Owning a modern smartphone involves many features that are often hidden from the eyes of the average user. One of these features is the presence of an infrared transmitter that turns the gadget into a universal remote control. Owners of budget and mid-budget models often wonder about the presence of this module, since it allows you to control household appliances without finding the original remotes.
Xiaomi Redmi 9 has become a hit with sales due to its balance between price and performance, but questions about its hardware are still relevant. Infrared port is not just a marketing feature, but a real tool for creating a smart home that can be critical for many users. Understanding where it is located and how to activate it will help unlock the full potential of your device.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the design of a smartphone so you know exactly where to look, and we will also discuss the software required for the transmitter to operate and the possible reasons why it may not work even if it is physically present in the device.
Design features of the Redmi 9 body
The design of Redmi smartphones often follows certain canons set by the manufacturer: the upper edge of the device is usually reserved for a headphone jack 3.5 mm, a second microphone for noise reduction and the speaker of the Hands-Free system. It is in this area that users traditionally look for an IR window, since in older Xiaomi models it is often located there.
However, if you look closely at the top edge of the Redmi 9, you notice that there's no distinctive black or dark gray glass window that's usually hidden by an infrared diode. The body of the device in this part is made of plastic, and there's no additional cutouts, other than the ones already mentioned, there. This is the first visual sign that should alert the owner looking for the remote function.
Some users mistake the second microphone for the IR port. It's important to understand that the microphone is solely for audio capture during a speakerphone conversation or video recording, and has nothing to do with signal transmission. The diameter of this hole is too small to accommodate a full-fledged emitter, and its internal structure does not meet the requirements for IR communication.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to clear the upper microphone hole with sharp objects in the hope of finding a hidden port – this is guaranteed to damage the microphone membrane and lose warranty.
The lack of a visible window on the end does not always mean no function, but in the case of this model, it is a key indicator. Manufacturers sometimes hide the emitter under the cover of the rear panel, but in the budget segment such solutions are extremely rare due to the cost of components.
IR module in the Redmi 9 specifications
To clear up the doubts, we need to look at the official technical specifications provided by Xiaomi: the documentation for the Redmi 9 model (global version of the M2004C3MG and others) clearly indicates a set of wireless interfaces in the section of the communication modules: there are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and, of course, the main radio module, but the IR Blaster transmitter is not on the list.
This is confirmed by the analysis of the market: in 2020, when this smartphone was released, manufacturers began to massively abandon the installation of infrared ports in the budget segment (Redmi Note series and basic Redmi), leaving this feature for more expensive Mi lines (now Xiaomi) and flagship models. The economy of components allowed to reduce the retail price, but deprived the device of the ability to control the TV out of the box.
There is a common myth that different regions ship versions with different features, that the Chinese version has a port, and the global version has a cut. In the case of Redmi 9, this is not the case: none of the known modifications, including the Chinese version of Redmi 9, are equipped with an infrared transmitter. It is a single solution for all markets.
So the specifications are clear: If you are offered an application that promises to “activate the hidden IR port” on Redmi 9, know that the software will not be able to create a hardware function where it is not physically present.
How to program to check the presence of an IR transmitter
Even if you don't find the port visually, you can do software diagnostics. Android and the MIUI shell (or HyperOS) have built-in mechanisms for determining the hardware you're connected to, and the easiest way is to try to install and run a standard Mi Remote (Mi Remote) application.
When it first starts, the app scans the device, and if the IR port is missing, Mi Remote will either not install from the Play Market (it will say "Device is not compatible"), or it will issue a warning when it starts that the device does not support this feature, which is the fastest and most reliable method of software verification.
You can also use third-party diagnostic tools that read the list of available sensors, and you can see the "Devices" or "Sensors" section on the engineering menu or through applications like CPU-Z or AIDA64, and if you don't mention Infrared or Consumer IR, you don't have a module on the system.
Don’t rely on third-party apps from the store that promise to emulate a remote over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth without an IR port. While they can control some Smart TVs, this is not a complete replacement for an infrared emitter that works with any technology, even old and without access to the Internet.
Alternative ways to control equipment without an IR port
The lack of a built-in IR emitter in Redmi 9 doesn’t mean you can’t control your TV or air conditioner from your phone. Current technology offers several efficient workarounds that often work even more stable than older infrared remotes.
The first and most popular method is to use Wi-Fi control. Most modern TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips) and air conditioners support connection to the home network. By downloading the official application of the manufacturer (for example, LG ThinQ, SmartThings for Samsung or Mi Home for Xiaomi equipment), you can fully control the device.
- 📱 Remote Apps: Install a TV manufacturer app or universal solutions like Google Home.
- 📶 Wi-Fi network: Make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same network.
- 🔗 Synchronization: Follow the instructions on the TV screen to pair devices.
The second option is to use external IR transmitters that connect via a USB Type-C or 3.5mm Jack connector, which are small whistles that physically connect to a smartphone and emulate the operation of the built-in port, which require power from the phone, but allow you to use all the functions of the Mi Remote application.
⚠️ Note: When buying an external IR transmitter, make sure it is compatible with the OTG (On-The-Go) as Redmi 9 supports this feature, but some cheap adapters may not work without additional power.
Comparison of Xiaomi models with an IR port and without
To better understand the positioning of the Redmi 9, it is useful to compare it with other models of the brand. The table below shows the presence of an infrared port in popular Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones from different years of release, which will help you navigate if you plan to buy a new device for this feature.
| Smartphone model | Year of release | Availability of an IR port | Location. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Redmi 9 | 2020 | No. | Absent. |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro | 2020 | Yes. | Upper end |
| Xiaomi Redmi 10 | 2021 | Yes. | Upper end |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite | 2021 | No. | Absent. |
| Poco X3 NFC | 2020 | Yes. | Upper end |
As you can see from the table, having an IR port in the budget segment is a lottery. While the Redmi Note 9 Pro and the subsequent Redmi 10 retained this feature, the base Redmi 9 and many Lite versions have abandoned it, due to the company's internal policy of line differentiation.
Interestingly, in newer models such as the Redmi 12 or 13 series, Xiaomi has again started to bring back infrared ports en masse, even in budget models, realizing the demand for the feature among users.
Customization of the universal remote (for models with a port and Wi-Fi)
If you do decide to use alternative management methods, or if you have a port device, it is important to set up the software correctly. For models with an IR port (or when using an external console), the Mi Remote app is the main tool. It is pre-installed or available for download.
The setup process starts with the type of device (TV, Air Conditioning, console) and then asks the app to select a brand and run a series of test signals, you have to confirm the response of the equipment to the commands being sent, and the code database in the application is huge, allowing you to pick up a signal even for rare equipment.
☑️ Setup Mi Remote
To control over Wi-Fi (relevant to Redmi 9), the process is similar, but requires a network. You add the device to the Google Home or Mi Home app, and then the smartphone becomes a full remote, and the advantage of this method is that it can be voice-controlled through Google Assistant, which is not possible with a conventional IR port.
⚠️ Attention: When managing over Wi-Fi, it is critical that the router is stable. If the network goes down, you will lose the ability to turn off the TV or change settings, unlike an IR remote, which operates autonomously.
Remember to update databases regularly in remote applications. Tech manufacturers are constantly releasing new models, and old codes may not work with the latest TVs without updating the remote software.