Are you trying to connect a smartphone, laptop or other device to a Xiaomi TV via Wi-Fi Direct, but canβt find this feature on the menu? The problem is familiar to many owners of smart TVs from this brand β the manufacturer regularly changes the location of options in the firmware, and in some models the function is hidden or disabled by default. In this article, we will not only show where exactly Wi-Fi Direct is on Xiaomi TVs (including the Mi TV A Pro series, Mi TV Q2, Redmi Smart TV and others), but also explain how to use it correctly to avoid typical mistakes.
It's important to understand that Wi-Fi Direct isn't the same as regular Wi-Fi or Miracast, it's a direct connection between devices without a router that allows you to transfer files, stream a screen or control TV from gadgets. But on Xiaomi TVs, this feature has its own nuances, from the lack of support on budget models to the need for pre-activation in the service menu. Next, a detailed analysis with illustrations and step-by-step instructions.
Where to find Wi-Fi Direct in the menu of the Xiaomi TV
The location of the feature depends on the firmware version and series of TVs. In most modern models (Mi TV 5 Pro, Mi TV Q1E, Redmi Smart TV X and later), the path looks like this:
- Open the main menu of the TV by pressing the button Settings (cogs) on the remote.
- Go to the Settings section β Network and Internet.
- Select Wi-Fi Direct (can be called Direct Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi P2P).
On older models (Mi TV 4A, Mi TV 4S) or firmware until 2022, the path is different:
- πΊ Settings β Additionally. β Wireless networks β Wi-Fi Direct
- π§ Settings β All settings β Network β Direct connection
If you donβt have Wi-Fi Direct on your menu, it could mean:
- β The function is disabled in regional settings (relevant for models purchased abroad).
- β The TV does not support technology (e.g. Mi). TV Stick or some Redmi TV A).
- β Firmware updates are required (see section below).
Why Wi-Fi Direct may not be on the menu
On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall firmware below version 3.0, the Wi-Fi Direct feature is hidden in the engineering menu and requires manual activation, including models released before 2021, as well as some regional versions (for example, for India or China).
| Reason. | The models on which it is found | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Outdated firmware | Mi TV 4A, Mi TV 4S (2018β2020) | Update the software through Settings β About TV β System Update |
| Regional restrictions | Models for China/India (Mi TV 5 Pro CN) | Change the region to "Russia" or "Europe" in the settings |
| Function disabled by the manufacturer | Redmi TV A32/A43, some Mi TV ES | Activate through the Engineering Menu (see instructions below) |
If your TV falls under any of these circumstances, move on to the next section β there weβll detail how to turn on Wi-Fi Direct manually.
β οΈ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with Google operating system TV (Like Mi. TV Q2 2023) Wi-Fi Direct is replaced by Google Cast. Use Settings for direct device connection β Connected devices β Screen transmission.
How to enable Wi-Fi Direct via the Engineering Menu (for older models)
If you don't have an option in your standard settings, try activating it through the service menu, which works on PatchWall TVs up to version 3.5. Be careful: the wrong actions in the engineering menu can cause crashes!
Turn off the TV from the internet (take out the cable or turn off Wi-Fi)
Write down the current network settings on paper
Prepare the remote (require the buttons "Back", "Home", "Loudness")
Do not turn off the TV during the procedure.-->
Instructions for Mi TV 4A/4S and Redmi TV (2018-2020)
- On the remote, press consistently: Back β Home (3 times) β Volume up β Volume down The engineering menu should open.
- Go to the Network Settings section β Wi-Fi Direct.
- Set the Enable Wi-Fi Direct setting to ON.
- Save the settings and restart the TV.
After the reboot, the feature should appear in the standard Settings β Network menu. If not, check the firmware version (more on this below).
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
Update firmware for the appearance of Wi-Fi Direct
On Xiaomi TVs releases 2020-2022, the Wi-Fi Direct feature often appears only after updating the firmware to PatchWall 3.0+. Check the current version in the Settings menu β About TV β Software version.
