Xiaomi TV as a wireless display: Miracast, AirPlay and Wi-Fi Direct setup

Turning a Xiaomi TV into a wireless display is a task that can be solved in 5-10 minutes if you know the nuances of Miracast, AirPlay and Wi-Fi Direct protocols. Modern Mi TV models (starting with the 2018 Mi TV 4S and later) support all three standards, but each of them has limitations, from image delay to compatibility issues with Apple devices or older laptops.

Many users mistakenly believe that a single Wi-Fi router is enough for wireless broadcasting, but in practice, the quality of the picture depends on the chosen protocol, the distance between devices, and even on the firmware versions. For example, Miracast via Wi-Fi Direct gives minimal latency (ideal for games), but only works within a radius of 5 meters, and AirPlay allows you to broadcast audio and video simultaneously, but requires Apple devices or special software on Windows. We will analyze all options, including hidden settings Xiaomi, which the manufacturer does not advertise.

If you want to use your TV as a second monitor for work, streaming or presentations, this guide will help avoid common mistakes. For example, on the 2023 Mi TV Q2 and Mi TV A2 models, Miracast is disabled by default in the developer menu and requires activation through the service menu, and we will also explain how to circumvent the restriction on the broadcast of protected content (for example, Netflix or Disney+) through wireless protocols.

Which Xiaomi TVs support wireless broadcasting?

Not all Xiaomi models can work as a wireless display, but the main requirements are a Miracast/Wi-Fi Direct processor (Amlogic or MediaTek chips starting in 2018) and firmware no older than MIUI TV 3.0.

If your model is not listed in the table, check for wireless broadcast support via the menu: Settings → Connections and Sharing → Wireless Display. On older TVs (until 2018), this feature may not be available due to hardware limitations.

Note that even if the TV supports Miracast, the broadcast quality depends on the version of the Wi-Fi module. For example, models with Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) can only broadcast video at 1080p@30Hz resolution, while Wi-Fi 5/6 allows you to achieve 4K@60Hz (but with possible artifacts at a weak signal).

Miracast vs AirPlay vs Wi-Fi Direct: Which Protocol to Choose?

Every wireless broadcast technology has pros and cons. Here are the key differences:

• 🔄 Miracast (Wi-Fi Direct): universal standard, runs on Android, Windows and some Linux distributions. Pros: minimal latency (20-50 ms), no router required. Cons: no audio support on some devices, problems with DRM- content (e.g. Netflix).
• 🍎 AirPlay: protocol from Apple, but supported by Xiaomi TVs with MIUI TV 4.0+. Pros: stable audio and video broadcast, Dolby Vision support. Cons: requires Apple devices or third-party software on Windows (for example, 5KPlayer).
• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct: Miracast alternative, but with greater latency (100+ms). Pros: works on older devices. Cons: often disconnected, low video quality.

For games or work tasks (like dubbing a laptop screen), you should use Miracast. To watch movies from your iPhone or MacBook, AirPlay. If you need to stream a presentation from an old Android smartphone, Wi-Fi Direct is fine.

An important caveat: on Xiaomi AirPlay TVs, the default can be turned off. To turn it on, go to:

Settings → Connections and Sharing → Apple AirPlay

And then you activate the switch, and then you'll see the TV on your iPhone or Mac.

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For minimum latency, choose Miracast (Wi-Fi Direct), for maximum compatibility with Apple devices - AirPlay.

Step-by-step: how to connect a Xiaomi TV as a wireless display

Consider the two most popular scenarios: connecting from a Windows laptop and from an Android/iOS smartphone.

Method 1: Miracast with Windows 10/11

To stream your screen from your PC to your Xiaomi TV via Miracast, follow the following steps:

1. On TV: open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Wireless display and turn on the option.
2. On PC: Press Win + K (or open Settings → System → Display → Connect to a wireless display).
3. In the list of available devices, select your Xiaomi TV (the name will be in the format MI-TV- [Last 4 digits MAC- addresses]).
4. Confirm the connection on the TV (entry may be required) PIN-code).

If the TV is not on the list:

• 🔌 Make sure your PC is on Wi-Fi (even if you connect via Wi-Fi Direct).
• 🔄 Restart the TV and PC.
• 🛠️ Update your PC Wi-Fi adapter drivers (especially for laptops with Intel chips AX200/AX210).

Update Wi-Fi drivers | Disable VPN| Enable Home Use in the projection settings | Check Miracast support via dxdiag (System Information tab)

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Method 2: AirPlay with iPhone or Mac

For streaming from Apple devices:

1. On TV: Enable AirPlay in Settings → Connections and Sharing → Apple AirPlay.
2. On iPhone/iPad: Swipe down from the upper right corner (or up on older models) to open Control Point.
3. Click Screen Duplication and select your Xiaomi TV.
4. To stream only videos (e.g. from YouTube), click the AirPlay icon in the player.

Important: If the audio is delayed, try turning off Bluetooth devices (earphones, speakers) on your iPhone. Protocol conflict can cause video and audio to be out of sync.

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If AirPlay is not working, check that the TV and iPhone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (even if you use Wi-Fi Direct for broadcasting).

