How to connect your phone to Xiaomi TV to watch videos

Owning a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone gives users access to a huge amount of multimedia content, but mobile screens often seem too small to fully view movies or photos. Fortunately, modern technology makes it easy to stream images from an Android device to a large Smart TV screen, turning the living room into a personal theater, and this is especially true for owners of Xiaomi Mi TVs, where the ecosystem works as steadily as possible.

There are several proven ways to connect, and the specific method depends on your TV model, the version of your MIUI operating system, and the availability of cables. Some users prefer wireless solutions for convenience, while others choose wired connectivity for maximum stability and image quality without delay. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the options available so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation.

Before you start setting up, make sure both devices are charged and ready to go.Incorrect network configuration or outdated software can cause gadgets to simply not "see" each other in the list of available devices. We'll look at the nuances of each step to rule out typical bugs and save you time on finding a solution.

Wireless connection via built-in broadcast function

The easiest and most popular way is to use the built-in Miracast feature, which is called Translation in the MIUI shell, which allows you to duplicate your smartphone screen on your TV without using a router, creating a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices. You don't need additional applications to get started, since all the necessary functionality is already integrated into the Android system.

To activate the mode, lower the notification curtain and look for the "Translation" (or "Cast") icon. If the icon is not in quick access, go to Settings β†’ Connection and Sharing β†’ Broadcast. Once turned on, the phone will start searching for available displays. On the Xiaomi TV side, you need to make sure that the wireless display feature is enabled, which often activates automatically when a request is detected.

⚠️ Note: When using the high-resolution screen translation function, the smartphone can heat up significantly. This is the normal processor reaction to encoding a video stream in real time.

The quality of the image transmitted depends on the power of the Wi-Fi module and the distance between the gadgets. If you are in the same room and there are no obstacles, the delay will be minimal, which will allow you to comfortably watch videos or even play games. However, with many neighboring networks, the signal can be unstable, which will lead to dissynchronization of sound and picture.

πŸ“Š What kind of connection do you use most often?
Wi-Fi Miracast (Translation): Application from the manufacturer (Mi Home):HDMI cable:DLNA via player:Other

Using Chromecast Technology to Stream Video

Many modern Android TVs, including Xiaomi models, have built-in support for Google Chromecast technology. Unlike full screen broadcasting, this method allows you to send a specific video stream from the app to the TV, freeing up your smartphone for other tasks. You can turn off YouTube and chat in the messenger while the video continues to go on the big screen.

To work with this method, it is critical that the phone and TV are on the same local Wi-Fi network. Open an application like YouTube or Netflix, and click on the icon of the rectangle with waves in the corner of the video. In the list that appears, select your Xiaomi Mi TV. The video will play on the TV, and the smartphone will act as a remote control.

The advantage of this approach is that it saves battery life, because it doesn't encode the video stream, it controls the video stream, and it's often better, because the TV itself decodes the stream using its powerful hardware resources, which is ideal for watching online cinemas and video services.

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If the TV doesn’t appear in the Chromecast list, check if the router has Guest Network mode, which isolates the devices from each other.

Wired connection via HDMI and adapters

For users who want maximum stability and no delays, wired connectivity is the best solution. Since Xiaomi smartphones do not have an HDMI port built in, you will need a special adapter (adapter) from USB Type-C to HDMI. It is important to choose adapters that support video transmission, not just charging.

Connect the adapter to the phone’s charging connector and insert an HDMI cable into it, the second end of which goes to the TV. After switching the signal source to the TV (Input β†’ HDMI 1), the image should appear automatically. Some phone models, such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Mi 11 Ultra, support high-resolution image output, while budget models may limit quality or require debugging.

Type of connectionEquipment requiredStabilityImpact on the battery
Wi-Fi (Miracast)No (embedded)MediumHigh-end spending
ChromecastrouterTall.Low expenditure
HDMI (cable)Adapter + cableMaximumCharging is coming.
DLNArouterDepends on the network.Average expenditure

The cable also solves the battery drain problem, as many high-quality adapters have an additional port to connect the charger, which allows you to watch movies in 4K resolution for hours without worrying about the phone sitting in the middle of the session, but the mobility in this case is limited by the length of the cable.

