Why is streaming from iPhone to Xiaomi TV difficult?
Apple and Xiaomi devices are often a headache. While AirPlay works seamlessly between the iPhone and Apple TV, Xiaomi Mi TVs (even with Android TVs on board) don’t support this technology out of the box, due to Apple’s proprietary protocols and Google Cast licensing restrictions.
There is additional confusion between different versions of MIUI TVs – Xiaomi TV firmware can be very different even within the same model (e.g. Mi TV 5 for the Chinese and global markets). In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to broadcast from iPhone to Xiaomi TV in 2026, including workarounds for older models without a built-in Chromecast.
Important: If your TV is released before 2019 (e.g. Mi TV 4A or Mi TV 4S), you will most likely need an external adapter. For new models (Mi TV Q2, Xiaomi TV A Pro), built-in solutions are available.
Method 1: Using a built-in Chromecast (for 2020+ models)
Since MIUI TV 3.0 (2020), most Xiaomi TVs have received support for Google Cast, the equivalent of AirPlay for Android devices, which allows you to stream the iPhone screen through applications that support Cast (for example, YouTube, Netflix, Google Photos).
How to check Chromecast support on your Xiaomi TV:
- 🔍 Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Wireless projection
- 📱 If you see Google Cast or Miracast, your TV supports the technology
- 🔄 On Mi TV P1 and later, look for the Screen Mirroring section in Quick Settings (swipe down from the top panel)
Broadcast instructions:
- Connect your iPhone and Xiaomi TV to the same Wi-Fi network (required!)
- Open a supportive app (such as YouTube)
- Slip on the Cast icon (rectangle with waves in the upper right corner)
- Select your Xiaomi TV from the list of devices
⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware for the Chinese market (CN ROM), the Google Cast feature may be disabled. It requires you to switch region to India or Global via the service menu to activate it.
Method 2: AirPlay via third-party apps (for all models)
If your Xiaomi TV doesn't support Chromecast, you can emulate AirPlay server right on your TV, and you'll need to install third-party software.
- 📺 AirScreen (paid but trial-period) – supports AirPlay, Miracast and Google Cast
- 🖥️ ApowerMirror (free version with watermarks) – works via Wi-Fi Direct
- 🌐 TV Cast for Xiaomi (only for Android TV 9+ models)
The step-by-step installation of AirScreen:
- Download APK- file from the official AirScreen website (version for Android TV)
- Transfer the file to a flash drive and connect it to Xiaomi TV (or use Send Files to TV)
- In TV settings, allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Security → Unknown sources
- Install the application and launch it.
- On iPhone, swipe down to open Control Point → Screen Duplication → Select your TV
Install AirScreen or analogue |
Allow installation from unknown sources |
Connect iPhone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network|
Enable "Allow Duplication" mode in the application settings |
Restart the TV after installation-->
Advantages of the method:
- ✅ Minimum latency (around 100 ms) – suitable for gaming
- ✅ Sound support (unlike Miracast on some models)
- ✅ Ability to broadcast the entire screen, not just individual applications
Method 3: Wired connection over HDMI (for stability)
If you want maximum stability without delay (for example, to watch movies in 4K HDR or stream games), the best option is a wired connection.
- 🔌 Lightning Adapter → HDMI (official from Apple or certified analogue)
- 📺 HDMI- Cable (versions 2.0 or higher for 4K@60Hz)
Instructions:
- Connect the adapter to the iPhone
- Connect the adapter and TV HDMI- with a cable (use the HDMI 2.0/ARC port for better quality).
- On the TV, select the appropriate signal source (HDMI 1/2/3)
- If the image doesn’t appear, go to iPhone Settings → Screen and Brightness → Screen Resolution and select 720p or 1080p
| Model iPhone | Max: Resolution via HDMI | Support for HDR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 Pro/Max | 4K@60Hz | ✅ Dolby Vision | Requires an adapter with an MFi chip |
| iPhone 13/14 | 4K@30Hz | ✅ HDR10 | At 60Hz, artifacts are possible |
| iPhone SE (2022) | 1080p@60Hz | ❌ No. | Better to use AirPlay |
| iPhone XR/XS | 1080p@30Hz | ❌ No. | Possible problems with sound |
⚠️ Warning: When connected via HDMI, the iPhone can get very hot. Use the original adapter and avoid long sessions (more than 2 hours) without interruption. On Xiaomi TV A2 and older models, color reproduction problems may occur when 4K- broadcasts - check the Color Mode settings in the TV menu.
