Wi-Fi Direct technology allows Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV 4/5, Redmi Smart TV, Mi TV Q1/Q2) to communicate directly with other devices — smartphones, laptops or media players — without the mediation of a router. This is convenient for streaming video from your phone to the big screen, transferring files or using the TV as a wireless monitor. However, many users face difficulties when finding this feature in the menu: its location depends on the version of the MIUI TV firmware, and in some models the option is hidden in the depth of settings.
In this article, we’ll look at three ways to enable Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi TVs (including models with Google TV and PatchWall), explain why the feature may not be on the menu, and give you tips on how to fix typical connection errors, which devices support this technology, and how to check your smartphone’s compatibility with the TV.
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 passing a router. Unlike traditional Wi-Fi, where all gadgets connect to the same network, here the Xiaomi TV becomes the access point itself, and another device (such as a smartphone) becomes the client.
Main use cases:
- 📱 Broadcasting screen from a smartphone (Xiaomi, Samsung, iPhone) to a TV without cables (alternative to Miracast or Google Cast).
- 🎮 Low-ping games: Connecting a gamepad or PC to a TV to stream games (for example, via Steam Link).
- 📁 Transfer of files (photos, videos) from phone to TV or vice versa (if TV supports file manager).
- 🔊 Wireless headphones: some models Xiaomi TV Allows you to connect audio devices directly via Wi-Fi Direct.
It is important to understand that Wi-Fi Direct does not replace conventional Wi-Fi for Internet access, but is a separate protocol optimized for local data exchange at high speeds (up to 250 Mbps) without depending on an external network.
- 🔋 Increased power consumption: with active use of Wi-Fi Direct, the TV and smartphone will discharge faster.
- 📶 Limited range – up to 10 meters (unlike a router that can cover the entire apartment).
- 🔄 Inability to connect to Wi-Fi Direct and home network at the same time (on most Xiaomi models) TV).
What Xiaomi TV models support Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi Direct is available on most Xiaomi TVs released after 2018, but its implementation depends on the firmware and shell version.
| Model TV set | Shell | Support for Wi-Fi Direct | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi TV 4S (2018–2020) | PatchWall 1.0–2.0 | ✅ Yes. | The function is hidden in Settings → Network → More |
| Mi TV 4X/4A (2019–2021) | PatchWall 2.0–3.0 | ✅ Yes. | Update to MIUI TV 3.0+ is required |
| Redmi Smart TV X (2021–2023) | PatchWall 3.0/Google TV | ✅ Yes. | Configure through Settings → Devices → Connection |
| Mi TV Q1/Q2 (2020–2023) | Google TV | ⚠️ Partially. | Wi-Fi Direct only works for Miracast (screen broadcast) |
| Mi TV 5/5 Pro (2022–2026) | Google TV/PatchWall 4.0 | ✅ Yes. | Wi-Fi 6 support improves connection stability |
If your model is not listed, check its specifications on the official Xiaomi website or in the documentation. Also, support for Wi-Fi Direct may appear after the firmware update. To find out the current version of the software, go to Settings → About TV → MIUI TV version.
⚠️ Attention: On TVs with Google TV (Like Mi. TV Q1) Wi-Fi Direct is often replaced by Miracast or Google Cast, which is the same technology, but works on different protocols. If the menu does not include "Wi-Fi Direct", look for the option "Wireless display" or "screen Translation".
Step-by-step: how to turn on Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi TV
The activation process depends on the TV shell, and here's the general-purpose algorithm for most models, so if your TV is running on Google TV, go to the special section.
Method 1: Using the "Network" menu
- Turn on the TV and press the Settings (cog) button on the remote.
- Go to the section Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
- Select Wi-Fi Direct (or Additional) → Wi-Fi Direct on older versions).
- Activate the function with a switch. The TV will start looking for available devices.
- On your smartphone, enable Wi-Fi Direct in the settings (usually in the Connections → Wi-Fi Direct or Screen Broadcast section).
- Select your TV (the name will start with MiTV or Xiaomi) and confirm your connection.
☑️ Preparation for Wi-Fi Direct Connection
Method 2: Using a Wireless Display (Miracast)
If the menu doesn't have "Wi-Fi Direct" but there's a Wireless Display or Miracast option, chances are your TV is using this technology for the same purpose.
- Open Settings → Devices → Wireless display.
- Turn on the function and wait until the TV appears in the list of available displays on the smartphone.
- On your phone (Android or iOS) activate the screen broadcast: 📱 Nana Xiaomi/Redmi: Settings → Connections → Screen broadcasting. 🍎 On iPhone: Control Point → Screen duplication.
Method 3: On TVs with Google TV
On models with Google TV (such as Mi TV Q1 or Xiaomi TV A Pro), Wi-Fi Direct is replaced by Google Cast.
- Make sure that your TV and smartphone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- On your phone, open an app that supports live streaming (such as YouTube or Google Photos).
- Click the Cast icon (Rectangle with Waves) and select your Xiaomi TV.
💡
If the TV doesn’t appear in the list of broadcast devices, try restarting both devices or resetting the network settings to the TV (Settings → Network → Network Reset).
Why Wi-Fi Direct is not working: Common mistakes and solutions
If you are infollowing instructions but the connection is not established, check the following points:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| TV doesn't see a smartphone | Outdated firmware on TV or phone | Update both devices to the latest version |
| The connection is cut off in a few seconds. | Message other wireless devices (router, Bluetooth) | Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your phone, except Wi-Fi Direct |
| There is no "Wi-Fi Direct" item on the menu. | The TV model does not support the function or is used by Google Cast | Check the model in the table above or use Miracast |
| Low quality of broadcast (lags, artifacts) | Weak signal or Wi-Fi channel overload | Move devices closer or change Wi-Fi channel in router settings |
If the problem persists, try resetting the network settings on your TV:
- Go to Settings → Network and Internet → More.
- Select Network Reset and confirm the action.
- After restarting, reset the Wi-Fi Direct setting.
⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models TV (Like Mi. TV 4S 55" with firmware older than 2021) after a network reset may require re-authorization in applications (for example, Netflix or YouTube.
How to check the compatibility of your smartphone with Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi TV
Not all smartphones support Wi-Fi Direct, especially budget models or legacy flagships. To see if your device is compatible with a Xiaomi TV, follow the following steps:
For Android smartphones
- Open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi.
- Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Wi-Fi Direct (or optionally → Wi-Fi Direct).
- If there is no option, check support through the Wi-Fi Direct Test app (available on Google Play).
For iPhone (iOS)
Apple devices do not support Wi-Fi Direct in its classic form, but can stream the screen to Xiaomi TV via AirPlay (if the TV supports this feature) or Google Cast (via apps like YouTube).
- Make sure that your TV and iPhone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the Control Point (swipe down from the upper right corner).
- Click Screen Duplication and select your Xiaomi TV from the list.
Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall 3.0+ and Google TV use WPA2 encryption for Wi-Fi Direct, but it does not guarantee full protection. It is better to use encrypted channels to transmit sensitive information (for example, HTTPS in the browser or VPN).
⚠️ Note: If you connect to your TV via Wi-Fi Direct devices with Android version below 10, there is a risk of data leakage due to a vulnerability in the protocol. WPS. Before using, check the version of the OS on your smartphone in Settings → The phone.