Modern multimedia capabilities go far beyond just watching on-air channels, turning the living room into a full-fledged entertainment center. Smartphone owners often wonder how to bring the image from a mobile device to a large screen to enjoy high-resolution content. The integration of the Android ecosystem and Xiaomi TVs (Mi TVs) allows this scenario to be implemented with little delay and complex hardware configuration.
There are several proven ways to connect, each with its own features and use cases. The choice of the specific method depends on what you want to broadcast: mirroring the entire screen, video files from the gallery or streaming content from applications. Wireless connection is most popular due to its convenience, but wired options provide maximum signal stability.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the current synchronization methods, from standard system functions to advanced network settings, learn how to avoid typical connection errors and what nuances to consider when working with different versions of the MIUI TV operating system.
Preparation of equipment and Wi-Fi network
The foundation of successful wireless synchronization is to configure the local network correctly, so that the smartphone and the TV can see each other, they must be on the same subnet, which means that both devices must be connected to the same router that distributes the Internet.
It is a common mistake for users to use different frequency bands without having to configure the router accordingly. If your router distributes 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks with different names (SSIDs), make sure that both the phone and TV are connected to one of them. In some cases, even with the same network name, client isolation can prevent device detection.
⚠️ Note: Guest Network on routers often isolates connected devices from each other for security reasons. If you can't find a TV on the list of available devices, check if this mode is activated.
Also, make sure that both devices have the necessary communication modules on. On a Xiaomi TV with an Android TV shell or PatchWall, network services are usually active by default, but their verification will not be unnecessary. A stable Wi-Fi signal is critical for transmitting a high-resolution video stream without artifacts and buffering.
Check the software version on your TV. Older versions of firmware may not support the latest broadcast protocols used by the latest versions of Android. System updates often solve compatibility issues and add support for new codecs.
Screen broadcasting via built-in Cast function
The fastest and most common way to duplicate a smartphone image to a TV is to use the native Cast or Wireless Monitor feature, which is often referred to as Translation on Xiaomi’s MIUI-enclosed smartphones and is in the notification curtain or optional menu.
On a Xiaomi TV, you need to open the Wireless Display app. Depending on the regional version of the firmware, it can be called differently, but usually has an icon that resembles a Wi-Fi screen. Once the app is launched, the device name and the wait for the connection will appear on the TV screen.
The algorithm for the user is as follows:
- 📱 Open the smartphone control menu (swipe down or right) and find the Translation button».
- 📺 Launch the Wireless Monitor app on Xiaomi TV.
- 🔍 Wait for your TV name to appear on the list on your smartphone and click on it.
- ✅ Confirm the connection if the TV screen will be requested for access permission.
In some cases, the system can request confirmation on the TV screen via the remote. latency with this connection is minimal for viewing photos and videos, but can be noticeable in dynamic games. For games, it is better to use wired methods or game modes if they are supported by a particular TV model.
If your smartphone doesn’t find the TV, try restarting Wi-Fi on both devices, sometimes by temporarily shutting down mobile internet (3G/4G/5G) on your smartphone to force the system to switch to Wi-Fi.
Using Google Chromecast technology
Because Xiaomi TVs run on Android TV, they have built-in support for Google Cast (Chromecast built-in) technology, which allows you to stream content directly from compatible apps like YouTube, Netflix, Twitch or VLC without having to duplicate the entire screen of your smartphone.
The advantage of this method is that the TV itself downloads the video stream using its network connection, which frees up the resources of the smartphone and allows it to be used for other tasks while watching, and the picture quality is often higher, since compression artifacts characteristic of mirror display are minimized.
Why is Chromecast Quality Better?
To start the broadcast, perform the following actions:
- 📺 Make sure your TV and smartphone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- ▶️ Open a video app (such as YouTube) on your smartphone.
- 📡 Click on the broadcast icon (rectangle with waves) in the corner of the player.
- 📺 Select your Xiaomi TV from the list of available devices.
It is important to note that not all applications support this technology, and if the Cast icon is missing, then the app developer did not add this functionality, in which case you will have to resort to the full mirror display of the screen described in the previous section.
The DIAL protocol used to find devices also requires open ports on the LAN, and if you have a firewall installed on a router with tight security settings, it can block the detection of devices for broadcasting.
Connection through HDMI-cable
When the wireless connection is unstable or you need to transmit the image in the highest possible quality without compression, the best solution is a wired connection. You will need a special adapter for this, since you can not directly plug an HDMI cable into a smartphone.
Owners of modern Xiaomi smartphones with USB Type-C port will need a USB-C to HDMI adapter. It is important that your smartphone supports the MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) standard or DisplayPort Alt Mode. Not all budget models have video output via USB, so it is worth checking the specifications of your device before buying an adapter.
The connection process is as simple as possible and does not require complex network configuration:
- 🔌 Connect the adapter. USB-C to HDMI smartphone-wise.
- 📺 Connect the adapter and TV with a cable HDMI.
- 📺 Switch the signal source on the TV to the appropriate port (e.g, HDMI 1).
- 📱 Image from the smartphone will automatically appear on the TV screen.
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Use HDMI 2.0 or higher cables if you plan to stream content in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. Older versions may not miss this amount of data.
With wired connections, there is almost no input delay, which makes this method ideal for gaming. However, it is worth considering that the smartphone can actively heat up when working in video output mode for a long time. In some cases, the adapter requires additional power through the second USB port.
If there is no image, check to see if USB debugging or file transfer mode is activated, although a physical connection is usually sufficient for a video output. Some TV models require manual resolution selection in smartphone screen settings.
Remote management via Mi Remote
While the main issue is the broadcast of the image, full use of the bundle “smartphone-television” is impossible without convenient management. the Mi Remote app (or Android TV Remote Control from Google) turns the smartphone into an advanced remote with the ability to enter text and voice search.
To set up the controls, make sure that both devices are on the same network. Run the app on your smartphone and click "Add Device." The system will automatically find a Xiaomi TV. The TV screen may show a confirmation code that you need to enter on your smartphone.
The application functionality allows:
- 🎮 Use the touchpad as a touchpad to navigate the menu.
- 🎤 Enter search queries from the phone keyboard (much faster than the remote control).
- 📂 Manage the playback of media files from the phone on the TV.
- 🔊 Adjust the volume and basic parameters of sound.
Mi Remote also offers a feature to stream photos and videos from the gallery, so you can create a slideshow that will be displayed on the big screen while you have your phone in your hands, which is convenient for showing family archives to guests.
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Using a smartphone as a remote with a keyboard significantly speeds up the search for content in streaming services and the TV browser.
Solving Connection Problems
Despite the technology, users can face various difficulties when pairing devices, the most common problem is when the phone simply “does not see” the TV in the list of available devices, which almost always indicates problems with the network configuration.
The table below shows the main symptoms and ways to eliminate them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Phone can't find TV | Different Wi-Fi networks (2.4/5 GHz) | Connect networks on a router or switch devices |
| Image twitches | Low speed Wi-Fi | Close the router or move to 5 GHz |
| No TV sound. | Incorrect audio output | In the broadcast settings, select "Audio System" |
| Black screen at HDMI | Incompatibility of permission | Change the screen resolution in the phone settings |
Another reason could be antivirus software or a firewall installed on a smartphone, which can block local connections, considering them suspicious, try temporarily disabling protection for diagnosis.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using VPN On a smartphone, the local area network may become inaccessible to discovery protocols. VPN before attempting to connect to the TV.
In rare cases, a complete reset of network settings on your TV helps. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Network Reset. After you reboot, re-enter your Wi-Fi password.