Method 4: Miracast for iPhone (bypass)
Miracast is a wireless broadcast standard supported by most Android devices, but not the iPhone.
- 💻 Laptop/PC with Windows 10/11 (Miracast built-in support)
- 🖥️ Android smartphone (e.g. Redmi Note or POCO)
- 📦 Special adapter (e.g. Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter)
Connection scheme via laptop:
- On Xiaomi TV, turn on Miracast in wireless projection settings
- On a Windows laptop, press Win + K → select your TV
- Connect your iPhone to your laptop via USB or Wi-Fi (use QuickTime Player to broadcast the screen)
- On the laptop in Projection Settings, select Duplicate
Cons of the method:
- ❌ Additional delay (up to 500 ms)
- ❌ Third device required
- ❌ Image quality depends on laptop power
💡
If you have an old router that supports DD-WRT, you can set up a virtual Miracast server right on it, which will allow you to stream the iPhone screen without any additional devices, but you will need firmware skills.
Method 5: Streaming apps (YouTube, Netflix, IPTV)
If you don’t need to duplicate the entire screen, but only stream content from specific apps, use the built-in Cast features:
- 🎬 YouTube – supports Google Cast on all Xiaomi TV models with Android TV
- 🎥 Netflix – Requires the latest version of the app on TV
- 📺 TV Plus (built into MIUI TV) — supports DLNA for local files
- 🎵 Spotify - streaming music without video
How to stream YouTube from iPhone to Xiaomi TV:
- Open the video in the YouTube app on iPhone
- Click on the Cast icon (in the upper right corner)
- Select your Xiaomi TV from the list
- If the TV doesn’t show, check that both devices are connected to the same 5 GHz Wi-Fi network (not all models support 2.4 GHz for the Cast)
Limitations of the method:
- ❌ It only works in supported applications.
- ❌ No way to broadcast the screen in full (content only)
- ❌ Some Xiaomi TV models (e.g., Mi TV 4X) may not have sound when streamed via Netflix.
How to enable support for Google Cast on older Xiaomi TV models?
Common mistakes and their solutions
Even with the right setup, streaming from iPhone to Xiaomi TV may not work. Here are the top-5 bugs and how to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The TV is not displayed in the list of devices | Different Wi-Fi networks or Google Cast disabled | Connect both devices to the same 5 GHz network. In your TV settings, turn on Google Cast and Miracast |
| Image delay of more than 1 second | Weak Wi-Fi signal or congested network | Reconnect to 5 GHz or use a wired connection. disconnect other devices from the network |
| No sound when broadcasting | Incompatible audio codecs or HDMI settings | On iPhone, go to Settings → Music → Exit and select HDMI. On TV, check Sound Settings → Output Format |
| The broadcast is interrupted every 5-10 minutes. | Energy saving mode on iPhone or TV | Turn off Auto Shutdown on TV and Low Power Mode on iPhone |
| Black screen when connected via HDMI | Incompatible Adapter or Permits | Use Apple’s certified Lightning Digital AV adapter. On iPhone, set 1080p resolution manually |
If none of these methods work, check:
- 🔧 Update your TV firmware (Settings → About TV → System Update)
- 📱 Update iOS to iPhone (minimum stable streaming version is iOS 14)
- 🔄 Restart router – sometimes problems are related to DHCP- settings
💡
On Xiaomi’s Chinese-based firmware TVs (CN ROM), many broadcast functions are blocked. The solution is to change the region to Global or India via the service menu (button combination on the remote: Menu → 1 → 3 → 9 → Menu).