How to stream on a Xiaomi TV: the complete guide

Modern Xiaomi Mi TVs and Redmi Smart TVs are powerful multimedia centers, but their potential is not fully realized if you use them only to view on-air channels or embedded applications. Broadcasting a smartphone or laptop screen on a large display allows you to turn the living room into a cinema or a game room in seconds. This is especially true for Android smartphone owners who want to demonstrate a photo album, presentation or run a mobile game on a wide screen.

The process of transferring images depends on your mobile device’s operating system and the TV firmware version. The MIUI for TV ecosystem has several wireless protocols, including Miracast, Google Cast and proprietary brand solutions. Understanding the differences between these technologies will help avoid delays (lags) and audio desynchronization, which often happens when you configure the network incorrectly.

Before you start setting up, make sure that both devices are on the same local Wi-Fi network. The 5GHz range provides significantly more stable high-resolution video streaming compared to 2.4GHz. If your router supports dual-band, connect both your phone and TV to a 5GHz network to minimize compression artifacts.

Use the built-in Mi Remote and Mi Drop features

The easiest way to start streaming is to use the built-in Android TV system, which is pre-installed on all current TV models. You don't need third-party software if you're running an Android environment. The Cast feature is built into the quick settings panel of most smartphones, but for Xiaomi TVs there is a more advanced tool called Mi Remote or the system utility of the wireless display.

To activate the reception mode on the TV, you need to go to the application menu. Find the Wireless Display icon or Wireless Display. Once the application is launched, the TV will go into the standby mode. At this stage, the device becomes visible for search within the range of the Wi-Fi router. If you use a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone, the feature may be called Projector or Broadcast in the notification curtain.

  • 📱 Open the notification curtain on your smartphone and find the button “Translation” or “Projection".
  • 📺 On the TV, run the "Wireless Display" application from the list of installed programs.
  • 🔗 Wait for your TV name to appear on the list of available devices on your phone.
  • ✅ Click on the TV name to establish connection and mirror the screen.

Importantly, this method does mirroring, which means that everything that happens on the phone screen, including notifications, incoming calls and system messages, will be visible on the big screen. To view videos from the gallery, you better use the built-in player with the Cast button, so as not to broadcast the interface of the smartphone.

⚠️ Note: When using built-in mirroring through Miracast, the smartphone battery can discharge faster than usual, since the Wi-Fi module operates in the high load mode for the transmission of the video stream.

📊 What type of broadcasting method do you use most often?
Built-in Chromecast
Mi Remote / Wireless display
Third-party applications (AirScreen)
HDMI cable

Google Chromecast technology for streaming video

Unlike full screen mirroring, Google Cast (Chromecast built-in) allows you to stream content directly from the server to the TV, bypassing the smartphone’s processor. This is ideal for watching YouTube, Netflix, Twitch or video from cloud storage, in which case the phone acts only as a remote control, and you can fold the application or even lock the screen without interrupting the playback.

To work, the TV must be logged in with the same Google account as the smartphone, or simply be on the same network. Most applications with video content have a special Cast button (a rectangle icon with waves in the corner), and when you click on it, the application will find the available devices on the network.

The advantage of this method is that it saves the resources of the mobile device and the stability of the image. Even if you receive a call, the video stream on the TV will not be interrupted, unlike Miracast. However, it is worth considering that not all applications support this protocol, especially local video players without the help of Miracast. DRM-defense.

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If the Cast button doesn’t appear in the app, make sure that Google Play Services permissions for Android TV are updated through the app store on the TV itself.

Configure DLNA and local area network

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is the standard for transferring multimedia content between devices within a home network. Unlike a wireless display, DLNA does not broadcast a screen image in real time, but allows you to open files (video, photos, music) on your TV that are physically stored on your smartphone or computer.

To implement this method on the smartphone, you need to install an application server, for example, VLC for Android, BubbleUPnP or use the built-in functionality of the file Explorer Mi Drop (in older versions) or "Network Sharing". Xiaomi TV automatically scans the network for availability DLNA-servers and displays them in the Media or Sources section.

This method is ideal for viewing heavy 4K HDR files that a smartphone may not pull in real-world coding mode for a wireless display.The TV takes over decoding the video stream using its powerful processor.

☑️ Network verification for DLNA

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Broadcast from iPhone and iPad (AirPlay)

Apple device owners often face compatibility issues, as the native AirPlay protocol doesn’t always work correctly on Android TVs without additional setup. However, modern Xiaomi Mi TV models (especially global versions and Android TV 9.0+) often have built-in support for AirPlay 2.

