Broadcasting multimedia content from a mobile device to a big screen has long ceased to be a luxury and has become a standard for home use. Apple ecosystem owners often face the question of integrating their gadgets with Android TVs, in particular with popular models Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi Smart TV. The main obstacle lies in the various data transfer protocols: Apple uses proprietary AirPlay 2, while most Android TV or PatchWall TVs are default focused on Miracast and Google Cast.
Fortunately, modern technology makes it easy to overcome this barrier with software methods without buying expensive adapters. The setup process can vary depending on the version of the TV operating system and the smartphone model. You do not need to be an expert in network technology to ensure stable high-resolution image transmission. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from built-in functions to specialized applications that provide minimal signal latency.
Before you start setting up, make sure both devices are on the same local Wi-Fi network. This is a fundamental requirement for most wireless data protocols to work. If a router distributes a network at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, make sure that both devices are connected to one of them, although modern routers often combine them into a single network with one name.
AirPlay support built-in on Xiaomi TVs
Many modern Xiaomi TVs running Android TV 9.0 and higher, as well as newer versions with Google TV, have built-in support for AirPlay 2. This is the most preferred method, as it provides the best picture quality and connection stability without the need to install additional software. Owners of new Mi TV Stick or smart TV models of the P1 and Q1 series are the luckiest, since this feature is often sewn into the system core.
To activate the signal reception mode, you need to go to the settings of the TV. The interface may vary slightly depending on the regional firmware (Global, EU, RU), but the logic remains the same. Usually the path is: Settings → Applications → Embedded Applications → AirPlay. In some versions of the PatchWall shell, this option can be displayed in the main menu or located in the Media section.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi TVs may have AirPlay disabled by default or hidden. If you don't find a relevant item in the app menu, check the General Settings section or try upgrading your TV system software to the latest version.
Once the feature is turned on, the TV will go to standby mode. The screen may show a confirmation code or device name, which will be visible in the list of gadgets available for connection. If the system requests permission to connect a new device, confirm the action with the remote. Now your iPhone “sees” the TV as the native Apple TV device.
Using the Mi Remote app for broadcasting
The official Mi Remote app (or Mi Home in some regions) is a universal tool for managing the Xiaomi ecosystem. Although its main function is to manage appliances, it also allows you to stream content. This method is especially useful if the built-in AirPlay is unstable or absent from your TV model.
To get started, download the app from the App Store and make sure the account matches what you use on your TV (if you need authorization). Once you add the TV to your device list, select it and find the Translation button or screen icon. It’s important to note that this method often works better for streaming specific files from the gallery than for full screen duplication (Screen Mirroring).
The interface is intuitive, but it's worth considering the delay. When managing a presentation or viewing photos, the lags are almost invisible, but for dynamic games this method may not be suitable due to input-lag. However, for showing documents or family albums, it is a great solution that does not require complex router settings.
Third-party relay applications: AirScreen and AirPin
If the regular funds fail or your TV model is older, third-party relay apps come to the rescue, with AirScreen and AirPin(PRO) leading the market in this niche, installing a virtual server on the TV that emulates the AirPlay receiver, making the iPhone “think” it’s connected to an Apple device.
The installation is done directly from the Google Play Store on a Xiaomi TV. Once launched, the app will ask for permission to access the network and possibly request rights to display over other windows. Free versions may have ads that will be displayed on the TV before the broadcast begins or periodically during operation.
Why are paid versions of apps better?
After the application is launched, the device name will appear on the TV screen and QR-By scanning the code or finding the device in the iPhone's Control Point, you can start duplicating the screen. These apps often support not only AirPlay, but also Google Cast and Miracast protocols, making them a versatile solution for mixed family fleets of devices.
Broadcasting via Google Home and Chromecast
Because Xiaomi TVs run on Android, they have built-in support for Google Cast technology. Although the iPhone doesn't have a native Chromecast "Translate Screen" button on the system menu (as it does for AirPlay), the Google Home app solves this problem.
