Chromecast built-in: how to connect your phone to a Xiaomi TV

Xiaomi’s current Android TVs feature Chromecast technology, which allows instantaneously streaming content from a smartphone to a large screen, a feature known as Chromecast built-in that eliminates the need to buy additional dongle devices and get confused in wires. The process of synchronizing devices has become as simple as possible, but many owners have difficulty in first setting up a network or choosing the right signal source.

Successful wireless data transfer requires that both devices are in a single information space. Google Cast is the protocol that underpins this technology, providing low latency and high image quality. Owners of Xiaomi Mi TV Stick, Mi Box S and modern smart TVs of the Mi TV line can appreciate the benefits of the Google ecosystem, controlling playback directly from the screen of their gadget.

In this guide, we will go through all the steps of connection, from checking the version of the operating system to fine-tuning the image quality parameters. You will learn how to avoid the typical errors associated with Wi-Fi frequency bands, and understand why sometimes the phone “can’t see” the TV. It is critical to use a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network to broadcast video at 4K resolution, as the 2.4 GHz standard may not provide sufficient bandwidth.

Compatibility check and equipment preparation

Before you start setting up, make sure your hardware is technically ready to work with the Google Cast protocol. Not all Xiaomi TV models released a few years ago have native support for this feature, although most devices on Android TV 9.0 and higher already have the necessary module. Compatibility check begins with examining the specifications of your model on the official website or in the settings menu.

Make sure your smartphone has the latest version of the operating system installed. Android devices are 6.0 and up, iOS iOS 13.0 and up, and you will need a Google account that must be logged in to the Play Market app store on your TV. Without logging in, many system features, including the built-in Chromecast, may not work properly or be completely unavailable.

Look at the firmware version of your Xiaomi TV. Manufacturers regularly release security and functionality updates that can fix network module errors. If you haven't updated in a long time, check for new versions in Settings → Device → System → System Update.

It’s also worth checking your router’s health. Chromecast technology is demanding on connection stability, and older routers may not be able to handle the simultaneous load from multiple devices. If your router has been running for more than 5-7 years, it may be the narrow neck of the entire system.

Wi-Fi network setup: a critical stage

The foundation of Chromecast’s smooth running is the right wireless configuration, and the most common mistake users make is connecting your TV and smartphone to different frequency bands or guest networks that isolate devices from each other.

It is recommended to use a dual-band router and connect both devices to a 5 GHz network. This range provides higher data transfer speeds and is less susceptible to interference from household appliances and neighboring networks. However, it is worth considering that the 5 GHz range is less than that of 2.4 GHz, so the TV and router should not be separated by thick concrete walls.

• 📡 Make sure the router has disabled the function «AP Isolation (Isolation of access points) which prevents devices within the network from seeing each other.
• 🔒 Use a type of encryption WPA2 or WPA3, Some older security protocols can block Chromecast discovery packets.
• 🔄 Restart the router before setting up to clear the cache DHCP and give out fresh IP-addresses to all network participants.

⚠️ Note: If your router is broadcasting the same network (the same name) SSID) frequency-wise 2.4 and 5 GHz, smart devices can randomly switch between them. For stable operation, Chromecast is better to separate network names (for example, HomeWiFi and other devices). HomeWiFi_5G) and to force the TV and phone to one of them.

In some cases, ISPs install their own routers with limited settings, and if you use such equipment, try to switch it to Bridge Mode and use your powerful router, which will give you full control over port settings and traffic priority (QoS), which will positively affect the quality of streaming.

Step-by-step: connecting Android smartphone

Android smartphone owners are the luckydest, because the streaming feature is built directly into the operating system shell. You don't need to install additional apps to stream basic screen or gallery video. The process begins with checking that the phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Open the content you want to stream: a YouTube video, a movie on Netflix or photos in Google Photos. In the corner of the video player or in the Share menu, find the rectangle icon with waves in the corner — this is the universal Cast symbol. When you click on it, you will see a list of available devices. Select your Xiaomi TV from the list.

