How to set up buttons on the Xiaomi remote: from basic settings to hidden features

Xiaomi’s remotes are not just plastic button boxes, but full-fledged devices with flexible settings. However, not everyone knows that most buttons can be reassigned, disabled or even programmed to specific scenarios. For example, the Netflix button on the remote from Mi TV can be made a call to the voice assistant, and on the air conditioner remote Xiaomi Smartmi – a night switch.

The problem is that Xiaomi’s official documentation often doesn’t mention these features, and the settings interface is hidden in the depths of the menu.

• 🔧 Reassign buttons on the Mi remotes TV, Mi Box and Xiaomi Air Conditioners
• 🔄 Reset the remote settings to the factory
• 📱 Connect the remote to the smartphone for advanced settings
• ⚡ Restore the dead buttons without repair

We will look at both standard methods through the TV menu and hidden features through the engineering menu or the Mi Home app.All instructions are relevant for the 2020-2026 models, including the Mi TV Q2 2023, Mi Box S 2nd Gen and the Smartmi Air Conditioner series.

1. Basic button settings through the TV menu

To start with, changing button functions directly in the Mi TV or Mi Box interface works for most models released after 2021 and does not require an internet connection.

To open the remote settings menu:

1. Press the Settings button on the remote.
2. Go to Devices → Remote & Accessories (or Remote & Accessories in English firmware).
3. Select Button Customization (button buttons).

In this menu, you will see a list of all the programmable buttons, for example, for the Mi TV P1 2023, available for reassignment:

• 🎬 Quick access buttons (Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube)
• 🔊 Sound control buttons (Mute, Volume) +/–)
• 📺 Source switching buttons (HDMI1/HDMI2)

Reassign the Quick Access buttons to any applications | Disable unnecessary buttons (e.g. advertising services) | Change the order of the buttons in the source menu | Set up a re-press delay (for volume buttons)

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Restriction: Not all buttons can be reassigned, for example, Power, Home and Back buttons are usually blocked for security reasons, and in some regions (e.g. China), the list of buttons available for customization may be reduced due to local restrictions.

2. Advanced customization via the Mi Home app

If basic settings aren’t enough, use the Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS) which is suitable for remotes from Mi TV, Mi Box and Xiaomi smart air conditioners, but requires connecting the device to the same Wi-Fi network with a smartphone.

Instructions for connection:

1. Open Mi Home and add your device (TV, console or air conditioner) through + → Add the device.
2. After connecting, go to the device card and find the Remote Control Settings (or Remote Control) section.
3. In some models (for example, Mi TV Q2) you need to first activate Developer Mode – for this, click on the Software Version 5 times in the settings of the TV.

There are features in Mi Home that are not in the standard menu:

• 🔄 Mapping macros – One button triggers a chain of action (e.g., turning on TV) + switchover HDMI1 + Disney launch+).
• 🎛️ Sensitivity setting – changing the delay between taps (useful if the remote sticks").
• 🔗 Sync with other devices – for example, the Power button on the TV remote can simultaneously turn off the sound bar Xiaomi.

Note: After updating the TV firmware, the remote settings in Mi Home may reset. Always back up the configuration via Settings → Backup in the app.

3. Reassign buttons through the engineering menu (for experienced)

If you're ready to experiment, the engineering menu allows you to change even those buttons that are locked in standard settings, a method that requires caution - wrong actions can lead to a remote failure.

To enter the engineering menu on Mi TV:

1. Turn off the TV with the Power button on the remote.


2. Press the Menu and Volume+ buttons simultaneously on the remote.




3. Holding them, press Power and hold all three buttons for 5 seconds.




4. Release - the TV will turn on in engineering mode.

On the engineering menu:

• Go to the Remote Control Settings section.
• Select Key Mapping to reassign buttons.
• Use Factory Reset only as a last resort – it will reset all settings of the TV, not just the remote.

💡

Before entering the engineering menu, take a picture of the current button layout. In some firmwares, after leaving this mode, the remote may stop working and you will need to reset via Mi Home.

For remotes from Mi Box, the engineering menu opens differently:

1. Connect the Mi Box to the TV.


2.In the main Android TV menu, click sequentially:


 Settings → Device → About the console → Software version (5 times).


3. Return to the main menu and hold Back + Home for 10 seconds.

⚠️ Note: In the Mi Box Engineering Menu, do not change the settings marked DOLBY or HDCP — This can lead to loss of image.

4. Set up the air conditioning remote Xiaomi Smartmi

Xiaomi Smartmi air conditioning remotes are set up differently than TVs. There is no GUI here - all changes are made through button combinations or the Mi Home app.

Basic combinations for resetting and setting:

For extended settings:

1. Open your Mi Home and select your air conditioner.
2. Go to the Device Settings → DU remote.
3. Activate Learning Mode – now the remote can copy commands from other remotes (for example, from an old air conditioner).

Feature: Smartmi remotes support IFTTT - you can configure automation type "if the temperature is above 25 ° C, turn on cooling at 22 ° C." To do this, you need to connect the IFTTT service in the Automation section in Mi Home.

5. Recovering dead buttons without repair

If some buttons on the remote control stop working, don't rush to throw it away. 80% of the time, the problem is solved by software or simple cleaning.

Recovery methods:

• 🧹 Clean contacts: Disassemble the remote (carefully putting the cover on a flat screwdriver) and wipe the contacts of the buttons with alcohol. Often, oxidation of the contacts leads to "sticking".
• 🔋 Battery replacement: Even if the indicator shows charge, try inserting new batteries - a weak current can block the signal from some buttons.
• 📶 Reflashing the remote: For Mi TV and Mi Box update the firmware through Settings → Software Update: Sometimes software bugs block individual buttons.
• 🔄 Ligament reset: In Mi Home, remove the remote from the list of devices and connect it again.

💡

If the button doesn’t work after cleaning and resetting, check its reaction in the engineering menu (Key Test section). If the button doesn’t respond there, there is a problem in the hardware (contact break or chip damage).

For Smartmi air conditioning remotes, there is another way:

1. Remove the batteries from the remote.


2 Press and hold any button for 30 seconds (discharges residual charge).




3. Put the batteries back in and try to sync the remote again.

⚠️ Note: If the remote from Mi TV after updating the firmware stopped working completely (does not respond to any button), try rolling back the firmware through USB-Instructions are on the official forum Xiaomi in the section of your model.

6. Alternative methods of control without a standard remote

If the remote is lost or broken, there are several ways to control a Xiaomi device without it:

For TVs and consoles Mi TV/Mi Box:

• 📱 Mi Remote app (available for Android and iOS) – emulates all the features of the physical remote.
• 🎮 Gaming controllers: Connect via Bluetooth Xbox or PlayStation controller – it will work as a remote.

For Smartmi air conditioners:

• 📲 Voice control: via Alice, Google Assistant or Siri (you need to connect air conditioning to Mi Home).
• 🌐 Remote Control: Enable Remote Access in Mi Home and you can control air conditioning from anywhere in the world.

There is another life hack for the Mi Box: if you have an Android smartphone with an IR transmitter, you can use it as a remote via apps like ZaZa Remote or Peel Smart Remote, the main thing is to choose your console model from the list of devices (Mi Box S, Mi Box 4, etc.).

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Xiaomi remotes