How to switch channels without remote control on Xiaomi TV

The situation when the remote from the Xiaomi TV suddenly stops responding or is lost, is familiar to many owners of smart equipment. At this point, panic arises, because the screen is on, but you can not change the channel or volume. Fortunately, the Android TV operating system on which Xiaomi Mi TV models are based, offers many alternative ways to control.

Unlike older push-button TVs, modern smart TVs allow you to use a smartphone, an external keyboard or even voice commands, which makes the device functional even in the absence of a regular IR remote, and we will discuss the most effective methods that will help you quickly regain control of the equipment.

Using a Smartphone as a Universal Remote

The most affordable and quick way to get back in control is to turn your smartphone into a remote control, which means you'll need both your phone and Xiaomi TV to be on the same Wi-Fi network, a key condition for most applications to work.

You'll need to download the official Mi Remote app (for global versions) or Mi Remote Controller (for Chinese versions of firmware), and there are third-party solutions, such as Google's Android TV Remote Control, that are often more stable. Once installed, launch the app and wait for your TV to be found on the list of available devices.

Follow the instructions on your phone to pair, which usually takes less than a minute, and after successful connection, a virtual panel will appear on your smartphone screen with navigation, volume and channel switching buttons.

• 📱 Download Mi Remote from the Google Play Store or App Store.
• 📡 Make sure your smartphone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV.
• 🔗 Select your TV model from the list of found devices.
• 🖱️ Use a touchpad or buttons on the screen to navigate the menu.

It's worth noting that if your remote is lost and your Wi-Fi router is turned off or reconfigured, this method won't work, so you'll have to look for alternatives that don't require a wireless network.

Connection USB-keyboard

If there's no smartphone at hand or Wi-Fi is not available, the usual computer peripherals will come to the rescue. - Xiaomi Mi TVs TV fitted USB-Ports that support the work with HID-You can connect wired or wireless (with USB-receiver) keyboard or mouse.

Once connected, the system automatically identifies new input devices, so the mouse can move the cursor around the screen, like on a computer, and the keyboard will allow you to use arrows for navigation, which is especially useful for typing text when searching for content.

Channel switching in IPTV or digital TV applications often uses Page Up and Page Down keys, as well as up and down arrows. Some keyboard models have multimedia buttons that can duplicate volume and signal source switching functions.

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Use a wireless touchpad keyboard to give you maximum control over your TV without having to search for a mouse.

It is important to understand that not all remote commands can be duplicated with keyboard keys, for example, the Home or Back button may not be available, but basic channel navigation will be available in full.

Setting up voice control and Google Assistant

Modern Xiaomi TVs often have a built-in microphone or support a connection via Google Assistant.If your remote is broken but you have access to the menu (for example, via mouse), you can activate voice control.

In some models, you just need to say the trigger command if the microphone is active, but a more reliable way is to use a smartphone with Google Assistant installed.

Once you've linked accounts, you can give commands in voice, like, "OK, Google, switch to the first channel," or "Put YouTube on the TV," which allows you to control the technology without even looking at the screen.

⚠️ Attention: Voice control over the Internet requires a stable connection to the network. Without the Internet, commands may not be recognized.

Voice input is especially useful when you need to quickly find a specific channel or application without wandering through a complex settings menu. TV constantly improving.

Using the HDMI CEC function to manage

If you have a console or game console connected via HDMI, you can try controlling the TV through them.CEC's HDMI technology allows you to transfer control commands between devices.

For example, an Android TV Box remote or even an on button on a game console can activate the TV and switch it to the desired mode, but switching the TV channels directly through a third-party remote does not always work.

Check the HDMI CEC settings in the TV menu, which can be called something else, like Mi Link or just CEC, and make sure it's activated for all ports.

This method is more suitable for navigating signal sources than for directly switching channels inside the built-in tuner, but as a temporary solution, it is quite viable.

Buying and setting up a universal IR panel

If the software methods don't work, the most reliable solution is to buy a universal remote, which is inexpensive and sold in most electronics stores, and the main thing is to make sure that the remote supports Xiaomi or Android TV codes.

The setup process is usually simple: press the installation button, select the manufacturer's code from the instruction manual, or run a code search auto, and the remote will start to sort through the combinations until the TV responds.

There are also smartphone IR adapters that plug into the charging connector (if any) or connect via Bluetooth. They allow the phone to emit IR signals, mimicking the original remote.

When choosing a remote, pay attention to the presence of a home button and navigation buttons, as standard remotes from other TVs may not have a full set of keys for Smart TVs.

⚠️ WARNING: Universal remotes may not support special features like Netflix’s call button or voice input unless they’re programmed specifically for your model.

Emergency management via ADB (for advanced)

For users familiar with the technical aspects of Android, there is the ability to control via network debugging (ADB), a method that allows you to send commands directly to the TV operating system.

First, you need to enable developer mode and USB/network debugging in the TV settings, and if the menu is accessible via mouse, it's easy to do, and then you can send commands from a computer or phone on the same network.

adb connect 192.168.1.XX:5555


adb shell input keyevent KEYCODE_CHANNEL_UP

The input keyevent command allows you to emulate the press of any button, KEYCODE_DPAD_UP) You can find it in the Android documentation. It's a powerful tool, but it requires preparation.

Use of the ADB gives full control over the system, including installing applications and changing hidden settings, which is not available to the ordinary user.>

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The fastest way to buy without shopping is the Mi Remote app, the most reliable — USB-keyboard.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)