If you want to broadcast the entire screen of a smartphone (for example, to show a presentation or game), use the Screen Cast function. Depending on the MIUI shell or pure Android, the path may differ: usually it is a notification curtain (swipe down) → the Translation or Caste button. In some versions of MIUI, this feature is hidden in the Settings menu → Connection and Sharing → Broadcast.

Once you connect to your TV, you'll have a confirmation, and your smartphone will become a remote control, so you can adjust the volume, pause the video, or change the tracks without interrupting other tasks on your phone, and the image quality will automatically adapt to the speed of the Internet.

Broadcast from iPhone and iPad (iOS)

Apple users can also easily connect their devices to a Xiaomi TV, but there are some nuances here: Since iOS does not have native support for Google Cast in the Screen Replay menu (which uses the AirPlay protocol), third-party software will be required to stream content from browsers or file managers.

For streaming videos from apps like YouTube or Netflix, the process is similar to Android: look for the Cast icon inside the app. But if you want to show the Safari screen or the Files, download the official Google Home app from the App Store, which is the central hub for managing all Chromecast devices.

Once you have installed Google Home and logged in to your Google account, the app will automatically find your Xiaomi TV. Click on the device icon, then select the "Cast my screen" button. The system will alert you that everything that happens on the iPhone screen, including notifications, will be broadcast.

It is worth noting that when using iOS to broadcast the whole screen (Screen Mirroring) through Google Home, the phone can get hotter due to active encoding of the video stream.

The solution to the problem: TV not found

The fact that the phone is persistently unable to see the Xiaomi TV is one of the most common. Most often, the problem is not the breakdown, but the logical errors of network configuration. If you checked the Wi-Fi connection, but the devices still can't see each other, try resetting the network settings on the router.

Another reason could be the outdated Google Home app or Google Play services on your TV: Go to the Play Market on your TV itself (using the remote), go to My Apps and Games, and update all available components, especially Android TV Core Services and Google Cast Receiver.

• 🔌 Turn off the TV from the socket on 1-2 minutes (full power reset) to clear the nonvolatile memory of the network modules.
• 📶 Check if the phone is enabled with Traffic Saving or Limit Connection mode, which can block local device search.
• 🛡️ Antivirus software on a smartphone or router can block the ports needed for the discovery protocol.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using VPN On a smartphone, Chromecast will not work. Google Cast requires devices to be on the same local network, and VPN It encrypts traffic and changes virtual location, hiding the TV from the phone. VPN before setting up.

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If nothing helps, try handing out Wi-Fi from your phone (modem mode) with the same name and password as your home network.The TV will "think" it's connected to the router and the connection can be established.

Optimization of quality and additional opportunities

Once connected successfully, you can adjust the image quality. In source apps (YouTube, Netflix), quality is usually automatically selected, but it can be changed manually in the video player settings. For owners of Xiaomi 4K TVs, it is important to make sure that the settings of the TV itself in the Settings → Preferences → Display and Sound select a resolution of 3840x2160 and a color depth of YCbCr 4:4:4 or RGB.

Chromecast built-in allows you to use your phone as a full-fledged keyboard for typing. When a search box appears on your TV screen (like YouTube), the keyboard automatically pops up on your smartphone screen, which eliminates uncomfortable typing with the remote buttons.

You can also use Guide Mode or Ambient Mode, where the TV shows photos from your Google Photos gallery in plain view. You can set up a slideshow via the Google Home app on your smartphone, selecting albums and frame rate, which turns a TV off into a digital photo frame.

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The quality of the streaming depends on the speed of Wi-Fi at the time of playback. If the picture "crumbles", try to bring the router closer to the TV or switch to a cable connection. LAN, If the TV model allows (through the USB-adapter).

Remember that during live streaming, smartphone battery consumption can increase significantly. For long viewings, it is better to keep your phone charging or use a wireless charger if your smartphone supports this feature and has sufficient power.