Infrared port on Xiaomi smartphone: a complete guide to use in 2026

If you've ever noticed a small black rectangle on the top of your Xiaomi smartphone and wondered why you needed it -- it's probably an infrared (IR) port. This technology, which seemed obsolete 10 years ago, has suddenly returned to modern gadgets, with new features. Unlike Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, the infrared port works without a network connection and allows you to control household appliances up to 10 meters away.

In this article, we’ll look at which Xiaomi models have an IR port, how to activate it, which devices can be controlled with a smartphone, and why this feature may be more useful than it seems at first glance, and you’ll also learn about the hidden capabilities of the IR port, which are not even discussed in official instructions – for example, how to use it to automate a smart home or create your own control scenarios.

Spoiler: If you think an IR port is just for switching channels on a TV, you're missing at least 70 percent of its potential.

What is an infrared port and how it works in Xiaomi smartphones

An infrared port (IR port) is a module that sends and receives signals in the infrared range (wavelength). ~Unlike radio frequencies (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), the IR signal only travels within line of sight and does not pass through walls:

• ✅ Plus: no interference from other devices, high reliability of communication.
• ✅ Plus: No passwords or pairing required – just point your smartphone at the device.
• ❌ Minus: you need to precisely point the smartphone to the receiver (for example, to the TV).
• ❌ Disadvantages: Does not work through obstacles (walls, furniture).

In Xiaomi smartphones, the IR port is integrated into the top panel and looks like a small dark window (sometimes confused with a light sensor or a front camera), which is paired with the Mi Remote app (or remote control in Russian firmware), which is preloaded into the device's memory.

1. The smartphone sends an encoded IR signal.
2. The device (TV, air conditioning) recognizes the command.
3. The action is performed (turning on, switching the channel, changing the temperature).

Important: The IR port can't receive signals from other remotes, it only transmits commands, so you can't use the smartphone as a universal receiver to record signals from other devices (like an old air conditioner remote).

What Xiaomi models are equipped with an IR port (list for 2026)

Not all Xiaomi smartphones have an infrared port, and the company has been cutting back on the number of models with this feature in its Redmi and Redmi lineups. POCO Here is the current list of IR-ported devices (as of June 2026):

⚠️ Note: In budget models (Redmi) A2, POCO M5) The latest generation flagships (Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 14 Ultra) are missing the IR port, and it is not in foldable smartphones (Xiaomi). MIX Fold 3) and most devices for the global market (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Lite).

To find out if you have an IR port in your model, check:

1. The Mi Remote app is on the menu.
2. Technical specifications on the site mi.com (section "Sensors").
3. Visually, look for a black window next to the speaker or front camera.

💡

If your smartphone does not have an IR port, but you need a remote control, you can buy an external IR blaster (for example, BroadLink). RM4 Pro), which is connected over Wi-Fi and managed via an application.

How to set up and use the IR port on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Using an infrared port on Xiaomi is easier than it seems, and the whole process comes down to three steps: activating the module, adding the device, and setting up the commands. Let's take a closer look.

Step 1: Enabling the IR port

By default, the IR port is activated, but if it does not work:

1. Open the Settings. → Connections and sharing → Infrared port.
2. Make sure the switch is in the "On" position.
3. If there is no item, your model does not support the IR port.

Step 2: Adding the device to Mi Remote

Mi Remote is pre-installed on all supported models, and if it's not available, download it from Google Play.

Make sure the IR port is enabled in the settings|

Download/Update the Mi Remote app|

Bring the smartphone to the device (no further than 5 meters)|

Check that there are no obstacles to the signal (glass, film)

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Instructions for adding the device:

1. Open Mi Remote and click "Add Device".
2. Select a category (for example, "TV", "Air conditioning").
3. Specify the brand from the list (if yours is not, select Universal).
4. Point your smartphone to the device and press Test – if all is right, the device will react.

