Modern multimedia systems require flexibility in content management, and the ability to duplicate images from a smartphone to a large screen is one of the most popular features. Owners of Xiaomi Mi TV 4S often face the need to show photos to friends, run the game on a wide diagonal or continue watching a movie started on a mobile device. Fortunately, the Android TV operating system installed on board this media center provides ample opportunities for wireless data transfer.
Synchronization may seem complicated at first glance, but the standard Miracast and Google Cast protocols make this task accessible even to inexperienced users. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of connection, from built-in system tools to specialized applications for iOS and Android.
To succeed, you don't need to buy hardware unless you plan to use wired interfaces for professional tasks. Just make sure that both devices are on the same LAN and have up-to-date versions of the software. Let's look at step-by-step instructions that will help you enjoy content on the big screen without delays and artifacts.
Technical requirements and equipment preparation
Before setting up, you need to make sure your hardware meets the minimum technical requirements for stable high-definition video streaming. Wireless is a critical component, as it is through which the main data array is transmitted. It is recommended to use a Wi-Fi router running at 5 GHz, especially if you plan to broadcast content in 4K or 1080p resolution with high bitrate.
Xiaomi Mi TV 4S comes with a built-in Wi-Fi module that supports 802.11ac standards, which provides sufficient bandwidth for most use cases. Your smartphone must also support Wi-Fi Direct technology or have Google Play Services pre-installed to work with Chromecast. Check that both devices have Bluetooth enabled, as it is sometimes used to initially detect gadgets on the network.
⚠️ Note: If your router has a client isolation function (AP Isolation, turn it off in the settings, otherwise devices will not see each other on the local network.
Make sure your TV software is updated to the latest available version. Go to Settings → Device → System update. Having fresh security patches and Wi-Fi driver improvements can make a significant difference in connection stability and reduce latency when you output an image.
☑️ Preparation for connection
Using the built-in Cast feature on Android
The easiest way to broadcast the screen of a smartphone with Android operating system is to use the built-in function of Google Cast. This technology is built directly into the shell of the operating system and does not require installing additional applications on the TV, since the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S is certified Android TV.
To start the broadcast, lower the notification curtain on your smartphone and look for the Broadcast or Smart View icon (the name may vary depending on the phone manufacturer, for example, Samsung, Xiaomi or Huawei). Once clicked, the system will start searching for available devices. Your Xiaomi Mi TV 4S should appear in the list.
- 📱 Open the Android Quick Switch Panel from top to bottom.
- 📡 Click on the icon “Translation”, “Smart View” or “Projection».
- 📺 Choose Xiaomi Mi TV 4S from the list of found devices.
- ✅ Confirm the connection on the TV screen if you receive a request.
It is important to note that transmission quality depends on the power of the Wi-Fi signal. If you notice the sound and video being out of sync or compression artifacts appearing, try to get closer to the router or reduce the network load by turning off file downloads on other devices.Some applications, such as YouTube or Netflix, have their own casts button inside the interface, allowing only the video stream to be transmitted, freeing the phone for other tasks.
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To reduce latency when playing, use Game mode in your TV image settings if available, or connect your phone to a 5GHz network.
Streaming from iPhone and iPad via AirPlay
Owners of Apple devices may face the issue of compatibility, since the iOS ecosystem uses the AirPlay protocol, which is not originally built into Android TV. However, modern models of Xiaomi Mi TV 4S often receive updates that add support for AirPlay 2, or allow you to install the corresponding application from the Google Play store.
If the built-in feature is missing or is not running smoothly, the best solution is to install the receiver app from the app store on the TV. Popular options are AirScreen or Receiver for AirPlay. Once installed, the TV emulates the AirPlay receiver, making itself visible to iPhones and iPads without the need for complex configuration.
The process of connecting is as follows: make sure your iPhone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV. Open Control Point (swipe top-down on new models or bottom-up on old ones). Press the Repeat button (two rectangles). In the list, select the name of your TV or the name of the receiver app installed.
⚠️ Note: With third-party AirPlay receiver applications, there is a slight input delay, making this method less suitable for dynamic gaming, but ideal for viewing photos and videos.
Image quality is usually better when using AirPlay than with standard Miracast, due to more efficient video compression algorithms. However, it is worth considering that free versions of receiver applications may contain ads or have session time limits. For continuous use, it is recommended to consider purchasing a paid version or using native support if it is available in your firmware version.
