Today’s users often feel the urge to show photos or videos from their smartphones on a big TV screen. Owners of the Apple ecosystem and Xiaomi equipment sometimes mistakenly believe that it is enough to activate Bluetooth, since this is the most obvious wireless protocol. However, real high-resolution video streaming technology requires significantly more bandwidth.
In this article, we will discuss in detail why live streaming over Bluetooth does not exist in the usual sense, and what real methods can achieve the desired result, you will learn about the work of the AirPlay and Miracast protocols, as well as how to configure the synchronization of devices without wires.
Despite the limitations, the iPhone and Xiaomi TV bundle provides great multimedia capabilities, and we’ll look at both the built-in features of MIUI TV and third-party solutions that help you bypass standard restrictions.
Why Bluetooth is not suitable for video broadcasting
Technically, Bluetooth was designed primarily to transmit audio and small amounts of data over short distances. The bandwidth of this interface, even in the latest versions of 5.0 and higher, is critically small for transmitting a video signal in real time. Trying to stream video through this channel would lead to delays of several seconds and extremely low image quality.
To transmit a picture in HD or 4K resolution requires a stable channel with high data rate, which is why manufacturers use Bluetooth for initial pairing (handshake), and the video stream itself is transmitted over Wi-Fi Direct or local network, which allows you to provide the necessary width of the channel.
It's important to understand the difference between file transfer and mirror display. If you want to just flip a photo, Bluetooth will do it, but slowly. To duplicate the iOS interface on the TV screen, Xiaomi needs AirPlay 2 or similar technologies.
⚠️ Note: Don’t try to find Bluetooth Screen Translation in your iPhone settings, there’s no such option. All apps that promise this either use Wi-Fi or are fraudulent.
So when it comes to streaming from iPhone to TV, we always mean using a wireless Wi-Fi network. Bluetooth in this process plays only a supporting role or is not used at all.
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For a stable picture, make sure both the iPhone and Xiaomi TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (2.4GHz or 5GHz).
Built-in AirPlay support on Xiaomi TVs
Modern Xiaomi TVs running on Android TV or PatchWall often have built-in support for AirPlay 2. This is Apple’s native protocol that allows you to stream content without installing additional software on your TV.
If your TV supports AirPlay, the setup process is as simple as possible. You do not need third-party apps or complex manipulations of the device. IP-Just make sure that the devices are on the same network and the function is activated in the settings of the TV.
In some cases, you need to confirm your connection on your TV screen, which is a security measure so that outsiders can not broadcast content to your screen without your knowledge, and once confirmed, the devices keep in touch for future sessions.
☑️ Checking AirPlay support
It is worth noting that older Xiaomi TVs may not have an AirPlay module built in, in which case the system will offer to download a companion app or use alternative broadcast methods, which we will discuss below.
What to do if AirPlay is not found?
Using the Mi Remote app and the Mi Home ecosystem
The official Mi Remote app (or Mi Home depending on the region) serves as the central control for all Xiaomi smart appliances. Although its main function is management, it can also serve as a bridge for transferring media files. This is especially true for users who want to show a photo gallery or run a video file from their phone’s memory.
To do this, you need to add a TV to the app. The process is simple: open the app on your iPhone, click "Add Device" and follow the instructions on the screen, and once paired, the phone and TV can communicate over a local network.
The app’s functionality allows not only to control the volume and signal sources, but also to broadcast the contents of the media library, which is convenient when you need to show a video stored in the memory of a smartphone without using the built-in streaming services of the TV.
However, for full screen mirroring (when you can see all the actions on the iPhone, including menus and games), the capabilities of the Mi Remote application itself may not be enough.
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The Mi Home app is ideal for managing media files, but for full screen duplication (Screen Mirroring), it’s better to use built-in iOS features or third-party receivers.
Third-party broadcasting applications (Screen Mirroring)
If the built-in tools don’t work or your Xiaomi TV is an older model, third-party apps come to the rescue. There are many solutions available in the App Store that install a special receiver on the TV that emulates the AirPlay protocol.
One of the most popular and reliable solutions is AirScreen or Receiver for AirPlay, which creates a virtual server on the TV that the iPhone perceives as a native Apple TV device, which takes a couple of minutes to install and does not require root rights.
The installation process is as follows:
1. Open the Google Play Store on a Xiaomi TV.
2. Type "AirScreen" or "AirPin" in the search.
3. Install and launch the application.
4. Follow the instructions on the TV screen to activate standby mode.
Once you run the app on your TV, it will show the device name, so you open the Control Point on your iPhone (swipe down from the top right corner or up from the bottom), click Screen Replay, and select the TV that appears.
| Annex | Type of license | 4K support | Advertising |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirScreen | Freemium | Yes. | Got it (free) |
| AirPin(PRO) | Paid | Yes. | No. |
| Cast to TV | Free. | Limited. | There is. |
| Web Video Caster | Freemium | Yes. | There is. |
Using third-party software is the most versatile way that works on almost any Xiaomi model with Android TV. The main advantage is the lack of binding to a specific TV manufacturer.
Broadcasting through HDMI-cable (hardware method)
When wireless connectivity is unstable or requires maximum image quality without compression, a time-tested cable comes to the rescue. To connect your iPhone to a Xiaomi TV, you will need a Lightning to HDMI digital adapter (for older models) or a USB-C to HDMI (for iPhone 15 and later).
This method completely eliminates the dependence on Wi-Fi speed and air load, and the image is transmitted in its original quality, without compression artifacts and delays, and is ideal for playing games or watching movies in high bitrate.
To connect, perform the following actions:
1. Connect the adapter to the iPhone charging connector.
2. Insert the HDMI cable into the adapter and the free port of the TV.
3. On the TV remote, press the button to select the source of the signal (Input or Source).
4. Select the appropriate HDMI port.
The image will appear on the screen automatically. Unlike wireless methods, you don't have to set up a network or install applications here. The phone will also charge during use if the adapter has a power port.
⚠️ Note: Use only certified adapters (MFi). Cheap Chinese counterparts may not transmit sound or cause ripples on the screen due to poor screening.
Solving Connection and Delay Problems
Even with the right setup, users can experience problems, most often due to audio and video desynchronization or intermittent connection breaks, mainly due to unstable Wi-Fi signals or conflicting protocol versions.
If you notice a lipsync, try lowering the output resolution in the settings of the receiver app on your TV, rebooting the router and clearing the DNS cache also helps. Sometimes the problem is solved by simply switching the TV to another HDMI port and back.
If your iPhone doesn’t see a Xiaomi TV, check the firewall settings on your router. AirPlay and Miracast must open certain ports to work properly. Also make sure that the router doesn’t include Wi-Fi client isolation (AP Isolation), which prevents devices from seeing each other.
You can use the ping command in the terminal (if you have access) to diagnose it, or you can simply check the Internet speed on both devices.