Step 3: Set up commands

After adding the device, you can:

• 📺 Edit buttons (hold your finger on any button in the app).
• 🔄 Create macros (for example, one button turns off the TV, air conditioning and lights).
• 📱 Add a widget to the main screen for quick access.

⚠️ Warning: If the device does not respond to commands, try:

• Reboot the smartphone.
• Remove and add the device again.
• Check if the IR port is covered with a cover or protective film.

What devices can be controlled through the IR port Xiaomi

The list of supported devices is wider than most users think, and in addition to standard TVs and air conditioners, Xiaomi’s IR port can control:

🔍 Hidden Opportunity: If your device is not in the Mi Remote database, you can manually add command codes:

1. In the app, select "Add manually".
2. Specify the frequency (usually 38 kHz for most devices).
3. Enter command codes (you can find them in the instructions for the device or on sites like Remote Central).

Hidden functions of the IR port: what Xiaomi can do, what they don’t talk about

Most users are limited to basic Mi Remote features, but the IR port on Xiaomi is capable of more. Here are 5 non-obvious features:

• 🤖 Automation with Google Assistant. You can create voice commands like, "OK, Google, turn on the TV on Netflix." → Google → Devices and sharing → Customize your home management. Add Mi Remote as a device. Create a routine on Google Home.

Timers and schedules.

In the Mi Remote app, you can program automatic actions, such as turning off the air conditioner every day at 23:00.

Game consoles.

Some PlayStation and Xbox (older generations) models support IR control, you can turn the console on/off or switch sources on the TV.

Smart sockets with IR control.

There are sockets (for example, BroadLink) SP3), which can be turned on/off via an IR signal, even if they are not connected to Wi-Fi.

Control from another smartphone.

If you have two Xiaomi smartphones with an IR port, you can configure one as a remote for the other (for example, for multimedia management).

💡 Useful Lifehack: If you often lose your TV remote, back up its commands in Mi Remote:

1. Add the TV to the app.
2. Export the settings to the file (some versions of the application have the option "Backup").
3. Save the file to the cloud or to your computer.

💡

The IR port consumes minimal energy – its use has little or no effect on battery life, unlike Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Problems with the IR port on Xiaomi: causes and solutions

Even if you set it up correctly, sometimes the IR port stops working, so let's look at the typical problems and the ways to solve them.

⚠️ Note: If the IR port stopped working after the firmware update, it could be a bug. Check the forums (for example, for example, 4PDA) Sometimes it helps to roll back on the previous version. MIUI or reset the Mi Remote app settings.

🛠️ Hardware malfunction: If the port doesn't work at all (it doesn't glow on the test), it may be damaged:

• Check if the IR diode burns when sending a command (you can see through the camera of another smartphone - it should flash purple).
• If not, contact the service center. Repair of the IR port costs 1,500-3,000 rubles (depending on the model).

Alternatives to the IR port: what to do if it is not in the smartphone

If your Xiaomi smartphone doesn't have an IR port, it doesn't mean you can't control it from your smartphone. There are several alternatives:

• 📡 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth-Many modern devices (Samsung TVs, LG, Midea air conditioners support control over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and this requires proprietary applications (for example, SmartThings for Samsung).
• 🔌 Smart hubs: Devices like Xiaomi Mi Home Hub or BroadLink RM4 Pro connect to the network and can send IR signals on command from a smartphone. Cost: from 2 000 rubles.
• 🤖 Voice assistants. If the technology supports Google Assistant or Alice, you can control her voice, for example: "Alice, turn on the TV on channel one".
• 🔄 Universal remotes: remotes such as Logitech Harmony or Xiaomi Mi Remote Bluetooth can replace a smartphone for controlling equipment. Price: from 1,500 rubles.

📌 Comparison of methods:

If you often control your appliances from a smartphone, the best option is a combination of an infrared port (for old technology) and Wi-Fi (for modern ones). QLED You can control it through SmartThings, and the 2010 Gree air conditioner can control it through an IR port.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the IR port on Xiaomi