Applications for extended broadcasting and management
The operating system’s regular tools don’t always cover all users’ needs, especially when it comes to specific file formats or the need for remote management. The Google Play Store on Xiaomi Mi TV 4S offers a variety of applications that extend media functionality. One of the most popular solutions is the LocalCast app or BubbleUPnP.
These programs allow you not only to duplicate the screen, but to transfer directly a video or audio file to the decoder of the TV, which reduces the load on the smartphone processor and saves battery power. You can start playback and safely use the phone for calls or correspondence without interrupting the movie on the big screen. The interface of such applications is usually intuitive and supports subtitles.
For users who want to fully control the TV from a smartphone, the official Android app is perfect. TV Remote Control, which allows you to use your phone's screen as a touchpad, type text from your smartphone keyboard (which is much more convenient than the remote), and even broadcast the contents of the screen. QR-code that appears on the TV screen when you start the remote setting function.
- 📂 LocalCast: Ideal for playing video files from the cloud or phone memory.
- 🎮 GameKeyboard+: It allows you to use the phone as a gamepad for emulators on TV.
- 📺 Android TV Remote: Google’s official tool for managing and entering text.
The use of specialized software also allows you to bypass restrictions. DRM-protection in some streaming services, which can block a simple screen broadcast (black image when sounded), in such cases media applications act as an intermediary, requesting streaming directly from the server, rather than from the phone screen.
Why are some videos not broadcast?
Wired connection via HDMI and adapters
When wireless connection is not possible or maximum image quality without compression is required, wired methods come to the rescue. HDMI-The interface remains the gold standard for video transmission, because modern smartphones lack a full-fledged video interface. HDMI-port, you need to use adapters of the type USB-C to HDMI or Lightning to Digital AV Adapter for Apple devices.
Xiaomi Mi TV 4S is equipped with several HDMI ports that support 4K and HDR. Connecting the adapter to the phone and HDMI cable to the TV, you need to switch the source of the signal (Source) to the appropriate port. Unlike wireless methods, there is no delay (input lag), which is critical for cloud gaming or presentations.
| Type of connection | Image quality | Delay (Latency) | Dependence on Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi (Miracast) | Good (compressed) | Medium/High | Complete. |
| Google Cast | High (flowing) | Low. | Complete. |
| HDMI (Adapter) | Perfect (no loss) | Absent. | No. |
| DLNA (Local Area Network) | High. | Low. | Router required |
It is worth considering that not all smartphones support the output of video signal through USB-The video output technology is supported by flagship models Samsung (DeX), Huawei, OnePlus and iPhone, starting with certain models. Budget devices can only transmit data for charging, ignoring the video signal. Before buying an adapter, it is recommended to check the specification of your phone for support for DisplayPort Alt Mode.
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Wired connection through HDMI-The adapter is the only way to get a picture without compression artifacts and delays, which is ideal for games and professional presentations.
Troubleshooting and troubleshooting
Despite the technology, users may have trouble putting their phone screen on a Xiaomi Mi TV 4S. The most common reason is that devices are on different subnets, which often happens if the router distributes two networks (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) with different names, or if the phone is enabled with 4G/5G mobile Internet while searching.
If the TV doesn’t appear on the list of available devices, try rebooting the router and both. It’s also worth checking the firewall settings in the router, which can block ports used by DLNA or mDNS protocols. In some cases, resetting network settings on the smartphone helps, but this will require re-entering passwords from all stored Wi-Fi networks.
⚠️ Warning: Antivirus apps on your phone or smart firewalls on your router can block your local connection.
Another problem can be desynchronization of audio and video, often treated by changing the buffering settings of the player application or reducing the quality of the stream being broadcast. If the image twitches, make sure that there are no powerful sources of interference near the router, such as microwave ovens or high-traffic Bluetooth devices running.
If the audio is not being transmitted to the TV, check the audio output settings in Android. Sometimes the default system continues to output sound through the speaker of the phone even when the screen is actively duplicated. You can switch the output from the volume menu or in the Bluetooth/Connected device settings.
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If the broadcast is interrupted at certain intervals, check the power saving settings on your phone and add the broadcast app to the White List.