How to turn on the stream from your phone to the Xiaomi TV: Full Guide

Modern smart TVs from the Xiaomi brand offer users ample opportunities for multimedia content, but often owners are faced with the desire to display the image from their smartphone. This can be necessary to show family photos, run videos from an application that does not have an Android TV version, or even for games with a large screen. Fortunately, the ecosystem of Xiaomi and Mi Home is designed so that synchronization between devices occurs as seamlessly as possible.

Video transmission can be done in several ways, depending on your phone model and the version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. In most cases, you do not need to buy additional cables or adapters, since modern wireless technologies allow you to transmit content in high resolution with minimal latency.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the current methods, from built-in system features to using third-party apps.You will learn how to set up Miracast, use the built-in Google Chromecast and work with the Internet. DLNA-Getting the network set up correctly and understanding the nuances of each method will help you avoid delays and sound dissynchronization.

Preparation of equipment and Wi-Fi network

Before you start direct streaming, you need to make sure that the basic components are working correctly. The foundation for any wireless data transfer within the local network is a stable router. Make sure that your Xiaomi TV and smartphone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is a critical condition, without which devices simply will not see each other in the list of available receivers.

A common mistake users make is to connect gadgets to different frequency bands of the router if they are isolated by security settings. Ideally, both devices should operate in the 5 GHz band, as it provides the higher bandwidth required to transmit a video stream to 4K. If your router broadcasts one network with a common name (SSID), there should be no problems, but there may be restrictions in complex corporate or guest networks.

Itโ€™s also worth checking the softwareโ€™s relevance. On your TV, go to Settings โ†’ About TV โ†’ System Update and make sure you have the latest PatchWall or Android TV installed. Itโ€™s also a good idea to update Google Play Servicesโ€™ system packages, as theyโ€™re responsible for running the broadcast protocols.

โš ๏ธ Note: If your router has a "Customer isolation" function" (AP Isolation, which is enabled by default on guest networks, will not allow devices to communicate. Make sure this feature is disabled in the router settings.

For a stable broadcast, the distance between the router and the signal receiver should not be too large. Walls and metal structures can significantly weaken the signal, which will lead to artifacts on the screen or a connection break.

โ˜‘๏ธ Checking before connection

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Use the built-in Mi Cast (Miracast) function

The most common and native way for owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones is Mi Cast technology. This protocol, based on the Miracast standard, allows you to duplicate the phone screen on the TV in real time without the need to install additional software. The function is built directly into the shell MIUI HyperOS, which makes it available out of the box".

To activate the broadcast, open the notification curtain on your smartphone and find the Broadcast icon or Mi Cast. In some versions of the firmware, it can hide in the control menu, which can be edited by adding this switch.

On the TV side, you also need to confirm that you are ready to receive the signal. Usually on Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall shell, the application for receiving the broadcast starts automatically when a request is received. If this does not happen, find the Wireless Display widget or Mi Screen Cast in the list of applications and launch it.

The advantage of this method is low latency, which allows you to use the broadcast not only for video, but also for simple games or presentations. However, it is worth remembering that when you actively duplicate the screen, the smartphone can heat up more and discharge faster, since the processor and Wi-Fi module work in a strengthened mode.

What to do if your phone canโ€™t see TV?
If the search is not working, try restarting your router. Also make sure that the TV is not running a heavy app that can block the connection ports. Sometimes it helps to temporarily turn off Bluetooth on your smartphone and turn it on again.

Image quality when using Miracast depends on the power of the Wi-Fi signal. If you notice a โ€œtwitchโ€ of the image, try to zoom in on the router or switch to a less loaded channel in the router settings.

๐Ÿ“Š What kind of smartphone do you have?
Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO
Samsung
iPhone
Other Android

Streaming through Google Chromecast built-in

Most modern Xiaomi TVs run Android TV, which has built-in support for Google Chromecast technology, which differs from Miracast in that it doesnโ€™t broadcast the entire screen of the smartphone, but the specific content from the apps that support the feature, which allows the phone to be used as a remote control while the video is played by the TV.

To get started, make sure that the smartphone has a Google Home app installed.It is necessary for initial setup and control of the device, although in many cases the broadcast is automatically launched through a button in the player apps. Open a popular application, such as YouTube or Netflix, and find the broadcast icon (a rectangle with waves in the corner).

Once you select your Xiaomi TV from the list, the video will start playing on the big screen, at which point you can fold the app on your phone, switch to the messenger or even turn off the smartphone screen โ€” playback on the TV will not interrupt. This is a key advantage of the Chromecast before full screen duplication.

Importantly, this method requires logging in to the same Google accounts on your TV and smartphone for full functionality, although basic video streaming often works without it.

ParameterMi Cast (Miracast)Google Chromecast
Type of transmissionScreen duplicationBroadcasting content
Dependence on the phoneHigh (screen should be on)Low (you can use your phone)
Battery consumptionHigh-pitchedLow.
Support for iOSNo (without third-party apps)Yes (via annexes)

Using Chromecast is especially handy when you need to quickly show videos from the internet without worrying about notifications or calls that could interrupt the demo when you duplicate the screen.

