Xiaomi’s current smart TVs, powered by Android TV or PatchWall’s own shell, offer huge opportunities for multimedia content. However, embedded apps or memory are not always enough, and users often want to output images directly from their smartphone. This allows them to watch movies from unlicensed sources, show personal photo albums or play mobile games on the big screen. The process of synchronizing devices has become much easier, but requires understanding the differences between wireless and wired methods.
In this article, we’ll break down all the current ways to connect a phone to a Xiaomi TV, focusing on connection stability and picture quality.You’ll learn about the intricacies of Miracast customization, the benefits of Google Cast and the nuances of using it. HDMI-The right method depends on your smartphone model, the version of the operating system, and the availability of certain applications. We will look at both standard system tools and third-party solutions for complex cases.
Before you start setting up, make sure that both your smartphone and your TV are on and in good working order. A key factor in a successful connection is a stable Wi-Fi router if you plan to use wireless technology. Wired connections, in turn, require checking the compatibility of the connectors and the quality of the cable itself. Understanding these basic requirements will save you time to eliminate possible errors in the future.
Wireless connection via built-in Miracast
The most popular and affordable way to stream the screen is by using Miracast technology, which in the Xiaomi ecosystem is often called Translation or Wireless Monitor. This technology allows you to duplicate the image from your smartphone to your TV without using a router, creating a direct Wi-Fi Direct connection between devices. To start working on a Xiaomi TV, you need to go to the application menu and find the standard Broadcast application (or Mi Remote in some regions where there is a Cast tab). After launching the application, the TV will go into a waiting mode for connection, displaying the device name on the screen.
On the smartphone side, the action algorithm may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS. Usually, just drop the notification curtain and find the Broadcast, Cast, Smart View or Wireless Monitor switch. Once the function is activated, the phone will start searching for available displays. Once your Xiaomi TV appears on the list, click on it to pair. Important: when using Miracast, the smartphone screen is completely duplicated on TV, so notifications and calls will also be visible to viewers.
It's worth noting that Miracast image quality is directly affected by the power of the Wi-Fi modules in both devices and the absence of interference on the air. If you see a sound delay or artifacts in the picture, try to approach a router or TV. Also, close the background applications on the phone that can consume traffic or CPU resources. In some cases, switching the Wi-Fi frequency from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz helps if the router supports dual-band operation.
⚠️ Warning: When connected via Miracast, the smartphone battery discharges much faster than usual, as the screen and Wi-Fi module are working in a heightened mode.
If the connection is established but the image is twitching or missing, check the power saving settings. In some versions of MIUI, aggressive optimization may interrupt the background video streaming process. Add the broadcast app to the exclusion list or select the No Limits performance mode, which will ensure more stable video streaming without jerking.
Using Google Chromecast built-in technology
Most modern Xiaomi TVs have built-in support for Google Cast (Chromecast built-in), which is more advanced than simple mirroring, since it allows you to broadcast content from specific applications without loading the phone's processor with constant encoding of the video stream. The TV in this case downloads video from the Internet, and the smartphone acts only as a control panel.
To take advantage of this feature, open the app that you want to see on the big screen. This could be YouTube, Netflix, an online cinema or Google Chrome browser. Find the Chromecast icon (rectangle with waves in the corner), which is usually located at the top of the player interface. When you click on it, you will see a list of available devices. Select your Xiaomi TV from the list. After a short buffer, the video will play on the TV, and on the phone screen will appear volume and rewind buttons.
💡
If the Chromecast icon doesn’t appear in the app, make sure that the guest mode feature is enabled on the TV in the Google Home settings or that the devices are on the same subnet, especially if you have a complex mesh system.
The advantage of Google Cast is that you can use your phone for other tasks while the movie is going on, you can respond to messages, you can flip through social media feeds, or you can even turn off your smartphone screen, and you can play back on your TV, and it also provides better image quality, supporting 4K and HDR, if content and TV allow, but you need stable Internet access on your TV.
If the TV is not visible on the device list, try rebooting the Google Home app on your smartphone. Sometimes you need to update Google Play services on your TV through the Google Play Store. Also make sure that the router does not include AP Isolation customer isolation, which prevents devices within the local network from sharing data with each other.
Broadcasting through DLNA and third-party applications
If built-in methods don’t work or you need to stream files of certain formats that aren’t supported by a standard TV player, DLNA and third-party software come to the rescue. DLNA allows you to transfer media files (video, photos, music) over the local network to compatible devices. Xiaomi TVs often preinstalled MX Player or you can install VLC for Android, which media servers can see. On a smartphone, the server role can be performed by a file manager or gallery with Translation function.
For more flexible settings, it is recommended to install specialized applications on your smartphone and TV. One of the most popular solutions is a bundle where you put a server on your TV and a client on your phone, or vice versa. For example, the LocalCast app or BubbleUPnP on your smartphone find Xiaomi TVs perfectly. You open a video file in the application, select an output device and enjoy content. This method is ideal for viewing video files stored in your phone's memory.
