With the modern multimedia capabilities of Xiaomi Mi TV 4S, you can turn a normal viewing of content into a full-fledged home theater experience. However, many owners face difficulties when trying to bring an image from a smartphone to the big screen without knowing about the hidden features of the Android TV or PatchWall system. The correct connection setting opens up access to thousands of apps, browser surfing and games from a mobile device at a diagonal of 43, 50 or 65 inches.
There are several proven synchronization methods, each with its own technical features and use cases. Wireless technologies like Miracast and Google Cast provide convenience but require a stable network, whereas wired connection via HDMI ensures maximum latency and picture quality. Understanding the differences between these protocols will help you choose the best option for a particular situation, whether it is a presentation or watching a movie in 4K.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at the algorithms for Android and iOS devices, focusing on the nuances of Xiaomi’s proprietary shell. You will learn how to avoid sound desynchronization, which routers are better for broadcasting, and how to activate debugging mode for advanced users. The key to a successful Wi-Fi connection is to find both devices on the same subnet, which is often ignored when using guest networks.
Equipment preparation and network setup
Before starting the synchronization process, you need to make sure that your network equipment meets the minimum requirements for transmitting a high-definition video stream.The router should support the 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard (or later) and work in the 5 GHz band, as the 2.4 GHz frequency is often overloaded by neighboring networks, which leads to twitching images. Make sure that the firmware of the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S is updated to the latest version through the Settings menu → About TV → Update.
It is important to check that the smartphone has enabled the necessary permissions to transfer media. In Android, this usually requires activation of geolocation, since scanning available devices uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules, which in new versions of the OS are closely related to location services. On iOS devices, you need to make sure that AirPlay is enabled and the devices are visible to everyone on the local network.
⚠️ Note: If your router divides the network into guest and main (customer isolation mode), the TV and phone will not see each other even when connected to the same Wi-Fi.
For stable operation it is recommended to reserve IP-The address of the device is not changed when you restart the router, and this is especially true for setting up static connectivity in specialized remote applications.
Wirelessly connect Android smartphones via Miracast
Android smartphone owners can use the built-in screen broadcast feature, which is called differently in different shells: Broadcast, Smart View, Wireless Monitor or Project. Xiaomi Mi TV 4S supports the Miracast protocol natively, so installing additional software on TV is usually not required. To start the process, open the notification curtain on the phone and find the appropriate icon.
Once you activate the search, the phone will start scanning available devices within range of the network. When the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S (or the name you gave the TV) appears on the list, click on it. The TV screen may have a request for confirmation of connection, which must be accepted by the remote, the image quality will automatically adapt to the channel bandwidth.
If you can't find a TV by standard means, you can use Google Home, which uses Google Cast, which is often more stable than standard Miracast, especially for streaming content from YouTube or Netflix apps, and you can select your device and click on the Broadcast button.
☑️ Checking before connecting Miracast
It is worth noting that when broadcasting via Miracast, the phone screen does not go out, which can lead to increased battery consumption. For long sessions, it is recommended to connect the smartphone to the charger or use wireless charging, if available.
Streaming from iPhone and iPad via AirPlay
Apple devices use the proprietary AirPlay protocol, which is not originally built into Android TVs, including the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S. However, current models of this line often have built-in AirPlay 2 support, which you need to activate in the settings. Go to Settings → AirPlay and make sure that the feature is enabled. If there is no such item, you will need to install an emulator application.
For TVs without built-in support, you need to install an app from the Google Play store on the TV itself. Popular options include AirScreen, AirPin or Receiver for AirPlay. Once you install such an app on TV, it emulates an Apple receiver, and your iPhone sees the TV as the native Apple TV device.
The connection process on iOS is as simple as possible: open the Control Point (swipe down from the upper right corner or from the bottom up on older models), click Screen Replay and select Xiaomi Mi TV 4S. The image will appear almost instantly with minimal latency, which allows you to use the TV as a second monitor for work or games.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party AirPlay emulator apps on Android TV You can have a little bit of audio and video desynchronization, and it's not critical to watch movies, but it can be noticeable in dynamic games.
What to do if AirPlay is not working?
