You want to watch your favorite movie, family video, or stream from your iPhone on a big Xiaomi TV, but donโt know how to do it? There are several ways to stream content, from wireless technology to wired connections. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, their advantages and limitations, and give recommendations for solving typical problems.
Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV series, Redmi Smart TV series, Xiaomi TV A, etc.) support modern media standards, but not all of them are compatible with the Apple ecosystem out of the box. For example, AirPlay only works on models with MIUI TV version 3.0 and later, and older TVs will require adapters or third-party applications. We will look at solutions for all cases, from the latest flagships to budget models 2018-2020.
Itโs important to consider the iOS version on your iPhone: some features (like Wi-Fi Direct) may require upgrading to iOS 14 or higher. If you experience audio delays or video slowdowns, the reason is often network settings or codecs. At the end of the article, youโll find an FAQ with answers to frequent questions and a method compatibility table.
1. Wireless streaming via AirPlay (for Xiaomi TVs with MIUI TV 3.0+)
AirPlay is the most convenient way to bring video from iPhone to Xiaomi TV, If your TV supports this technology, it allows you to broadcast not only video, but also the screen of your smartphone in real time (for example, for games or presentations), but there is a caveat: AirPlay officially only works on Xiaomi TVs with firmware. MIUI TV 3.0 and later (released after 2021).
To check the firmware version, go to Settings โ About TV โ MIUI TV version. If version is below 3.0, update the software via Settings โ System Update or use alternative methods from the following sections.
Instructions for connection:
- ๐ฑ Make sure your iPhone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (2.4GHz or 5GHz โ it doesnโt matter).
- ๐บ On Xiaomi TV, open Settings โ Connection and sharing โ AirPlay and enable the function.
- ๐ On your iPhone, swipe down to open Control Point, tap Screen Duplication (or Screen Mirroring) and select your TV from the list.
- ๐ฌ To stream videos from apps (YouTube, Netflix) click the AirPlay icon in the player and select Xiaomi TV.
โ ๏ธ Note: If the TV does not appear in the list of devices for duplicate, check whether the router firewall blocks the mDNS protocol (necessary for device detection). AP Isolation in router settings.
2.Use of an HDMI adapter (Lightning โ HDMI) for wired connection
If your Xiaomi TV doesnโt support AirPlay or youโre experiencing wireless delays, the best option is to have a wired HDMI connection. This will require an official Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter (or certified equivalent) adapter and an HDMI cable.
Advantages of the method:
- ๐ฎ Minimal latency (ideal for playing or watching sports).
- ๐ถ It doesnโt depend on the quality of Wi-Fi.
- ๐ Does not drain the battery of the iPhone as quickly as in wireless broadcast.
How to connect:
- Connect the Lightning โ HDMI adapter to your iPhone.
- Insert one end of the HDMI cable into the adapter and the other into the HDMI port on the Xiaomi TV.
- On the TV remote, press the button. SOURCE (or INPUT) and select the appropriate HDMI-entrance.
- On the iPhone will open a screen with confirmation of trust in the device โ unlock the smartphone, if necessary.
Check the adapter compatibility (must support) HDMI 1.4 or newer)|
Use the original Apple cable or certified analogue |
Select the right signal source on the TV (HDMI 1/2/3)|
Turn off the power saving modes on the iPhone (if the screen goes out)
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Note that when you connect, your iPhone will duplicate the screen to your TV at 1080p (even if your TV supports 4K). Use AirPlay-enabled apps (such as Netflix or Apple TV+) to watch video at maximum quality.
3.Broadcast via Miracast (AirPlay alternative for older TVs)
Miracast is a universal wireless broadcast standard that is supported by almost all Xiaomi TVs, including 2018-2020 models. Unlike AirPlay, it is not tied to the Apple ecosystem, but requires the installation of a third-party app on the iPhone.
The work will require:
- ๐ฑ iPhone with iOS 12 and newer.
- ๐บ Xiaomi TV with Miracast support (checked in Settings) โ Display and sound โ Wireless display).
- ๐ Screen Mirroring for Xiaomi (Screen Mirroring for Xiaomi) TV or ApowerMirror).
Step-by-step:
- Install one of the Miracast apps on your iPhone (links in the App Store).
- On Xiaomi TV, enable the Wireless Display (Miracast) feature in the settings.
- Run the app on your iPhone and select your TV from the list of available devices.
- Confirm the connection on the TV (entry may be required) PIN-code).
โ ๏ธ Note: Miracast can delay up to 1-2 seconds. Try to enable Audio Sync in the app settings to sync, or use external speakers connected to the TV to sync.
Why can Miracast not work?
