How to connect a Macbook to a Xiaomi TV: wired and wireless ways

Using a large TV screen to watch movies, play presentations or play games from an Apple laptop is becoming a standard for many users. Xiaomi appliance owners often face the need to stream content from macOS to Android TV embedded in their TVs. This may seem complicated due to differences in operating systems, but in practice, the process of synchronizing devices is simple enough and does not require deep technical knowledge.

There are several proven methods to display a MacBook image on a Mi TV or Redmi TV. You can choose to use a stable connection cable without delay or prefer wireless Wi-Fi technology for convenience. Each method has its own features, advantages and limitations, which we will discuss in detail in this guide.

In this article, we’ll look at current data protocols like AirPlay 2 and Miracast, as well as the adapters you need for wired connectivity. Properly configured, you’ll enjoy high-resolution 4K content and use your TV as a full-fledged second monitor.

Preparation of equipment and compatibility check

Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your hardware supports the necessary functions. Most modern Xiaomi TVs run on the Android TV operating system or its own PatchWall shell, which provides a wide range of connectivity. However, models of different years of release can have different ports and software modules.

It is important to check that both devices — laptop and TV — are on the same LAN, which is a critical requirement for wireless protocols to work. If your router distributes the network at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, make sure that both devices are connected to one of them, preferably 5 GHz for greater bandwidth.

• 📺 Make sure that the TV is enabled wireless display function or installed the appropriate launcher.
• 💻 Check out the macOS version on your Macbook – AirPlay 2 requires macOS Mojave or newer.
• 🌐 Make sure that your router does not include customer isolation. AP, which blocks communication between devices on the network.

⚠️ Note: Some older Xiaomi TVs may not have AirPlay protocol support built in, which would require installing a third-party app from the Google Play Store on the TV itself.

Also worth paying attention to the HDMI ports of your TV, for high-resolution and high frame rate images, it is advisable to use a port that supports HDMI 2.0 or higher, usually marked in the manual or on the device body.

Wireless connection via AirPlay and built-in features

The most convenient way for Apple owners is to use AirPlay technology. Many new Xiaomi TVs have built-in AirPlay 2 support, which allows you to broadcast the screen without installing additional software. To activate this feature on the TV remote, you often need to click the signal source select button and select "Wireless Display" or "Miracast".

If the built-in feature doesn't activate automatically, you may need to run a special app on your TV. In the Android TV app menu, find a program called "Miracast," "Wireless Display," or the like. Once the app is launched, the TV will go to standby mode, and you will see the name of the device on the screen.

On the MacBook side, the process is like this: open the Control Point in the upper right corner of the screen (the icon with two switches); find the Screen Replay button (two rectangles); the name of your Xiaomi TV should appear in the list of available devices. Click on it and the image will be duplicated.

For users whose TVs don't support native AirPlay, there are alternatives: You can install emulator apps on your TV, like AirScreen or AirPin, which create a virtual receiver that Macbook perceives as a standard Apple TV device.

• 📲 Download the AirPlay emulator app from Google Play to your TV.
• 🔗 Launch the application and wait for the code or device name to appear.
• 🍏 Select the TV from the AirPlay menu on your Mac and enter the code if required.

Using Chromecast Technology for Broadcasting

Because Xiaomi TVs are based on Android TV, they have built-in support for Google Chromecast technology, which allows you to stream content from browsers and apps directly, bypassing full mirroring of the screen, which often gives better picture quality and less load on the system.

To stream the contents of the Google Chrome browser tab on your computer, open the browser menu (three dots in the corner) and select "Translate" (Cast). In the window that opens, select "Translate tab" or "Translate desktop." The system will find available Chromecast devices on the network.

This method is particularly useful for viewing videos from sites that do not block casting, but it is worth remembering that when broadcasting the entire desktop, there may be a slight delay in the mouse cursor, which is normal for wireless protocols.

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To reduce latency when using Chromecast, close the unnecessary tabs in the browser and stop downloads to free up the Wi-Fi channel.

Transmission quality depends on the power of the Wi-Fi signal. If you notice compression artifacts or sound desynchronization, try to approach the router or use a wired connection for one of the devices if possible.

Wireless connection via HDMI cable

If the wireless connection is unstable or requires maximum image quality without compression, the best choice is a cable connection. For this, you will need an HDMI cable and, in most cases, an adapter for MacBook, since modern models are equipped only with Thunderbolt 3/4 ports (USB-C).

You'll need a USB-C to HDMI adapter. It's important to choose adapters that support 4K resolution at 60Hz if your TV and content require it. Cheap adapters can limit frame rates to 30Hz, making cursor movement jittery.

Connect the cable to your TV and laptop. On the Xiaomi remote, click the signal source selection button (the arrow square icon or the "Input" button) and select the appropriate HDMI port. The image should appear automatically. If this does not happen, go to the Mac system settings.

In the Monitors section of macOS system settings, you can adjust resolution, refresh rate and color reproduction, and you can also choose between Duplicate screens or Expand desktop, and the second option turns the TV into an additional monitor, which is convenient for work.

Customization of sound and video when connecting

Once a successful connection is made, it is often a question of switching the audio output. By default, the sound can stay on your laptop. On a Mac, click on the audio icon on the menu or go to System Settings → Sound → Exit. From the device list, select your Xiaomi TV.

To achieve the best image quality, it is important to adjust the display settings correctly. In macOS, go to System Settings → Monitors. Here you can calibrate the color, change the resolution and adjust the location of the screens if you use Extended Desktop Mode.

⚠️ Note: When using the "Duplicate Screens" mode, the resolution may be limited to the capabilities of the laptop. 4K Better use Extended Desktop mode or disable the built-in MacBook display.

If you use the TV as your main monitor for work, it makes sense to rescal the macOS interface so that the text isn't too small.In the monitor menu, hold down the Option key and press "Scale" to see a list of all the available resolutions.

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For games and work with text, wired connection is always a priority due to the lack of input delay, while Wi-Fi is also suitable for watching movies.

Solving common problems and errors

Despite the ease of setting, users may encounter a number of difficulties. Often the problem lies in incompatibility of video formats or overloading of a wireless channel. If the image is broadcast but without sound, check the audio output settings again, as the system may have reset them after the update.

If Xiaomi TV doesn’t see Macbook on the network, try temporarily disabling IPv6 in the router settings or on the Mac itself. Sometimes device detection protocols conflict with new network settings, and resetting network settings on both devices also helps.

• 🔄 Reboot your router, TV, and laptop – this solves 80% of connection problems.
• 🔌 When connecting, try another port. HDMI cable.
• 🛡️ Turn off macOS firewall while checking connection to exclude lock.

If you see a desynchronization of sound and video (lipsync), in the settings of the Xiaomi TV, find the "Sound" section and activate the "Game" or "Cinema" mode, or manually adjust the audio delay. In macOS, you can also try to change the sampling frequency of the sound in the audio output settings.