Using the Xiaomi Mi Box turns a regular TV into a powerful multimedia center, but it often becomes necessary to bring content directly from the smartphone, it can be a presentation, a family photo album or just a video from the gallery that is more convenient to watch on the big screen. Modern technology allows you to do this without unnecessary wires, using standards DLNA, Chromecast or Miracast.
The setup process depends on your mobile device’s operating system and the console firmware version. Android smartphone owners are more fortunate because Google’s ecosystem offers native integration. However, iPhone users can find working solutions through third-party applications. It’s important to understand that both devices must be on the same local network for stable operation.
In this article, we will look at all available streaming options, from built-in features to specialized software, learn how to avoid delays and desynchronization of sound, and look at typical connection errors and how to fix them to make your Android TV experience as comfortable as possible.
Technical requirements and network preparation
The foundation of uninterrupted image transmission is a high-quality wireless network. the Wi-Fi standard should support 5 GHz, especially if you plan to broadcast content in high resolution 4K or 1080p. At 2.4 GHz, interference from household appliances can occur, which will lead to jerks of the picture.
Make sure that the Xiaomi Mi Box S or newer model is connected to the router stably. The distance between the router and the TV should not be too large, otherwise the signal will weaken. To check the speed, you can run any video streaming directly on the console.
The second critical condition is that you don't have customer isolation in your router settings, and if you have AP Isolation enabled, devices on the network won't be able to see each other, and your phone's search for consoles won't work, and that's a common problem in public networks or hotel Wi-Fi.
- 📡 Use a dual-band router with standard support 802.11ac or newer.
- 🔌 Connect the console through HDMI port HDCP 2.2 4K content.
- 🔄 Update the Mi Box firmware to the latest version via the Settings menu.
- 📱 Turn off the mobile internet (LTE/5G) on the phone during settings to avoid conflicts.
⚠️ Note: If your router gives away two networks with the same name (Smart Connect), try splitting them or force them to connect both devices to a 5 GHz network.
Broadcasting through the built-in Chromecast
The easiest and most reliable way for Android devices is to use Google Cast technology, which is built into the Android TV operating system. You don't need to install additional apps on the console, basic functionality is enough. This method is ideal for YouTube, Netflix and other supported services.
To get started, open the app on your smartphone, find the broadcast icon (a rectangle with waves in the corner) and select your Xiaomi Mi Box from the list. The system will determine the available devices on the local network. The picture quality will be adjusted automatically depending on the channel speed.
It is important to note that some applications block the output of the image through the standard Cast due to the licensing restrictions of DRM. In such cases, the picture can be black, although the sound will go. This is normal and only gets by through the mirroring of the screen, which we will talk about below.
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To control volume and playback during the broadcast, use your phone as a remote control – this is more convenient than looking for buttons on the TV remote.
If the device is not, check the permissions in the Google Home app. It must have access to geolocation and local area network. Without these permissions, the device discovery protocol will not work.
Screen Mirroring (Screen Mirroring)
When you want to bring to the big screen exactly what is happening on the display of the phone (menus, games, browser), you use Miracast technology or Wireless Display. Unlike Chromecast, it transmits a video stream of the entire interface, not individual content, which puts a lot of stress on the processor and battery of the smartphone.
On Xiaomi consoles, this feature is often called “Translation” or “Wireless display”. TV-In the boxing, you can put it on standby mode. Then, on the phone in the notification curtain, select Translation, Smart View, or Projection».
Once connected, the image from the phone is completely copied to the TV. The screen resolution can change to match the proportions of the TV. Note that in horizontal phone mode, the TV can appear black stripes on the sides if aspect ratio_ doesn't match.
| Parameter | Chromecast | Miracast (Mirroring) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor booting | Low. | Tall. |
| Battery consumption | Moderate. | Very tall. |
| Video quality | Up to 4K HDR | Depends on the signal (usually 1080p) |
| Delay (Latency) | Minimum | Notable (0.5-2 sec) |
Why does the cursor twitch when mirroring?
Use of the Google Home app
If standard tools fail, the official Google Home app comes to the rescue, allowing you to control your smart home and stream your Android smartphone screen to any compatible Chromecast, including the Xiaomi Mi Box. It is a versatile tool for all situations.
Once you install the app and log in to your Google account, find your console in the device list. Click on the device icon, then select the "Cast my screen" button.
This is useful when you want to show the content of an application that doesn't have its own Cast button, for example, you can show maps, PDF documents, or corporate email interface, and you can control it entirely from your phone.
☑️ Pre-broadcast checks
Broadcast from iPhone and iPad (iOS)
Apple owners are facing difficulties, as the Xiaomi Mi Box runs on Android TV and does not have built-in AirPlay support. However, this problem is easy to solve by installing a third-party application on the console itself.
You'll need to go to the Google Play Store on your TV, find and install the AirScreen app, and when it launches, it will create an AirPlay virtual receiver. On your iPhone, open the Screen Replay option in (Control Point) and select the device that appears.
Transfer quality from iOS devices is usually very high, with minimal latency. This is a great way to show photos or videos from the iOS gallery. Some applications even support high-quality audio transmission, which is important for music streaming services.
⚠️ Warning: Free versions of reciprocating apps (like AirScreen) may display ads when you launch or have session time limits.
Transfer of photos and videos over a local area network (DLNA)
If your goal is to just watch a movie or a photo album, rather than broadcasting the entire screen, use the DLNA protocol. This is the most energy-efficient way, since the phone acts only as a remote control, and the console itself decodes the video.
To do this, install a media application server on your phone, such as BubbleUPnP, or use the built-in gallery functionality. On the TV side, run the Media Player or All Media Files app, and you'll see your phone in the source list.
Select the file you want on your smartphone and click Play on. The video will start to go on the TV, and the phone can be used for other tasks at this time, which is especially convenient for viewing heavy files that the phone may not be able to pull in high bitrate.
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DLNA allows you to watch video from your phone to TV without draining the battery of your smartphone and without occupying its screen.