How to connect Mi Box to Xiaomi phone: 5 proven ways

Welcome to the detailed guide to syncing the Mi Box with a Xiaomi phone! This bundle opens up new possibilities, from remote control of the TV to file transfer and streaming content. But how to properly configure the interaction between devices to avoid errors and get the most out of it?

We will analyze all current methods of connection – from standard pairing via Wi-Fi Direct to the use of branded Mi Home and Google applications. TV. We will pay special attention to the nuances that are often missed in the brief instructions: why the Mi Box S 2nd generation does not see smartphones on the market. MIUI 14+ How to get around the restrictions on file transfers of more than 1 GB, and what to do if devices do not see each other on the same network.

Whether you are using the Mi Box 4K With the Redmi Note 12 or Mi Box S with Xiaomi 13 Pro, this article will help you set up a connection quickly and without errors!

1. Preparation of devices before connection

Before you start syncing, make sure both devices meet the minimum requirements, which will save you 90% of the problems during the connection phase.

For the Mi Box (any model) check out:

• 📦 Firmware version: not lower MIUI TV 2.0.140 (for Mi Box S) or Android TV 9.0 (for Mi Box) 4K). You can check the settings. → About the device → POS version.
• 🔌 Power supply: use the original power supply. Connect via USB-The TV port can cause unstable work.
• 📶 Wi-Fi network: 2.4GHz band only (5GHz not supported by most Mi Box models).

For the Xiaomi phone:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: lower MIUI 12.5 (for stable operation of Mi Share) On older versions, there may be failures in file transfers.
• 🔄 Developer Mode: Include it in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times. This is what you need to debug. USB.
• 🛡️ Permissions: All file, location and Bluetooth requests are provided when you first connect.

⚠️ Note: If your Mi Box has previously connected to another network, reset your network settings: → Network and Internet → Forgetting the network. It'll eliminate conflict. IP-address.

2. Connect via Wi-Fi Direct (fastest way)

Wi-Fi Direct allows you to connect devices directly without a router, which is ideal for transferring files or using your phone as a remote.

Instructions for Mi Box S and Mi Box 4K:

1. On Mi Box, go to Settings → Devices → Wi-Fi Direct.
2. On Xiaomi phone, open Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct (or settings) → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct in new versions MIUI).
3. Select your Mi Box (name in MiBox-XXXX format)
4. Confirm the pairing on both devices by entering PIN-code (usually 0000 or 1234).

After you connect, you can:

• 📁 Transfer files via Mi Share (built-in app on Xiaomi).
• 🎮 Use your phone as a gamepad for Mi Box games (Game Controller app required).
• 📺 Duplicate the phone screen through Settings → Screen. → Wireless display.

⚠️ Note: Wi-Fi Direct on Mi Box 3 is unstable with Xiaomi phones MIUI 14+. Use alternative methods (see section 4).

Enable Wi-Fi on both devices |

Turn off the VPN on your phone |

Make sure that the distance between the devices is not more than 5 meters|

Charge your phone at least 30 times%-->

3. Synchronization through the Mi Home app

The Mi Home app allows you not only to manage the Mi Box, but also to integrate it into the Xiaomi Smart Home ecosystem, which gives you access to voice control through XiaoAI and automation.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Mi Home from Google Play (version no lower than 6.5.400).
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (required to be the same as your phone!).
3. Press. + → Add the device → Mi Box.
4. Choose your model and follow the instructions on the screen. The Mi Box should be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the phone.
5. Once you add it, the device will appear in the list. Click on it to open the control panel.

Post-connection capabilities:

• 🎤 Voice control via XiaoAI (e.g., "Enable Netflix on Mi Box").
• 🔄 Automation: for example, starting the Mi Box when turning on the TV.
• 📱 Remote control from your phone (even outside the home if Remote access is enabled in Mi Home settings).

If the Mi Box is not found in the app:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📡 Check that the phone and Mi Box are connected to the same network (not via guest Wi-Fi!).
• 🔧 Update the Mi Box to the latest version.

💡

If you don’t have all the features on your Mi Home, try changing your Xiaomi account region to China in your profile settings, which will unlock additional options.

4.Use of Google TV (new-model)

From 2022, the Mi Box 4K The Mi Box S supports Google's app TV, It allows you to control your device from your phone, recommend content, and even stream your screen.

How to set up:

1. Install Google. TV on a phone from Google Play.
2. Open the app and click on the profile icon in the upper right corner.
3. Select Add the device → Android TV.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen. The Mi Box will show a confirmation code, enter it in the app.

Advantages of this method:

• 🎬 Personalized content recommendations on the Mi Box home screen.
• 🔍 Voice search via Google Assistant (e.g., Show Tom Cruise movies").
• 📲 The ability to stream the phone screen on the Mi Box in resolution before 1080p.

