How to connect a Xiaomi TV to a Huawei phone

The integration of Xiaomi’s smart TV into the Huawei smartphone ecosystem offers a wide range of multimedia experiences. Despite the lack of a single ecosystem, as in the case of Apple, modern wireless data standards make it easy to link these devices, you can stream photos and videos from the big screen, use the phone as an advanced remote control, or even run mobile games on your TV.

The pairing process is based on the use of Wi-Fi Direct protocols and Mi Cast or MirrorShare mirroring technologies. It is important to understand that for stable operation of both devices, a number of basic conditions must be met. The main requirement is to find gadgets on the same local network, which ensures low signal latency and high quality of the transmitted image.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the synchronization options available, from built-in Android operating system functions to specialized software, and we will also look at the nuances of router configuration and possible software conflicts that can arise when trying to establish a connection between devices from different manufacturers.

Preparation of equipment and network

Before you start setting up, make sure your router supports data standards of at least 802.11n, although Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 is desirable for streaming video to 4K. Huawei and Xiaomi TVs must be connected to the same wireless network. If you have a dual-band router, it is advisable that both devices operate at 5GHz, as it provides higher bandwidth.

Check the software's relevance on both devices. On your TV, go to the settings menu and find the About Device β†’ System Update. On your Huawei smartphone, open Settings β†’ System and Updates β†’ Software Update. Outdated firmware versions may contain errors in wireless communication modules, making it impossible to detect devices from each other.

⚠️ Note: If your router uses the "Customer Isolation" function" (AP Isolation, devices won't be able to see each other on the network. Disable this option in router settings via web interface, usually in the wireless or security section.

It is also worth checking the power saving settings on the smartphone. Huawei's aggressive algorithms can turn off the Wi-Fi module or background processes of the broadcast application, which will break the connection. It is recommended that during setup or permanent use, set the performance mode in the "Performance" position or add broadcast applications to the battery exclusions.

β˜‘οΈ Checking before connection

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Screen broadcast via Mi Cast

The most native way to connect uses the built-in Mi Cast feature, which is supported by Xiaomi and Redmi TVs. On the TV remote, find a button with a screen image or Mi Cast icon. If there is no such button, go to the main app menu and select Wireless or Mi Cast.

On a Huawei smartphone, lower the notification curtain down twice to open the full Quick Access bar. Find the Broadcast icon (or Wireless Projection). If the icon isn't there, tap on a pencil or three dots to edit the panel and add this widget. Once activated, the phone will start searching for available devices on the network.

When your Xiaomi TV appears on the list, click on it. On the TV screen, you may request confirmation of connection β€” select "Allow" using the remote control. After that, the image from the smartphone will be duplicated on the large screen with minimal latency.

  • πŸ“± Horizontal mode: when you turn the smartphone, the image will automatically stretch over the entire TV screen.
  • πŸ”‡ Sound: The audio stream is also transmitted to the TV, so the phone's speakers will shut down.
  • πŸ”‹ Energy consumption: active broadcast quickly drains the battery, it is recommended to connect the charger.
What to do if your phone can’t see TV?
Make sure the Mi Cast app is open on the TV and it is in active standby mode. Sometimes it helps to reboot the Wi-Fi module on both devices: turn off and turn on Wi-Fi in the settings. Also check if the phone uses mobile traffic instead of Wi-Fi (the Smart Network Switch feature on Huawei may interfere).

Use of the Mi Home app

For deeper integration and management of the smart home, the official Mi Home app is ideal. It is available for download in the AppGallery store or through a browser in the form of a mobile app. APK-After installation, log in to your Mi Account and add a TV if it is not already displayed in the list of devices.

The Mi Home app allows you to use a Huawei smartphone as a full-fledged remote control, you can type text from the phone’s keyboard when you search for YouTube videos, control volume, run apps and even take screenshots of what is happening on the TV screen, which is especially convenient when the physical remote is lost or its batteries are exhausted.

In the application interface, select your TV from the list. The control panel with virtual buttons and a touchpad will open. To activate the remote mode, click on the corresponding icon. The connection is established through the local network, so the Internet is not necessary for the remote to work, local connection is enough.

