Modern users of smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi are often faced with the desire to watch captured videos or downloaded movies on the big screen. Although wireless transmission technologies such as Miracast or Chromecast have become the standard, a wired connection via USB remains the most stable and reliable method. This is especially true if there is no fast Wi-Fi or the need to view content in maximum quality without compression.
Ecosystem owners Xiaomi have a unique advantage thanks to the shell MIUI and pre-installed applications that simplify the interaction between the mobile device and the TV. However, the process is not always obvious to a beginner, as it requires an understanding of the operating modes of the USB port and the correct selection of player applications. In this article we will look in detail at how to turn your smartphone into a media server or drive for a TV.
It is worth noting right away that there are two fundamentally different scenarios for using USB in this combination. The first is when you connect your phone as a flash drive to the TV, and the second is when the phone controls playback of the file on the TV via DLNA. We will look at both options, paying special attention to the technical nuances of connecting cables and system settings.
Preparing equipment and choosing the right cable
The first and most critical step is choosing a cable. Not all wires in the box are suitable for data transmission. Many bundled cables are designed solely for charging and do not have internal signal lines. You will need a high-quality standard cable USB Type-C with support for data transfer.
If you plan to connect your phone directly to the USB port of the TV, make sure that the port on the panel Xiaomi TV supports reading external drives. Typically, such ports are marked with a flash drive icon or the inscription HDD. Using ports intended only for service will not work.
⚠️ Attention: Using cheap cables without shielding can lead to signal loss when transmitting high-definition video
4K. If the image is interrupted, try replacing the wire with a shorter and better one.
☑️ Checking readiness for connection
The length of the cable also matters. For comfortable use, a length of at least 1.5 meters is recommended so that the phone does not hang suspended near the TV connector. This will reduce the mechanical load on the device port and prevent possible damage to the contact group.
Configuring a Xiaomi smartphone to operate in storage mode
After physically connecting the cable, the phone can switch to charging mode by default. In order for the TV to see the files, you must manually change the USB operating mode. On smartphones with a shell MIUI this is done through the notification curtain.
Lower the top notification panel and find the message “Charging the device via USB”. Click on it to expand the mode selection menu. You need to select item File transfer or MTP. It is this protocol that allows the TV to see the internal memory of the smartphone as an external hard drive.
In some cases, the system may request permission to access data. Confirm the action by clicking “Allow” on the smartphone screen. Without this confirmation, the phone's file system will remain hidden from external devices, even if the cable is working.
If the File Transfer option does not appear, try unlocking the phone screen and reconnecting the cable. Also check the developer settings, where you can force the default USB mode.
It is worth considering that when the file transfer mode is active, the speed of the smartphone itself may decrease slightly, since system resources are spent on servicing the external connection. This is normal behavior of the memory controller.
Connecting and navigating the Xiaomi TV interface
As soon as the phone is switched to storage mode, go to the TV. On the remote control, press the signal source selection button Input or the square icon with an arrow. In the menu that appears, select the appropriate port USB.
Interface PatchWall or standard shell Android TV automatically launch the file manager or offer to open the media player. The TV will scan the connected device and display the folder structure. Navigation is carried out using standard remote control buttons.
| Port type | Maximum speed | 4K video support | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB 2.0 | up to 480 Mbit/s | Limited (up to 1080p) | Photos, music, old movies |
| USB 3.0 | up to 5 Gbit/s | Yes (high bitrate) | 4K movies, heavy files |
| USB-C (TV) | depends on the version | Yes | Universal connection |
If the TV does not see the phone, try changing the port. There are often multiple connectors on the back panel, and one of them may be disabled in software or have power restrictions. Reconnecting to another slot often solves the problem of device detection.
Using the built-in player and third-party applications
Native TV media player Xiaomi supports most popular formats, but may not cope with heavy codecs or specific containers. To watch movies with expansion .mkv or .avi with high bit rates, it is better to install a third-party application.
It is recommended to install applications VLC for Android or MX Playeron the TV. These players have their own codecs and are capable of playing almost any video content without conversion. They can be found in the official store Google Play on the TV.
After installing a third-party player, go to the TV settings and select the default application to open video files. This will save you from having to manually select a app every time you click on a file in Explorer.
⚠️ Attention: When playing files with subtitles, make sure that the subtitle file has the same name as the video file and is in the same folder. Otherwise, automatic loading will not work.
If the built-in player slows down during playback, try disabling hardware acceleration in its settings or, conversely, enabling it if it was turned off. Experimenting with decoding settings often helps eliminate image artifacts.
Alternative method: Broadcasting via DLNA and Wi-Fi
Although the topic of the article is devoted to a USB connection, we cannot fail to mention a more modern method - broadcasting over a local network. If your phone and TV Xiaomi are connected to the same router, you can stream video wirelessly using technology DLNA.
To do this on your smartphone, just open the video in the gallery or player, click the “Broadcast” button (the screen icon with waves) and select your TV. The file is not copied, but streamed to the TV, which acts as a renderer.
Advantages of DLNA over USB
When using DLNA, the phone remains completely free for other tasks. You can minimize the player, answer calls or use instant messengers while the movie is playing on the TV. In addition, there is no risk of the phone draining, since it does not power the data circuit through the cable.
This method is ideal for quickly watching videos, but may be less stable for movies weighing more than 10 GB if your Wi-Fi network is busy with neighbors or has low speed in distant rooms.
Solving common problems and playback errors
One of the common problems is the message “File not supported” or lack of sound when there is an image. This indicates that the TV does not have a built-in codec for this track. The solution is to install the omnivorous player mentioned above.
Users also complain about the smartphone overheating when connected for a long time via USB. Indeed, the mode MTP creates a load on the controller. It is recommended to remove the case from the phone for better heat dissipation and not to run heavy games on the smartphone while watching a movie on TV.
The main cause of playback errors is the incompatibility of the audio codec (for example, DTS or AC3) with the licensing restrictions of the TV, and not a cable malfunction.
If the connection is constantly interrupted, check the power saving settings. In MIUI Optimization mode, the system can aggressively close background processes responsible for the USB connection, considering them inactive.
⚠️ Attention: MIUI and Android TV interfaces are updated regularly. The location of menu items and mode names may differ in new firmware versions. Always check the latest help in your device settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I charge my phone from the TV while watching?
Yes, when connected via USB, the phone usually starts charge, but the current may not be sufficient to compensate for the power consumption of the screen and processor. It is better to connect the phone to a separate outlet.
Why does the TV only see photos, but not video?
Most likely, the wrong USB mode is selected on the phone (charging only) or the phone’s file system is not readable by the TV. Try switching the mode to MTP in the notification shade.
Does Xiaomi TV support the NTFS format?
Most modern models Xiaomi with Android TV support the NTFS file system, which allows you to copy files larger than 4 GB. Older models can only work with FAT32.
How to output sound to external speakers when watching from a phone?
If the TV is connected to the sound system via HDMI ARC or an optical cable, the sound will go there automatically. Sound output settings are located in the section Settings → Sound.
Can playback be controlled from the phone?
When connected via USB as a storage device - no, control only with the TV remote control. When broadcasting via Wi-Fi (DLNA/Chromecast) - yes, the phone works as a remote control.