Modern smartphones Xiaomi i Redmi have powerful screens, but sometimes you want to broadcast content to a large display. Users often look for a way to connect to a TV via a USB cable, believing that this is the easiest and most reliable method of data transfer. However, unlike HDMI, the USB connector is not designed for direct picture-to-picture video transmission without the use of special protocols or applications.
Nevertheless, USB connection remains an indispensable tool for accessing your media library. You can open files on your TV, play videos or music using your phone as an external storage device. This is especially true when Wi-Fi is unstable or you need maximum transfer speeds for heavy 4K files. In this article, we will look at all the nuances of pairing devices, setting port operating modes and possible system limitations MIUI.
It is important to note right away that you will not be able to broadcast desktop images (mirroring) via a regular USB cable using standard Android tools. This requires special adapters or software solutions. However, if your goal is access to files, photos and videos, then a wired connection will provide stable operation without delays and quality compression.
Technical limitations and capabilities of USB on Xiaomi
Before proceeding with the physical connection, you need to understand the architecture of the ports. Most smartphones Xiaomi are equipped with a port USB Type-Cthat supports the OTG (On-The-Go) standard. This allows the device to operate in host mode, accepting peripherals, or in device mode (UDC), connecting to a computer or TV to transfer data.
When you connect the phone to the TV via USB, the TV sees the smartphone as an external hard drive or flash drive. In this mode direct broadcast of the video stream from the screen is impossible, you only have access to the file system. This is a fundamental difference from technologies Miracast or Chromecastthat operate via Wi-Fi and transmit the video signal.
There are exceptions for flagship models with support for video output via USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode). If your smartphone belongs to the series Xiaomi 13 Ultra or newer flagships with a USB 3.2 port, it is theoretically possible to transmit video through a special USB-C to HDMI adapter. But when connected directly with a USB-A to USB-C or USB-C to USB-C cable to the TV port, the operating mode is limited to the MTP or PTP data storage protocols.
⚠️ Attention: Not all USB ports on the TV are capable of providing sufficient voltage to charge a smartphone. In some cases, the phone may not be detected or may lose power during use. It is recommended to use ports marked "USB Power" or connect the phone to a separate power source if you plan to work for a long time.
The system Android based MIUI or HyperOS by default, when connecting the cable, selects the "Charge Only" mode. This is for security purposes to prevent unauthorized access to data when connecting to public charging stations. You will have to manually switch this option each time you connect to a new device.
Required equipment and preparation
To successfully establish a connection between the gadget and the TV, you will need a minimum set of equipment. The quality of the cable is critical: cheap cables often only support charging and do not have data lines. Use the original cable included in the kit or a certified analogue that supports USB 2.0 speeds and higher.
- 📱 Smartphone Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO with a working charging connector.
- 📺 TV that supports the function Media Player or work with USB devices (Smart TV or a regular one with a USB port).
- 🔌 High-quality USB cable (preferably original, no more than 1.5-2 meters long for a stable signal).
- 🎥 USB-C to HDMI adapter (only for flagship models with video output, optional).
Before connecting, make sure both devices are turned on. On your TV, you may need to switch the signal source to the appropriate USB input, although modern Smart TVs often do this automatically. If you plan to use an HDMI adapter, make sure that it supports the resolution of your screen, for example 1920×1080 or 3840×2160.
It is also worth checking the condition of the smartphone connector. Dust or lint in the port Type-C can prevent the data lines from making tight contact, even if charging is proceeding normally. Gently clean the connector with a dry soft brush or compressed air before starting the procedure.
Step-by-step guide: storage mode (MTP)
This is the most common use case. You connect your phone to the TV with a cable, and the TV gets access to folders with photos and videos. First connect the devices with a cable. A notification about USB connection will appear on the smartphone screen.
Click on the notification or go to Settings → Connected devices → USB. In the menu that opens, select the operating mode. The default is "Charging only". You need to select "File transfer" or "MTP" (Media Transfer Protocol). It is this mode that allows the TV to see the file system.
☑️ Checking the MTP connection
After selecting the mode, take the TV remote control. Press the source selection button (often indicated as SOURCE, INPUT or a square icon with an arrow). Your smartphone should appear in the list of available devices. It may be called the phone model or simply “USB Device”.
Having selected the device, you will see the folder structure. Navigation is carried out by remote control. Find the folder DCIM for photos or MIUI / Download for downloaded videos. Launching the file will open it with the built-in player of the TV, so some video formats may not be supported by the TV, even if the phone plays them.
