How to set up an IR port on Xiaomi: a complete guide to managing equipment

Infrared port (IR port) in Xiaomi devices is an indispensable tool for managing household appliances: TVs, air conditioners, audio systems and even some smart lamps. Despite the proliferation of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, IR management remains relevant due to its simplicity and compatibility with millions of devices released over the past 20+ years. However, many users face difficulties in the first setup: Mi Remote application does not find equipment, commands are sent late, and brand databases are not enough.

In this article, we will learn how to properly activate the IR port on Xiaomi smartphones and tablets (including Redmi, POCO and Mi models), add devices to Mi Remote, configure user commands and solve typical problems. We will pay special attention to the nuances of working with rare brands of technology and optimizing response. If your Xiaomi is equipped with an IR transmitter (which is most models of the mid- and premium segment), after reading, you can replace all the remotes in the house with one smartphone.

How to check if there is an IR port on your Xiaomi

Not all Xiaomi devices have an infrared transmitter. To avoid wasting time setting up, first make sure your model supports the function.

• 🔍 Visual inspection: The IR port looks like a small black glass window (usually located at the top of the case, next to a front camera or speaker) and is hidden under a protective net on some models.
• 📱 Verify through Settings: Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Infrared Port. If there is no point, there is no port.
• 🛠️ Model specifications: Look at the official Xiaomi website or the specifications on the seller's website. Look for lines like "Infrared Port" or "IR Blaster."

Among the popular models with an IR port: Xiaomi Mi 11/12/13, Redmi Note 10/11/12 Pro, POCO F3/F4/F5, Mi Mix 2S/3. But the budget series Redmi A and some models POCO M often do not have this feature. If you plan to buy a smartphone specifically for control equipment, check the presence of an IR transmitter before buying.

Installation and configuration of the Mi Remote application

The main tool for working with the IR port is the Mi Remote app (formerly called Mi Remote Controller), which is pre-installed on most Xiaomi devices, but if it is not available, download from Google Play or AppGallery (for models without Google services).

After installation, follow the following steps:

1. Open Mi Remote and provide all the permissions you request (camera, location, files).
2. Click "Add device" and select the category of equipment (for example, "TV", "Air conditioning").
3. Type in the brand of the device manually or select from a list.If your brand is not, try universal profiles (more on this below).
4. Direct the smartphone’s IR port to the equipment and follow the instructions on the screen to test commands.

If the app doesn’t find your device, try:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and appliances.
• 📶 Make sure there are no obstacles between the smartphone and the device (maximum distance is 5-7 meters).
• 🔋 Check the battery power of the smartphone (at a low level, the IR transmitter may not work stable).

Adding devices: step-by-step instructions for different types of equipment

The process of adding depends on the type of device being managed. Let's look at the nuances for the most popular categories.

Television and media systems

For Samsung, LG, Sony and other brands:

1. Select the category "TV" in Mi Remote.
2. If the model is not listed, select the nearest series (for example, Samsung QLED 2022 profile will suit).
3. Test the basic commands: turn on, change volume, switch channels.

If some buttons don’t work, try manually training the remote (more on this in the next section).

Air conditioning and climate engineering

Air conditioners require more precise adjustment due to the variety of modes.

1. Choose Air Conditioning and brand (e.g. Midea, Gree, Daikin).
2. Specify the model or series (if unknown, select "Autodetermination").
3. After adding, check the operation of all modes: cooling, heating, ventilation, timer.

Important: Some air conditioners use bidirectional communication (send data back to the remote), in which case Mi Remote may not show the current temperature or mode - this is normal.

Audio systems and music centres

To control speakers, receivers and soundbars:

• Select the category "Audio system".
• If the brand is not listed, try Universal Audio Profiles.
• Pay special attention to setting up commands for switching signal sources (HDMI, AUX, Bluetooth).

Manual setting of commands: remote training

If your device doesn't automatically recognize you, or if some buttons don't work, you can train Mi Remote commands from the original remote, which is available for most categories of technology.

1. In Mi Remote, select “Add Device Manually” (or “Learn” in the added device settings).
2. Select the type of equipment and command to learn (for example, “Lighten”, “Like up the volume”).
3. Point the original remote and the IR port of the smartphone at each other (distance 2-3 cm).
4. Press and hold the button on the original remote until Mi Remote confirms the retention of the command.
5. Repeat for all necessary buttons.

Tips for successful learning:

• 🔦 Use the original remote from the device – universal remotes can send incorrect signals.
• 📏 The distance between the remotes shall be minimal (not further than 5 cm).
• 🔋 Make sure the batteries in the original remote are not discharged.
• 🔄 If the command is not saved, try repeating the process 2-3 times.

The trained commands are stored locally on the device and are not synced to the cloud, and if you reset or reinstall Mi Remote, you will have to reconfigure them.

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If learning fails, try using the IR Universal Remote app from Google Play, which supports more protocols and has flexible settings.

Solving typical IR port problems on Xiaomi

Even after you set it up properly, users are faced with errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If the problem persists, check:

• 📱 Software Updates: Outdated firmware can cause IR port malfunctions. Update your smartphone via Settings → About Phone → System Update.
• 🛡️ Antivirus or SEOs: Some programs (e.g. Clean Master) block Mi Remote. Add the application to the exceptions.
• 🔧 Hardware damage: If the IR port does not work after falling or getting moisture, contact a service center.

⚠️ Warning: Some Xiaomi models (e.g., Redmi Note 9 Pro) will experience IR port bugs after upgrading to MIUI 14, in which case a rollback to the previous firmware version or a reset of Mi Remote settings will help.

Advanced Features: Automation and Integration with a Smart Home

The IR port on Xiaomi can be used not only for manual control, but also for script automation through Mi Home or third-party services like Home Assistant.

• 🏠 Auto-turn on the air conditioner when returning home (via geolocation).
• 🌙 Turn off the TV on a timer before bedtime.
• 🔊 Synchronize the audio system with the launch of music on the smartphone.

To set up the automation:

1. Make sure your smartphone and smart devices are connected to the same Mi Account.
2. In the Mi Home app, go to Automation and create a new script.
3. Add a condition (e.g., “Time” or “Geolocation”) and an action called “Infrared Device Management.”
4. Select the device and command saved in Mi Remote.

For advanced users, using Tasker or Home Assistant, you can create complex chains of commands, for example, one tap on the widget on the screen will turn on the TV, switch it to HDMI1 and run Netflix on a smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: When using automation via Mi Home, IR commands can be sent with a delay of up to 2-3 seconds. This is a limitation of the Xiaomi server part, and it cannot be eliminated.

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For stable operation of automation, it is recommended to keep the smartphone permanently connected to charging (or use a tablet) – this will prevent failures due to energy saving.

Alternative applications for IR port management

If Mi Remote isn’t suitable (for example, due to a lack of profile for your appliances), try third-party apps.They often support more brands and allow you to flexibly customize commands.

When choosing an alternative, pay attention to:

• 📌 Support your brand of tech (check out reviews on Google Play).
• 🔒 Security: Avoid applications with suspicious permissions (e.g. access to SMS or contacts).
• 💰 Cost: Many apps offer a free trial period.

If you choose to use a third-party app, do not remove Mi Remote – some features (such as command training) may require a return to proprietary software.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up an IR port on Xiaomi