Modern users often face the need to display images from a smartphone to a large screen to watch photos, videos or games. Owners of the Apple ecosystem and Xiaomi TVs are no exception, as the bundle of iPhone and Mi TV 4S allows you to get a quality multimedia experience. However, unlike native work with Apple TV, it requires the correct configuration of software components for stable signal transmission.
The main difficulty is that the Android TV operating system on which the TV is based and iOS use different wireless data standards. Apple is pushing the AirPlay protocol, which has historically not been supported by Android devices. Fortunately, Xiaomi engineers have implemented support for this standard in their modern models, including the 4S series, which greatly simplifies the synchronization process.
In this article, we will take a look at all the connection methods available, from built-in features to third-party applications. You will learn how to ensure a stable connection without delay and how to solve typical connection problems. Proper network setup and choosing the right broadcast method will be the key to comfortable use of your TV.
Preparatory stage: network verification and updates
Before setting up, it is critical to make sure that both devices are in the same network environment. The Wi-Fi router should be stable, and both gadgets should be connected to the same network, not to the guest or neighbor. If you have a dual-band router, make sure that both the iPhone and Mi TV 4S are connected to the same frequency, preferably 5 GHz, for high bandwidth.
The second step is to update the software. On the TV, you need to check for system updates, as AirPlay support may have been added or improved in the latest firmware versions. On the iPhone, it is also recommended to update iOS to the latest available version to eliminate software conflicts of communication protocols.
☑️ Connection readiness
Pay attention to the firmware version of your TV. Often users ignore updates as unnecessary, but they contain drivers for wireless modules. Go to the TV settings menu, select Settings → About device → System update and run a check.
⚠️ Note: If your router uses Client Isolation, devices will not be able to see each other on the LAN, which is often enabled on guest networks in hotels or public areas, but can be activated at home by accident.
Method One: Using the built-in AirPlay 2
Xiaomi Mi TV 4S features built-in AirPlay 2 technology, making the connection process as simple as possible and does not require additional software installation. This is the most preferred option, as it provides minimal latency and high picture quality. To activate the function, you do not need to look for hidden menus, all settings are on the surface.
To start streaming, open the Control Point on your iPhone. On Face ID models, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen, and on Home models, swipe up from the bottom edge. Find the Repeat icon (two rectangles) and click on it. From the available devices list, select your Mi TV 4S.
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If the TV doesn’t appear on the list right away, try closing and reopening the Photos or Video app on your iPhone to activate your device search on the network.
Once you select a device, a confirmation code may appear on your TV screen, enter this code on your smartphone screen to establish a secure connection, from which point on, the iPhone screen will be broadcast to the TV in real time, you can switch between applications, and the image will remain on the large screen.
| Parameter | Meaning/Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | AirPlay 2 | Use by default |
| Permission | up to 1080p/4K | Depends on the content. |
| Delay. | Best for video. | |
| Audio. | Synchronized | No echo. |
It's important to note that when you use AirPlay, audio is also transmitted to your TV. If you want sound to stay on your phone (for example, to listen through headphones), you can set it up at Control by clicking on the audio output icon and selecting your iPhone. However, for watching movies, you better leave the output on the Mi TV 4S for surround sound.
Method Two: Using the Mi Remote App
If the built-in AirPlay doesn’t work or is unstable for some reason, you can use Xiaomi’s proprietary app Mi Remote (or Mi Home in some regions) to not only control your TV, but also stream content, an alternative way that often helps when you have problems with standard protocols.
Download the Mi Home app from the App Store and log in to your Mi Account. Make sure your account matches the one you use on your TV, although this is not always strictly necessary for local management, but is mainly on the same network. In the app, select your TV from the list of devices.
In the app interface, find the Broadcast or Cast button. It lets you select a media file (photo, video, music) from your phone's memory and send it to your TV screen. Unlike full screen mirroring, only a specific file is broadcast here, which reduces the load on the smartphone processor and saves battery life.
The advantage of this method is that it can control playback from your phone without having to keep your smartphone screen on all the time.You can roll the app or use other phone features while the video continues to play on the Mi TV 4S. This is especially handy for long-term movie watching or listening to music.
Third-party broadcast apps: When standard methods don't work
When native media refuse to cooperate, third-party solutions come to the rescue, applications like Web Video Caster, Replica, or TV Cast for Xiaomi can be a lifeline, using their own device discovery algorithms and often bypassing the constraints imposed by standard protocols.
The way these apps work is similar: you install the app on both your iPhone and (in some cases) your TV, or you just use the device search function on your local network, like Replica creating a virtual server on your phone that emulates an Apple TV device that you can understand on your TV, or vice versa, making the TV believe it is receiving a signal from a compatible source.
⚠️ Note: When using free versions of third-party apps, be prepared for ads that may interrupt browsing.In addition, some apps may transmit your usage data through their servers, which reduces privacy.
The Web Video Caster app, which is particularly noteworthy, lets you stream videos directly from your Safari or Chrome browser to your iPhone. You open a movie site, you click the livestream button inside the app, and the video is sent to the Mi TV 4S directly, bypassing the phone's processor, which means you can put the phone in your pocket and the movie will go.
Why can third-party apps slow down?
Wired Connection: HDMI and Adapters
For users who want the highest image quality without any compromise, or in unstable Wi-Fi, there is a time-tested wired method. Using the Lightning to HDMI adapter (or USB-C to HDMI for new iPhones) allows you to transmit the signal digitally without compression and loss.
You'll need the adapter itself, the HDMI cable, and possibly an additional power source for the adapter, as it consumes power from the phone. Connect the adapter to your iPhone, insert an HDMI cable into it, the other end of which goes to the Mi TV 4S. Switch the signal source on the TV to HDMI 1 or HDMI 2, depending on which port you're connecting to.
This method ensures no delays, which is critical for games or presentations, and it's transmitted in native resolution on the phone screen, scaling up the TV, but it's worth considering that the phone will run out faster if it's not connected to charging through the port on the adapter.
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Wired connectivity is the only way to guarantee 100% stability and no delays, which is critical for games and professional presentations.
Problem Solving and Diagnostics
Despite the ease of customization, users may encounter a number of challenges, and one of the most common problems is that the TV is not visible in the AirPlay device list, in which case the first thing you should do is reboot both devices, and often the network services on Android TV can freeze, and a simple reboot restores them to work.
Another problem is the desynchronization of audio and video or the intermittent image, which almost always indicates problems with the Wi-Fi channel. If the router is far away or the walls are drowning out the signal, the transmission quality drops. Try to get closer to the router or free the Wi-Fi channel by turning off other devices that consume traffic.
- 📱 Bluetooth Check: Make sure Bluetooth on iPhone is enabled as it is used to initially detect and pair devices before transferring data over Wi-Fi.
- 🔒 Antiviruses and firewalls: If a router or network has strict security settings, they can block ports required for AirPlay (usually ports). 5353, 7000-7100).
- 🔄 Network Reset: On the TV you can try resetting network settings (Settings) → Network → Reset) and reconnect by entering a password.
Also, check whether the TV is power-saving or sleep mode, which can interrupt the connection in the absence of active action. In the Mi TV 4S settings, turn off the screen automatically while playing media.