How to use an IR port on Xiaomi: from the remote for air conditioning to a smart home

The infrared port on Xiaomi smartphones is one of those features that many users either ignore or use to a minimum. Meanwhile, this little black eye on the top of the device can replace a dozen remotes, simplify the management of smart equipment and even help in non-standard situations – from fault diagnosis to the creation of automated scripts. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of using the IR port on Redmi smartphones, POCO Xiaomi flagship series (including models from 2023-2026), as well as reveal hidden features that are not written in the official instructions.

It is important to understand that the functionality of the IR port depends not only on the model of the smartphone, but also on the version. MIUI. For example, in MIUI 14 and later, we have support for custom commands for rare devices, and in older versions, some features may be limited, and we will take these nuances into account and give recommendations for different firmware. You will also learn how to get around typical problems – from the “invisibility” of technology to conflict signals between multiple remotes.

If you think that an infrared port is only for switching channels on your TV, this article will expand your horizons, and there will be practical cases: from climate control in the car to integration with Google Assistant and Alice, and instructions for creating your own smart scripts using Mi Home and third-party applications. Start from the base and gradually get to advanced life hacks.

1. Basic functions: how to use an IR port instead of a remote

The most obvious application of the IR port is the replacement of traditional remotes. Xiaomi smartphones “out of the box” support the management of most household appliances: TVs, air conditioners, audio systems, projectors and even some models of robot vacuum cleaners (for example, Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum). For this, the standard Mi Remote application (or Remote in the Russian version) is used. MIUI).

To start using:

• 📱 Open the Remote app (if not, install it from Google Play or AppGallery).
• 🔍 Click Add Device and select a category (such as TV or Air Conditioning»).
• 📋 Type in the brand of the technique (if your model is not listed, select “Other” and try universal codes).
• 🎯 Direct the IR port of the smartphone to the receiver of the device and follow the instructions on the screen.

Modern versions MIUI They support automatic model identification -- just point your smartphone at the hardware and hold the test button -- but this method doesn't work for all devices. If your air conditioner or TV doesn't recognize you, try manually typing through the codes for your chosen brand.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ Xiaomi 13 Ultra has a dual IR port with an extended range (up to 10 meters). If the signal does not pass, check whether the port is closed with a cover or film.

For convenience:

• 🌟 Save frequently used devices to the home screen as widgets.
• 🔄 Configure a quick switch between the swipe remotes left / right.
• 📲 Add control to the notification panel (in the Remote app settings).

Enhanced Opportunities: Climate and Lighting Management

The infrared port on Xiaomi smartphones is able to interact not only with consumer electronics, but also with smart home systems, climate control in cars, as well as rare devices like fans with remote control or remote control. IR-Sockets. Let's look at the most useful scenarios:

Control of air conditioners and heaters

Mi Remote supports most modern split systems, including models from Daikin, Mitsubishi, Gree and other companies. LG. Feature of working with climate technology - the ability to adjust the exact parameters:

• 🌡️ Temperature in increments 0.5°C (in some models).
• 💨 Ventilation modes (auto, quiet, turbo).
• 🕒 On/off timers.
• 🔄 Direction of airflow (swing).

For owners of Xiaomi Mi Air Conditioner, deep integration is available: you can not only control equipment, but also monitor energy consumption, receive notifications about the need to clean filters and even configure geofences (automatic turn on when approaching home).

Lighting control and IR-plug-in

Few people know, but some IR-lamps (e.g. from Yeelight or Philips Hue) IR-modules and smart sockets (like BroadLink) SP3) They're using the IR port to control it:

1. Add the device to Mi Remote as "Other".
2. Choose BroadLink or Yeelight (if listed).
3. Set up on/off and brightness commands (for lamps).

For advanced users, if your lamp is not supported, you can record the signal from the original remote and play it through your smartphone, and we will talk about this in more detail in the section on user commands.

2.3 Climate control in the vehicle

Some models of cars (for example, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai) are equipped with infrared receivers for climate control. Xiaomi smartphone can replace the regular remote if:

• 🚗 Your car is supported. IR-Team (check the instructions).
• 📱 In Mi Remote selected section "Car" (available in all regions).
• 🔧 You have correctly configured the match buttons (may require manual code entry).

