Xiaomi’s modern ecosystem is built on the principles of maximum convenience, and the central element of control is often a smartphone or a universal remote. Many users buy new devices, unaware that they already have a powerful tool in their hands to control all household appliances in the house. The Mi Remote remote setting allows you to combine the control of the TV, air conditioner, projector and even the receiver in one interface, eliminating the need to search for a dozen different buttons.
The pairing process can vary depending on the type of connection: infrared (IR) or wireless (Bluetooth). Infrared port does not require pairing in the classical sense, it only emulates the signal of the original remote, while Bluetooth devices require mandatory authorization in the system. Understanding this difference is critical to the successful installation of the connection, because the algorithms of actions in these cases are radically different.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the configuration nuances, look at common errors, and provide solutions to the most common problems, and learn how to turn your gadget into a universal command center, managing multimedia and climate technology with an accuracy of a second.
Definition of connection type and preparation
The first step is always to identify the technology your control device supports. Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones have an integrated IR port, which allows them to work like classic remote control. This means that the phone “shoos” an invisible light signal that the sensor receives on the TV or other equipment, in which case physical distance and direct visibility remain important factors.
If you are talking about the physical remote Mi Remote (Bluetooth version) or the control of the console Mi Box S, then this is the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol, which provides two-way data exchange, allowing, for example, to use voice search or the remote search function if it is lost in the sofa bowels.
Make sure that the device that will act as a remote (smartphone) has all the necessary permissions, the MIUI or HyperOS system can block the application from accessing the hardware for security purposes, and it is also worth checking the battery power, since the process of scanning the codes can take some time and consume energy.
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Make sure that there is no cover on the end of the smartphone that covers the IR emitter, otherwise the signal will be too weak for confident control of the equipment.
Configure via Mi Remote (IK port)
The main tool for IR-ported smartphone owners is the Mi Remote app, which contains a vast codebase for thousands of different brands. The launch of the program usually prompts you to add a new device immediately, but if that doesn't happen, you need to click on the plus in the corner of the screen. The choice of device type is critical: if you choose "TV", the system will offer codes specifically for TV, ignoring the protocols of air conditioners.
After selecting the type of equipment (e.g. TV, AC, Box), you need to specify the manufacturer's brand. If your brand is not listed, you can use the "Search" function or select a universal profile. Then the testing process will begin: buttons will appear on the screen, and the application will ask to confirm whether your equipment responds to the signals being provided. This is a brute force method that can take from 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
- 📺 Press Yes if the TV responds to the switch or volume change button.
- 🔄 If there is no response, click No and the system will automatically switch to the next set of codes.
- 💾 After a successful test, be sure to save the profile by giving it a clear name, for example, "TV in the living room".
Importantly, the IR remote doesn't require pairing in Bluetooth settings. All the magic happens at the level of hardware signal emulation. However, if you have a smart Mi TV with Android TV, the app might suggest switching to Bluetooth mode for advanced functionality, which requires other actions.
The Bluetooth-based Mi Remote
The physical Mi Remote (black or white voice-controlled) remotes are connected exclusively via Bluetooth. To get started, you need to insert batteries and make sure the indicator blinks to signal search mode. On a Mi TV or Mi Stick console, you need to go to the remote settings section.
Press and hold two central buttons at the same time (usually Home and Back) for 5-7 seconds until the LED on the remote blinks quickly.This puts the device into visibility mode. A notification should appear on the TV screen about the detection of a new device. If automatic detection does not work, manually go to the Settings menu → Remotes and Accessories → Add the device.
⚠️ Note: When pairing a Bluetooth remote, the distance between it and the TV should not exceed 20-30 If you stand too far away, the pairing process may be interrupted or the device simply won’t be found.
Once you select the device, the confirmation code will appear on the screen, sometimes you need to press a specific button combination, which is indicated on the screen, and successful pairing is confirmed by the audible signal and the appearance of the remote battery icon in the system interface, from which point the remote is ready to work, including voice commands.
☑️ Checklist of Bluetooth remote connection
Using a Smartphone as a Wi-Fi Remote
For owners of a Smart TV from Xiaomi or Redmi, there is an alternative method of management that does not require an infrared port or Bluetooth: this is control over a local Wi-Fi network. Both devices — the smartphone and the TV — must be connected to the same wireless network, which provides more stable communication and allows you to transfer not only control commands, but also media content.
In the Mi Remote or Mi Home app, you have to choose to add a device over the network, and the system scans the local network and finds the displays available, and the advantage of this method is that the smartphone works like a touchpad, allowing you to easily type text for search on YouTube or Netflix, which is extremely inconvenient to do with standard buttons.
If devices can't see each other, check your router settings. In some cases, there's an "AP Isolation" feature that prevents devices on the network from communicating with each other, and you need to turn it off in your router settings so that your smartphone can "see" the TV.
| Type of connection | Equipment required | Radio of action | Functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infrared (IR) | Smartphone with IR port | Up to 10 metres (direct visibility) | Basic control (on/off, volume, channels) |
| Bluetooth | Mi Remote remote (BT) | Up to 10 meters (without line of sight) | Voice search, cursor control, remote search |
| Wi-Fi | Smartphone + router | Within Wi-Fi coverage | Full control, text input, screen translation |
Setting up the remote for air conditioning and other equipment
Climate control is one of the most popular features. The air conditioning algorithm is similar to TV setup, but it has its own peculiarities. Air Conditioner codes are often broken down in series in the Mi Remote database. If automatic search fails, you should try to manually select a brand, even if it is not on the list of "popular".
When you add air conditioning, the app can offer you to adjust additional buttons, such as changing the direction of air flow (Swing) or drying mode. These features are often hidden in the secondary menu of the original remotes, but in the application they are displayed on the main screen for convenience, which allows you to create automation scenarios, for example, turning on the air conditioner when you reach a certain temperature.
What if my air conditioning brand is not on the list?
For other technologies, like Mijia projectors or receivers, the principle remains the same. The main thing is the correct categorization. Don't try to configure the projector as a TV, otherwise the specific focus functions available through the IR port will not work.
Solution: The remote does not work or does not find the device
The most common problem is that the technology doesn't respond to commands. If you're using an infrared port, check if the sensor on your phone is closed. The smartphone camera (main) can help: point the phone at the camera of another phone and press the button in the app. If you see a purple glow on the camera monitor screen, then the infrared port is working and transmitting a signal.
In the case of a Bluetooth remote, if it stopped responding, try removing the batteries for 10 seconds and inserting them back in. Sometimes it helps to completely remove the device from the list of conjugated in the settings of the TV (Settings → Remote → Remove) and repeat the pairing procedure from scratch. It is also worth checking whether the batteries are not dead, even if they are new - in cheap batteries, the voltage can fall under load.
⚠️ Note: If the Mi Remote app crashes at startup or doesn’t open the camera for scanning, check the permissions in the Settings section. → Annexes → Mi Remote → Permits: Camera, location and IR sensor must be activated.
Another cause of failures may be third-party memory cleanup applications that aggressively close down background processes. Add Mi Remote to exceptions or pin it to a list of recent apps so the system doesn't "kill" its process.
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In 90% of cases, the problem with the IR remote is solved by restarting the application or checking the presence of an IR port in a particular smartphone model (not all global versions of Redmi have an IR port).