β˜‘οΈ Checking before buying an adapter

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Broadcasting through the Mi Home app and ecosystem

Xiaomi owners can take advantage of a single ecosystem through the Mi Home app, which is especially useful if your TV is running the PatchWall operating system. The app allows you not only to stream media files, but also to control some of the functions of the TV directly from your smartphone.

To get started, install the Mi Home app from Google Play and add your TV to it. Once the devices are paired, a control or broadcast button will appear in the interface of the program. You can select photos from the gallery, video files stored in memory, and display them to the big screen. The application interface is optimized to work with brand technology, ensuring smooth navigation.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure the right region is selected in the Mi Home app (usually β€œRussia” or β€œChina” depending on the TV firmware version), or devices may not detect each other.

The app’s functionality is updated periodically, adding new possibilities for interaction between gadgets, for example, you can create a scenario where when you start a video on your phone, the TV will automatically turn on and switch to the desired input, and this automation makes using a smart home really comfortable and modern.

Secrets of regional settings
If changing the region in the application did not help, try changing the location to India or Global in the settings of the TV (in the About TV section), which often solves the problems of compatibility of discovery protocols.

Playing local files through DLNA and media servers

If you want to play a video file stored in your phone's memory that isn't supported by the TV's built-in player, DLNA technology will come to the rescue. You need to install a media server application like BubbleUPnP on your smartphone or use the built-in gallery features.

Run the app on your smartphone and select a file to play. In the Cast icon menu, find your Xiaomi TV. The file will start to be transmitted over the network and play on the TV screen. The good thing about this is that the TV decodes the video itself using its own codecs, which often gives a better result than the phone's built-in player.

The data rate depends on the speed of your Wi-Fi router. To view heavy files in 4K, it is recommended to use routers that support 5 GHz Wi-Fi standard. At 2.4 GHz, you can experience slowdowns with high bitrate video. Make sure that both devices are connected to the 5 GHz network for the best experience.

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DLNA allows you to broadcast files of any format, since decoding is done by the TV, not the phone.

Problem Solving and Quality Customization

Even with the right setup, users can experience issues such as sound out of sync, low resolution, or intermittent connection breaks. Often the cause lies in an overloaded Wi-Fi channel or energy-saving phone settings. MIUI is known for its aggressive battery optimization, which can "kill" the broadcast process in the background.

To avoid a broadcast stop, go to Settings β†’ Apps β†’ Broadcast (or your app) and select Energy Saving. Set No Limits mode. This will prevent the system from forcibly shutting down the video app. It is also recommended to turn off the traffic saving mode for this application.

If the image appears blurry, check the resolution settings on the TV itself. Sometimes the TV doesn't automatically detect resolution and sets low values. Manually set the settings on the TV's screen to 1920Γ—1080 or 3840Γ—2160 (4K) and make sure the refresh rate is 60Hz.

⚠️ Note: When using cheap Wi-Fi routers, simultaneous downloading torrents on your computer and streaming video to your TV can cause a β€œstutter” of the picture due to a lack of channel bandwidth.

If you don't have a picture at all when you're wired, try changing the output resolution in your phone's engineering menu or using a different adapter. Not all USB-C cables support video, some are purely for charging. Using certified accessories minimizes the risks of incompatibility.

Engineering regime
For advanced users: Signing into the engineering menu using code ##6484## allows you to check the status of the HDMI port and test the video output, but be careful when changing system settings.
Why can't the TV see the phone when trying to broadcast?
The most common problem is that devices are connected to different Wi-Fi networks (for example, one to 2.4 GHz, another to 5 GHz, or a guest network is turned on). Also make sure that the TV allows Miracast requests to be received in the settings.
Can I play games on my phone with a TV output without delay?
For high-dynamic games (shooters, racing), wireless connection can give a noticeable latency (input lag). For comfortable play, it is strongly recommended to use a wired connection via an HDMI adapter.
Is Internet traffic wasted when broadcasting photos from your phone?
No, when you transfer local files (photos, videos from memory) through Miracast or DLNA, Internet traffic is not consumed, data is exchanged within your local network. Traffic is only necessary for online video (YouTube, Netflix).