Modern multimedia consoles like the Xiaomi Mi Box are turning a regular TV into a powerful entertainment center, but their potential is only half realized if you do not use the feature of broadcasting the screen of a smartphone. The ability to display an image, video or even gameplay from a mobile device to a large screen makes viewing content much more comfortable, especially for those who prefer streaming services, online cinemas or mobile games with detailed graphics.
There are several proven connectivity methods, each with different features and suits different use cases: you can use the built-in Android TV operating system, special applications or wireless data technologies. It is important to understand that the quality and stability of the connection depends on the speed of your Wi-Fi network and the version of the console software.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from standard protocols to specialized utilities, we will help you to configure the transmission of sound and video without delay, and also solve the typical problems that users face when they first start.
Preparation of equipment and network
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that all the components of your system are ready to work. The first and most important condition is to find the smartphone and the Xiaomi Mi Box on the same local Wi-Fi network. If your devices are connected to different routers or guest networks, detection will not be possible.
It’s also worth checking the software versions. On the console, go to Settings → Devices and Preferences → About System → System Broadcast and make sure the service is up to date. It’s also recommended to install the latest OS updates on the phone, as they often contain patches for Miracast and Chromecast protocols.
💡
Use a 5GHz network to stream 4K video to avoid jerking and buffering images.
Signal stability is critical: If the router is far from the TV, the signal may not be strong enough to transmit heavy video streams, and ideally, the distance between the receiver and the transmitter should not exceed the standard radius of confident indoor reception.
Use of the built-in Chromecast feature
The Android TV operating system on which Xiaomi Mi Box is based has native support for Google Chromecast technology.It is the simplest and most common way of broadcasting that does not require installing additional software on the console itself. Most popular applications such as YouTube, Netflix and online cinemas have a built-in casts button.
To get started, open the app on your smartphone, select a video, and click on the broadcast icon (a rectangle with waves). From the list of available devices, select your Mi Box console. The image will appear on the TV screen, and the phone can be used as a remote control.
Importantly, when using Chromecast, content is often downloaded directly from the Internet to the console, and the phone only acts as a remote, saving the battery of the smartphone and reducing the load on the processor. However, some local files may require a full mirror display of the screen.
⚠️ Note: If the broadcast button doesn't appear in the app, make sure the app has permission to access the LAN. On iPhone, this is checked in the privacy settings.
Streaming Android screen via Miracast
If you want to bring to the big screen exactly what is happening on the display of the phone (desktop, games, browser), the best technology will be Miracast. In the ecosystem of Xiaomi and Android TV, this process is often called “Translation” or “Wireless monitor”.
On the Mi Box, the feature may already be active by default or require the Cast app to be launched from the app menu. On your Android smartphone, open the notification curtain and find Translation, Smart View or Project. After searching, select your console from the list.
☑️ Miracast Connectivity Checklist
Image quality when using Miracast depends on the power of the Wi-Fi module. There may be small delays, which is normal for viewing photos or videos, but can interfere with dynamic games. To improve quality, go to the developer settings on your TV and check the codec settings if this option is available in your firmware version.
Stream from iPhone (iOS) to Mi Box
Apple device owners are less fortunate, as the Xiaomi Mi Box runs on Android and does not have built-in support for the AirPlay protocol out of the box. However, this problem is easy to solve with third-party applications that emulate the AirPlay receiver.
One of the most popular solutions is to install the AirScreen or AirPin app from the Google Play Store on the console. Once installed, launch the app on your TV and follow the instructions on the screen. Usually, just open the program and it will start looking for Apple devices online.
Alternative Apps for AirPlay
On iPhone, open Control Point (swipe down from the top right corner or up from the bottom, depending on the model). Press Screen Repeat and select your console. An image from an iPhone will instantly appear on your TV. This method allows you to stream even DRM-protected content that is not transmitted through regular browsers.
Use of DLNA and Local Players
DLNA is a great way to play back video files stored in your smartphone memory, and it allows you to transfer media files over the network without having to mirror the entire screen, which saves battery life, and you need to install a media player like VLC for Android or MX Player on the console.
In the player settings on your TV, activate the Renderer or DLNA function. Then on your phone, open the gallery or file manager, select the video, click Translate or Cast and select the device. The file will start playing with the console processor.
| Method | Delay. | Quality. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromecast | Low. | High (up to 4K) | Minimum |
| Miracast | Medium | Depends on Wi-Fi. | Low. |
| AirPlay (via the app) | Low. | High. | Medium |
| DLNA | Absent. | Original | Medium |
The advantage of DLNA is that you can control playback (pause, rewind) directly from your phone while the TV is just displaying a picture. It is ideal for watching family archives or downloaded movies in high bitrate.
Solution and optimization
Even when set up correctly, there can be technical failures. If the phone can't see the console, try restarting the router. Often the problem is isolating Wi-Fi clients when the router prevents devices from seeing each other. This feature can be activated in the router's security settings.
💡
Rebooting the router and console solves 80% of the problems with detecting devices on the local network.
If the image twitches or is low resolution, lower the broadcast quality in the application settings on the phone. Also try to bring the phone closer to the router. For advanced users, USB debugging mode is available, where you can check the system logs through adb logcat, but this requires a computer connection.
⚠️ Note: When broadcasting protected content (Netflix, Movie Search) through a Miracast, the image may be black due to protection. HDCP. Use the built-in Cast button in the app.
In some cases, cleaning the Translation app cache on the console itself helps. Go to Settings → Apps → Show system processes → Broadcast (or Cast) → Clear the cache. This will reset temporary detection errors.