Modern users often face the need to bring content from a smartphone to the big screen to watch movies, photos or games. Owners of the Apple ecosystem and Xiaomi TVs are no exception, but the process of pairing devices of different brands can raise questions. Screen Mirroring allows you to duplicate images in real time, which opens up new opportunities for using the multimedia features of your Xiaomi TV.
The main difficulty is that Apple uses the proprietary AirPlay protocol, while most Android TVs, including Xiaomi models, are initially focused on the Miracast standard. Fortunately, modern Smart TVs from the Chinese manufacturer often have built-in support for Apple protocols or allow you to easily install the necessary software. You do not need to be an expert in networking technologies to establish communication between devices.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available methods of connection, from native functions to third-party applications. We will look at the nuances of setting up a home Wi-Fi network, as it is the foundation for stable video streaming. The key to most methods is to find both devices on the same local Wi-Fi network (same SSID and frequency range).
Equipment preparation and network requirements
Before you start setting up your software, you need to make sure that your devices are physically and networkly ready. Often, connection problems arise from a simple mismatch of firmware versions or differences in Wi-Fi ranges. Make sure your Smart TV is connected to the Internet and has an up-to-date version of the MIUI for TV or Android TV operating system.
Note the frequency of the wireless network. For high-resolution video (Full HD or 4K), it is recommended to use the 5 GHz band, as it provides higher bandwidth and lower latency. If your router broadcasts one network with combined frequencies, this is also acceptable, but in noisy ether conditions, image artifacts can be observed.
Check the iOS version on your iPhone. For the stable operation of the Screen Replay feature, iOS 12 or later is desirable, although basic AirPlay support is available on older versions. Also make sure that the phone does not include the Power Saving mode, which may limit the background activity of network modules.
⚠️ Note: If your router has a Guest Network feature, make sure it doesn’t isolate devices from each other (AP Otherwise, the iPhone will simply “not see” the TV in the list of available devices, even if they are connected to the same router.
Using the built-in AirPlay feature on Xiaomi TVs
Many modern Xiaomi TVs, especially those running Android TV or Google certified, already have Apple AirPlay 2 built-in support. This is the easiest and most reliable way to do this without needing to install additional software. To check for this feature, go to the TV settings menu.
On the remote control, click the settings button or go to the Settings section. → Annexes → AirPlay.In some PatchWall firmware, the path may be different: My apps → AirPlay. Make sure the feature is activated and in standby mode. A confirmation code may appear on the TV screen or QR-code.
☑️ Checking AirPlay on TV
Now take your iPhone. Open Control Point (swipe down from the top right corner on Face ID models or swipe up on button models). Click on Screen Replay icon (two rectangles). Your Xiaomi TV should appear on the list of available devices. If you see your device, just select it.
Once selected, a connection request may appear on the TV screen. Use the remote to confirm an action or enter the code displayed on the iPhone screen. The image from the phone will instantly appear on the large screen. To stop broadcasting, open Control Point again and click Stop Replay.
Installation of applications-receivers for old TV models
If your Xiaomi TV model doesn’t have AirPlay built-in support (which is typical of older versions of PatchWall firmware without Android TV), you’ll need a third-party receiver app.
The most popular and stable solutions are AirScreen, ApowerMirror or Receiver for AirPlay, which can be found in the official Google Play Store on the TV itself, and once installed, the application must be launched and given the necessary permissions to access the local network.
| Annex | Type of license | 4K support | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirScreen | Freemium | Yes. | High stability, support for Google Home |
| ApowerMirror | Paid/Trial | Yes. | Additional management functions |
| TvCast Pro | Paid | No. | Simple interface, low resource consumption |
| LocalCast | Free. | Depends on the codec. | Emphasis on media files, not mirroring |
Once you run the app on your TV, it will display the device name and possibly the connection instructions. Go back to your iPhone, open Screen Replay, and select the name listed in the running app on your TV. The latency when using third-party apps can be slightly higher than when using a native connection.
Why can the app fly out?
Broadcasting via Chromecast and Google Home
Because many Xiaomi TVs run Android TVs, they have built-in support for Google Cast (Chromecast built-in) technology. Although this is not full screen mirroring in the classic AirPlay sense, this method is often preferred for watching videos from apps.
To use this method, you will need the Google Home app on your iPhone. Install it from the App Store and log in to your Google account. The app will automatically find Chromecast or Android TV devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
In the Google Home app, select your Xiaomi TV from the list of devices. In the control menu that opens, click the Cast my screen button. iPhone will alert you that everything that happens on the screen will be recorded and request confirmation.
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Use Chromecast for YouTube and Netflix to stream videos directly from the internet servers to the TV, unloading the iPhone battery and phone processor.
This is ideal for displaying presentations, web pages or videos that don't have DRM protection against copying, but for fast-fashion games, it may not be suitable because of the possible desynchronization of sound and image, so it's better to go back to AirPlay-based methods.
Solving Connection Problems
Even with the right setup, users can run into difficulties. The most common problem is that the phone can't see the TV. Make sure the router doesn't have a client-separation system. Also try rebooting the router, as the multicast packets needed to detect the devices sometimes get stuck in the router buffer.
If the image is broadcasting but is interrupted or has a low resolution, the problem may be a weak Wi-Fi signal. Get closer to the router or use a Wi-Fi repeater. It is also worth checking whether the iPhone is running background downloads that can "strangle" the broadcast channel.
⚠️ Warning: When broadcasting through third-party apps (AirScreen and analogues), the sound can only go through the TV, and the iPhone microphone can activate. Remember to turn off the microphone in the receiver app settings if you don't need it to avoid echoes.
If you black screen when playing video in applications like Netflix or Movie Search, this means that HDCP protection works. Full mirroring of protected content is often blocked. In such cases, use the native “Translate” button inside the video player application itself, rather than the “Screen Replay” function.
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The stability of the broadcast depends on the quality of the Wi-Fi signal and the absence of interference in the air, not on the power of the TV itself.
Comparison of methods and final recommendations
The best way to view photos and videos from the gallery is to use the native AirPlay or AirScreen app. For YouTube and streaming services, the built-in Chromecast is preferable, as it provides better picture quality and does not discharge the phone.
Gamers should be careful: any wireless broadcast will cause latency (input lag). For dynamic shooters or fighting games, wireless connectivity may not be suitable. In such cases, consider using wired Lightning-to-HDMI adapters, although they require additional costs and do not support all iPhone models equally well.
Update your Xiaomi TV firmware regularly. Engineers are constantly improving compatibility with Apple protocols and streamlining network modules. Sometimes one updated version of the software solves problems that users have been trying to get around for months.
And remember, data security is important even when broadcasting a screen, don't display sensitive information, banking apps or personal communications on your TV, especially if you're not at home. In public places or offices, always check the name of the device you're connecting to.