Connecting your phone to a Xiaomi TV: everything from Wi-Fi Direct to USB-OTG

Xiaomi TVs today are not just TV viewing screens, but full-fledged multimedia centers, which support wireless and wired synchronization with smartphones, which opens up a lot of possibilities, from streaming high-resolution video to using the TV as a second monitor for games or presentations, but many users face difficulties when connecting first — the TV does not see the phone, the image slows down or the sound is transmitted with a delay.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to connect your phone (not only Xiaomi, but also other brands) to the Mi series TVs. TV, Redmi Smart TV Xiaomi TV A. We will pay special attention to the settings of Wi-Fi Direct, Miracast, HDMI-cable USB-OTG, And we'll also solve the typical problems, from no sound to disconnection. If you want to not just duplicate the screen, but have a stable connection with minimal latency, read on.

Spoiler: Wi-Fi Direct is the most versatile way, but for games or watching movies in 4K, you better use HDMI with an adapter. And if you have an old TV without Smart features, there is a way out too (for this in the section on USB-OTG).

1. Connection via Wi-Fi Direct (wireless screen duplication)

Wi-Fi Direct allows you to transfer images and sound from your phone to your TV without a router, which connects directly, and is convenient for presentations, viewing photos or videos from the gallery. However, there is a caveat: on Xiaomi TVs older than 2019, you may need to manually turn on Miracast mode in the settings.

To connect:

• 📱 On the phone: open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct (only) MIUI The path may be different: Settings → Connection and sharing → Wi-Fi Direct).
• 📺 On TV: Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi Direct (or Wireless Display on New Models).
• 🔄 Select the name of your TV (usually starting with MiTV or Redmi-) and confirm the connection on both devices.

If the TV is not on the list, check:

• ⚡ Is Miracast Mode on TV enabled (in some firmware it is hidden in Settings) → Additionally. → Wireless display).
• 🔄 Do the protocol versions match (old phones may not support Miracast 3.0, which is used by new TVs).
• 📶 Are there any interferences from other Wi-Fi networks (try to turn off the router while you connect).

⚠️ Note: With Wi-Fi Direct, video delay can be as high as 0.5-1 seconds. This is critical for games, but not noticeable when watching movies. To reduce lag, try switching the TV to Game Mode (Settings) → Picture → Image mode).

2.Using Miracast (an alternative to Wi-Fi Direct for Android)

Miracast is a wireless screen standard built into most of today’s Xiaomi Android smartphones and TVs. Unlike Wi-Fi Direct, it is multimedia optimized and supports Full HD without severe latency. However, on Xiaomi’s 2020-2023 TVs, Miracast may not work smoothly due to firmware features.

Instructions for connection:

1. On your phone: open Settings → Screen → Wireless display (or Screen Broadcast on MIUI 12+).
2. On TV: go to Settings → Connect → Wireless display and activate the option.
3. Select the name of your TV in the list of available devices on your phone.

If the connection breaks or the image slows down:

• 🔧 Update the TV firmware (relevant for Mi models) TV 4S Redmi Smart TV X, where there were bugs with Miracast in software versions up to 1.7.65).
• 📱 Reboot your phone and TV (sometimes resetting your phone’s network settings helps).
• 🎮 If you connect for games, reduce the resolution of the broadcast in the Miracast settings (for example, with the 1080p before 720p).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall firmware (Indian version), Miracast may not work with Samsung or iPhone phones due to protocol conflict. HDMI Google Cast (if supported).

3. Wired connection via HDMI (for minimum delay)

If you need a lag-free display (for example, for games or streaming in 4K), the best option is a wired connection via HDMI.

• 📱 Supported phone USB-C Micro-USB (depending on the model).
• 🔌 adapter USB-C → HDMI or micro-USB → HDMI (old-fashioned).
• 📺 HDMI-cable (usually complete with a TV).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the adapter to the phone and then connect it to the TV through HDMI-cable.
2. On the TV, select the signal source: press Input (or Source) on the remote and select the HDMI port to which the cable is connected.
3. A request for permission to transfer an image may appear on the phone - confirm it.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Zero Latency (ideal for high-resolution games and video).
• 🎬 Support 4K@60Hz and HDR (If the adapter and cable support).
• 🔋 The phone charges during connection (if the adapter is powered).