The quality of the transmission depends on the power of the TV processor. Xiaomi Mi TV 4S models are equipped with a fairly productive hardware, but with the simultaneous operation of heavy applications, the background can slightly slow down. Close unnecessary processes in the menu of running TV applications to free up RAM.
Use of Mi Remote and Xiaomi Home
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers its own tools for managing equipment that are often more stable than universal solutions. Mi Remote (or Remote Mi) allows you not only to control volume and channels, but also to broadcast media content.
The Xiaomi Home app has enhanced the smart home experience, and by adding a TV to your device list, you can access an expanded settings menu, where you can stream photos from the gallery, create a slideshow, or display weather and time information as a screensaver.
The advantage of proprietary apps is that they integrate deeply with PatchWall, so you can search for content on your phone and send it to your TV with a single touch, using the Cast button inside your partner apps, eliminating the need to mirror your entire smartphone screen, saving you battery life.
| Connection method | Delay (Latency) | Image quality | Battery consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miracast (Integrated) | Medium | High (up to 1080p) | High-pitched |
| Google Cast | Low. | Maximum (4K HDR) | Medium. |
| AirPlay (Emulation) | Medium/High | High. | High-pitched |
| HDMI Cable | Absent. | Perfect. | Charging. |
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Using official Xiaomi apps provides better compatibility with the PatchWall interface, but standard Chromecast protocols are better suited for streaming videos from browsers.
Wired connection via HDMI and USB
For users who are critically important to the stability of the connection and the lack of image compression, the optimal solution is cable connection. TV Xiaomi Mi TV 4S equipped with HDMI ports that support 4K and HDR. To connect a modern smartphone, you will need a USB-C to HDMI adapter or Lightning to HDMI for iPhone.
When you connect the cable, the TV will automatically detect a new signal source, you will need to switch to the corresponding input of HDMI 1 or HDMI 2 using the remote. Unlike wireless methods, Internet speed or radio congestion does not matter, which makes this a perfect way to show presentations or games.
Some Xiaomi smartphones support Desktop Mode when connected via HDMI, turning the phone interface into a desktop-like experience, allowing the phone to be used as a full-fledged PC by connecting a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to the TV.
⚠️ Note: Not all smartphones support video output via USB-C. The technology is called MHL Check the specification of your phone before buying an adapter.
You can also connect via a USB port to play files, in which case the phone acts as a drive, you will need to select the USB mode "File Transfer" (MTP) on your smartphone and open the Media Player app on your TV by selecting your phone from the source list.
Troubleshooting and troubleshooting
Despite the technology, users may have trouble connecting, and one of the most common is that the TV is not visible on the list of available devices, and 90% of the time, it is solved by restarting the router and checking that both devices are on the same network (not on the guest network), and cleaning the cache of the Google Play Services app on the TV also helps.
If the image is broadcast but no audio, check the audio output settings in the app from which the broadcast is coming. Sometimes the system defaults to select the phone speaker. In such cases, you need to manually switch (output) to the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S in the Bluetooth menu or connected devices of the smartphone.
If you have a connection break, try changing your Wi-Fi channel on your router. Automatic channel selection often leads to conflicts in apartment buildings. Manually set channels 1, 6 or 11 for 2.4 GHz, or any free channel in the 5 GHz band.
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If nothing works, reset your network settings on your TV: Settings → Network → Network Reset.This will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords, but often resolves wireless module drivers issues.
If the problem is systemic and not solved by restarting, you may need to reset your TV to factory settings.Be sure to save lists of installed applications and logins before doing so, as all local information will be deleted.
Additional features and life hacks
Connecting your phone to the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S gives you access to hidden features, such as using the Web Video Caster app, you can stream videos from sites that don't have official TV apps directly to your TV, bypassing your smartphone screen, saving battery power and turning off your phone screen.
For gamers, there is the option of streaming games from PC to TV via a phone using a Steam Link or Parsec bundle.The phone in this case serves as a bridge for the controller, and the image goes directly or through the local network with minimal latency if the router supports the Wi-Fi 6 standard.
Remember to use your phone as a trackpad: Google Home or Mi Remote has a cursor control feature, making it much easier to navigate complex menus and enter text using a virtual keyboard.