How to turn a smartphone into a remote for a TV Xiaomi Mi: all ways and life hacks

Why do you need a smartphone instead of a standard remote?

Lost the native remote from Xiaomi Mi TV or it failed? Take your time to buy a new one - your smartphone can completely replace it. Modern Xiaomi TVs support control through mobile devices, and the functionality often exceeds the capabilities of the original remote. For example, you can use voice input, gestures or even automate scripts through Mi Home.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to turn an Android smartphone or iPhone into a universal remote for Xiaomi Mi TVs. TV 4/4A/4S/5/5X From the standard Mi Remote app to advanced alternatives, you'll know which method is right for you. And if you encounter connectivity issues, there's a problem-solving section at the end of this article on step-by-step solutions.

The advantages of using a smartphone as a remote:

• 🔄 No need to buy a new remote control – saving up to 2000₽
• 🎤 Voice control via Alice or Google Assistant
• 📱 Universality – One smartphone controls multiple devices
• 🔧 Advanced functions: timers, scripts, button settings

1. Official Mi Remote app: step-by-step customization

The most reliable way is to use Xiaomi’s proprietary Mi Remote app, which is pre-configured to work with Mi TVs and supports all the basic functions: channel switching, volume control, app launches, and even voice search.

How to connect:

1. Download Mi Remote from Google Play or App Store.
2. Launch the app and allow access to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
3. Choose the TV category → Xiaomi brand → model of your TV.
4. Click Add Device and follow the instructions on the screen.

If the TV is not automatically displayed:

• 🔌 Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🔄 Reboot the TV through the power button on the case.
• 📱 In the settings of the smartphone, turn on the developer mode → Debugging over Wi-Fi (for Android 11)+).

Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone

Connect your TV and phone to the same Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz)

Update the TV to the latest version

Allow the application to access location (for Bluetooth)

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2. Alternative applications: which is better than Mi Remote?

If the official app is unstable or you need additional features, try alternatives. We tested 5 popular solutions and compiled a comparison table:

Apps like AnyMote and Yatse require manual configuration IR-Teams for Xiaomi Mi TV. Use the Xiaomi Mi Box Preset as a base – it’s most compatible with the series’ TVs.

How to set up AnyMote for Mi TV:

1. Select Add Device → Television → Xiaomi
2. If you can’t find a model, select the Mi Box S.
3. Check the power, volume, home buttons.
4. Save the configuration as Mi TV Custom.

3.Management through Mi Home: for a smart home

If your Xiaomi Mi TV is integrated into the Mi Home ecosystem, you can control it through the main smart home app, which is convenient for creating automated scripts, such as setting the TV to turn off on a timer or when you leave the house.

Instructions for connection:

1. Open Mi Home and make sure the TV is added to the list of devices.
2. Go to Profile → Smart Home → Automation
3. Create a new script with a trigger (e.g. Time or Geolocation).
4. Add the action Control TV and select the command (On/Off, Volume, etc.).

Example of a useful scenario:

• 🌙 Night mode: TV turns off at 23:00, and Yeelight smart lamp goes into warm light.
• 🚪 Leaving the house: when disconnecting the geolocation of the smartphone from the home network, the TV and Xiaomi router turn off automatically.

💡

If the TV is not displayed in Mi Home, upgrade the TV firmware to MIUI TV 3.0+. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update.

4.Voice control: Alice, Google Assistant and Siri

Smartphone as a remote allows you to control the TV Xiaomi Mi TV voice — it is convenient when your hands are busy or you are at a distance.

1. Through Alice (Yandex):

• 🎤 Say, “Alice, turn on the TV” or “Alice, pause».
• 🔗 Preliminarily link Mi Home and Yandex accounts in the smart home settings.

2. Through Google Assistant:

• 🎤 Commands: OK Google, turn on Mi TV In the kitchen (you need to specify the room in the Mi Home).
• 🔧 In Google Home Settings, add TV as an Android device TV.

3. via Siri (for iPhone):

• 🎤 It only works via HomeKit using the Home Assistant Bridge.
• ⚠️ Official integration of Xiaomi Mi TV No Apple HomeKit – You will need manual configuration.

⚠️ Attention: Voice commands for channel switching (e.g., “switch to NTV”) only work if the TV is connected to a T2 set-top box or uses a built-in set-top box. DVB-T2 tuner. IPTV You need to specify the channel number: “Enable channel 5».

5. Problem Solving: Why isn't the Smartphone controlling the TV?

If the remote on your smartphone does not work, check these points:

Problem 1: The TV can't find the smartphone

• 🔌 Make sure both devices on the same 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network (5GHz not supported for control).
• 🔄 Reboot the router and turn off VPN smartphone.
• 📱 In the settings of the TV, check: Settings → Network → Remote management → On.

Problem 2: The buttons on the remote do not respond

• 🔄 In the Mi Remote app, update your device profile: Settings → Update the device list.
• 📱 Reinstall the application and reset the settings.
• 🔧 If you use an alternative remote (such as AnyMote), check for compliance. IR-team.

Issue 3: Management delays

• 📶 Check the speed of the Internet – for stable operation you need at least 5 Mbps.
• 🔌 Connect the TV to the router via Ethernet cable (if possible).
• 📱 Close background apps on your smartphone that consume traffic.

💡

If nothing works, reset the network settings on your TV: Settings → Network → Network Reset. After that, reconnect the smartphone.

6. Enhanced Opportunities: What more can be done?

The smartphone as a remote allows you to access functions that are not available on the standard Xiaomi Mi TV remote:

1. Button castomization

• 🎛 AnyMote or Button Mapper can reassign buttons to your needs, such as double-clicking on Volume Down to launch YouTube.

2.Gestural control

• 👆 Apps like Gesture Control allow you to switch channels with a wave of your hand over your smartphone (a gyroscope is required).

3.Timers and parental controls

• ⏱ Through Mi Home, set up automatic TV shutdown after 22:00 for children.
• 🔒 Block individual apps (such as TikTok) on a schedule.

4. Screen streaming

• 📲 With Miracast or Google Cast, duplicate your smartphone screen on your TV without additional devices.

To activate Miracast:

1. On TV: Settings → Connections → Miracast → On.
2. On a smartphone: Settings → Screen → Wireless display (for Android) or Control Point → Screen Duplication (for iPhone).

FAQ: Frequent questions about managing Xiaomi Mi TV from a smartphone