How to display photos from iPhone to Xiaomi TV: all methods with instructions

You took great photos on your iPhone, but you want to show them on a big screen on a Xiaomi TV? It's easier than it sounds! Apple smartphones and Mi TVs today support several ways to wirelessly and wiredly transfer images. The main thing is to choose the method that is suitable for your device model and the current situation.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to display photos from iPhone to Xiaomi TVs (including Mi TV 4S/5/5X/Q1/Q2/A Pro models, etc.), learn how to use the built-in functions of AirPlay and Miracast, connect via USB or cloud services, and which applications will help simplify the process.

Whether you want to show family photos at a party or professional photos for discussion, after reading this guide, you can do it in minutes. Let's start with the easiest and most reliable way!

1. Wireless transmission via AirPlay (for Xiaomi TVs with MIUI TV 3.0 and later)

AirPlay is Apple’s proprietary wireless media technology that many Xiaomi TVs have been supporting since 2020.If your Mi TV runs on MIUI TV 3.0 or later (e.g. Mi TV Q1/Q2, Mi TV 5X), then this method will be the most convenient.

To check the firmware version, go to Settings → About TV → MIUI TV version. If the version is older, update the TV through Settings → Software Update.

• 📱 On iPhone: Open a photo in the Photos app, click the Share button (square with the arrow up) and select AirPlay.
• 📺 On TV: Make sure AirPlay is enabled in Settings → Connections → AirPlay.
• 🔄 Tip: If the TV doesn’t appear in the list of devices, reboot both devices and check if they’re connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) TV 4S 2018) AirPlay may not work as well due to hardware limitations, in which case use alternative methods from the following sections.

Make sure your iPhone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network|Update the TV firmware to MIUI TV 3.0+|Enable AirPlay in Xiaomi Settings TV|Open a photo on your iPhone and click "Share"-->

2.Use of Miracast (for older Xiaomi models or without AirPlay)

Miracast is a universal wireless screen standard that supports almost all Xiaomi TVs, including budget models. Unlike AirPlay, there is no need to update the firmware here, but the transmission quality may be lower.

Miracast on iPhone requires a third-party app, as Apple doesn’t support this protocol out of the box. We recommend ApowerMirror or LetsView — they’re free and easy to set up.

• 📲 Step 1: Install ApowerMirror app on your iPhone and launch it.
• 📺 Step 2: On Xiaomi TV, turn on Miracast via Settings → Display and sound → Wireless display.
• 🔗 Step 3: In the iPhone app, select your TV from the list of available devices.
• 🖼️ Step 4: Once connected, open the gallery and show photos in full screen mode.

⚠️ Note: When using Miracast through third-party apps, you may see artifacts on the screen when you quickly change photos. To reduce lag, close all background apps on your iPhone and connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network (if supported).

AirPlay|Miracast|ApowerMirror, LetsView |I do not use wireless methods-->

3. Wired connection via USB (for maximum quality)

If you need to transfer photos in maximum resolution without loss of quality, the best way is to connect your iPhone to your Xiaomi TV via a phone. USB-This method works on all models, including the old Mi. TV 3/4, It does not require network configuration.

However, there is a caveat: the iPhone does not support the mode USB Mass Storage (like Android smartphones), so the TV won't see it as a flash drive. → HDMI (Officially from Apple or certified or USB-cable + file management app.

• 🔌 Method 1 (HDMI-Adapter: Connect the Lightning adapter → HDMI Connect the adapter to the TV through HDMI-On the TV, select the source of the signal. HDMI. On iPhone, open photos – they will appear on the screen.

Method 2 (USB + File Manager):

1. Connect your iPhone to your TV through USB-cable.
2. On the TV, open the Files app or Media Player.
3. Choose. USB-device and find the folder DCIM photographic.

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If the TV can't see the iPhone through USB, try using Apple's original cable. Cheap cables often don't support data transfer, just charging.

4. Transfer via cloud services (Google Photos, iCloud, Mi Drive)

Cloud services are a universal way to transfer photos that do not require additional devices or cables. You upload photos to the cloud from your iPhone, and then open them on your Xiaomi TV through a browser or a special application.

The most convenient services for this task are Google Photos (up to 15 GB free), iCloud (5 GB free) and Mi Drive (Xiaomi built-in storage).

• ☁️ Google Photos: On your iPhone, install the Google Photos app and upload photos. On your TV, open your browser or Google Photos app (if any). log in with the same account and find the photos you want.
• 🍎 iCloud: On iPhone, make sure your photos are synced with iCloud (Settings) → [Your name] → iCloud → On your TV, open your browser and go to iCloud.com. Log in and select Photos.

Mi Drive:

1. On your iPhone, upload photos to Mi Drive via the Mi Home app.
2. On the TV, open Mi Drive in the Apps section.

5. Direct transmission applications (Send Anywhere, Xender, SHAREit)

If you need to quickly transfer multiple photos without registering with cloud services, use specialized file sharing apps that create a temporary network between devices and transfer data directly.

We tested the three most popular applications and compiled a comparative table of their capabilities:

Instructions for Send Anywhere (we recommend as the fastest option):

1. Install the app on your iPhone and Xiaomi TV (via the Mi App Store).
2. On your iPhone, select photos and click Send.
3. A 6-digit code is generated – enter it on the TV.
4. The files will be transferred automatically.

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Direct-to-air apps are ideal for sending large numbers of photos at a time (like after a vacation), they don’t require internet and work even without Wi-Fi, creating their own network.

6. Solving typical problems when transmitting photos

Even when you set it up properly, there are sometimes errors, and we've collected the most common problems and solutions based on feedback from Xiaomi and Apple users.

• 🔴 The TV can't see the iPhone through the phone AirPlay/Miracast: Check if the devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not the guest!). Reboot the router - sometimes changing the Wi-Fi channel helps. On iPhone, turn off VPN Low Power Mode mode.
• 🖼️ Photos displayed with artifacts or lags: Reduce the resolution of photos before transfer (e.g. before transfer) 1920×1080). Use the cable. HDMI Instead of wireless methods, close all background apps on your iPhone.
• ⚡ USB-Connection doesn't work: Try another cable (original from Apple). USB Select File Transfer Mode (if any). Update your TV firmware - older versions may not support iPhone.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware older MIUI TV 2.0 (e.g. Mi) TV 3 2017) AirPlay and Miracast for iPhone may not work, in which case only wired methods or cloud services remain.

7. Which way to choose? Criteria comparison

To make it easier for you to determine, we have compiled a table with a comparison of all methods by key parameters:

Selection recommendations:

• 🆕 New TVs (2020)+ Use AirPlay – this is the easiest and best way to use it.
• 📺 Old models (up to) 2019 Years of the year: connect through USB/HDMI cloud-based.
• 🚀 Maximum speed: Choose Send Anywhere or wired connection.
• 🌍 Distance Transfer: Use iCloud or Google Photos.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions