The situation where you urgently need to show a presentation, photos or video from a mobile device on a large screen, and the home network is not available, is familiar to many users. Often the router is overloaded, broken or simply far from the meeting place. Fortunately, the Xiaomi ecosystem and the Android operating system offer several workarounds to solve this problem without using a classic router.
The challenge is that most standard protocols, like DLNA or the classic Chromecast, are built on a single LAN. However, modern technology allows you to create direct connections between devices without intermediate hardware. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to establish wireless broadcasting or use wired alternatives if there is no WiFi signal.
It’s important to note that methods fall into two types: those that create a virtual network between devices and those that use a physical connection, and the choice of method depends on the model of your TV (based on Android TV or PatchWall) and the version of your smartphone’s firmware.
Using WiFi Direct Technology for Direct Communication
The most common way to communicate without a router is through WiFi Direct, which allows two devices to connect directly to each other, creating their own access point. Unlike modem mode, it doesn't require access to a wide area network, it communicates locally at high speeds.
To get started, make sure your Xiaomi Mi TV or Mi Box has a signal reception feature on it, which is usually built into the system application for broadcasting. On your smartphone, you need to activate the corresponding module in the wireless network settings. The process of finding the device can take from 10 to 30 seconds.
⚠️ Note: When using WiFi Direct, the smartphone battery can discharge faster than usual, since the WiFi module operates in high power mode to maintain a stable video stream.
Some older TVs may not support this protocol in its pure form, requiring additional software installation, in which case it is worth considering the alternative connectivity options described below. Also remember that the distance between the devices should not exceed 5-7 meters to maintain the quality of the picture.
The key advantage of the method is that it does not have the latency that is typical of cloud services: video streaming is transmitted directly, which is critical for demonstrating dynamic content or games.
Set up the built-in Cast feature on Android TV
Xiaomi TVs running Android TV have built-in support for Google Cast. Even without an internet connection, many models allow you to start the broadcast standby mode. To do this, you need to open the Connection Control app on the TV or find the broadcast icon in the top menu.
On the smartphone side, the algorithm is this: lower the notification curtain and find the Broadcast (or Cast) icon. If the devices are in line of sight (thanks to Bluetooth or WiFi Direct), the phone will offer a list of available screens. Choose your TV from the list.
☑️ Checking the broadcast readiness
If automated search doesn’t work, try using the standard Google Home app, which can sometimes detect a device without an active internet connection using local detection protocols, and rarely requires prior authorization of a Google account when the network is in place.
It is worth noting that image quality is directly dependent on the power of the TV's processor, and 4K-enabled models may require more resources to decode the stream in real time.
Broadcasting via Mi Remote and IR port
A unique feature of many Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones is the integrated infrared port, which allows the phone to be used as a universal remote control. Although this method does not transmit a screen image (video signal), it is ideal for managing content running on the TV itself, such as launching videos from memory or switching sources.
To set up, you need to open the Mi Remote app preinstalled. Press the device add button and select the TV type. In the list of brands, find Xiaomi or Mi. The phone will offer a series of test signals; confirm the one the TV responds to.
Once set up, you can fully manage the PatchWall or Android interface. TV. This is especially useful if you have lost your native remote, and you need to run a video file, previously dropped on the TV through the USB-accumulator.
Why is an IR port better than Bluetooth for control?
It's important to understand the limitations: an IR port is a unidirectional channel. The phone commands the TV but doesn't receive any video from it. So this is not a good way to display the phone screen, but it's a great addition to the smart wearer's arsenal.
Wired connection via HDMI and adapters
If wireless methods cause interference or are not available, the most reliable solution is cable connection.For modern Xiaomi smartphones with a USB Type-C port, a special USB-C to HDMI adapter will be required.
The technology used in this case is called MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) or Alt Mode. Not all budget smartphone models support image output via the charging port.
| Type of connection | Equipment required | Audio support | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi Direct | No (devices only) | Yes. | Medium |
| HDMI Adapter | HDMI cable + adapter | Yeah (Lossless) | Tall. |
| USB-C Hub | Hub with HDMI port | Yes. | Tall. |
| IR-Register | Smartphone with IR port | No (only management) | Tall. |
When you connect the cable, the TV will automatically switch to the appropriate signal source (e.g. HDMI 1). If there is no image, check the phone settings section Advanced Settings → Connect to TV and make sure that the output of the image is activated.
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Use an adapter with an additional USB port for power, as the video output mode consumes a lot of power and the phone may run out while watching a movie.
Use of the USB-storage
The easiest, though not interactive, way to get content on a large screen without a network is to use an external drive: You copy video files or photos from your smartphone to a flash drive or external hard drive, and then plug them into an external hard drive. USB-TV port Xiaomi.
The built-in Mi TV media player supports most popular formats such as MKV, MP4, AVI. The interface makes it easy to navigate folders using an on-screen keyboard or remote app on the phone (if the IR port is already configured).
This method is ideal for viewing heavy, high-bitrate files that can stutter wirelessly, and it completely eliminates reliance on indoor radio quality.
⚠️ Note: TVs may not read file systems NTFS without installing third-party applications. It is recommended to format the flash drive in FAT32 or exFAT before writing files.
To control playback, you can use a smartphone as a touchpad if you install the Android TV Remote Control app and connect devices through a temporary access point created by the TV (if such a function is supported by the model).
Creating an access point for device synchronization
There's a clever way to make standard Chromecast or MiraCast protocols work without a home router, so you can turn your smartphone into a WiFi hotspot and connect your TV to that signal, and then the phone acts as a router.
Algorithm: Turn on the smartphone WiFi hotspot. On the TV in the network settings, find the network you created and connect to it. Now both devices are on the same local network, even without Internet access (if the mobile Internet is disabled).
Once paired successfully, launch the broadcast function on the phone, and the TV will see the smartphone as an affordable mirroring device, a technique that takes full advantage of wireless connectivity, but consumes the phone's battery.
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Creating an access point on a smartphone is a universal way to make any smart home and broadcast applications that require a single WiFi network work.
It should be borne in mind that when the access point is activated, the WiFi module of the smartphone works in a strengthened mode, which can lead to heating of the case. It is recommended to keep the phone on a hard surface or remove the case.