Smartphones are no longer just a means of communication, becoming universal tools for managing the digital environment. A prime example of this integration is the Mi remote, which was originally created for the brand’s TVs but now can replace many physical buttons. Xiaomi Redmi 8 owners often do not even realize that they have a device in their pocket that can control the air conditioner, console or audio system without having to look for original remotes.
A key feature that makes this possible is the presence of a special infrared port in your smartphone, which allows you to transmit signals to household appliances, mimicking the work of a standard remote control. If you just bought a Redmi 8 or decided to understand the functionality of your gadget, understanding the principles of operation of Mi Remote will be a great starting point for optimizing home electronics use.
In this article, we will take a look at how to activate, configure and effectively use the built-in IR control capabilities. You will learn about calibration intricacies, possible compatibility issues and how to solve them. The infrared port on Redmi 8 is located on the upper end of the case, next to the headphone jack, and requires line of sight for stable operation.
What is an IR port and how does it work in Redmi 8?
Infrared port, or IR-blaster, is a physical module that emits light waves in a spectrum invisible to the human eye. Unlike Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, which use radio waves, infrared communication requires that the smartphone emitter be directed directly to the receiver of the controlled device. This provides reliable command transmission, but imposes limits on the angle of coverage.
In the Xiaomi Redmi 8, this module is integrated into the top of the body. The MIUI software shell (or its successor HyperOS) contains a system application that translates digital commands into a series of light pulses. Each series corresponds to a specific button on the physical remote, whether it is switching the channel or adjusting the volume.
The main advantage of IR communication is its versatility and independence from the operating system of the receiving device. TV or air conditioner does not care what version of Android you have, as long as the frequency and encoding of the signal coincide with the application's database.
⚠️ Attention: Infrared signal does not pass through walls and does not reflect well from surfaces. For successful control, make sure that there are no physical barriers between the upper end of the Redmi 8 and the receiver of the equipment.
It is worth noting that the range is usually 7-10 meters, which is quite enough for a standard living room, but in bright sunlight, efficiency can be reduced due to interference in the infrared spectrum.
Search and launch the Mi Remote app
On Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, the app is often pre-installed by default, and it can be called "Mi Remote," "Mi Remote," or simply "Remote," and can be found in the Tools folder on your desktop or searched by system. If the standard app has been removed, it can be easily returned via the GetApps store or Google Play.
When you first start up, the system will request permissions, such as giving you access to the location (to select devices by region) and allowing the use of the IR port, without which the application will be limited or completely inoperable.
The interface is as simple as possible. The home screen displays cards of devices already added. To add a new gadget, you use a large + button or the menu item Add Device. The algorithm suggests choosing the type of equipment from the list: TV, console, air conditioner, projector, fan or receiver.
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If the standard application does not find your model of technology, try to search for devices to specify the brand manufacturer of the matrix or the main chip, and not the brand of the TV body.
It is important to understand the difference between Wi-Fi and IR port. Some modern Xiaomi Mi TVs or Android TVs can be connected over the network, which does not require a pointing phone. However, for classic equipment such as the old Sony or Samsung, only the IR signal emulation mode is available.
The process of adding and configuring a new device
Setting up a new device is a step-by-step process that does not require special technical knowledge. After choosing a type of equipment (for example, “TV”) and a brand (for example, “LG”), the application will go into testing mode.
You need to point the top of the Redmi 8 to the device you control and press the on-screen button. The app will ask, "Is the device reacting?" If the TV is turned off or the beep is sounding, select "Yes." If there is no response, "No," and the system will suggest the next code.
The process of code selection can take anywhere from seconds to minutes, as the database contains hundreds of variations of signals for the same brand. After successful testing of the main feature, the system will suggest saving the configuration and assigning it a name, for example, "TV in the living room."
☑️ Checklist of successful setup
You can then configure additional functions, such as for a TV, you can add buttons to switch the source of the signal (Input) or call the app menu, and for air conditioners, you can adjust the temperature and direction of the airflow.
Compatibility table and types of supported equipment
The Mi Remote app database covers thousands of home appliances, but it’s important to understand that support is not just brand-specific, but also product year and regional, and the following table shows the coverage of supported categories.
| Type of device | Supported brands | Required functions | Probability of success |
|---|---|---|---|
| Television | Samsung, LG, Sony, Xiaomi, Philips | IR port or Wi-Fi | High (95%) |
| Air conditioner | Haier, Gree, Electrolux, Ballu | Only the IR port. | Medium (80%) |
| set-top box | MI Box, Nvidia, Dune | IC or Bluetooth | High (90%) |
| Projector | BenQ, Epson, Xiaomi | Only the IR port. | Medium (75%) |
As you can see from the table, TVs and consoles are the most stable, and air conditioners and projectors sometimes have problems if the model is rare or industrial, and in such cases manual code selection may be required.
It’s worth noting that the app’s versatility allows you to control multiple devices at once.You can create a “Cinema Theatre” profile that will include a TV, a sound system, and dimming lights (if smart lamps are used), although the latter is more commonly used for Zigbee or Wi-Fi protocol.
⚠️ Warning: When you control air conditioners through an infrared port, your smartphone doesn't get reverse status. You won't see on the screen if the air conditioner is real unless you look at its display.
Secret Codes and Extended Functions
Extended functions and scenario creation
Mi Remote is not just a set of buttons; it allows you to create intelligent interaction scenarios, for example, the Smart Home feature in the Xiaomi ecosystem allows you to connect the remote to other devices, and you can set the TV to automatically turn on when you enter the room, if you have the appropriate sensors.
One of the useful features is the ability to duplicate buttons. If you're uncomfortable with the standard layout, many remotes allow you to change skins or adjust macros. A macro is a sequence of commands that can be executed at a single click, for example, the "Switch Off All" command can alternately turn off the lights, TV and receiver.
For advanced users, remotes can be copied. If you have a working but lost remote from old equipment, its signals can be “read” by another IR port (if you have a second smartphone or a special adapter) and transmitted to Redmi 8. However, in a standard application, copying signals from the remote to the remote directly without additional adapters is usually not supported, a codebase is required.
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The main value of the Mi Remote is the ability to combine the management of disparate equipment of different brands in one smartphone interface.
Also worth mentioning are widgets, which can be used to take frequently used buttons (like On/Off TV or 22°C Air Conditioning) directly to your Android desktop, eliminating the need to open the app every time, which is especially convenient for older people or people with disabilities.
Typical problems and ways to fix them
Despite the simplicity, users can face a number of problems, the most common of which is the lack of response of the device. First of all, check if the infrared port is physically working. Point the camera of another smartphone to the upper end of the Redmi 8 and press the button in the application. If you see a purple or white glow on the camera screen, then the port is intact.
The second common problem is the wrong brand or region choices, and some brands, like Dexp or Supra, use the same. OEM-If your brand is not, try to go through codes from major market players like Changhong or Hiseense.
The third problem is that the app itself is crashing, and it may or may not be able to freeze, and in this case, it is recommended that you clear the app's cache through the Settings menu → Apps → Mi Remote → Memory → Clean. If that doesn't work, removing updates or completely reinstalling the app often solves the problem.
⚠️ Warning: Do not stick tight protective glass or high-sided covers on the upper end of the smartphone, they can block the IR emitter and reduce the range to zero.
If nothing helps, it may be a hardware failure of the IR module, which happens after falls or moisture hits, in which case recovery is possible only in the service center, or you will have to use external IR adapters connected through the USB Type-C connector (although the Redmi 8 has a Micro-USB connector, which requires an appropriate adapter).