If your version is outdated, update:
- Connect your TV to the internet via cable or Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings β About TV β System Update.
- Click Check Updates and wait for the download.
- After installation, restart the TV.
If the automatic update doesnβt work (for example, due to regional restrictions), download the firmware manually:
- π Go to the official Xiaomi support website.
- π₯ Select a TV model and download the latest version of the software.
- πΎ Save the file to the flash drive (format) FAT32) And connect her to the TV.
- π In the update menu, select Local Update and specify the file.
β οΈ Note: When manually updating, use only official firmware from the Xiaomi site. Installing third-party versions may lead to loss of warranty or "bricking" of the device.
π‘
If you still don't see Wi-Fi Direct after you update, try resetting your network settings: Settings β Network β Network Reset. This often helps with configuration conflicts.
How to connect your device to Xiaomi TV via Wi-Fi Direct
When the function is activated, you just have to connect a smartphone, laptop or other device to the TV, and the process varies depending on the type of gadget you have.
Android smartphone connection (Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO)
- On TV: Settings β Wi-Fi Direct β Enable.
- On the smartphone: Settings β Wi-Fi β Additional β Wi-Fi Direct.
- Select the name of your TV (e.g. XIAOMI-MiTV-XXXXX) from the list.
- Confirm the connection on both devices.
Connecting a laptop (Windows 10/11)
On Windows PC:
- Open the settings β Network and Internet β Wi-Fi.
- Click Other Wi-Fi settings β Wi-Fi Direct.
- Select the TV from the list of available devices.
- Enter. PIN-code (displayed on the TV screen).
Connecting an iPhone or iPad
Apple devices do not support Wi-Fi Direct directly, but you can use an alternative:
- π± Install the Mi Home or Xiaomi app TV Assistant from the App Store.
- π Connect to your TV via Local Area Network (both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network).
- π₯οΈ Use AirPlay to broadcast the screen (if the TV model supports the screen).
π‘
On Xiaomi TVs with Google TV (such as Mi TV Q2 2023) to connect to iPhone better use the app Google Home β it supports screen transfer without Wi-Fi Direct.
Typical errors and their solution
Even after successfully enabling Wi-Fi Direct, users are experiencing connectivity problems, and here are the most common bugs and ways to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The device can't find the TV. | Wi-Fi Direct is disabled on TV or smartphone | Check the settings on both devices, reboot them |
| Connection interrupted | Weak signal or interference from other networks | Reduce the distance between devices, disable other Wi-Fi networks |
| Impossible to transfer files | Incompatible protocols (e.g., a smartphone uses Wi-Fi 6 and a TV uses Wi-Fi 4) | Update your TV firmware or use an alternative method (USB, cloud) |
| The TV asks PIN-code, but it's not on the screen | Failure of the service menu | Reset network settings on TV: Settings β Network β Reset |
If none of the methods worked, try resetting the TV to factory settings:
- Settings β About TV β Resetting settings.
- Select Reset all settings (not Network Reset!).
- After restarting, reset Wi-Fi Direct.
β οΈ Warning: Factory reset will delete all installed apps, accounts and personal data. pre-record the username/password from your Xiaomi account if it is linked to TV.
Alternatives to Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi TV
If your TV doesnβt support Wi-Fi Direct or the feature isnβt working properly, use alternative ways to connect:
- πΆ Miracast - wireless screen transfer (powered by Android and Windows) Included in Settings β Screen. β Wireless display.
- π HDMI β The most stable connection for broadcasting video in high resolution.
- π Local area network β connect your TV and smartphone to the same Wi-Fi and use the Mi Home or Google Home apps.
- βοΈ Cloud Services β Upload files to Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or Yandex Disk, then open them to TV via your browser.
To stream the screen from the iPhone to Xiaomi TV, the best option is to use AirPlay (if the model supports) or the ApowerMirror app. You can also connect via DLNA (in the Settings β Network β DLNA menu), but this method does not work with all file formats.