⚠️ Note: When streaming the screen through Google TV This is not suitable for gaming - use Wi-Fi Direct with the Game Controller app.

5. Bluetooth connection (for remote and audio)

Bluetooth on the Mi Box is used mainly to connect wireless headphones, gamepads or a phone as a remote, but there are nuances:

Instructions for interface:

1. On Mi Box, go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
2. On your phone, turn on Bluetooth and make it visible to other devices (in Bluetooth settings).
3. On Mi Box, click Add Device and select your phone from the list.
4. Confirm the pairing on both devices.

After you connect, you can:

• 🎧 Use your phone as a remote (via the Mi Remote app).
• 🔊 Transmit sound from Mi Box to phone (useful for listening through headphones).
• 🎮 Connect gamepads (such as Xiaomi Game Controller) via your phone.

If Bluetooth is not working:

• 🔄 Reboot the Mi Box and the phone.
• 📱 On your phone, turn off charge saving for Bluetooth in Settings → Battery → Saving charge.
• 🔧 Reset Bluetooth settings on Mi Box: Settings → Devices → Bluetooth → Reset.

💡

Bluetooth on the Mi Box consumes minimal charge, but can cause delays in the remote. for games, it is better to use Wi-Fi Direct or IR port (if any).

6 File transfer between Mi Box and Xiaomi phone

One of the key features of synchronization is file sharing, and let's look at all the ways that we can do that and the limitations of those.

Method 1: Mi Share (Recommended)

• 📱 On the phone, open Mi Share (built-in) MIUI).
• 📺 On Mi Box, open the File Manager → Network → Mi Share.
• 🔄 Select files on your phone and send them to the Mi Box.

Limitations: Maximum file size is 1 GB (for Mi Box S: MP4, MKV, JPG, PNG, MP3.

Method 2: Through FTP-server (for large files)

1. On the Mi Box, install the application FX File Explorer from Google Play.
2. Launch it. FTP-server: menu → FTP-server → Start.
3. On the phone, connect to the address. ftp://[IP-Mi Box]:2221 (use ES Conductor or Solid Explorer).

Advantage: there are no file size restrictions. Disadvantage: the transfer speed is lower than Wi-Fi Direct.

Method 3: Through USB-OTG (most reliable)

• 🔌 Connect the flash drive to the Mi Box through OTG-cable.
• 📁 Copy files from your phone to a flash drive, then connect it to the Mi Box.

Suitable for files of any size. Minus: requires additional accessories.

💡

To transmit films to 4K use FTP or USB-OTG. Wi-Fi Direct and Mi Share compress video, which degrades the quality.

7. Removing common problems

Even with the right setup, there can be errors, and let's look at the most common ones and their solutions.

If the Mi Box is permanently disconnected from the network:

• 🔌 Check the power supply – use only the original.
• 📡 Change the Wi-Fi channel in your router settings (Channel 6 or 11 is recommended).
• 🔧 Run a network reset on Mi Box: Settings → Network and Internet → Resetting network settings.

If your phone cannot connect to the Mi Box via Google TV:

• 🔄 Reinstall the Google app TV phone-on.
• 📋 Make sure that Mi Box has Remote Access enabled in Settings → Accounts → Google → Remote access.
• 🔐 Enter the confirmation code slowly – sometimes there is a delay in entering.

8 Additional features after connection

After successfully syncing the Mi Box and Xiaomi phone, you get access to the ecosystem’s advanced features, and here are the most useful ones:

1. Voice control via XiaoAI

• 🎤 Activate XiaoAI on your phone and say, “Put YouTube on the Mi Box".
• 🔍 Supported teams in Russian and English (depending on the region of the account).

2 Automation in Mi Home

Example of scenario:

• 🌅 Morning mode: At the alarm clock on the phone, the Mi Box turns on and triggers the morning news.
• 🎬 Movie Evening: When you launch the Netflix app on the Mi Box, the phone automatically goes into "Do Not Disturb" mode".

3. Game mode

• 🎮 Connect the Xiaomi Game Controller to your phone and then transfer control to the Mi Box via Google TV.
• 🔄 Delayed input: ~30 ms (when using Wi-Fi Direct).

4. Cloud access to files

• ☁️ Upload files to Mi Cloud from your phone, then open them to Mi Box via the Mi Drive app.
• 📁 Supported formats: MKV, MP4, AVI, FLAC, ALAC.

5 Remote control outside the home

To manage Mi Box via the Internet:

1. In Mi Home, enable Remote Access for the device.
2. Set up Port Rollout on the router (port 8080 for Mi Box).
3. Use it. 4G/5G plug-in.

💡

For stable operation of remote access, static is recommended IP-provider DDNS (For example, No-IP).

FAQ: Frequent questions