Disadvantages:

• 💰 You need to buy an adapter (cost from 500 to 3000 rubles depending on the support) 4K).
• 📱 Not all phones support image display through HDMI (Check the model specifications).

Does the phone support HDMI video output (the list of compatible models is available on the adapter manufacturer’s website)

Does the phone connector (USB-C or Micro-USB) match the adapter connector?

Does the adapter support the desired resolution (Full HD or 4K)

Is there an additional port in the adapter to charge the phone?-->

4. Connect via USB-OTG (for older TVs)

If your Xiaomi TV doesn’t support Smart features (like the pre-2018 models) or you have problems with wireless protocols, you can use USB-OTG.

• 📁 View photos and videos from your phone on TV (like a flash drive).
• 🎵 Playing music through the TV speakers.
• 📱 Charge your phone while watching (if the TV supports power on the phone) USB).

How to connect:

1. Buy a USB-OTG cable (from USB-C or Micro-USB to the phone side and USB-A to the TV side).
2. Connect the phone to USB-television-port.
3. On your TV, select the USB (or Multimedia) source and find the files in your phone’s memory.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 No screen duplication, only access to files.
• 📂 Not all video formats are supported (e.g..mkv may not play).
• 🔋 The phone will run out faster (if the TV does not supply power to the port).

5. Google Cast and streaming apps (YouTube, Netflix)

If you don’t need to duplicate the entire screen, but only stream videos from apps (like YouTube, Netflix or Kodi), use Google Cast.This method works over Wi-Fi and doesn’t require a direct TV connection – just enough for both devices to be on the same network.

How to set up:

1. Make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same router.
2. Open a supported app (like YouTube) and click the Broadcast icon (usually in the upper right corner).
3. Select your Xiaomi TV from the list (the name will start with MiTV or Redmi-).

List of apps that support Google Cast:

• 🎬 YouTube, Netflix, Disney+.
• 🎵 Spotify, Yandex Music.
• 📱 Google Photos (for slideshow display).
• 🎮 Steam Link (for streaming games from PC).

If the broadcast does not start:

• 🔄 Restart your router (sometimes changing your Wi-Fi channel from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz helps).
• 📱 Update the app on your phone (youtube bugs with Cast were in versions until 17.30.34).
• 📺 Check if Google Cast Receiver is enabled on your TV (Settings) → Annexes → Systemic → Turn on Cast).

💡

If the video is slowing down when broadcasting via Google Cast, try setting the router to set traffic priority (QoS) for the Internet. IP-It'll reduce buffering.

6. Problem Solving: No sound, lags video, TV doesn't see phone

Even with the right connection, there can be errors, and we'll look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If nothing helps:

• 🔧 Reset network settings on your phone (Settings) → System system → Reset → Resetting network settings).
• 📺 Update the TV firmware (instructions in the Settings section) → On TV. → Update of the PO).
• 📱 Check your phone for viruses (some malware blocks Miracast).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall firmware (Indian version) may have Miracast support disabled for non-certified devices. To enable it, go to Settings → For developers → Enable Miracast for all devices (Developer Mode activation required).

💡

If you connect your phone to a TV for gaming, be sure to use it. HDMI-Adapter – delay in wireless broadcasting will make control impossible.

7. Comparison of connection methods: which one to choose?

The choice of method depends on your task:

• 🎮 For games: only HDMI (minimum delay).
• 🎬 For the movies in 4K: HDMI Miracast (if the TV supports the TV).
• 📸 To view photos/video: Wi-Fi Direct or USB-OTG.
• 🎵 For music: Google Cast or Bluetooth (if TV supports).

Comparison table by key parameters:

If you often connect your phone to your TV, we recommend you buy it. HDMI-supportive adapter 4K — It's a universal solution for all kinds of tasks, and for rare use, Wi-Fi Direct or Miracast is enough.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting your phone to Xiaomi TV