Wi-Fi Direct technology allows Xiaomi TVs to communicate directly with other devices without router intermediation. This is convenient for streaming screens from a smartphone, connecting wireless speakers or transferring files. However, many users face difficulties when activating this feature: where to look for settings, how to confirm connection, and why devices do not “see” each other?
In this article, we will discuss all ways to enable Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi Mi TVs. TV (including the Mi models TV 4A/4S/4X/5/5 Pro/6 Redmi Smart TV), We'll look at the typical errors and give you some recommendations for fixing the problems. MIUI TV older 2023 The function can be hidden behind the additional menu.
What is Wi-Fi Direct and Why You Need It on Xiaomi TV
Wi-Fi Direct is a wireless standard that allows devices to connect directly to each other without having to go past a router. On Xiaomi TVs, this technology is used to:
- 📱 Screen broadcasts from a smartphone (Miracast, Google Cast)
- 🎵 Connections of wireless speakers or headphones
- 🖥️ Transfer of files from a laptop or PC
- 🎮 Game controllers with Wi-Fi Direct support
The main advantage over traditional Wi-Fi is that you don't depend on your router, for example, you can stream video from your phone to TV even when you're on a trip or in a country where there's no Internet.
- ⚠️ The communication range usually does not exceed 10 meters (versus 50 meters).+ router)
- ⚠️ Transfer speeds are lower than Wi-Fi 5/6 (before 250 Mbit/s versus 1+ Gbps)
- ⚠️ Limited number of connected devices (usually 1-2)
On Xiaomi TVs, Wi-Fi Direct is often confused with Miracast (screen mirroring technology) or DLNA (It's important to understand that Wi-Fi Direct is a transportation system. Miracast/DLNA — protocols that can work on top of it.
Does your Xiaomi support you? TV Wi-Fi Direct function
Not all Xiaomi models are equipped with Wi-Fi Direct, especially budget series.
| Model TV set | Support for Wi-Fi Direct | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mi TV 4A (2018-2020) | ❌ No. | Only Wi-Fi. 802.11n, direct |
| Mi TV 4S/4X (2020-2022) | ✅ Yes. | Update to MIUI TV 3.0+ is required |
| Mi TV 5/5 Pro (2020-2023) | ✅ Yes. | The function is available "out of the box" |
| Redmi Smart TV X (2021-2026) | ✅ Yes. | Included through "Showing Mode" |
| Mi TV 6 (2023-2026) | ✅ Yes. | Support for Wi-Fi 6 + Direct |
To find out if your TV supports Wi-Fi Direct:
- Open the Settings. → On TV. → Specifications
- Check the line "Wi-Fi" - it should be specified Wi-Fi Direct or Miracast
- If there is no information, try updating the firmware (see section below)
On some models (e.g., Mi) TV 4S 55′′ 2021) function is hidden and activated only after the update to MIUI TV 4.0 If the menu does not have the option "Wi-Fi Direct", but it is specified in the specification - firmware is required.
💡
On Xiaomi TVs with Android TV 11+ (Like Mi. TV (6) Wi-Fi Direct may be referred to as “Show mode” or “Wireless display".
Step-by-step: how to turn on Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi TV
The activation process depends on the firmware version. Let's consider two main scenarios:
Method 1: Using a standard menu (MIUI TV 3.0 and newer)
- Turn on the TV and press the Settings button on the remote.
- Go to Settings. → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi Direct
- Activate the Wi-Fi Direct slider (should turn blue)
- Select "Device Search" and wait for the list to appear
- On another device (smartphone, laptop) turn on Wi-Fi Direct and select your TV from the list
- Confirm the connection on both devices (entry may be required) PIN-code)
Some firmware has a menu item called Wireless Display or Miracast. If you can't see Wi-Fi Direct, try:
- 🔍 Go to Settings. → Devices → Connected devices
- 🔍 Go to Settings → System system → Mode of presentation
Make sure both devices support Wi-Fi Direct|
Turn off VPN/proxy on your smartphone |
Check that the TV is on "Home" (not "Hotel")|
Restart your router (if you have one) – background scanning sometimes interferes
-->
Method 2: Engineering menu (for older models)
If the standard settings don’t have Wi-Fi Direct, but it’s listed in the specifications, try turning it on via the service menu:
- On the remote, press sequentially: Menu → Settings → All Settings → General → Device Preferences → About → Click Build 7 times in a row until the notification “You became a developer” appears"
- Back to Settings → For developers and enable "Debugging over Wi-Fi"
- Go to Settings. → Network → Additionally. → Wi-Fi Direct (Point may appear after activation of developer mode)
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware older than 2021, turning on Wi-Fi Direct through an engineering menu can cause network settings to reset. Before manipulation, write down passwords from your Wi-Fi networks.
