Today’s Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi TV, which are powered by Android TV or proprietary PatchWall, offer users a wide range of multimedia experiences. One of the key features that enable wireless data transfer between devices without the need for a router is Wi-Fi Direct, which allows you to stream content from a smartphone, tablet or laptop directly to the big screen, creating a direct connection.
Many users have difficulty trying to activate this mode, as modern MIUI for TV interfaces often hide or rename settings. Understanding the wireless protocol will help avoid errors and ensure stable video transmission in high resolution. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of the setting, possible problems and ways to solve them.
Before getting into the technical details, it’s important to note that the success of the connection depends not only on the settings of the TV, but also on the software version. On models with Android TV 9.0 and above, the settings menu can be significantly different from earlier versions of the firmware, so the first step should always be to check the relevance of the system.
Principles of Wi-Fi Direct on Android TV platform
Wi-Fi Direct technology is a wireless standard that allows two devices to connect directly, bypassing the need for an access point or router. In the context of the Xiaomi ecosystem, this means that your smartphone and TV can communicate even if your home Wi-Fi network is down or there is no internet.
Unlike traditional DLNA or Chromecast, which require a shared network, Wi-Fi Direct creates its own secure environment for data transfer, which is especially useful for transferring large files or streaming video without the delays typical of congested home networks.
However, it is worth noting that on Xiaomi TVs, this feature is often integrated into the general settings of wireless connections and can be called differently.The Android TV system manages these processes through system services that are sometimes hidden from the average user.
⚠️ Note: When a direct connection is activated, the TV may temporarily lose access to the Internet if it does not support two Wi-Fi bands simultaneously.
It is important to consider that channel bandwidth depends on supported standards. If your router or smartphone supports Wi-Fi 5 (AC) or Wi-Fi 6 (AX), the transfer speed will be significantly higher than using the old 802.11n standard.
Preparatory stage: compatibility checks and updates
Before you try to turn on Wi-Fi Direct, make sure your equipment is ready to go, and older TV models or devices with outdated firmware may not display the settings menu correctly or support the necessary protocols at all.
First, check the operating system version. To do this, go to Settings → About TV → Version. If an update is available, it should be installed, since security patches and functional improvements often affect wireless communication modules.
Also make sure that the host device (smartphone or tablet) has the appropriate feature enabled. Android usually has it in the Connection menu → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct, and iOS uses AirPlay technology, which works on top of similar principles but requires support in the TV interface.
☑️ Checking before connection
It is not superfluous to restart the TV before setting up, this will clear the cache of network services and eliminate possible software failures that may have accumulated during the operation of the device in the background.
Step-by-step instructions for activating the function
The process of enabling Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi TVs can vary depending on the shell installed. Consider a universal action algorithm that is suitable for most models with Android TV system.
First, open the main menu and select the settings section marked by the gear, you need to find the item associated with network connections, and in some versions of PatchWall firmware it can be called "Network and the Internet" or simply "Network".
Follow the algorithm further:
- 📡 Select Network Settings or Wireless & Networks.
- 🔍 Find the Wi-Fi Direct subsection (sometimes hidden in the "Additional Settings" subsection").
- ✅ Activate the switch in the "On" position and wait for the device name to appear.
- 📱 On your smartphone, start searching for devices and select your Xiaomi TV list.
Once you select the device, you will see a request for confirmation of connection on the TV screen, and you should use the remote for confirmation, as this is required for security purposes, so that outsiders can not connect to your screen.
What to do if Wi-Fi Direct is not on the menu?
It is important to note that in some regions the firmware may be modified by the manufacturer, and the path to settings may be different. If the standard method did not work, try using the alternative methods described below.
Setup through the developer menu and hidden options
For advanced users who have not found a standard setting, it is possible to activate the function through the developer menu, which requires caution, since changing system parameters can affect the stability of the operating system.
To get to the developer menu, you need to go to Settings → About TV and quickly click on Build Number seven times. After you have become a developer, a new section will appear in the main settings menu.
In the Developer Options menu that opens, you can look for options related to networking or wireless display, and you can force the modes that are hidden in the normal interface to be enabled.
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended value | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Direct Group Owner | Auto | Force TV | Makes TV the main device |
| P2P Device Type | Computer | TV | Improves compatibility with smartphones |
| WPS Connection | Enabled | Enabled | Simplifies button pairing |
| Debug Mode | Off | On | Shows the connection logs |
Changing the P2P Device Type to a “TV” setting often resolves issues when a smartphone simply “does not see” a TV in the list of available devices for direct connectivity.
⚠️ Warning: Do not change the settings you are not sure about. You can reset the developer settings through the Reset menu in the same section.
Using these settings is especially relevant for older models like the Mi TV 3S or Mi TV 4A, where the software could have stayed on par with earlier versions of Android.
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Use Google's Android TV Remote Control app to check the visibility of your TV, and if it sees TV, the basic network services are working properly.
Use of third-party broadcasting applications
If the built-in tools fail to activate Wi-Fi Direct or the connection is unstable, third-party applications come to the rescue. The Google Play Store on Xiaomi TVs offers many solutions for organizing wireless communication.
One of the most popular solutions is to install an AirScreen or ApowerMirror application, which emulates a signal receiver that supports the AirPlay, Google Cast and Miracast protocols, which actually implements Wi-Fi Direct functionality at a higher level.
The installation process is simple:
- 📥 Open the Google Play Store on your TV.
- 🔎 Type the name of the application (for example, AirScreen").
- 🚀 Click "Install" and start the program after downloading is complete.
- 🔗 Follow the instructions on the screen to start broadcasting.
These applications are often more stable than standard tools, as they use their own drivers and are optimized for specific tasks, such as streaming games or 4K video.
It is worth remembering that free versions of such programs may contain advertising or have session time limits.
Solving Connection Problems and Errors
Even with the right setup, users can encounter errors, and the most common problem is when the TV is not visible in the list of devices on the smartphone, which can be caused by devices in different frequency bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) if the router does not connect them to a single network.
Another common error is “connection error” or persistent communication breaks, which often indicates channel overload or interference from other electronic devices, in which case it is recommended to change the Wi-Fi channel in the router settings.
If the problem persists, follow the following steps:
- 🔄 Reboot your router and TV at the same time.
- 📶 Turn it off. VPN on a smartphone, if it is used.
- 🔒 Check if the router is not the isolation of customers (AP Isolation).
- 📲 Delete your network profile on your phone and connect again.
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In 90% of cases, the problem is solved by restarting the router and switching the smartphone to a frequency of 2.4 GHz for initial pairing.
It is also worth checking the date and time on the TV, and an incorrect system clock can block the establishment of a secure connection, as security certificates will be considered invalid.