Using a TV to watch content is a thing of the past. Modern Android-based Smart TVs are turning the living room into a full-fledged entertainment center where you can run retro console emulators or play cloud services. But controlling a game with a remote is inconvenient and slow, and this is where the need for a quality game controller arises.
Owners of Xiaomi Mi Box devices and Android TVs often face the question of peripheral compatibility. Fortunately, the operating system allows you to connect external manipulators without complex manipulation. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways of connecting, from wireless protocols to wired interfaces, so you can start playing immediately after unpacking.
There are several proven methods of hardware synchronization. The choice of the specific method depends on the model of your gamepad and the version of the TV operating system, we will consider the nuances of each option to eliminate possible connection errors and input lag.
Preparation of equipment and compatibility check
Before you start pairing, you need to make sure your hardware supports the Android platform. Most modern controllers, such as the Xbox Wireless Controller (models after 2016) or DualShock 4, have built-in support. HID-This means that the system recognizes them automatically.
It's important to check battery power or fresh batteries. Searching for a Bluetooth device consumes energy, and a weak charge can cause unstable operation or disconnection at the most inopportune moment. If you use a wired method, make sure that the USB cable is in good working order.
- 🎮 Make sure the gamepad supports Android or XInput mode.
- 🔋 Check the battery level or replace the batteries with new ones.
- 📡 Make sure that the Bluetooth module on your TV or console is active.
- 🔌 When wired, use a data cable, not just charging.
Some budget gamepad models may require additional drivers or mapper apps, which we'll talk about later. Standard devices are usually Plug and Play.
Wireless connection via Bluetooth
The most popular and convenient way is to use a wireless connection, which eliminates unnecessary wires and allows you to sit at a comfortable distance from the screen. First, go to the main menu of your Xiaomi TV or Mi Box.
Using the remote, go down to the settings section. You need to find the peripheral item. Depending on the version of MIUI for TV firmware or pure Android TV, the names may differ, but the logic remains the same.
⚠️ Warning: Do not turn on the gamepad pairing mode in advance. Activate the search only after the TV has entered scanning mode, otherwise the device may not be determined the first time.
The sequence of actions is as follows:
- Open the settings (cog in the corner of the screen).
- Go to Devices and Accessories or Remotes and Devices.
- Select Add Accessory.
- The TV will start searching for available devices.
Now put your controller in (pairing) mode. For Xbox, this is done by pressing the pairing button on the end, for DualShock 4, by pressing Share and PS at the same time. When the device name appears on the TV screen, select it.
Once the connection is successful, the system will give a notification, and you can now start the game and check the buttons, and if the cursor or the actions on the menu react with a delay, try to move the console closer to the visibility zone or eliminate the sources of interference.
Wired connection through USB-port
If the wireless connection is causing questions or you want to minimize the input delay to zero, use a cable. USB ports on Xiaomi TVs are usually located on the back or side. Mi Box may require an extension cord, as the device is often connected directly to HDMI.
Just put it in. USB-The system must emit the characteristic sound of the device's connection. In most cases, the drivers are built into the Android core, and no additional configuration is required.
☑️ Checking wired connection
But there are some power nuances, and some powerful, vibrating, backlit controllers can consume more power than they can deliver. USB-The port of the TV, in which case the gamepad may constantly reconnect or not work at all.
The problem with USB power
Also worth noting is the protocol version: Older USB 2.0 ports may have bandwidth limitations, although this is usually more than enough to transmit button signals, most importantly, the integrity of the cable.
Use of the USB-Adapters for specific gamepads
Not all controllers have Bluetooth built-in. Many models, especially budget or specialized ones (for example, for arcade machines), come with their own. USB-Connecting these devices to Xiaomi TV is similar to the wired method.
Insert the adapter in USB-You can wait for the light to come out on the gamepad itself. Often, these devices emulate standard Xbox 360 input, which guarantees maximum compatibility with games.
| Type of connection | Delay (Latency) | Stability | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Medium (10-50 ms) | Depends on the interference. | High. |
| USB Cable | Minimum (< 5 ms) | Tall. | Medium (wire) |
| USB Adapter | Low (5-15 ms) | Very high. | High. |
If you're using an adapter, don't take it off while the system is running. Some drivers may not reboot without restarting the TV, and this is especially true for devices with non-standard Vid/Pid IDs.
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If you have a Mi Box S, use the port. USB for power and connect the gamepad through OTG-A hub if one port is missing.
Customization and calibration in Android TV
After a physical connection, software configuration may be required. Standard games usually determine the type of controller themselves, but manual configuration may be required for emulators or streaming services (such as Steam Link or GeForce Now).
Go to the settings of a particular application. Go to Controller Settings or Gamepad. You can check if the axes of analog sticks and buttons are correctly defined. Sometimes you see axes inversion or tangled buttons.
For deep customization, you can use specialized tools from the Google Play Store, such as Gamepad Tester, which allows you to see raw data coming from the device, which helps diagnose stick drift or button sticking.
⚠️ Note: Do not use root-enabled mapper apps unless urgently needed. They can create virtual clicks that block other applications or cause interface lags.
In some cases, you need to change the keyboard layout, through hidden developer menus or special applications to change the Keyboard Layout, but for 95% of users, the standard settings are optimal.
Solution: Gamepad is not working or is not working correctly
Even if you follow all the instructions, there can be problems, and the most common is that the TV sees the device, but it doesn't control the interface, and this often happens with controllers that are in HID mode but don't have an Android profile.
Try the following steps to troubleshoot:
- 🔄 Reboot: Turn the TV off completely for 10 seconds, then turn it back on.This will reset the Bluetooth module cache.
- 🗑️ Remove: In the Bluetooth menu, find your gamepad, select Forget or Delete, and try to re-spoil.
- 🔋 Energy saving: Make sure that your Bluetooth settings have turned off aggressive energy saving if this option is available in your firmware version.
If the buttons are pressed but the actions in the game do not match the symbols (for example, instead of "A" presses "B"), the problem is the layout. In emulators, this is solved by reassigning the buttons in the settings of the emulator itself. This is rare in native Android games.
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In 80% of cases, the problem is solved by simply restarting the TV and re-pairing the device "clean".
Also worth checking out is system updates. Xiaomi regularly releases patches that improve peripheral compatibility. Go to Settings → About TV → System Update and check for a new version of the software.
The best apps and games for gamepad on Xiaomi TV
Why plug in a joystick? Sure, for gaming. Android TV is rich in content that requires precise control. First of all, look at the emulators of older consoles: RetroArch, Dolphin (for GameCube/Wii) or PPSSPP (for PSP).
In addition to retro games, cloud services work well, and Steam Link, GeForce Now, or Xbox Cloud Gaming apps allow you to stream games from your PC or servers directly to your TV, where a gamepad is a must for a comfortable game.
And don't forget the native hits: Asphalt, fighting games and platformers are revealed with the controller in a very different way. Many streaming services like Plex or Kodi also support gamepad control for menu navigation, which can be more convenient than the remote.