⚠️ Attention: The USB menu interface in MIUI may differ depending on the shell version. If you don't see the mode switch in the notification, go to
Settings → About phone → (tap "MIUI version" 7 times)to activate the developer menu, then in advanced settings find "Default USB configuration."
Using an HDMI adapter for screen broadcast
If your goal is screen duplication, and not just viewing files, a regular USB cable will not help. You will need an active adapter USB-C to HDMI. It is important to understand that this method only works on smartphones whose processor and power controller support video output through the port.
Connect the adapter to the smartphone, and to the adapter - an HDMI cable going to the TV. Often such adapters have an additional USB port for connecting charging, since the video output mode consumes a lot of energy. Connect power to the adapter.
Switch the TV to the appropriate HDMI input. If your device is compatible, the phone's image will instantly appear on the screen. In the settings Xiaomi a menu may appear Display settingswhere you can select the resolution and refresh rate, for example 60 Hz or 120 Hzif the TV supports it.
It is worth noting that with this connection the phone can get very hot. The system MIUI may limit the brightness or performance of the processor to protect against overheating. It is recommended to ensure good ventilation of the device or remove the case while watching.
Why does the adapter not work on my Xiaomi?
Not all Xiaomi smartphones support video output via USB-C. This feature is usually only available in flagship series (Mi 10 Ultra, Mi 11, Xiaomi 12/13/14 Pro/Ultra). Budget Redmi and POCO models most often lack this hardware capability, and no adapter will force them to transmit a video signal through the charging port.
Alternative methods of connecting and transferring data
Since a wired connection has limitations, it is worth considering wireless alternatives, which are often more convenient for viewing content. The technology Miracast is built into most Smart TVs and Xiaomi smartphones. It allows you to broadcast the screen wirelessly with minimal delay.
To activate, open the notification shade on your phone and select the function Broadcast or Cast. The phone will find available devices on the Wi-Fi network. You can also use the application Google Home to broadcast via Chromecast, if your TV supports this technology.
tr>
| Method | Image quality | Latency | Wi-Fi dependent |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB (MTP) | Original file | No (file access) | No |
| USB-C to HDMI | Up to 4K HDR | Minimal | No |
| Miracast | Compressed (depending on the signal) | Medium | No (Direct) |
| Chromecast | High (stream) | Low | Yes |
Another option is to use DLNA servers. By installing a server application on your phone (for example, BubbleUPnP or built-in player Mi Video), you can share the video file and open it on the TV through the client application. In this case, the phone acts as a server, and the TV reads the data stream over the local network.
To watch heavy 4K movies with high bitrates, a wired USB connection (drive mode) is often more reliable than a wireless one, since the Wi-Fi network may not be able to handle the data stream, causing buffering.
Solving common problems and errors
Often users are faced with a situation where the phone is charging, but the TV does not see it. First of all, check the cable. Many cables that come with cheap devices or are purchased separately are “charging” cables and do not have internal contacts for data transfer. Replace the cable with a known working one, for example, from a tablet or other smartphone.
If the cable is working, the problem may be in the file system. TVs often do not support the file system exFAT or NTFS as standard, preferring the good old FAT32. However, modern Android smartphones use an internal file system, which accessed via MTP must ignore this limitation. If the TV sees folders but does not open files, try installing a third-party video player with codecs on your phone, for example VLC, and open the file through it by selecting the "Broadcast" function or passing the path to the file.
In some cases, enabling USB debugging helps. Log in Settings → About phone → Tap on "MIUI Version" 7 times. Then go to Advanced → For developers and enable USB debugging. This can help the system correctly determine the connection protocol, although this mode is mainly intended for application developers.
⚠️ Attention: In new versions of Android and MIUI, when you first connect to a new computer or device (including some TVs), a request for debugging permission appears on the phone screen. You must click "Allow", otherwise the connection in data transfer mode will not be established.
If all else fails, check the power saving settings. Aggressive battery settings may block the USB port from operating in data transfer mode to save battery. Try disabling the power saving mode for the duration of the connection.
90% of problems with connecting Xiaomi to TV via USB are solved by replacing the cable with a high-quality analogue that supports data transfer or manually changing the port operating mode in notifications.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to play games on TV via a USB cable?
No, you cannot play in MTP mode via a regular USB cable, since only access to files is transferred. For games, you need a USB-C to HDMI adapter (if the phone supports video output) or the use of wireless mirroring technologies (Miracast), although games may have input lag.
Why does the TV write "Unsupported format" when connecting Xiaomi?
This means that the TV cannot