Why You Need Wi-Fi Direct on a Xiaomi TV and How It Works
Wi-Fi Direct allows Xiaomi Mi TVs to communicate directly with other devices, without a router or internet connection, which is convenient for streaming video from your phone, watching photos on a big screen, or even using TV as a speaker for music, but many owners face difficulties when first turning on the feature.
Unlike traditional Wi-Fi, where both devices connect to the same network, Direct creates an access point directly on the TV. 250 Mbps (depending on TV model and supported standards) 802.11ac/n). However, it’s important to remember that not all apps support live streaming – for example, Netflix or YouTube can block this way of playing because of the fact that the app is not compatible with live streaming. DRM-defense.
On Xiaomi Mi TV 4A/4S/4C/5 and newer models, the feature works steadily, but its activation is hidden in the depths of the menu. Next, we will discuss how to find it, turn it on and configure it for different use cases - from viewing photos to mirroring the screen of the smartphone.
What Xiaomi Mi TV models support Wi-Fi Direct?
Wi-Fi Direct is available on most Xiaomi TVs released after 2018, but there are some nuances: the compatibility table below, taking into account the version of the MIUI TV firmware:
| Model TV | Support for Wi-Fi Direct | Minimum version of MIUI TV | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi TV 4A (32"/43") | Yes. | 1.4.65 | Requires manual inclusion in the service menu |
| Mi TV 4S (50"/55") | Yes. | 1.5.12 | Supports Miracast and DLNA |
| Mi TV 4C (43"/50") | Yes. | 1.6.3 | Automatic Detection of Devices |
| Mi TV 5/5 Pro | Yes. | 2.0.1 | Improved connection stability |
| Mi TV Q1/Q2 | Yes. | 2.1.5 | Wi-Fi 6 support for Direct |
If your model is not listed or released before 2018 (e.g. Mi) TV 3), the probability of supporting Wi-Fi Direct is minimal, in which case the alternative would be to use the HDMI-Miracast cable or adapter (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) TV Stick).
⚠️ Note: On TVs with firmware older MIUI TV 1.4.50, the function may not be available even with hardware support. Update the software via Settings → On TV. → Updating the system.
Step-by-step: how to turn on Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi Mi TV
The activation algorithm depends on the version of the interface. Consider the universal method for MIUI TV 2.0 and later (relevant to Mi TV 4S/5/Q1):
- Open the settings of the TV (cog in the upper right corner of the main screen).
- Go to the section Network and Internet → Wi-Fi Direct.
- Activate the switch Enable Wi-Fi Direct (may be called Access Point Mode on older models).
- Wait for the network name to appear in DIRECT-MiTV-XXXX format (where XXXX is the unique identifier of your TV).
For Mi TV 4A/4C models with firmware 1.4.x, the path is different:
- Press the Menu button on the remote for 5 seconds to open the advanced settings.
- Select additionally → Wireless Networks → Wi-Fi Direct.
- Enter. PIN-1234 (default) for confirmation.
Check the version of MIUI TV in the settings
Update the firmware if necessary
Make sure your TV and smartphone are in the same room
Shut down. VPN smartphone-->
On Xiaomi TVs with an Amlogic chip (such as the Mi TV 4A 32), Wi-Fi Direct may not work smoothly while connecting to the main Wi-Fi network.
How to connect a smartphone or laptop to Xiaomi Mi TV via Wi-Fi Direct
After activating the function on the TV, you need to connect a second device. Consider the process for Android, iOS and Windows:
For Android smartphones (Xiaomi, Samsung, Google, etc.)
- Open the Settings. → Wi-Fi on your phone.
- In the list of networks, look for DIRECT-MiTV-XXX (the name appears on the TV screen).
- Connect using the default password 12345678 (if it didn’t work, watch on the TV screen).
- Start the Mi Remote or Google Home app to manage your broadcast.
For iPhone/iPad (iOS)
- 📱 Apple Limitation: iOS does not support direct Wi-Fi Direct connection without additional software. Use Screen Mirroring or ApowerMirror.
- 🔗 Alternative: Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network and use AirPlay (if the TV supports).
For laptops with Windows 10/11
- Press Win + I, select Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
- Find the DIRECT-MiTV-XXXX network and connect.
- To broadcast the screen, use the Win + P combination → Connect to the wireless display.
⚠️ Note: When connecting via Wi-Fi Direct, the Internet speed on a smartphone or laptop will be limited (4G/5G) second-hand.
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If the TV doesn’t appear in the list of available devices, reboot both gadgets and repeat the search. On some models, Xiaomi helps reset network settings through Settings → System → Reset (select “Wi-Fi Reset”).
Common Problems and Their Solutions
Even after setting it up correctly, users are faced with errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:
- 🔌 "Unable to connect": Check that Device Detection is enabled on TV (in Wi-Fi Direct settings). 10 metres (optimum — 3-5 Turn off Bluetooth on your smartphone – it can cause interference.
- 📶 "No signal" or connection breaks: Turn the Wi-Fi channel to the TV manually (in router settings, select channel 1, 6 or 11 for minimal interference). Update the TV and smartphone firmware to the latest version. Try connecting from another device to rule out hardware malfunction.
- 🔒 "Wrong password: Password is displayed on the TV screen when Wi-Fi Direct is activated (usually 8 digits). If the password does not fit, reset the network settings on the TV (Settings) → Network → Reset).
If the problem persists, check the error log on the TV:
- Go to Settings → About TV → System Journal.
- Find records with WiFiDirect or P2P tags.
- Copy the error code (for example, ERROR_104) Find a solution on the Xiaomi Community forum.
What to do if Wi-Fi Direct disappears after an update?
Alternatives to Wi-Fi Direct for Xiaomi Mi TV
If Wi-Fi Direct is unstable or not on your model, consider alternative wireless data transfer methods:
| Method | Equipment required | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miracast | Support on TV and smartphone | Low latency, full screen duplication | Not all apps support broadcasting |
| DLNA | Server application (e.g. BubbleUPnP) | Operates via router, stable connection | No mirroring, only file transfer |
| HDMI-cable | HDMI 2.0 Cable or USB-C Adapter → HDMI | Maximum quality without delay | Wireless connection, limited length |
| Chromecast | Google Chromecast Device or Built-in Support | Universality, support for most applications | Requires a connection to a single Wi-Fi network |
For owners of Xiaomi Mi TV Q1/Q2 with Wi-Fi 6 support, the best solution is to use Miracast through the built-in Screen Mirror feature, which provides a latency of less than 50 ms, which is critical for gaming or watching high-resolution video.
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Wi-Fi Direct is convenient for fast file transfer, but for stable video streaming, it is better to use Miracast or DLNA - they are less dependent on interference and support more formats.
Security with Wi-Fi Direct
Directly connecting devices creates a local area network that can be vulnerable to a Man-in-the-Middle attack to minimize the risks of:
- 🔐 Change the default password: In the Wi-Fi Direct settings on TV, select Change the password. Set the combination of 12+ symbols with numbers and letters (for example, MiTV-2026-Direct!).
Turn off the function after using:
Mi TV 4A
Update the firmware:
MIUI TV
1.7.0
If you share sensitive data (such as documents or personal photos), use encryption to:
- Before submitting files, archive them with a password (for example, via WinRAR or 7-Zip).
- Use SSL/TLS-enabled apps to broadcast the screen (e.g. TeamViewer instead of standard mirroring).
⚠️ Note: On TVs with root access (for example, after installing custom firmware), Wi-Fi Direct can automatically turn on FTP-server by opening access to the TV file system. Disable this option in Settings → For developers → Network.