The current Apple and Android ecosystems (which power MIUI) are often seen as closed worlds, but wireless image transfer technologies have long enabled them to interact effectively. iPhone owners often face the desire to show photos, videos or presentations on the big screen of Xiaomi’s smart TV. Fortunately, AirPlay 2’s built-in protocols and support for Mi Home standards make this process as simple as possible for the user without requiring complex technical manipulation.
The main method of broadcasting content is based on Wi-Fi wireless technology, which should be active on both devices. Unlike the old methods that required the purchase of special consoles like the Apple TV, modern Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi TV have built-in support for Apple protocols, which means that you do not need additional cables or adapters to get started, unless it is a specific use case without access to the Internet.
Before we get to the step-by-step instructions, it’s worth noting that the quality and stability of the connection directly depends on the router. If your router is running in an overloaded 2.4 GHz band, there may be delays or de-synchronization of sound. For comfortable viewing of 4K HDR video or games, it is highly recommended to use a 5 GHz network, which provides enough bandwidth to transmit heavy video stream without artifacts.
Preparing devices for synchronization
The first and most critical step is to properly configure the network infrastructure: Make sure your iPhone and Xiaomi TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Often users make the mistake of connecting the phone to the guest network or mobile Internet while the TV is on the main home network, making the devices invisible to each other.
On the TV side, you need to activate the signal receiver. Most Xiaomi models with a diagonal of 32 inches and above, released after 2019, AirPlay support is built into the system by default. However, in some regions or on older versions of MIUI for TV firmware, this feature is required to enable manually through the settings menu.
☑️ Checking before connection
Also worth checking is the software's relevance. On iPhone, go to Settings → Main → Software Update, and on TV, go to Settings → About TV → System Update. Outdated firmware versions may contain bugs that block device detection on the local network.
⚠️ Note: If your router has a function"AP Isolation, devices won't see each other even on the same network, and you need to turn it off in your router settings.
Method 1: Using AirPlay (Without applications)
The most elegant and native way to broadcast an image is to use AirPlay’s built-in functionality, which requires no third-party software installation and provides the best possible integration with the iOS interface. The algorithm is extremely simple and takes no more than a minute.
First, open an app on your Xiaomi TV, which is often called AirPlay, Wireless Display, or just in the Source List (Input). The TV screen will show a confirmation code or a message waiting for a connection. Now take your iPhone and swipe down from the top right corner (or bottom up on models with a button) to open Control Point.
Click on the screen repeat icon (two rectangles). In the list that appears, select your Xiaomi TV. If the system requests a code, enter the combination of numbers displayed on the large screen.
- 📱 To mirror the entire screen, use the "Screen Replay" button in the Control Point.
- 🎬 To transfer only videos from apps (YouTube, Netflix) use the "Translate" button inside the player.
- 🔊 The sound is also transmitted to the TV, allowing it to be used as an external acoustic system.
It's important to understand the difference between "Mirror" and "Translation." When mirroring, the phone sends an exact copy of its screen to TV, including notifications and an interface. When broadcasting (via the Cast button inside apps), the phone acts only as a remote, and the video is downloaded directly from the TV, which saves the battery of the smartphone.
What to do if AirPlay is not working?
Method 2: Translation apps for Xiaomi TV
In situations where the built-in protocol is unstable or missing on a particular TV model, specialized applications come to the rescue. The Google Play Store on Android TV (which is equipped with Xiaomi TVs) offers a variety of solutions, such as AirScreen, AirPin or CastReceiver.
The most popular and functional solution is AirScreen, which, once installed on a TV, emulates the work of the AirPlay, Google Cast and Miracast receiver, which makes your Xiaomi TV visible to the iPhone even when the native system fails, and takes a couple of minutes to install through an app store search.
After you run an app on your TV, follow the instructions on the screen, usually press the Start or Go button, and then the device is ready to pair, and then the process is similar to the native method: select the TV from the AirPlay menu on your iPhone and enjoy the content.
| Annex | Type of license | 4K support | Advertising |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirScreen | Freemium | Yes. | Got it (free) |
| AirPin(PRO) | Paid | Yes. | No. |
| Receiver for AirPlay | Free. | Limited. | There is. |
| CastReceiver | Free. | Yes. | Minimum |
Using third-party software has its advantages, such as advanced codec and buffering settings, which can help with a weak Wi-Fi signal. However, it is worth remembering that free versions often contain banner ads that can overlap part of the image.
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If the picture twitches, try changing the resolution or frame rate to lower values in the translation application settings (on TV), for example, 720p instead of 1080p.
Method 3: Wired connection via adapter
When wireless connectivity is not possible due to lack of Wi-Fi or maximum stability requirements (for example, to demonstrate critical data), the only option is cable. HDMI-You will need a special adapter.
For models with a Lightning connector (iPhone) 14 older and earlier, Lightning to Digital adapter is required AV Adapter. for new iPhone models 15/16 portable USB-C You will need a cable or adapter USB-C to HDMI. Connect the adapter to the phone and then connect it to the TV standard. HDMI-cable.
Once connected, the TV will automatically detect a new signal source, and you just need to switch the input source to the appropriate HDMI port, which ensures that the image is transmitted in the highest quality without compression and delays typical of wireless technology.
- ⚡ Wired connection does not depend on the speed of the Internet and the load of the Wi-Fi channel.
- 🎮 Ideal for games where minimum input delay (input lag) is important).
- 🔋 The adapter can consume battery power, so it is desirable to connect the power to the adapter.
It is worth considering that quality original adapters from Apple are expensive, and cheap Chinese counterparts often do not support HDCP protection, which is why streaming services like Netflix or Apple TV+ will show a black screen instead of video.
Customization of image and sound quality
Once successfully connected, it is important to make sure that the output options are consistent with the capabilities of your Xiaomi TV. Often by default, the system chooses conservative settings that do not reveal the potential of the matrix. To manually check and change the settings on your iPhone, go to Settings → Main → AirPlay and Handoff.
You can set up the video format here. If your TV supports HDR10 or Dolby Vision, make sure these options are activated. The Settings → Screen and Brightness menu on the iPhone also makes it worth checking if True Tone mode is turned on, which can distort color reproduction when output to an external display with a different color temperature.
Sound is a special consideration. When connected via AirPlay, the default audio is transmitted to the TV. If you want to use a Bluetooth headset or external speaker connected to the phone, WHILE is streaming video, this may require additional manipulation in the iOS audio settings, as the system seeks to synchronize the audio and video stream.
⚠️ Note: When using a wired adapter, the sound may be delayed if additional audio effects are enabled on the TV. It is recommended to switch the TV sound profile to Standard or Mode Mode".
Addressing problems and delays
Despite the simplicity of the technology, users can face problems, the most common of which is desynchronization of sound and video or “suspending” pictures. 90% of the time, the reason lies in an unstable Wi-Fi signal. Try to approach the router or turn off other devices that actively consume traffic.
If the Xiaomi TV doesn’t appear on the list of available devices, try rebooting both gadgets. Sometimes resetting network settings on the iPhone helps (Settings → Main → Repair or Reset iPhone → Reset → Network Settings Reset), but remember that this will remove saved Wi-Fi passwords.
The problem may also be an antivirus or firewall on a router that blocks local ports required for the Bonjour/mDNS protocol.
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The stability of the connection depends on the power of the router and the absence of physical obstacles between it and the devices.