How to connect a smartphone to Xiaomi TV via Wi-Fi Direct
The most popular Wi-Fi Direct scenario is broadcasting the screen from the phone to the TV, and consider the process using the Xiaomi, Samsung and iPhone smartphones:
For phones. Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco (MIUI 12-14)
- On the TV, turn on Wi-Fi Direct (see instructions above)
- On your smartphone, open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct
- Select your TV from the list (the name will be in MiTV format-[XXXX])
- Confirm the connection on both devices
- To broadcast the screen, lower the notification curtain and press "Translation" or "Wireless Display"
If the broadcast does not start:
- 🔄 Reboot both devices
- 📶 Make sure the distance between them is not more than 5 meters.
- 🔒 Disable the ad blocker (such as AdGuard) – it can block network protocols
For iPhone (iOS) 15-17)
Apple does not support Wi-Fi Direct directly, but you can use AirPlay (if your TV supports it) or third-party apps:
- Install AirScreen on your TV (available from the App Store on TV)
- On the iPhone, open the Control Point → Screen duplication
- Select your Xiaomi TV from the list
⚠️ Note: On iPhone, Wi-Fi Direct is only available with third-party apps (e.g. ApowerMirror or LetsView).Native support is not available due to Apple restrictions.
Why iPhone doesn’t see Xiaomi TV via Wi-Fi Direct?
Common Problems and Their Solutions
When connecting via Wi-Fi Direct, users often encounter errors.-5 problems and ways of eliminating them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The TV doesn't see the device. | Different Wi-Fi standards (e.g. 5GHz vs 2.4GHz) | On the TV, turn on compatibility mode: Settings → Network → 2.4 GHz mode |
| Connection breaks through 10-30 seconds | Energy saving on a smartphone | Turn off battery optimization for the Wi-Fi Direct app in your phone settings |
| No sound when broadcasting | The wrong sound source is selected on the TV. | Go to Settings. → Sound. → Sound source → HDMI/ARC |
| It makes a "failed to connect" error. | Conflict IP-address | On the TV, reset network settings: Settings → Network → Resetting the network |
| Video lagging or slowing down | Weak signal or interference | Reduce the distance between devices or switch to 5GHz (if supported) |
If none of the solutions worked, try resetting the network settings on your TV:
- Go to Settings. → System system → Reset → Resetting network settings
- Confirm the action (default password is 0000 or 1234)
- Restart the TV and reconnect.
💡
If Wi-Fi Direct doesn't work after you reset your network, check the firmware version. MIUI TV After 2022, the function can be disabled at the kernel level.
Update to support Wi-Fi Direct
On Xiaomi Mi TVs TV 4S/4X release 2019-2020 Wi-Fi Direct is often missing out of the box, but it appears after an update. Here's how to check and update your firmware:
- Open Settings → About TV → System Update
- Click "Check Updates"
- If a new version is available, click "Download and Install"
- Wait until the end (the TV will restart automatically)
Minimum firmware versions with Wi-Fi Direct support:
- 📺 Mi TV 4S/4X: MIUI TV 3.0.1 or newer
- 📺 Redmi Smart TV X: MIUI TV 2.5.3+
- 📺 Mi TV 5/5 Pro: Any version (support out of the box)
If the automatic update does not find a new firmware:
- Download the latest version from the official Xiaomi Support website (select the TV model)
- Copy the.zip file to a flash drive (format) FAT32)
- Insert the flash drive in the USB- TV port
- Go to Settings. → On TV. → Update → Local Update
- Select the downloaded file and confirm the installation
⚠️ Note: When manually updating firmware on Xiaomi TVs Mi series TV 4 may be reset to factory settings. Before the procedure, record the image and sound settings (e.g., take a picture of the screen).
Alternatives to Wi-Fi Direct for Xiaomi TV
If your TV doesn’t support Wi-Fi Direct or the feature isn’t working well, consider alternative ways to connect:
- 🌐 Connect your TV and smartphone to the same Wi-Fi network Use Google Cast (for Android) or AirPlay (for iPhone)
- 🔌 Through cable: HDMI (smartphone-supported HDMI Alt Mode) USB-C → HDMI (adapter)
- 📡 Through Bluetooth: Suitable only for audio transmission (e.g., wireless headphones) On TV: Settings → Bluetooth → Add the device
- 🖥️ Through PC: Use Steam Link or Moonlight for gaming streaming For media – Plex or Kodi
Comparison of connection methods:
| Method | Delay. | Max, permission. | Internet is required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Direct | 50-100 ms | 1080p@30fps | ❌ No. |
| Through the router (Wi-Fi) | 30-70 ms. | 4K@60fps | ✅ Yes. |
| HDMI-cable | 0 ms. | 4K@120fps | ❌ No. |
| Miracast | 40-80 ms. | 1080p@60fps | ❌ No. |
For gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox) or PC, it is better to use HDMI or connecting via router – the delay will be minimal. Wi-Fi Direct is suitable for watching videos or presentations where the lags are non-critical.