Wireless screen broadcasting from your phone, laptop or tablet to the big screen of Xiaomi TV has become an integral part of modern media consumption. Miracast technology allows you to transmit image and sound wirelessly, but many users face difficulties in setting it up. Unlike proprietary solutions like Apple AirPlay or Google Cast, Miracast runs on a universal Wi-Fi Direct protocol, making it compatible with most devices, from Android smartphones to Windows laptops.
In this article, we will discuss not only the basic Miracast turn-on procedure on Xiaomi TVs (including Mi models). TV 4A/4S/4X, Mi TV 5 Pro, Redmi Smart TV And others, but also nuances that the manufacturer often doesn't say, like why some devices have the option hidden in the depths of the menu, how to get around the limitations of the screen resolution, and what to do if the TV doesn't "see" your smartphone. We will also compare Miracast with alternative protocols and provide recommendations for streaming quality.
What is Miracast and why is it better (or worse) than alternatives?
Miracast is a wireless media standard developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance. DLNA, Miracast, which only broadcasts media, duplicates the entire screen of the device in real time, including the interface, games and applications:
- 🎮 Gamers who want to bring mobile games to the big screen;
- 📊 Presentations from a laptop without HDMI-cable;
- 🎬 Watching movies from your phone without losing quality;
- 💻 Use TV as a second monitor for Windows or macOS.
Miracast has its drawbacks, however, and the main one is its reliance on Wi-Fi performance. When signaling is weak or disturbed, the image can slow down or fall apart. In comparison, Google Cast (used in Chromecast) is streaming optimized and buffers better, but requires app support. Apple’s AirPlay only works within the brand ecosystem, but it guarantees minimal latency.
| Technology | Miracast | Google Cast | AirPlay | DLNA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Requires device support | ✅ Yes (Wi-Fi Direct) | ✅ Yes (Chromecast/Google TV) | ✅ Yes. TV) | ✅ Yes (UPnP) |
| Duplicating the full screen | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No, media only) | ✅ Yes, AirPlay Mirroring) | ❌ No. |
| Delay (latency) | ~50-100 ms | ~20-50 ms | ~10-30 ms. | ~200+ ms |
| It works without the internet. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Max, permission. | Up to 4K@30Hz. | Up to 4K@60Hz | Up to 4K@60Hz | Up to 1080p. |
Important for Xiaomi owners: brand TVs based on Android TV (Like Mi. TV 5 Pros support Miracast out of the box, while PatchWall models (e.g. Mi) TV 4A In India, you may need to manually enable the option in the service menu.
Preparing Xiaomi TV to work with Miracast
Before you turn on Miracast, make sure your Xiaomi TV meets the minimum requirements:
- 📺 The model should support Wi-Fi Direct (virtually all Xiaomi TVs after 2018);
- 🔄 Updated firmware (version not lower) MIUI TV 2.0 for older models);
- 📶 Stable Wi-Fi connection (even if the broadcast is on Wi-Fi Direct, background connection with the router improves stability);
- 🔋 Sufficient charge level of the source device (for smartphones – at least 30%).
If your Xiaomi TV is released before 2017 (e.g. Mi) TV 3), you may need to manually activate Miracast through the engineering menu:
- Turn on the TV and go to Settings → About TV.
- Find the firmware version and quickly click on it 5-7 times in a row (a request for access to the engineering menu should appear).
- In the menu, select Network Settings. → Wi-Fi Direct and activate the option.
⚠️ Note: Not all Xiaomi models support engineering menus. on Android TVs TV (Like Mi. TV 5) this method will not work - use standard settings.
Check the model for compatibility|Update the firmware to the latest version|Connect the TV to Wi-Fi|Shut down. VPN source-device|Close background applications on a smartphone / PC-->
Step-by-step: how to turn Miracast on Xiaomi TV
The Miracast activation process depends on the firmware version and interface of your TV. Below is a universal guide for most Xiaomi models (including Mi). TV 4S, Mi TV 5, Redmi Smart TV X and others).
Method 1: Through the main settings (Android) TV/PatchWall)
- Turn on the TV and go to the main screen.
- Open the Settings (cog in the upper right corner or the Settings button on the remote).
- Select Connections and Sharing (or Network and Internet on older versions).
- Find Miracast, Wireless Display, or Wi-Fi Direct.
- Activate the slider Turn on Miracast.
- Wait until the TV appears in the list of available devices on your smartphone/PC.
Method 2: Through the Quick Settings Panel (for new models)
On Xiaomi TVs with MIUI TV 3.0+ (Like Mi. TV Q1 or Mi TV P1) Turn on Miracast faster:
- Press the Menu button on the remote and select the Quick Settings icon (the gear icon in the top panel).
- Scroll to the right to the Screen or Connection.
- Select Miracast and activate it.
If the Miracast option is not on the menu, it may be hidden due to regional restrictions, in which case a reset or firmware update will help.
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On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) TV 4X) Miracast can be called "Screen Mirroring" or "Cast." If you don't find an option, try searching by settings (the button of the magnifier in the menu).
Configure Miracast on the source device (smartphone, PC, laptop)
Turning Miracast on a Xiaomi TV is half the battle. Now you have to set up the device that's going to be broadcasting correctly. The instructions vary depending on the operating system.
