Xiaomi’s smartphones today have powerful screens, but sometimes 6.67 inches are simply not enough to comfortably watch movies or family photos. It’s at these moments that the question arises of how to quickly and wirelessly stream content to a big TV screen. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystem offers many built-in tools for wireless video transmission.
You won’t need to buy expensive ones. HDMI-If you have a TV that supports LAN, you can use WiFi to transmit high-resolution images, and you can keep the connection stable. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the ways you can sync your Xiaomi smartphone with your TV, including standard system features and third-party apps.
Before you start setting up, make sure both devices are connected to the same wireless network.This is a fundamental condition for most broadcast protocols, such as Miracast and DLNA. If a router distributes a network at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, try to connect gadgets to the same frequency, although modern routers often combine them into a single network.
Use of the built-in Translation function in MIUI
The fastest and most reliable way to display an image from a Xiaomi smartphone to a TV screen is to use a system function that can be called Translation, Wireless Monitor or Cast in different versions of the firmware. This method is based on the Miracast protocol, which allows you to stream video stream without compression and delays typical for some cloud services.
To activate this feature, you need to lower the notification curtain and find the corresponding icon. If you don't see it in the top row, click on the menu edit button (usually three dots or a pencil icon) and add the Translation widget to the control panel desktop. After clicking, the system will start searching for available devices within the range of your network.
When the TV appears on the list, just tap its name. The TV screen may have a request for confirmation of connection, which must be accepted by the remote control, and then the screen of your smartphone will be completely duplicated on the large screen.
⚠️ Note: When using the Translation function, the screen of the smartphone should remain on. If the device locks or goes into sleep mode, the video transmission may be interrupted, as the energy saving system will limit background activity.
It’s worth noting that picture quality is directly dependent on the power of your router and the distance to it. If you notice a sound desynchronization or a “twisting” of the image, try to get closer to the WiFi hotspot.
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Embedded streaming via Miracast is the best choice for displaying the interface of apps, games or browser, as it broadcasts everything that happens on the smartphone screen.
Video streaming via YouTube and streaming services
If your goal is not to duplicate the screen, but to watch videos from online cinemas, then the most effective solution is to use the built-in “Translate” function within the applications themselves. Services like YouTube, Netflix or IVI use the Google Chromecast protocol or similar Smart TV technologies.
Unlike mirror display, in this case, the smartphone acts only as a control panel. Video is downloaded by the TV directly from the Internet, which frees up the resources of the phone's processor and allows you to turn off the screen of the gadget or use it for other tasks without interrupting playback.
To start playing, look for an icon in the app that resembles a WiFi TV screen (usually in the top or bottom corner of the player). Click on it and select your TV from the list. It is important that the TV has a receiver app installed or Android TV support built in.
Why does video slow down when streaming via YouTube?
This method is particularly useful because it allows you to control the playback queue, add video to your favorites and adjust the volume without getting out of the sofa. In addition, the picture quality is often higher, since the TV decodes the stream itself using its more powerful video processor.
Application of DLNA technology through file managers
DLNA technology is ideal for playing back video files already stored in your Xiaomi memory. It allows you to transfer media content over a local network to compatible devices. On Xiaomi smartphones, this feature is often built into a standard conductor or gallery.
Open the video file you want through the standard Video app or file manager. In the playback menu (usually called by tapping the screen or three dots), find the Translate button or the DLNA icon. The system will prompt you to select the output device.
The main advantage of DLNA is to support a wide range of formats and codecs that the smartphone itself may not understand, but which the TV can handle. However, managing rewinding may be less convenient than using embedded applications.
Third-party applications for enhanced capabilities
Staffing isn’t always enough, especially if your TV is old-gen or has a specific operating system, and in such cases, third-party apps from the Google Play store, such as TV Cast, BubbleUPnP or Web Video Castor, come to the rescue.
These programs often can stream videos from sites that don't have official Cast functionality, so you just paste a video link into the address bar of an app, and it streams content to your TV, and it's a great way to watch videos from browsers or specific online platforms.
Some apps also allow you to stream music and photos, creating a full-fledged multimedia party. They can emulate protocols from different manufacturers, making your Xiaomi a versatile remote for any appliance.
⚠️ Warning: Many free versions of third-party apps contain ads that can overlay the image on the TV screen.It is recommended to use proven paid versions or open source apps for comfortable viewing.
When choosing an app, note that it supports the H.265 codec, which is becoming the standard for high-resolution 4K video. Without this codec, heavy file translations can be delayed.
Comparison of Connection Methods and Their Characteristics
To make it easier for you to choose the best way to deal with your situation, we have prepared a basic method comparison table that will help you understand which protocol is best for your tasks: games, watching movies or presenting documents.
| Method | Type of transmission | Working in the background | Quality. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miracast (Translation) | Screen mirroring | No (screen active) | Depends on WiFi. |
| Chromecast (YouTube) | Streaming | Yeah (can be rolled) | Up to 4K HDR |
| DLNA | Local file. | Partially. | Original file |
| HDMI cable | Wired | No. | Maximum. |
As you can see from the table, it's better to use the built-in Cast for just watching YouTube, and Miracast for showing games or work. The wired connection remains the benchmark for stability, but lacks mobility.
The choice of method also depends on the TV’s operating system: Android TV and Google TV devices work best with the Google ecosystem, while Samsung (Tizen) or LG (WebOS) TVs may require additional apps to be installed on the TV itself to work with Miracast.
Solving Common Connection Problems
Despite the simplicity of the technology, users often face situations where the TV can't see the phone or the connection is constantly cut off, and one of the most common reasons is the router splits networks into guest and main, or using different frequencies without proper settings.
Check the firewall settings on the router. Sometimes security features like AP Isolation prevent devices within the same network from communicating with each other, making it impossible for the phone to detect the TV.
☑️ Checklist of diagnostic problems
Also worth looking at are the antivirus programs installed on your smartphone, which can block outbound connections for broadcasting media, considering them suspicious activity, try temporarily disabling the protection and checking the connection.
⚠️ Note: If you use a guest WiFi network, devices are often isolated from each other by default. To broadcast, you need to switch to the main network or change the settings of guest access in the router's admin panel.
In some cases, resetting network settings on a smartphone helps. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. This will remove saved passwords, but often resolves complex driver conflicts.