What to check first:

1. Go to your TV settings and look for the Apps → Apple AirPlay section. Make sure the feature is enabled.

2. On the iPhone, open "Control Point" and click "Screen Replay".

3.If the TV is not found, it may be necessary to install an additional app on the TV.

If there is no built-in support, the solution will be to install a third-party APK-One of the most popular solutions is the AirScreen app, which creates a virtual receiver that the iPhone sees as Apple's native device. TV.

MethodDelay (Latency)Quality.Phone battery
Miracast (Wireless Display)Medium (100-300 ms)High (depends on Wi-Fi)High-end spending
Google CastLow (flowing)Maximum (up to 4K)Minimum expenditure
DLNAMissing (file)Original fileLow expenditure
AirPlay (via emulator)MediumGood.Average expenditure

⚠️ Note: When using AirPlay emulators (e.g. AirScreen) on the TV, you may experience audio and video desynchronization. In such cases, use the "Audio Correction" function in the settings of the emulator application.

Solving coding problems
If the video is not played through DLNA, it is possible that the TV does not support an audio codec (e.g. DTS), in which case enable the transcoding option in the player app on the phone, if available, or install the VLC app on the TV, which has built-in codecs.

Installation of third-party applications for advanced capabilities

Staffing functionality MIUI TV Sometimes limited, especially in Chinese firmware versions where Google services are not available, in which case third-party applications installed through the service are the salvation. USB-The leader in this niche is the AirScreen application, which universally supports AirPlay, Google Cast, Miracast and DLNA.

The installation process is simple: download APK-file on the flash drive, connect it to the port USB Run the installer through the built-in file manager or File Commander application. Once installed, the application will require permissions to access the network and display on top of other windows.

Another powerful tool is LocalCast or Web Video Caster, which allows you to stream video not only from the gallery, but also from the browser. You open a site with a movie in your phone's browser, click the "Cast" button inside the caster app, and the link is sent to the TV, which downloads and plays the stream itself.

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Installing a universal signal receiver (like AirScreen) solves 90% of compatibility problems between different ecosystems (iOS and Android).

Wired connection via HDMI and USB-C

Wireless technology is convenient, but not always stable. If you want maximum image quality without compression artifacts or want to play cloud games with minimal input-lag, the best choice is a cable connection. To do this, your smartphone must support the output of video signal through the port. USB Type-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode).

You’ll need a USB-C to HDMI adapter. Note that not all Xiaomi smartphones support video output. Flagship models (Mi series, Xiaomi Pro) usually have this feature, while budget Redmis can be limited to data transfer and charging only. You can check support in the processor specifications (Snapdragon usually supports, many MediaTek – not).

Connect the adapter to the phone and HDMI-Cable to the TV. Switch the source of the signal on the TV to the appropriate port. HDMI. The image will appear instantly, in the resolution supported by the phone screen, up to and including 4K 60Hz.

⚠️ Note: When wired, the smartphone may not charge if the adapter does not have an additional power port (PD). Adapters with simultaneous charging capability are recommended.

Adapters with docking station
For a comfortable use of wired connection, consider buying a USB-C Hub docking station. It will simultaneously display the image on TV, connect a wired keyboard / mouse and charge the smartphone, turning it into a full-fledged computer.

Addressing frequent problems and delays

Despite the apparent simplicity, users often find that the TV can’t see the phone or the connection is constantly broken.The main reason is 80% of the time is the separation of networks. Make sure that devices are not spread across different frequency bands (one by 2.4 GHz, the other by 5 GHz) if the router does not connect them into a single network (Smart Connect).

Another common problem is the power saving mode on your smartphone, which can limit the background Wi-Fi processes, causing the FPS to drop and the jittery picture to go down. Add the broadcast app to the battery exception list.

If there is an image but no audio, check the audio output settings in the app from which the broadcast is coming. Sometimes you need to manually switch the audio output in the Android system to "Television Dynamics" or "HDMI/USB".

Why does Xiaomi TV not see the phone when searching?
The most common problem is router settings: Make sure the router has disabled the "AP Isolation" feature, which prevents devices on the network from seeing each other, and check if the antivirus on the phone blocks local network detection.
How to reduce delays in broadcasting games?
For games, use a wired connection or make sure that the phone and router support Wi-Fi 5 (AC) or Wi-Fi 6 (AX) standard. In the settings of the TV, turn on Game Mode if it is available for an HDMI source or application. Wireless streaming will always have a delay, so it is not recommended for dynamic shooters.
Can I stream a screen with DRM (Netflix 4K) protection?
In normal mirroring (Miracast), DRM-protected content is often blocked and black screens are displayed. To view in 4K, you need to use the built-in Cast feature inside the Netflix or YouTube app, rather than the Android system's Screen Translation feature.