Xiaomi and Redmi TVs have become full-fledged multimedia centers that are rarely used just to watch over-the-air channels. Often, you need to display a picture from your smartphone to the big screen to show your friends photos, run a video from an unverified source or show a presentation. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this process, called cast or screencasting, is implemented in depth, but has its nuances.
Successful streaming doesn’t always require complex setups or purchases of additional accessories. Most models running on Android TV or PatchWall have built-in wireless modules ready to work out of the box. However, depending on the operating system version and the year of release of the device, the paths to the desired features may differ.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available connectivity options, from standard system functions to third-party utilities, how to maintain a stable connection, what video formats are supported out of the box, and what to do if your TV can’t see your smartphone. Understanding how data protocols work will help you avoid typical errors.
Preparation of equipment and network
The first and most critical condition for any wireless broadcast is having a single LAN. Your smartphone and TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi router. If you have a dual-band router, make sure both devices are in the same frequency group (either 2.4GHz or both at 5GHz), although modern routers often combine these networks under the same name.
Check the software version on your TV. Go to the settings menu, select About Device or Help, and find System Update. Outdated firmware may not contain current Miracast drivers or have connection-blocking vulnerabilities.
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Use 5GHz to stream high-resolution (4K) video, as the 2.4GHz band may not provide enough bandwidth, resulting in delays and image artifacts.
Also worth paying attention to the power saving mode. On some phone models, aggressive battery optimization can interrupt background data transfer processes. It is recommended to put the smartphone into high performance mode during the broadcast or turn off energy savings for the application you use to display the image.
☑️ Checking before connection
Use of the built-in Mi Cast function
The most native way for owners of Xiaomi equipment is to use Mi Cast technology. DLNA/Miracast, squishy MIUI HyperOS. To run a feature on a Xiaomi TV with a PatchWall shell or Android TV You need to find the appropriate application.
It's usually called Mi Cast or Drop. When you start the app, you'll have a wait on your TV screen to connect. On your smartphone, open the notification curtain and find the Broadcast or Projection icon. In some versions of MIUI, this feature is hidden in the Quick Settings button editing menu.
Once you activate the search, the phone will start scanning the available devices on the network. When your TV appears on the list, click on it. The TV screen may have a request for confirmation of connection, it must be received using the remote control, from which point the image from the phone will be duplicated on the large screen.
⚠️ Note: When using Mi Cast, the smartphone screen must be turned on. If the phone locks or goes into sleep mode, the broadcast may be interrupted, as the system will stop capturing the image.
Broadcasting via Google Chromecast
Most modern Xiaomi TVs run Android TV or have built-in support for Google Cast technology.This allows you to stream content directly from apps like YouTube, Netflix or Google Chrome without having to duplicate the entire screen of your smartphone.
To get started, make sure your TV has a profile that activates Chromecast, which is usually built-in and doesn’t require a separate installation. On your smartphone, open the app with video content, find the broadcast icon (a rectangle with Wi-Fi waves in the corner), and select your TV from the list.
The advantage of this method is that the phone acts only as a remote control, you can fold the application, respond to messages or even turn off the screen of the smartphone — the video on the TV will play further, as the stream goes directly from the server to the TV.
| Characteristics | Mi Cast (Miracast) | Google Cast |
|---|---|---|
| Type of transmission | Screen duplication (mirroring) | Streaming content transfer |
| Dependence on the phone | The phone should be active. | The phone can be used for other tasks. |
| Quality. | Depends on the power of the phone. | Maximum (up to 4K HDR) |
| Battery consumption | High-pitched | Low. |
If there is no built-in Chromecast in the app menu, it may be disabled in the system settings. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find the Chromecast built-in system component and make sure it’s enabled.
Installation of third-party applications on the TV
In some cases, especially on older TV models or specific regional firmware versions, standard protocols may not work as well, with third-party software being the solution. The Google Play app store on Xiaomi TV offers a variety of options.
One of the most popular and reliable solutions is AirScreen, which is versatile and supports not only Android, but also Apple AirPlay protocols, making it an ideal choice for mixed ecosystems. Once installed, launch the app and follow the on-screen instructions to activate the service.
Alternative applications for broadcasting
Another option is to use repeater apps like ApowerMirror or TeamViewer, which require a client to be installed on both the phone and the TV, which creates a secure communication channel, but can introduce additional latency, which is critical in gaming.
⚠️ Note: When installing unknown applications from third-party sources (APK-Always check for viruses, use only trusted services so that the security of your home network is not compromised.
Wired connection via HDMI
When wireless connectivity is impossible due to interference or maximum stability is required (for example, for gaming), cable connectivity comes to the rescue. For modern smartphones with a USB Type-C port, you will need a USB-C to HDMI adapter. It is important that your phone supports video output technology (MHL or DisplayPort Alt Mode).
Connect the adapter to the smartphone, and HDMI-connect the adapter to the TV, switch the signal source on the TV (Input button or the square icon with the arrow on the remote) to the appropriate port HDMI. The image should appear automatically.
This method provides a signal transmission without delay and compression, which guarantees a perfect 4K picture at 60 Hz, if your phone and cable support such standards.In addition, some adapters can connect the charger simultaneously, which solves the problem of fast battery discharge.
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Wired connectivity is the only way to ensure that there is no delay (input lag) when playing on a TV, as wireless protocols always introduce a small latency.
Note that not all Xiaomi smartphones have a USB video output after connecting the adapter, it is likely that your device does not support the transmission of video signal through the charging port.
Solving Connection Problems
Even if you set it up properly, you can have a lot of trouble, and one of the problems that you often have is that you can't see the TV on the list of devices, and in this case, try rebooting the router. DHCP-server-side IP-local-network addresses.
If the image is broadcasting but the sound is only coming from the phone, check the audio settings in the broadcast app or in the Android system settings. Sometimes you need to manually switch the audio output to an external device in the Settings → Sound menu.
- 📶 Weak signal: If the router is far away, use a Wi-Fi repeater or connect the TV to the router via cable LAN.
- 🔄 Codec incompatibility: If video slows down, try lowering the broadcast quality in the application settings or using a wired method.
- 🔒 Antivirus lock: The phone's built-in firewall can block the connection. Try temporarily disabling the protection or adding a TV to the exceptions.
It’s also worth checking the date and time settings, and if the clocks on the phone and TV are very different, encryption protocols can prevent you from establishing a secure connection.