Apple’s current smartphone and Xiaomi’s Android TV or PatchWall are designed to work together, but their primary pairing is often a question for users. The iOS and Android ecosystems use different wireless media protocols, which requires the right setup for stable synchronization. In this article, we’ll look at all the current connectivity methods, from embedded features to wired solutions.
The main challenge is that Apple is actively promoting its AirPlay protocol, which is not native to budget models of TVs running on Android. However, Xiaomi engineers have provided several workarounds that allow you to display the image from the iPhone to the big screen without delay.
You don't need complex hardware or programming skills to get started, you just need a basic understanding of network settings and a stable Wi-Fi connection, and we'll look at both software methods and physical connections so you can choose the best option for your use case.
Using AirPlay 2's built-in feature on new models
Many modern Xiaomi and Redmi TVs released after 2019 already have built-in support for AirPlay 2 technology. This is the easiest and most high-quality way, since it works at the system level without the need to install third-party software. If your TV supports this standard, you will see it in the list of available devices immediately after you turn on the streaming feature on the iPhone.
To activate, you need to make sure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. On the remote, click the application menu button or the settings button to find the Settings section. → Network and Internet. You need to make sure that the connection status is active. IP-The address is correct. Some models require separate protocol inclusion in the Appendix section. → AirPlay.
⚠️ Note: If you use a guest Wi-Fi network with customer isolation (AP Isolation, devices won't see each other even in the same room.
After checking the network, open Control Point on your iPhone. For models with Face ID, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen, and for models with the Home button, from the bottom up. Click on the Screen Repeat icon (two rectangles). From the list of available devices, select your Xiaomi TV. The TV screen may show a confirmation code that you need to enter on your smartphone.
The image quality of native AirPlay 2 is usually higher than that of third-party counterparts, as the latency is minimal. However, it is worth remembering that even with support, there may be firmware version conflicts. If the connection fails the first time, try rebooting the router and TV by resetting the network settings cache.
Mi Home app and Mi Play function
The official bridge between Xiaomi’s ecosystem and mobile devices is the Mi Home app, which allows not only managing a smart home but also broadcasting content, a technique that is particularly relevant for TVs where the built-in AirPlay is unstable or missing from a particular model’s feature list.
You first need to download the Mi Home app from the App Store and log in to your Mi Account. It's important that the TV also logs in to the same account. Then your TV will appear in the iPhone app. Click on it to open the control panel and find the Broadcast or Mi Play button.
- 📱 Open the Mi Home app and select your TV from the device list.
- 📺 Click on the Cast or Mi Play icon in the app interface.
- 📂 Select content (photos, videos) from the smartphone gallery to display on the screen.
- 🔗 To mirror the entire screen, use the Screen Mirroring function inside the app.
The advantage of using the Mi Home is deep integration with the TV system. You can control volume, pause, and even switch signal sources directly from the iPhone screen. In addition, the application allows you to transfer files locally, without using Internet traffic, which is important for viewing heavy video files in high resolution.
💡
Use the Mi Home app not only for broadcasting, but also for updating your TV firmware – this often solves iOS compatibility issues.
It’s worth noting that the Mi Play feature can sometimes run slower than direct AirPlay, especially when transferring video to 4K. If you notice sound and image desynchronization, try lowering the stream quality in the app’s settings or switching to a wired connection.
Third-party applications for screen broadcasting (Cast to TV)
When Xiaomi and Apple’s regular tools don’t find a common language, third-party solutions from the App Store come to the rescue. There are many intermediary apps that emulate data protocols, making the Android TV think it’s receiving a signal from a compatible device.
One of the most popular solutions is the Cast to app. TV The principle of their work is to install the server part (applications) on the TV through the Google Play store on Android. TV And the client part on the iPhone, after running both apps and scanning. QR-code-in PIN-code, devices are connected.
Why can third-party apps slow down?
To install the necessary software on the TV, go to the Application → Search and enter the name of the selected application, for example, AirScreen or Receiver for AirPlay. Once installed, launch the application on TV, it will go to standby mode. On iPhone, run a similar application or use the standard Screen Replay function by selecting the virtual device that appears.
⚠️ Warning: Free versions of these apps often contain ads that can overlay the image on the TV.
This is universal and even suitable for older Xiaomi TVs that have not received updates for a long time. However, the quality of the picture depends on the power of your Wi-Fi router. If the router is running in an overloaded 2.4 GHz band, you can jerk the image.
Equipment preparation and network inspection
Before you start complex settings, you need to make sure that the underlying hardware is working properly, and often the problem is not software conflicts, but the banal lack of communication between devices or outdated software.
☑️ Checking connection readiness
First, check the software version on your TV. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update. Having the latest security patches and communication protocol improvements is critical to working with iOS. On iPhone, it is also recommended to upgrade to the latest available version of iOS.
Note the frequency of the Wi-Fi signal. For high-resolution video (Full HD and 4K), it is highly recommended to use the 5 GHz band. It provides higher bandwidth and is less susceptible to interference from microwave ovens and neighboring routers than the standard 2.4 GHz.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Minimum requirement | Impact on broadcasting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi frequency | 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz | Speed and stability |
| Channel speed | > 50 Mbps | 15 Mbps | Image quality (bitrate) |
| Distance to router | < 10 meters | < 20 meters | Signal level |
| iOS version | Last one. | iOS 12+ | Protocol compatibility |
It's also worth checking if the router is running hotspot isolation, which is often activated in public places, but can be accidentally turned on in the home settings by the network administrator, and it prevents devices within the same network from communicating with each other.
Connecting via HDMI adapter
If wireless connectivity is not possible due to weak signal or maximum stability requirements (for example, for presentations or games), use a wired connection. iPhone does not have an HDMI port, so a special adapter adapter will be required.
For current iPhone models with a Lightning connector, you’ll need a Lightning to Digital AV Adapter. Newer iPhone 15 and later models with a USB-C port will require a USB-C to HDMI cable or adapter. Connect the adapter to your smartphone, then connect it with an HDMI cable to the corresponding port on your Xiaomi TV.
After you've physically connected, switch the signal source on your TV. Use the Input button on your remote or voice command to select the HDMI 1 port (or the one you plugged the cable into), and the image from your iPhone screen should appear instantly, in full HD quality.
💡
Wired HDMI is the only way to guarantee zero lag and maximum image quality without compression, which is critical for games and text display.
The advantage of this method is independence from Internet speed and no load on the wireless network. In addition, the smartphone can be charged during operation (if the adapter has an additional port for charging), which allows you to use it for long views without fear of battery discharge.
Solving Connection Problems
Even if all instructions are followed, there can be disruptions, and often users are faced with a situation where the TV is visible in the list, but the connection is reset, or the image is broadcast in jerks, in most cases this is solved by restarting services.
Try resetting network settings on both devices. On iPhone, this is done via Settings → Main → Move or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network settings. On Xiaomi TV, just delete the Wi-Fi network in the settings and reconnect it by entering a password.
⚠️ Warning: Resetting your network settings on your iPhone will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords. Be prepared to re-enter them for all your devices.
If the problem persists, check the date and time settings. Dissynchronizing the time between your smartphone and TV can block secure connections and media protocols. Set up automatic Internet time synchronization on both devices.
In rare cases, the culprit is antivirus software or a firewall on a router that blocks ports used by the AirPlay protocol (usually port 5353). Try temporarily disabling traffic filtering or creating an exception for local devices in the router settings.