Xiaomi’s modern smart TVs, particularly the popular Mi TV 4A series, are complex multimedia centers that require smart integration with other devices. Users often face the need to transfer a large video file, install a specific application or conduct a diagnostic system, which is impossible without direct interaction with a personal computer. Despite the apparent simplicity of the interface, the process of synchronization can raise questions for those who are using the Android TV ecosystem for the first time.
There are several proven ways to connect between TV and PC, each of which solves a certain range of tasks. Wireless methods are convenient for fast transfer of photos and videos, whereas wired connection is necessary for deep customization and work with system files. In this article, we will discuss all the options available in detail so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation.
Before you start taking action, make sure your router is stable and your HDMI or USB cables (if used for adapters) are in good working order. Network misconfiguration is the most common reason why devices don't "see" each other on the LAN. For Mi TV 4A models, it's critical to use a 2.4GHz network if the router doesn't support 5GHz packet throughput for service functions.
Preparing TV and PC for synchronization
The first step is to set up both devices basic: make sure your Xiaomi Mi TV 4A and your computer are connected to the same LAN. This is a fundamental requirement for most data protocols, including DLNA, Miracast and ADB. If your PC is connected via an Ethernet cable and your TV is connected via Wi-Fi, they still need to be on the same network segment, that is, connected to the same router.
On the TV, you need to activate the developer mode if you plan to use advanced connectivity methods. To do this, go to the Settings → Device → Build and click on Build seven times in a row before the notification that the developer mode is on. Then a new section for developers will appear in the Settings menu, where you need to find and activate the Debugging option on USB.
⚠️ Attention: Activation of debugging by USB Opens access to the system partitions of the TV. Do not install applications from unverified sources and do not connect the device to public Wi-Fi networks in this mode.
On the computer side, you also need training. If you're using Windows, make sure you select a "Private Network" profile in the network settings, not a "Public" profile. In a public profile, the system blocks the detection of other devices, making it impossible to find a TV on the local network, and it's also worth checking if drivers are installed for your network adapter.
☑️ Preparation for connection
Wireless connection via built-in Chromecast
The easiest and most popular way to display images from your computer to the screen Xiaomi Mi TV 4A is using Google Cast technology (Chromecast built-in). This feature is built directly into the operating system of the TV and does not require installing additional software on the TV.
Open your Chrome browser on your PC, click on the three dots in the top right corner, and select "Cast." The list of available devices should show your Mi TV 4A. You can choose to stream a specific tab, the entire desktop, or a specific media file. The image quality depends on the speed of your Wi-Fi connection.
- 📺 Broadcast tabs allow you to show browser content, including videos from sites that do not have built-in Cast support.
- 💻 Broadcasting the desktop displays the entire screen of the monitor on the TV, which is convenient for presentations or viewing photo albums.
- 🎵 Audio broadcasting allows you to use the TV as an external acoustic system for playing sound from a computer.
If the TV isn't found, check to see if the antivirus or Windows firewall is blocking network connections. Often, the built-in Windows Defender can block incoming connections for the Google Cast service. Also make sure the TV runs the Chromecast built-in app or similar system app that waits for the signal.
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To reduce the delay (lag) when broadcasting the desktop, close heavy programs on the PC and make sure that the computer is in the zone of confident reception of Wi-Fi signal 5 GHz, if the router is dual-band.
Transfer files over Wi-Fi via FTP and Explorer
To transfer large files, such as movies to 4K oral APK-Files are the most convenient to use the protocol FTP Or built-in file manager features. Android operating system TV It allows you to share a folder or an entire drive, making it available to your computer as a network drive, and it eliminates the need to run around with flash drives.
There are several applications to implement this feature, such as File Commander or Send Files to TV». After installing such an app on the TV, you get IP-The address and port you want to type into the address bar of Windows Explorer, for example, the address might look like ftp://192.168.1.55:2221. After entering the address of the folder TV will be available for reading and writing.
Alternatively, use the Surrounding Sharing feature in your TV settings. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Sharing with your surroundings and enable this option. A new media device will appear on your computer in the network environment (Network), but this method often works slower and does not support all file formats.
| Method | Transmission speed | Difficulty setting up | Support for formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| FTP (via annex) | High (up to 10 MB/s) | Medium | All files. |
| SMB (Windows Network) | Medium (3-5 MB/s) | Tall. | All files. |
| Google Drive / Cloud | Depends on the Internet. | Low. | All files. |
| DLNA (Media Server) | Tall. | Medium | Only the media. |
Using Mi PC Suite and Third-Party Wireless for Control
The official Mi PC Suite program was originally created for smartphones, but enthusiasts have found ways to use its analogues and third-party utilities to control Android TVs. For full management, including installing apps (ADB Install) and taking screenshots, the universal utility ADB AppControl or command line is often used.
To connect through ADB (Android Debug Bridge, you'll need to download the platform tools from Google. After you unpack the archive, open the command line in the tool folder. Enter the adb connect command. 192.168.1.XX:5555, where XX — it IP-The first time you connect to the TV screen, you'll get a debugging permission request, which you'll need to verify with the remote.
adb devices
adb -s 192.168.1.XX:5555 install imya_prilozheniya.apk
adb -s 192.168.1.XX:5555 shell pm list packagesThis method gives maximum rights. You can delete system applications that are not needed (for example, advertising services), clear the cache of specific programs or make a full backup of data. However, inexperienced users should be careful: removing critical system components can lead to a “brick” of the device.
⚠️ Note: Removing system packages through ADB It can disrupt the smart functions of your TV. Before removing any package, find out its exact purpose online.
Problems with drivers and device visibility
A common problem when trying to connect Xiaomi 4A to a computer is that the device is not on the list of available devices. 90% of the time, the reason lies in the router settings, namely the AP Isolation function. If this feature is enabled, devices connected over Wi-Fi can not communicate with each other, although they have Internet.
Go to your router settings (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and find the Wireless Settings section «AP Isolation or Client Isolation is removed, and check if the filtering restrictions are worth it. MAC-Addresses that can block the connection between specific devices within the network.
If your computer is running Windows 10 or 11, the problems may be related to the SMBv1 protocol, which is disabled by default for security reasons, but is often required by older versions of file managers on Android. To enable, go to Control Panel → Programs and Components → Turning Windows components on or off and ticking the box against “SMB 1.0/CIFS file sharing support.”
What to do if IP-TV address is constantly changing?
Connection through USB-cable: myths and reality
Many users are looking for a way to connect the TV to a computer with a regular USB-to-USB cable, as is done with smartphones. To be disappointed, the USB ports on the Mi TV 4A only work in Host mode. This means that the TV can have flash drives, keyboards and mice, but cannot act as a peripheral for a PC.
Not only will the direct connection of two hosts (computer and TV) with a conventional cable fail, but it can theoretically damage port power controllers. Data transmission via cable requires a special data cable with a mode switching chip or the use of USB-Ethernet network adapters connected directly to each other, which requires complex configuration of static IP.
The only “cable” way that makes sense is to use a USB modem or USB-Wi-Fi adapter if the TV’s built-in module is faulty. However, the Xiaomi Mi TV 4A has a sensitive built-in Wi-Fi module, and the need for additional adapters is extremely rare, only in the case of hardware defects.
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Xiaomi's direct connection TV PC-only USB-Dad-dad cable is impossible and dangerous for ports (Wi-Fi/LAN) or external storage.