⚠️ Attention: Control of the automotive climate through the IR port only works with the ignition on. Some functions (for example, preheating of the cabin) may be blocked by the manufacturer.

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IR-port Xiaomi is able to manage not only household appliances, but also automotive systems, IR-Sockets and even some smart lamps.

3. User commands: how to record a signal from any remote

If your device is not recognized by the Mi Remote app, or you want to create custom commands (for example, for a rare projector or an old audio system), you can use the learning feature. MIUI 12 and newer. Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Open Mi Remote and click "Add Device".
2. Select the category "Other» → «Training».
3. Direct the original remote to the IR port of the smartphone (distance - 2-5 cm).
4. Press the button on the physical remote that you want to write (for example, “Enable”).
5. Repeat for all necessary commands (switching off, volume control, etc.).
6. Save the profile created under a unique name.

Important nuances:

• 🔦 Recording works better in a dark room (sunlight can interfere with the IR signal).
• 📶 Some remotes use non-standard frequencies – in this case, the recording may not work.
• 📱 On Xiaomi models with MIUI 14+ Signal Check option is available, which shows the strength of the received IR radiation.

Recorded commands may be:

• 📤 Export to a file and transfer to another smartphone.
• 🔄 Combine into macros (for example, one button turns on the TV, switches to the HDMI and set the volume to 50%).
• 🤖 Integrate with Google Assistant or Alice IFTTT.

Make sure the original remote works.|Charge of the smartphone is not lower than 30%|No direct sunlight on the IR port|Distance between remotes 2-5 cm|The remote is aimed strictly at the IR port of Xiaomi-->

If the recording fails, try:

• 🔋 Replace the batteries in the original remote.
• 📱 Reboot your smartphone (sometimes helps to reset the IR module).
• 🔧 Use third-party applications like IR Universal Remote or Sure Universal Remote.

4.Integration with smart home and voice assistants

The IR port on Xiaomi can be linked to the Mi Home, Google Home or Yandex.Smart Home ecosystem to manage voice or schedule technology.

1. Configure devices in Mi Remote (as described above).
2. Connect your smartphone to your Xiaomi account (or Google/Yandex).
3. Create scripts in the appropriate application (e.g. Mi Home).

Examples of automation:

• 🌅 «Google, turn on the movie mode: TV switches to the TV HDMI1, 60 percent sound, curtains close (if you have smart motors).
• 🌙 «Alice, turn it off at night: the lights go out, the air conditioner goes into eco-mode, the TV turns off.
• ⏰ The alarm clock: the coffee maker is turned on in the morning (through the IR-The socket opens the curtains, starts your favorite radio station.

For integration with Google Assistant:

1. Install the Google Home app.
2. Add the device. → «Set up the device» → «Works with Google».
3. Select Mi Remote from the list of supported services.
4. Sign in through your Xiaomi account and select your sync devices.

⚠️ Note: When controlling through voice assistants, there may be a delay to 2–3 It's about processing commands on servers. Google/Yandex and transfer it to a smartphone. For critical tasks (for example, emergency shutdown), it is better to use direct commands from the IR port.

For owners of Xiaomi Mi Band or Xiaomi Watch, the option of controlling equipment from the watch is available:

• 📱 Install the Mi Fitness app on your smartphone.
• 🖥️ In the settings of the clock, activate the option “DU Remote».
• 🔄 Synchronize devices from Mi Remote.

5. Diagnostics and testing of IR devices

The IR port on Xiaomi can be used not only for control, but also for diagnostics of equipment malfunctions.

• 🔍 Checking the operability of the remote control (if it does not respond to pressings).
• 📡 Testing an IR receiver in a device (e.g., in a TV or air conditioner).
• 🛠️ Search for signal conflicts between multiple remotes.

To check the remote:

1. Open on the smartphone camera mode (IR signal is visible as purple flicker).
2. Point the remote to the camera and press any button.
3. If there is no flicker, the remote is faulty (the batteries are discharged or the IR emitter is damaged).