⚠️ Note: When you first run, Mi Home can request a variety of permissions, including geolocation and Bluetooth. Without these permissions, the app will not be able to scan the network and find Xiaomi devices.

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For stable operation of Mi Home on Huawei, it is recommended to disable the "Out-Start" option for the system, but allow it for the Mi Home application itself in the battery settings.

Comparison of connection methods

The choice of connection method depends on your specific tasks. If you just need to show photos to friends or run videos from a gallery, a built-in broadcast function is enough. For constant management and use of a TV in a smart home system, the Mi Home application is better suited. Third-party solutions may be required in difficult cases.

ParameterMi Cast (Integrated)Mi Home (Annex)Third-party annexes
Type of connectionWi-Fi Direct / Local NetworkLocal area networkWi-Fi / Chromecast
Delay.Low.Minimum (for remote)Medium
FunctionalScreen mirroringRemote, smart home controlBroadcasting media files
Battery consumptionHigh-pitchedLow.Medium.

Using third-party apps like Web Video Caster or LocalCast is warranted if you want to stream videos from sources that don't support direct TV output.These apps act as an intermediary, taking a link to the video and sending the stream directly to the TV's media player, bypassing the smartphone screen.

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For games and displays, use the built-in broadcast, and for content management and smart home, the Mi Home app.

Solving Connection Problems

A common problem is when devices are on the same network but do not see each other, which may be due to the settings of the firewall on the router or the antivirus. Try temporarily disabling the Windows firewall if the source of Wi-Fi distribution is a computer, or check the router's security settings.

Another common reason is to use a guest Wi-Fi network. Guest networks often have default client isolation, which prevents devices from interacting within the network.

  • πŸ”„ Reboot: Banal shutdown and turn on router solves 80% of problems with the visibility of devices.
  • πŸ“Ά Signal frequency: Make sure your phone doesn’t stick to the 2.4GHz band if your TV is running at 5GHz, although modern routers need to connect them to a single network.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Antivirus: Some antiviruses on smartphones block local connections, considering them suspicious.

If nothing works, try resetting the network settings on your TV. Go to Settings β†’ Network β†’ Reset network settings. Once you reconnect to Wi-Fi, the problem often disappears.

πŸ“Š What kind of connection do you use more often?
Huawei's built-in broadcast
Mi Home appendix
Third-party programmes
HDMI cable

Connection via HDMI and adapters

If the wireless connection is unstable or requires maximum video transmission without compression, use a wired connection. For Huawei smartphones with a USB Type-C port that supports the DisplayPort Alt Mode standard, you can use the Type-C to HDMI adapter.

Just connect the adapter to your phone, and the adapter to an HDMI cable that goes to the TV. Switch the signal source on the TV to the appropriate HDMI port. The image will appear instantly. This method is ideal for watching 4K movies or games, because it eliminates delays and compression artifacts.

It’s worth noting that not all Huawei models support video output via USB. The flagship P and Mate series typically have this feature, while budget models may not transmit an image, limited to just charging or transferring data.

⚠️ Note: When wired, the phone may not charge if the adapter does not have an additional power port. For long sessions, use Power Delivery-enabled adapters (PD).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I connect a Huawei phone to a Xiaomi TV without Wi-Fi?
Without a Wi-Fi router, you can only use a direct connection via Wi-Fi Direct (if supported by a specific application) or a wired connection via an HDMI adapter. The built-in Translation feature usually requires an access point even if the Internet is not in use.
Why is there no sound on the TV when broadcasting?
Check the audio settings in the app that's broadcasting. Sometimes the sound stays on the phone. Also make sure the TV doesn't select mono mode or activate access to the external speaker system if it's not connected.
Does the phone connection affect the quality of communication?
When high-resolution video is streamed, the Wi-Fi channel can be heavily loaded, which can lead to lower internet speeds on other devices or a drop in video call quality.
How do I turn off the screen broadcast?
On a Huawei smartphone, lower the notification curtain and tap the floating broadcast window by selecting "Disable." You can also simply turn off your phone screen or break the connection in the Wi-Fi settings.