4. Broadcast via Smart TV applications (YouTube, Netflix, Apple TV+)
If you need to stream videos from specific services (YouTube, Netflix, Apple TV+), the easiest way to use built-in apps on a Xiaomi TV is to use the feature on your TV. Most streaming platforms support the Send to TV (or Cast) feature, which works independently of AirPlay or Miracast.
How it works:
- ๐ฅ Run the video in the app on your iPhone (for example, on YouTube).
- ๐ Click the Cast icon (usually in the top right corner of the player).
- ๐บ Choose your Xiaomi TV from the list.
- ๐ถ Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Advantages of the method:
- ๐ฌ Supports 4K HDR (unlike screen duplication).
- ๐ Does not drain the battery of the iPhone (video is broadcast directly from the servers of the service).
- ๐ง Allows you to continue using your smartphone while watching.
List of supported applications:
| Annex | Cast support | Max, permission. | Subscription required |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | โ Yes. | 4K 60fps | โ No (for most videos) |
| Netflix | โ Yes. | 4K HDR | โ Yes. |
| Apple TV+ | โ Yes (via AirPlay) | 4K Dolby Vision | โ Yes. |
| Twitch | โ Yes. | 1080p 60fps | โ No. |
| Disney+ | โ Yes. | 4K HDR | โ Yes. |
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If the app doesn't find the TV, try restarting the router or temporarily disabling IPv6 in its settings, sometimes solving device detection problems.
5. Wi-Fi Direct connection (for TVs without AirPlay)
Wi-Fi Direct is a technology that allows devices to connect directly without a router. Some Xiaomi TVs (such as the Mi TV 4S or Redmi Smart TV X) support this protocol for streaming from an iPhone. However, this will require a special application, since iOS does not have built-in support for Wi-Fi Direct.
Instructions:
- On Xiaomi TV, turn on Wi-Fi Direct in Settings โ Network and Internet โ Wi-Fi Direct.
- Install WiFi Direct Connect or LocalCast on your iPhone.
- In the app, select Connect via Wi-Fi Direct and connect to the TV.
- Select a file for broadcast (video, photo) or start backup screen.
Limitations of the method:
- ๐ถ The quality of the broadcast depends on the distance between the devices (optimally up to 5 meters).
- ๐ Quickly drains the battery of the iPhone.
- ๐ฎ The sound delay can be as long as 2-3 seconds (not suitable for gaming).
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Wi-Fi Direct is a good option for streaming local files (like vacation videos), but is inconvenient for streaming from the Internet. Cast or AirPlay is better for watching YouTube or Netflix.
6.Solution: Video slows, no sound or TV doesn't find iPhone
If you are experiencing problems while broadcasting, check out the following points:
Problem: Videos are slowing down or interrupted
- ๐ถ Reconnect both devices to a 5GHz network (less loaded than 2.4GHz).
- ๐ Disconnect other devices from Wi-Fi (especially those that download files).
- ๐ฑ Close the background apps on your iPhone (they may consume traffic).
- ๐บ On Xiaomi TV, turn off energy-saving mode in Settings โ Power supply.
Problem: No sound during broadcast
- ๐ Check if the sound on your TV or iPhone is turned off.
- ๐ง If you use AirPlay, try at the Control Point on your iPhone to select a TV as a sound output device.
- ๐ Restart the broadcast (sometimes the sound โlags behindโ when you first connect).
Problem: TV can't find iPhone
- ๐ Restart the router and both devices.
- ๐ ๏ธ Update the firmware of the TV and iOS on the iPhone.
- ๐ Turn off the router settings AP Isolation and check that Multicast is enabled (required for AirPlay and Miracast).
- ๐ฑ On iPhone, turn on Bluetooth (sometimes required to detect devices).
What do you do if nothing helps?
Comparison of translation methods: which one to choose?
To simplify the choice, we have compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:
| Method | Pluses | Cons | Better for you. |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPlay | โ Simplicity, support 4K HDR, screen-duplication | โ It only works on new Xiaomi TVs (MIUI TV 3.0+) | ๐ฌ Movies, games, presentations |
| HDMI-adapter | โ No delays, stable connection, no Wi-Fi dependency | โ Requires the purchase of an adapter, restriction 1080p | ๐ฎ Games, high quality videos |
| Miracast | โ It works on old TVs, does not require a router | โ Sound delay, you need to install the application | ๐ธ Viewing photos/video from the gallery |
| Wi-Fi Direct | โ You donโt need a shared Wi-Fi network. | โ Poor quality, unstable connection | ๐ฑ Fast file transfer |
| Cast (YouTube, Netflix) | โ Support 4K, iPhone-free | โ It only works in supported applications. | ๐ฅ Streaming services |
For most users, the best solution is AirPlay (if the TV supports) or HDMI-Adapter (if you want maximum stability) If you have an old Xiaomi model TV, Try Miracast or streaming through apps.