Broadcast from iPhone and iPad (AirPlay)

Owners of Apple devices may face the issue of compatibility, since the Xiaomi ecosystem is based on Android. However, modern Xiaomi TVs often have built-in support for the AirPlay 2 protocol. This allows you to broadcast image and sound from an iPhone or iPad natively, without the need to install additional receivers on the TV.

To check the availability of the feature, open the control point on your iPhone (swipe down from the top right corner or up from the bottom, depending on the model) and press the Replay button. If your Xiaomi TV is on the same network, it should appear in the list of available devices. When you first connect to the TV screen, a code may appear that you need to enter on your smartphone.

If AirPlay is not built-in support in your TV model or is unstable, you can use third-party apps from the Google Play Store on the TV itself. Popular solutions like AirScreen or Receiver for AirPlay emulate Apple receiver, allowing you to stream content from iOS devices.

โš ๏ธ Note: When using third-party AirPlay emulators on the TV, there may be a slight delay in sound (latency). This is not critical to watching movies, but for games or karaode, you may need to manually adjust the synchronization in the application settings.

AirPlay broadcast quality is usually very high, with HDR and Dolby Vision support if these formats are supported by a TV, and the stability of the connection depends on the quality of the Wi-Fi router.

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Native support for AirPlay 2 is not available in all models of Xiaomi TV. If the button is not located, installing an emulator app on the TV itself solves the problem in 99% of cases.

Use of DLNA and Third Party Applications

When standard methods donโ€™t work or you need to play a specific file format stored locally on your phone, DLNA technology and universal players come to the rescue, ideal for viewing heavy, high-resolution video files that can stutter when streaming over the Internet but are easily read over the local network.

To implement this method, you will need a smartphone player app that supports the "Cast" or "Renderer" function. A great example is the VLC for Android or MX Player application. Open the video file in the player, click on the broadcast icon and select your Xiaomi TV as the output device.

The TV is a renderer, and it gets the data stream and decodes it itself, so it reduces the load on the smartphone and allows you to use it for other tasks, and it's important that the video format is supported by the TV's codecs, otherwise you'll see a black screen when you have sound.

There are also specialized media library management applications such as LocalCast or BubbleUPnP. They provide advanced options for customizing subtitles, audio paths and decoding options, which can be critical for moviegoers.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ VLC For Android โ€“ a free player with a huge number of supported codecs and built-in function DLNA/Chromecast.
  • ๐ŸŽฌ Web Video Caster โ€“ allows you to stream video from sites directly to the TV, bypassing the need to download a file to your phone.
  • ๐Ÿ“บ Xiaomi Mi Remote is the official application that also has the basic functions of managing media content and streaming photos.

Using DLNA is often the only way to watch videos in their original quality without compression, which social networks or instant messengers can use when sending files.

Addressing problems and delays

Despite the simplicity of the technology, users can face various problems: audio and video out of sync, low resolution or periodic connection breaks. Most often, the root of the evil lies in the congestion of the Wi-Fi channel. If the network simultaneously downloads files, plays online games or runs CCTV cameras, bandwidth may not be enough for video streaming.

Try to disconnect other devices from Wi-Fi or limit their speed during the broadcast. Also an effective method is to use a wired connection for the TV. If your Xiaomi TV has a LAN port, connecting it with a cable to the router will significantly increase the stability of signal reception, freeing up the air for the smartphone.

Another common problem is regional mismatch: If the TV is bought in China (Global ROM or CN Version) and the smartphone has European firmware, some features may not work properly due to differences in network protocols, in which case resetting network settings on both devices helps.

โš ๏ธ Note: Do not attempt to broadcast content with protection HDCP (For example, paid movies from some streaming services, through Miracast, because of copy protection, you'll see a black screen, only use embedded apps on your TV or the Chromecast method.

If the image twitches, try lowering the output resolution in your phone settings or in the source app. Stability is more important than pixels when it comes to wireless transmission.

๐Ÿ’ก

For games from phone to TV via Miracast, turn on the โ€œDo Not Disturbโ€ mode on your smartphone so that notifications do not block the game interface and do not cause system lags.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why does Xiaomi TV not see the phone when searching?
Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not the guest network). Check if the phone is running traffic saving mode or VPN, which can block local detection. Also try rebooting the router.
Can I stream the iPhone screen on Xiaomi TV without wires?
Yes, if your TV supports AirPlay 2 natively or if you install an AirPlay emulator app (like AirScreen) from the Google Play Store on your TV.
How to reduce the latency of the sound during broadcasting?
Delay is often caused by signal processing. Try to switch the TV to Game Mode in the image settings, which reduces post-processing, and using 5 GHz Wi-Fi instead of 2.4 GHz also helps.
Is the sound broadcast to external speakers via Bluetooth when the image is displayed?
In Miracast, the sound usually goes along with the video stream to the TV. To output the sound to Bluetooth headphones connected to the phone, you may need to switch the output in the phone's Bluetooth settings after you start streaming, but that depends on the Android version.
Is the broadcast supported through USB-cable?
Direct video transmission via USB cable (like HDMI) on Xiaomi TVs is not usually supported by regular means. USB ports are used to play files from flash drives. A wired connection requires a special USB-C to HDMI adapter if the phone supports video output.