnect.

Critical error: if the smartphone starts charging when you connect, but is not defined as a drive, then the cable only supports power. OTG-adapter.

If nothing helps, check:

• 🛠️ Updates MIUI: go into Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📋 TV Error log: It's available on Samsung → Support → Journal of self-diagnostics.

5. Optimizing video for USB-reproduction

Even if you plugged your smartphone in correctly, the TV may not play the movie because of:

• 🎞️ Unsupported codec (e.g, H.265 old-time TV).
• 📏 Too high resolution too high (4K The weak TV will slow down).
• 🔊 Non-standard audio tracks (e.g, DTS or AC3).

Recommended conversion settings (via HandBrake or Format Factory):

• 📌 Format: MP4.
• 🎥 Codec: H.264 (or MPEG-4 AVC).
• 🔢 Permission: no higher 1920×1080 (Full HD).
• 🔊 Audio: AAC or MP3.
• 📊 Bitrate: 5000-8000 kbit / s for video, 192-320 kbit / s for audio.

For convenience, here is a table of compatibility of codecs with popular TV brands:

💡

If the TV doesn’t play video from your phone, try converting the file to MP4 (H.264) first, which solves 90% of compatibility issues.

6. Alternative Movie Transfer Methods (if USB is not working)

If none of these methods work, consider alternatives:

• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct / Miracast: on Xiaomi, enable Wireless Display in Settings → Connections → Wireless display. On TV, select "Screen Mirroring." Minus, possible lags at Full HD.
• 🌐 Cloud services: upload the movie to Google Drive or MEGA, and on TV open through the browser or Smart Share app.
• 🔌 HDMI-adapter: for Xiaomi with USB-C adapter USB-C → HDMI (For example, Xiaomi Mi USB-C to HDMI). It gives the best quality, but requires the purchase of an accessory.

Comparison of methods:

FAQ: Frequent questions