How to display an image from your iPhone to your Xiaomi TV: The Complete Guide

Today’s smart home ecosystems are no longer isolated islands, and today Apple’s iPhone bundle with Android TVs like Xiaomi Mi TV or Redmi TV is working almost flawlessly. Users often face the need to show family photos, run YouTube videos, or even show a presentation on the big screen without having to buy expensive Apple TV consoles. Fortunately, Xiaomi engineers have implemented AirPlay 2 support directly into the operating system of their TVs, making the broadcast process as simple and intuitive as possible for owners of Apple’s equipment.

However, despite the stated compatibility, the setup process can sometimes raise questions for the untrained user. Differences in firmware versions, router settings, or local area network features can be an obstacle to quality image. In this article, we will discuss in detail all known ways of connecting, from native system functions to the use of third-party applications, and also look at ways to solve typical problems with image latency or lack of sound.

You don't have to be a tech person to get a steady video transmission, you just have a smartphone, a TV remote, and a basic understanding of wireless, and we'll look at both standard use cases and more advanced methods that will make the most of the iOS/Android TV bundle.

Preparation of equipment and Wi-Fi network

The foundation of a successful connection between an iPhone and a Xiaomi TV is the proper organization of the local network.The AirPlay protocol, which is the main broadcast tool, requires both devices to be on the same subnet.This means that your smartphone and TV must be connected to the same router. If you have a dual-band router, make sure that both gadgets are connected to either a 2.4 GHz network or a 5 GHz network, although in most modern routers separation is not critical thanks to Mesh technology.

The second important aspect is the relevance of the software. Xiaomi TVs often come with updates that improve the stability of the built-in communication modules. Check the firmware version in the settings menu by going on the Settings path → About TV → System Update. On the iPhone side, it is also recommended to update iOS to the latest available version, as Apple regularly patches vulnerabilities and improves compatibility with external displays.

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Use a 5GHz network to transmit high-resolution (4K HDR) video to avoid buffering and image compression artifacts.

If the Wi-Fi signal is weak, even a powerful Xiaomi TV processor cannot decode the video stream without delay. Ideally, the distance between the transmitting device and the receivers should not exceed reasonable limits for your layout, and walls with metal reinforcements can significantly weaken the signal.

Broadcast via built-in AirPlay on Xiaomi TV

The easiest and most reliable way to get no additional software is to use AirPlay built-in support, which is embedded in the default version of MIUI for TV, and to get started, you need to activate the reception on the TV side. Depending on the model and regional version of the firmware, the application can be called AirPlay, Wireless Projection or be inside the Input source selection menu.

When you start the app, you'll have a wait on your TV. Now take your iPhone and open Control Point. On Face ID models, you'll swipe down from the top right corner, on Home models, you'll swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen. Find the Screen Replay icon (two rectangles) and click on it. Your Xiaomi TV should appear on the list of available devices.

⚠️ Warning: When you first connect to your TV screen, a four-digit code may appear. Enter it on your iPhone to confirm pairing and prevent unauthorized access to your screen.

If the connection is successful, the image from the iPhone will appear on the big screen. It is important to understand that in mirroring mode, the phone can heat up, as there is active processing of graphics. To view videos from applications, you better use the built-in Cast feature, which we will talk about below, to unload the smartphone processor.

Use of Mi Home and Xiaomi Remote

Xiaomi’s Mi Home ecosystem offers its own app, which serves as a universal control panel for all smart devices of the brand. Although its main function is to manage the smart home, it also allows you to stream media. To do this, add a TV to the app if you haven’t already, and go to the device card. The control interface often features a “Translation” button or the ability to select files from the phone gallery for display.

The alternative is the official Xiaomi Remote app (or Mi Remote), which emulates the remote control over Wi-Fi. It is especially useful if the physical remote is lost or discharged. Through the interface of this application you can open applications on the TV, control playback and, in some versions, send photos and videos from the local memory of the smartphone to TV.

The advantage of using branded apps is that it integrates more deeply with the hardware of your TV, so you can access audio settings, calibrate images, or install apps directly from your phone, but it is less effective than native AirPlay or Chromecast for streaming videos from online services.

Alternative applications for broadcasting (Cast clients)

In situations where built-in methods are unstable or require advanced features (such as streaming video in formats that the standard TV player does not support), third-party solutions come to the rescue. The Xiaomi app store (Google Play Store or GetApps) offers many options. One of the most popular and functional is the Web Video Caster app or its counterparts.

The way these apps work is that they take a link to the video stream and tell the TV to play it directly, bypassing the phone as a data intermediary (after initial buffering), which reduces the load on the smartphone and saves battery power. You just open the video in your browser or app on your iPhone, select Share and your Cast client icon.

Another popular option is to use intermediary apps that emulate the DLNA protocol or create their own communication channel, such as TV Cast for Xiaomi, which allows you to stream videos and also stream tabs on the Safari browser, which is especially important for viewing content from sites that block standard AirPlay or do not have their own Smart TV app.

Wired connection via Lightning/USB-C adapter

For users who are critically important to connect stability, no delays (input lag) and maximum image quality without compression, there is a wired method. Since Xiaomi TVs do not have a Lightning or Thunderbolt port, you will need a digital adapter. For modern iPhones, this will be a USB-C to HDMI adapter (for iPhone 15 and newer) or Lightning to Digital AV Adapter (for older models).

The connection is simple: an adapter is inserted into the iPhone charging connector, an HDMI cable is connected to the adapter, and the second end of the HDMI cable is inserted into the Xiaomi TV port. After that, you need to switch the signal source on the TV to the appropriate port, for example, HDMI 1 or HDMI 2. The image will appear instantly, without the need to configure the network or pairing.

The main advantage of this method is independence from the quality of Wi-Fi. You can play games from your phone on a large screen or work with documents without fear of communication breaks. However, there is a disadvantage: the phone is physically tethered to the TV by a cable, which limits mobility. In addition, some adapters require external power for stable operation, especially if you plan to broadcast content in high resolution.

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Wired connectivity is the only way to guarantee zero signal latency, making it the ideal choice for mobile games and real-time presentations.

Problem Solving and Frequently Asked Questions

Even if you follow all the instructions, you can have technical difficulties. Often users complain that the TV simply "can't see" the iPhone. In this case, the first thing you need to do is check the firewall settings on the router. Some security features, such as AP Isolation, prevent devices on the LAN from communicating with each other. Disabling this feature in the router settings usually solves the problem.

Another common problem is desynchronization of sound and image. This often happens when using cheap Wi-Fi adapters or when overloading a wireless channel with neighboring networks. Try rebooting the router or switching the TV to another frequency range. If the problem persists, resetting the network settings on the TV through the Settings menu → Network Resetting Network → Can help clear the error cache.

⚠️ Warning: If there is sound but the image is black or twitchy, try changing the output resolution on your iPhone. → Screen and brightness and make sure no experimental zoom modes are installed.

Below are answers to the most popular questions that will help you quickly understand the nuances of the connection.