For Android smartphones (Samsung, Xiaomi, Redmi, etc.)
- Open the settings on your phone.
- Go to the Connection section → In addition (on Xiaomi/Redmi) screen → Wireless broadcast (on Samsung).
- Choose Miracast, Wireless Display, or Smart View.
- In the list of available devices, find the name of your Xiaomi TV (such as MiTV-XXXX) and connect.
- Confirm the connection on the TV (entry may be required) PIN-code).
For Windows 10/11
On laptops or PCs with Windows Miracast is enabled via Project on that computer or Connect to a wireless display:
- Press Win + K (or open Settings → System → Display → Connect to a wireless display).
- In the list, select your Xiaomi TV.
- If the device doesn’t show up, check if your PC supports Miracast: dxdiag In the window that opens, go to Save All Data and find Miracast: Available.
For macOS (MacBook, iMac)
Apple does not support Miracast directly, but you can use workarounds:
- 🖥️ Install AirParrot or Reflector for Miracast emulation;
- 🔄 Connect Xiaomi TV to Apple TV through HDMI and use AirPlay;
- 🌐 Use Google Chrome with Cast extension to stream tabs.
⚠️ Note: On a Mac with chips M1/M2 Some Miracast apps may not work well due to Apple's restrictions on graphics virtualization.
Solving typical Miracast issues on Xiaomi TV
Even after setting up correctly, Miracast may fail to work, and here are the most common errors and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| TV not visible on the list of devices | Miracast is disabled on TV or source device | Restart both devices and check your network settings |
| Connection is interrupted in 10–30 seconds | Weak Wi-Fi signal or interference from other devices | Switch your TV and router to a 5GHz channel or change your channel manually |
| The picture slows down or crumbles | Low network capacity | Reduce the broadcast resolution in Miracast settings or connect via cable |
| No sound when broadcasting | The source device has the wrong audio output | In the sound settings, select HDMI/SPDIF or wireless display |
| Requirement PIN-code doesn't appear | Synchronization failure via Wi-Fi Direct | Turn off and turn Miracast back on both devices |
If none of the solutions worked, try resetting the network settings on your Xiaomi TV:
- Go to Settings. → The Internet and the Internet → Additionally.
- Select Network Resetting.
- After the reboot, reset the Wi-Fi connection and activate Miracast.
What if Miracast is not on the menu?
Miracast compares with alternative streaming methods on Xiaomi TV
Miracast isn't the only way to display an image on a Xiaomi TV, but you can use different protocols or even physical connections depending on the task.
| Method | Pluses | Cons | Better for you. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miracast | ✅ No dependence on the Internet✅ Duplication of the whole screen✅ It works on all devices. | ❌ Possible lags❌ Restriction on authorization❌ Wi-Fi Requirement | 🎮 Games, presentations, universal use |
| Google Cast | ✅ Optimized for media✅ Low delay✅ Support 4K@60Hz | ❌ Demands the Internet.❌ It doesn’t work with all applications.❌ No screen duplication | 🎬 Movies, YouTube, streaming |
| HDMI-cable | ✅ Maximum quality✅ Zero delays✅ Stability | ❌ Wires❌ Adapters are needed for mobile devices | 🎮 Professional gaming, 4K-content |
| DLNA | ✅ Easy setup✅ It works through a local network.✅ Support for most formats | ❌ Media files only❌ High delay❌ No interactivity. | 📺 Viewing photos/video from your phone |
For most Xiaomi users, the best solution is a combination of methods:
- 🎮 Miracast – for games and screen duplication;
- 🎬 Google Cast – for watching movies and YouTube;
- 📱 HDMI — for critical tasks (e.g. viewing) 4K HDR).
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If your Xiaomi TV supports Google TV (Like Mi. TV Q2), Google Cast is more stable than Miracast and better optimized for streaming.
Additional settings to improve the quality of the broadcast
Miracast on Xiaomi by default TV It can be underpowered. To improve picture quality and reduce delays, use these tips:
1. Optimization of permission and personnel frequency
Miracast automatically adjusts to the TV's capabilities, but sometimes chooses sub-optimal settings to manually set the settings:
- On your source device (Android or Windows), open the advanced Miracast settings.
- Select permission. 1920×1080 (for 4K-TVs are better limited to Full HD, escaping).
- Set a frame rate of 30 Hz (60 Hz can cause slowdowns).
2. Network settings for minimal delays
Miracast quality is directly dependent on Wi-Fi, to reduce lags:
- 📶 Switch TV and router to 5GHz band;
- 🔄 Select a channel with minimal load (use applications like WiFi Analyzer);
- 🚫 Disconnect other devices from the network during broadcast;
- 🔌 Connect the TV to the router via cable (if Wi-Fi Direct is supported) + Ethernet).
3. Use of third-party applications
If standard Miracast is unstable, try alternative apps:
- 📱 ApowerMirror – supports screen recording and annotations;
- 💻 SpaceDesk – to use the TV as a second monitor;
- 🎮 Steam Link – optimized for streaming games from PC.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party Miracast apps on your Xiaomi TV, you may need to install APK through ADB File Manager (e.g. Send Files to) TV). Do not install applications from unknown sources – this can disrupt the system.