Method 3: Android smartphone (Miracast/Wi-Fi Direct)

On Xiaomi, Samsung or Google Pixel smartphones:

1. Open Settings → Connected devices → Wireless display (on MIUI the path may differ: Settings → Screen → Wireless display).
2. Turn on the device search and select your TV.
3. Confirm the connection on both devices.

If the image slows down:

• 📶 Reduce the broadcast resolution in your smartphone settings (e.g., from 1080p to 720p).
• 🔋 Close background applications on your smartphone.
• 📡 Move closer to the TV (optimum distance up to 3 meters).

Problem Solving: TV not visible or broadcasting lags

If the Xiaomi TV doesn’t appear in the list of available displays or the image is slowing down, check out the following points:

⚠️ Warning: On Mi TV Q2 2023 and Xiaomi TV A Pro, Miracast is disabled by default from the developer menu. To enable it: Settings → About TV → Version MIUI TV (click 7 times) Settings → Additional → For developers → Turn on Miracast Without this, the TV will not be visible to Windows and Android devices.

Common mistakes and their solutions:

If the problem persists, try alternative methods:

• 🖥️ For Windows: Use SpaceDesk or Duet Display (requires you to install the server part on your PC).
• 📱 For Android: ApowerMirror or TeamViewer QuickSupport (with screen translation).
• 🍎 For iOS: If AirPlay doesn’t work, try the Roku app (requires registration).

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If your Xiaomi TV doesn’t support Miracast or AirPlay, use Google Cast (via Chrome or YouTube app) and you must have Google Play Services installed on your TV (available on Android TV models).

How to improve the quality of the broadcast: settings for gamers and designers

If you use a Xiaomi TV as a wireless monitor for gaming, drawing, or graphics, the standard Miracast settings may not be suitable due to high latency.

• 🎮 For gamers: Enable Game Mode on your TV (Settings → Picture → Image Mode → Game Mode). Set the broadcast resolution 1080p@60Hz (in Miracast settings on PC). Use the Wi-Fi 6 router or connect directly via Wi-Fi Direct.
• 🎨 Designers: Turn off font smoothing on PC (Settings → System → Display → Scale & Markup → Additional Scaling). Use the sRGB color profile on your TV (Settings → Picture → Color Mode). Calibrate your TV with CalMAN or DisplayCAL for accurate color rendering.

For maximum quality on the Mi TV Q2 and Xiaomi TV A Pro, activate the ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) mode:

Settings → HDMI & devices → ALLM Mode → Enable

This feature automatically reduces the latency when game content is detected.

Important for streamers: If you stream gameplay from PC to TV and on to OBS, use a direct capture device (like the Elgato HD60 S+) instead of Miracast. Wireless streaming adds latency that can cause desynchronization of audio and video in streaming.

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To check latency, use the TestUFO website, run the Lag Test and compare latency on wired and wireless connections.

Security and Restrictions: What Can't Be Wi-Fi?

Wireless streaming to Xiaomi TVs has a number of hardware and software limitations that you should know about in advance:

• 🔒 Secure Content (DRM): Services like Netflix, Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video block streaming on Miracast/AirPlay because of HDCP- protection. Solution: use official apps on your TV or connect on HDMI.
• 🛡️ Network security: When using Wi-Fi Direct, data is transmitted without encryption. Do not broadcast sensitive information (passwords, documents) in public places. For protection, turn on WPA3 on the router if you are using a broadcast over a local network.
• 📵 Manufacturer restrictions: Some models (e.g., Redmi Smart TV X) have wireless support disabled for 4K@60Hz. TVs with Android TV 9.0 and below may not support AirPlay.

⚠️ Warning: When streaming through Miracast on Xiaomi TVs, screen recording on your smartphone is not working. It is a protocol limitation, not a TV. To record the broadcast content, use external capture (e.g., via HDMI-splitter).

If you need to broadcast private corporate data (such as presentations marked “Confidential”), you’d better use wired connections or specialized solutions like Barco ClickShare that encrypt the transmitted stream.

Alternative ways: when Miracast and AirPlay do not work

If standard protocols are not suitable (for example, due to device incompatibility), consider the following alternatives:

• 🖥️ Steam Link: Suitable for streaming games from PC to TV. Install the Steam Link app on your TV and run it on your PC. Pros: low latency (up to 20 ms), support for gamepads. Cons: requires a powerful PC and stable Wi-Fi 5/6.
• 🌐 Google Cast (Chrome): Works through the Chrome browser (click Three Dots → Broadcast). Pros: Supports protected content (e.g. YouTube Premium). Cons: delay up to 2 seconds, no sound when broadcasting the tab.
• 📱 ApowerMirror/TeamViewer: Apps to duplicate the screen Android/iOS to the TV over Wi-Fi. Pros: works on any device, supports screen recording. Cons: paid features, high latency.

For advanced users, there is another way – using the VNC- server on a PC and the client on a TV:

1. Install TightVNC or RealVNC on your computer.
2. On your TV, install VNC Viewer from Google Play (available on Android TV).
3. Connect to the IP- PC address specified in the VNC- server settings.

This method gives you full control over your PC, but requires you to configure ports on your router.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions