How to bring a photo from your phone Xiaomi to your TV via Bluetooth: full instruction

Can I transfer an image from Xiaomi to TV via Bluetooth?

Xiaomi smartphone users often face the challenge of showing photos or video from their phone on a big TV screen. Bluetooth seems like the obvious solution, because it's a wireless technology that's in almost every device. But here's the catch: Bluetooth isn't designed to be a video stream.

Technically, Bluetooth (even in the latest 5.0/5.2) is optimized for audio (headphones, speakers) and small files (contacts, text notes). To stream images to TV, manufacturers use other protocols: Miracast, DLNA, Google Cast or proprietary solutions like Xiaomi Screen Mirroring.

In this article you will learn:

• 🔍 Why Bluetooth is not the right way to live stream your screen (and what to do instead)
• 📱 What Xiaomi models support alternative ways to connect to TV
• ⚙️ Step-by-step instructions for different scenarios (including hidden features) MIUI)
• ⚠️ Typical mistakes and how to avoid them (for example, why TV can’t see your phone)

Why Bluetooth doesn’t work for TV

To understand the limitations, let’s get into the technical details. Bluetooth has two key issues when it comes to video transmission:

1. bandwidth: The maximum speed of Bluetooth 5.0 is about 2 Mbit / s (realistically - 1-1.5 Mbit / s). To transmit even compressed video in a resolution of 720p requires a minimum of 5 Mbit / s.
2. Latency: Bluetooth adds a delay of 100-300 ms, making video and game viewing impossible due to lag.

TV manufacturers (including Xiaomi Mi TVs) have not equipped their devices with Bluetooth video reception, but instead use:

• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct (for Miracast)
• 🌐 DLNA/UPnP (streaming)
• 🖥️ HDMI (wired connection via adapter)

However, there is one working scenario: if your TV supports a Bluetooth mouse or keyboard, you can stream static images through specialized apps (more on that below).

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If your Xiaomi Mi TV is 4/5, check for the Mi Screen Mirroring feature in your network settings. It works over Wi-Fi and is much more stable than Bluetooth.

Alternative ways to transfer images from Xiaomi to TV

If direct Bluetooth output is not possible, consider working alternatives. All methods are tested on Xiaomi Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4 and Mi 11/12 models:

The most versatile way is to use Wi-Fi Direct (Miracast), which is built into most modern Xiaomi TVs and smartphones. If your TV doesn't support Miracast, try Google Cast (requires a Chromecast-enabled device) or wired. HDMI-adapter for minimal delays.

Step-by-step: transfer of photos via Bluetooth (bypass)

If you really need to use Bluetooth, there is a way to transmit static images (not video!) using the Bluetooth File Transfer app, which works on Bluetooth-enabled TVs (e.g., Xiaomi Mi TV 5 Pro, some Sony Bravia models).

Make sure your TV is Bluetooth enabled | Download Bluetooth File Transfer from Google Play |Open Bluetooth Visibility Settings on both devices |Allow file reception on your TV

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Instructions:

1. On TV: Settings → Bluetooth → Enable Settings visibility → System → Receiving files → Allow
2. On Xiaomi smartphone: Settings → Connections → Bluetooth → Device Search Choose your TV → Confirm pairing
3. Open the Bluetooth File Transfer app, select a photo and send it to TV.

⚠️ Limitations of method:

• 🚫 Only a single image is transmitted (not a slideshow or video)
• 🐢 Transfer speed – about 300 KB / s (photo of 5 MB will be loaded) ~15 seconds)
• 📺 On TV, the image will open in a standard viewer (without scaling)

⚠️ Note: Some TVs (e.g., TVs, LG OLED series 2020-2022 years) block the reception of files over Bluetooth due to firmware limitations. DLNA Cloud services like Google Photos.

How to set up Miracast on Xiaomi for TV broadcasting

Miracast is a wireless screen transmission standard that most modern Xiaomi TVs and smartphones (starting with MIUI 10) support.

• 🎮 Minimum delay (50-100 miss)
• 📺 Full support HD (on some models — 4K)
• 🔄 Two-way transmission of sound

Step-by-step:

1. On TV: Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct → Enable or Settings → Screen. → Screen Mirroring → Turn on
2. On Xiaomi smartphone: Settings → Connections → Screen Mirroring or Notification Panel → Screen Cast
3. Select your TV from the list of available devices.
4. Confirm the connection on both devices.

If the connection fails:

• 🔄 Restart the router (sometimes it interferes with dual connection to the same network)
• 📱 Update the firmware on your smartphone (in) MIUI 13+ Miracast bugs fixed)
• 📺 Turn off energy-saving mode on your TV (can block Wi-Fi Direct)

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Miracast works without the Internet, and it creates direct communication between the phone and TV over Wi-Fi, so that both devices support the standard.

The solution to the problem: TV can’t see Xiaomi phone

If Bluetooth or Miracast pairing doesn’t work, check these points:

To diagnose problems with Bluetooth:

1. Make sure that the TV is allowed to receive files (in Bluetooth settings).
2. Check if other Bluetooth devices (headphones, fitness bracelets) are connected to the phone.
3. Update the TV firmware (on Xiaomi Mi TV this is done through Settings → About the system → Software update).

⚠️ Note: On Samsung TV series QLED 2021-2023 There is a bug: they don’t see a Xiaomi device on the Miracast list if it’s on the phone. VPN. Turn it off. VPN pre-connect.

The best apps for transferring photos to TV

If the built-in features don’t work, use third-party apps. We tested 5 popular solutions for compatibility with Xiaomi:

• 📱 ApowerMirror: Supports Miracast and Transmission through USB/Wi-Fi Works on MIUI 9+ There's a screen recording function.
• 🖥️ LocalCast: Uses DLNA Chromecast Supports subtitles for video Free version with ads
• 🌐 Xiaomi Screen Mirroring (official): Optimized for Xiaomi ecosystem Minimum latency Requires TV with Mi TV Stick or Mi TV

Only photos are suitable for transfer:

• 📷 Google Photos (via shared album)
• 🖼️ Send Anywhere (transmission by the QR-code)

When choosing an application, pay attention to:

• 🔒 Encryption (Important for transferring personal photos)
• 📶 5GHz Wi-Fi support (for stable flow)
• 🎛️ Possibility of bitrate adjustment (to reduce lags)

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring images from Xiaomi to TV