Download the Google Home app on your iPhone and log in to your Google account. The program will automatically detect your Xiaomi TV on the network. Click on the device icon, then select the "Cast my screen" button. The system will warn you that the sound and image from your phone will be broadcast to the TV.
This method is especially good for streaming content from applications that don’t have a Cast button, such as the Safari browser or apps without Smart TV support. However, it’s worth remembering that the load is placed on the phone’s processor, which can cause it to heat up during prolonged use.
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To reduce latency when using Google Home, close all background apps on your iPhone and get closer to the router to ensure the maximum speed of the Wi-Fi signal.
Comparison of Connection Methods and Their Characteristics
The best way to choose depends on your specific tasks: whether you need the perfect video sequence, minimal latency for games or just the ability to show photos to friends. Each method has its own technical limitations and advantages that should be considered before using.
Below is a table comparing the main features of the ways you connect your iPhone to your Xiaomi TV, which will help you quickly navigate and choose the most suitable option for your situation.
| Connection method | Image quality | Delay (Latency) | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in AirPlay 2 | High (up to 4K HDR) | Low. | Minimum |
| AirScreen appendix | Medium/High | Medium | Low. |
| Google Home (Cast) | High. | Medium/High | Low. |
| Mi Remote / Mi Home | Average. | Tall. | Low. |
As the comparison shows, native AirPlay support benefits by all measures if it is available on your TV model.Third-party solutions are a great alternative, but can require more resources from the network.
Solution: Connection and sound problems
Even if set up correctly, users may encounter technical difficulties, and the most common problem is that the TV is simply not visible on the list of available devices on the iPhone, 90% of the time it is due to the router's AP Isolation settings, which prevent devices on the same network from seeing each other, and may also be due to outdated software.
Another common scenario is that there is an image but no sound, or the sound is interrupted, which is often the case with emulator protocols that cannot properly encode the audio stream in real time, in which case manually adjusting the audio format in the relay application or reducing the quality of the video being broadcast helps.
⚠️ Note: If you connect through third-party apps, the sound is broadcasted, but the video is jerking, try to lower the resolution in the settings of the application on the TV. 4K flow.
Antivirus programs or built-in router protection can block ports required for AirPlay to operate (usually ports 5353 UDP, 7000-7100 TCP/UDP).
Wired connection via Lightning/USB-C to HDMI adapter
For those who require absolute stability and zero latency, such as cloud gaming or professional presentations, wireless methods may not be reliable enough. In this case, a wired connection saves you. You will need an official Apple Lightning to Digital AV Adapter (for older iPhones) or USB-C to HDMI (for iPhone 15 and newer), as well as a regular HDMI cable.
Connect the adapter to your smartphone, insert an HDMI cable into it, and the other end into the free port of your Xiaomi TV. Switch the TV signal source to the appropriate mode (e.g. HDMI 1). The image will appear instantly, without the need to configure the network. This is the only way that guarantees operation even in the absence of Internet.
☑️ Checklist for wired connection
The main disadvantage of this method is that the smartphone is tethered to a cable TV and the need for separate power for the adapter, since it consumes the battery of the phone, but the quality of the picture with such a connection is always reference.
Optimizing Wi-Fi Networks for Better Broadcasting
The quality of wireless broadcasting depends on the state of your home network. If the router is in the next room behind two concrete walls, it will be difficult to achieve a stable picture in 4K. It is recommended to use the 5 GHz band, which provides a higher data rate, although it has a smaller range compared to 2.4 GHz.
It’s also worth freeing up the air from the devices that are not available. If someone in the next apartment is actively pumping torrents at the same frequency, there may be interference. Modern Xiaomi routers (Mi Router) have built-in tools for analyzing channel load, which allows you to choose the least noisy channel manually through a web interface or application.
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The stability of the broadcast is 80% dependent on the quality of the Wi-Fi signal and the absence of interference in the air, not just on the power of the TV or phone.
If your router is dual-band, make sure that the devices do not “jump” between frequencies. IP for the TV and phone in the router settings, DHCP-The server always gave them the same addresses, which sometimes improves the speed of searching devices on the network.