To test the receiver:

1. In Mi Remote, select a device that does not respond to commands.
2. Click on Signal Test (if option is available).
3. If the smartphone sends a signal, but the technique does not respond - the problem is in the receiver of the device.

If you suspect a signal conflict (for example, two remotes interfere with each other), try:

• 🔄 Reprogram one of the remotes to another frequency (if supported).
• 📱 Use your smartphone as an intermediary: record commands from both remotes and control the equipment through Mi Remote.

6. Hidden functions and life hacks for advanced users

Beyond the standard features, the IR port on Xiaomi hides a few undocumented features that can be useful in unusual situations.

Control of equipment through ADB

If you're an Android Debug Bridge expert, you can send IR commands directly through the console, for example, to turn on the TV:

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.SEND -t "text/plain" -e "ir_code" "AAAAAQAAABEAAABgAw==" -n com.miui.irremote/.receiver.IrReceiverActivity

Where AAAAAQAAABEAABgAw== — Encoded command (can be obtained through Mi Remote logs).

6.2 Creating macros with Tasker

Tasker allows you to automate IR commands, for example:

• 📱 When connecting to Wi-Fi at home → air-condition on 24°C.
• 🕒 On the alarm clock. → radio on the audio system.
• 📞 When a call is made from a specific contact → turn off.

For this:

1. Install Tasker and AutoInput plugin.
2. Create a task with the action “Send Intent”.
3. Specify the parameters for Mi Remote (see above for an example of the Intent).

Use of the IR port for data transmission

Little-known fact: IR port on some Xiaomi models (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi) K50 Pro) supports IrDA, which allows small files to be transferred between devices at speeds up to 4 Mbps:

1. Activate IrDA Mode in the Engineering Menu (code #36446337##).
2. On the second device, turn on data reception via IR.
3. Send a file (up to 1-2 MB in size).

This method is inferior in speed Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth, but can be useful in conditions of severe interference.

6.4 Managing equipment through Home Assistant

If you use Home Assistant for smart home, you can integrate the Xiaomi IR port through the Xiaomi Miio component:

1. Add to configuration.yaml:

remote:


- platform: xiaomi_miio




host: IP_ADRES SMARTFON




token: YOUR TOKEN_MIIO

1. Get the token through the Mi Home Token Extractor app.
2. Set up entities to manage the technique.

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To find IP-Smartphone address for Home Assistant, go to Settings → The phone. → Status → IP-address.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even when you set it up properly, users are faced with typical errors when working with the IR port.

7.1 The IR port is not working at all

Possible causes and solutions:

• 📱 Software glitch: Reboot your smartphone or reset your Mi Remote settings (in the app settings).
• 🔧 Hardware malfunction: Check the port for damage (for example, after a fall).
• 🛡️ OS lock: Some firmware (e.g. custom) has the IR port disabled. Check the engineering menu (#4636##).

The device is not recognized

If your equipment is not in the Mi Remote database:

• 🔍 Try to choose another brand from the list (sometimes the codes match).
• 📋 Use the Learning Function (see Section 3).
• 🌐 Install a third-party application (such as AnyMote Universal Remote) where the codebase is wider.

Commands shall be executed with delay

Delays may occur for the following reasons:

• 📡 Weak signal: Make sure there are no obstacles between the smartphone and the appliances.
• 📱 Background Processes: Close unnecessary applications that may be loading the processor.
• ☁️ Cloud Processing: When you control your voice, go to local scenarios.

Conflicts between multiple remotes

If you have multiple IR devices in the same room (like a TV and an air conditioner), their remotes can interfere with each other.

• 🔄 Configure different control zones in Mi Remote (if supported).
• 📱 Use Directed Submission: Bring the Smartphone Closer to the Device.
• 🛡️ Program macros with a delay (for example, first command to the TV, after 1 second – to the air conditioner).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11), the IR port may conflict with the proximity sensor. If the screen is not locked when the remote is used, restart the device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the IR port on Xiaomi