Here is a list of popular apps that make the connection process easier and extend the functionality:
- 📱 Web Video Caster – allows you to send videos from websites directly to the TV without having to download the file.
- 🎬 Xiaomi Mi Remote – the official application for TV management and fast transfer of photos / videos from the phone.
- 📡 AllConnect is a universal media server that supports multiple formats and devices on a single network.
- 🎮 TeamViewer for Android – if you want to show not only media, but also fully manage the phone interface from the remote (requires the installation of a plugin).
Why can video slow down in DLNA?
When using third-party applications, it is important to pay attention to the permissions they request. To work properly, the media server needs access to the local network and the file system. In newer versions of Android (11 and above), file access is limited, so when you first run the application you will have to manually allow access to the video folders.
Wired connection via HDMI and adapters
For users who require maximum connection stability and minimal latency (such as gaming), a wired connection will be the best choice. Xiaomi TVs are equipped with HDMI ports, but smartphones do not have such a connector. Connection will require a special adapter or dock. The type of adapter depends on the charging connector of your phone: USB Type-C, Micro-USB or Lightning (for iPhone, if connected to Xiaomi TV).
The technology that allows you to transfer video via USB Type-C is called MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) or DisplayPort Alt Mode. If your smartphone supports this feature (often flagship models of Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi), then a simple USB-C to HDMI adapter will turn the phone into a full-fledged media player. Connecting the cable to the TV, you need to switch the source of the signal (Source) to the appropriate HDMI port. The image will appear automatically or after selecting the desired resolution in the screen settings.
Comparison of the main characteristics of the connection methods:
| Method | Stability | Delay (Input Lag) | Image quality | Do I need the Internet? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miracast | Medium | Tall. | Up to 1080p/4K | No (Wi-Fi Direct) |
| Google Cast | Tall. | Low. | Up to 4K HDR | Yes. |
| HDMI cable | Maximum | Minimum | Up to 4K HDR | No. |
| DLNA | Tall. | Low. | Depends on the file. | No (Local Network) |
When choosing a cable or adapter, you should prefer accessories that support current standards such as HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 if you plan to watch 4K content at 60 Hz. Cheap cables can not miss a high-resolution signal or cause noise interference. Also, the length of the cable matters: a high-quality shielded wire is required for a length of more than 3-5 meters, otherwise the signal may disappear.
☑️ Checking before buying an adapter
Configuring resolution and sound accompaniment
After successfully connecting the phone to a Xiaomi TV, users often find that the image does not occupy the entire screen or looks stretched. This is due to the discrepancy between the aspect ratio of the smartphone and the TV matrix. Modern phones have elongated screens (19:9, 20:9), while TVs use the 16:9 standard. As a result, black bars can appear on the sides, and this can be solved in the settings of the TV itself by clicking the Menu button on the remote and selecting the display mode “Size screen”, “16:9” or “Automatically”.
Special attention should be paid to sound. With wireless connectivity, sound can go through the phone's speakers, which negates the effect of the cinema. In the broadcast settings (usually in the notification curtain or in the application through which the broadcast is being broadcasted), you need to choose the output of sound to an external device. In Android, this is often regulated by the Audio output switch. If the sound wheezes or interrupts, check the Bluetooth settings - sometimes the phone tries to connect wireless headphones instead of the TV speakers, creating a conflict.
For advanced users, you can set the screen refresh rate. If you connect your phone through HDMI for games, go to Settings on your phone, look for the Screen or Connect to an external display section, where you can force a 1920×1080 resolution and 60Hz or 120Hz frequency if the TV supports these modes, which will reduce the load on the GPU and provide a smooth picture.
⚠️ Note: When you change the permission or frequency of the update HDMI-make sure your adapter supports the selected parameters. 4K 60Hz A cheap adapter with support only 4K 30Hz will cause a black screen or flashing of the image.
Solving Common Connection Problems
Even if you follow all the instructions, you can have technical failures, and one of the most common problems is that the TV can't see the phone, and 90 percent of the time, it's solved by simply rebooting the router, because the devices can get stuck in the old ones. IP-Also check if the router is going to split into guest and main networks, and if the phone is in the guest room and the TV is in the main, they won't see each other because of the isolation.
Another problem is de-synchronization of sound and video (lipsync). Sound lags behind or outpaces the picture. Xiaomi Android TVs often have Audio Delay settings in the audio menu. Try changing the value in milliseconds until the actors' lips start moving in time for the voice. Also helps to turn off surround sound (Dolby Digital Plus) in the TV settings if the sound system does not have time to decode the stream.
If nothing works, try resetting the network settings on both devices. On the TV, you can do this via Settings → Device → Reset (caution, this will delete accounts), or simply “Forget the Network” in the Wi-Fi menu. On the phone, resetting the network settings will not delete personal data, but will clear stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth pairing passwords, which often eliminates driver software conflicts.
💡
The main secret to stable work is the update of the TV firmware, and manufacturers are constantly releasing patches that improve compatibility with new versions of Android and data protocols.