How to connect the joystick to the TV Xiaomi Mi: all the ways + mistake-making

Game consoles and PCs have long supported joysticks connectivity, but with the advent of Android TV On Xiaomi Mi TVs, gameplay on the big screen has become available without additional consoles, but not all users know how to properly connect the gamepad to the TV, especially if we are talking about models with limited support for peripherals. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of connecting - from standard Bluetooth-connection to the use of adapters and third-party applications.

It is important to note that not every joystick will work with Mi. TV "For example, the original Xbox or PlayStation gamepads may require additional customization, while the generic models like 8BitDo We’ll also look at which Xiaomi TV models best support game controllers and what to do if the device is not defined by the system.

If you plan to use the joystick not only for games, but also for navigation on the menu MIUI TV, Note that not all apps support control from the gamepad, for example, YouTube or Netflix can ignore the buttons of the controller, but emulators (RetroArch, PPSSPP) and cloud services (GeForce) NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming is working with them without complaints.

1. Compatibility of joysticks with Xiaomi Mi TVs

Before you buy or plug in a gamepad, check if your Mi model supports it. TV. Most modern Xiaomi TVs (starting with Mi) TV 4S 2018 and later) working with controllers on Bluetooth 4.0+, but there are nuances:

• 🎮 Official support: TVs on Android TV 9.0+ (Like Mi. TV Q1/Q2, Mi TV A2) Recognising Xbox One S, DualShock 4 DualSense without additional software. Older models (for example, Mi) TV 3S) You may need to manually adjust.
• 🔌 USB-Connection: Any joystick with support USB HID (For example, wired versions of Xbox 360 or Logitech F310) It will work through the port. USB-A But not all Mis are on TV. TV have sufficient power USB-port.
• 📱 Third-party applications: For non-standard controllers (for example, Switch Pro Controller) you may need a utility like USB/BT Joystick Center (available on Google Play for Android) TV).

Compatibility issues are more common with DualSense (PS5) — Some Xiaomi TVs don’t recognize it in Bluetooth mode, but they work through the USB. It is also worth noting that vibration and gyroscope may not be supported even on compatible models.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall (India shell) may be disabled support for some gamepads due to regional restrictions, in which case, resetting settings or firmware on the global version will help.

2. Connecting a joystick over Bluetooth

The most versatile way is wireless connectivity, and the instructions are suitable for most Bluetooth gamepads, including DualShock 4, Xbox Wireless Controller and versatile models.

Turn the joystick into pairing mode (usually hold the Share button). + PS or sync)

Make sure the TV is within a 1-2 meter radius of the gamepad

Disable other Bluetooth devices (earphones, keyboards)

Check the battery charge of the joystick (minimum 30%)

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Step-by-step:

1. Open the TV settings: go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
2. Activate Bluetooth (slider in the upper right corner).
3. Click Add Device and select your joystick from the list. For example, DualShock 4 will appear as Wireless Controller.
4. Confirm pairing. Some gamepads (e.g. Xbox Series X) may require input. PIN-code - usually 0000 or 1234.
5. Wait for the message Connected. If the light on the joystick stops flashing, the connection is set.

If the gamepad is not displayed in the list, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the TV and joystick.
• 🔋 Replace batteries/charge the gamepad.
• 📱 Connect the joystick to the smartphone – if it is not detected there, the problem is in the controller itself.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware below Android TV 10 may not support Low Latency Mode for gamepads. This leads to input delay (lag up to 100 ms), which is critical for dynamic games. USB-connection.

3. Connection via USB (wired)

If Bluetooth is not working or you want to minimize delays, use a wired connection.This method is also suitable for gamepads without a wireless module (for example, Xbox 360 Wired Controller).

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable USB-A → Micro-USB (for DualShock) 4) or USB-A → USB-C (for DualSense/Xbox Series X).
• 🔄 OTG-Adapter (if there is no full-size TV) USB-port).

Instructions:

1. Connect the cable to the gamepad and insert it into USB-If the port is occupied (for example, a flash drive), use the port. USB-feed-in.
2. Wait for the notification The input device is connected. On some Mi models TV You may need to confirm the settings menu → Devices → USB-device.
3. Check the gamepad in a game or test app (e.g., Gamepad Tester from Google Play).

If the joystick is not determined:

• 🔌 Try another cable or port (some of which are not available) USB-port TV They are intended for multimedia only).
• 🔄 Reboot the TV with a connected gamepad.
• 📋 Check if your model supports the Mi. TV USB HID (See the compatibility table above).

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If the TV does not respond to USB-gamepad, but the device is defined in the Settings menu → Devices, try to disable the function USB-Debugging is in the Developer section. Sometimes it conflicts with the input drivers.

4.Use of third-party applications for incompatible gamepads

If your joystick is not supported out of the box (like the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller or older Logitech models), you can use specialized utilities. TV multiple applications:

• 🎯 USB/BT Joystick Center — allows you to configure buttons and axles for non-standard gamepads. Supports keyboard / mouse emulation.
• 🕹️ Octopus – Cloud-based button mapping service (requires a stable internet connection).
• 🔧 Gamepad Tester – checks the performance of the controller and displays button codes.

How to set up Switch Pro Controller via USB/BT Joystick Center:

1. Install the app from Google Play (use voice search or remote, as navigation from the gamepad may not work).
2. Connect the controller via Bluetooth or USB.
3. Open up. USB/BT Joystick Center and select your gamepad from the list of devices.
4. Press Create Profile and assign buttons manually (e.g. match A on the joystick to Enter on the keyboard).
5. Save the profile and activate it before you start the game.

Note: Some apps (such as Octopus) require root rights that are not available on most Mis. TV without the risk of losing the warranty, and in this case, the only way out is to use the USB-Connect or buy compatible gamepad.

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Third-party applications may conflict with system drivers. If the remote or keyboard stops working after installation, remove the utility and restart the TV.

5. Customize the gamepad for games and emulators

Even if the joystick is successfully connected, it may need to be customized for specific applications.

🎮 Emulators (RetroArch, PPSSPP, Dolphin)

Most emulators automatically recognize the gamepad, but sometimes manual button binding is required:

1. Open the emulator and go to Settings → Management.
2. Select Configure the controller and follow the instructions on the screen (click the buttons on the gamepad upon request).
3. Save configuration. In RetroArch, you can create separate profiles for different games.

🖥️ Cloud Gaming (GeForce) NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming)

Services like GeForce NOW They usually support gamepads out of the box, but there may be problems with the:

• 🔄 Wrong button mapping (e.g. A and B switched places) Solution: change layout in service settings.
• 🎯 Lack of tactile recoil (vibration does not work in cloud games).
• 📶 Delayed input due to slow internet. Use a wired TV connection to the router.

📺 Navigation through MIUI TV

By default, the gamepad does not replace the remote control, but you can turn on the keyboard mode:

1. Install the Button Mapper app (requires Android) TV 9.0+).
2. Create a new profile and assign joystick buttons to keyboard actions (e.g., D-pad) → Arrows, A → Enter).
3. Activate your profile and try to manage the TV menu.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall shell (India), some functions of the Button Mapper can be blocked, in which case only firmware for the global version or using an external keyboard will help.

6. Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, errors can occur, and let’s look at typical scenarios and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try:

• 🔄 Reset the settings of the TV (Settings) → Preferences → Reset).
• 📋 Check the gamepad on another device (PC, smartphone).
• 🔧 Update the TV firmware (see spoiler above).

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On Xiaomi Mi TVs TV A2 And a newer lag problem is often solved by turning off Game Mode in the screen settings. Paradoxically, this mode can increase input latency for some gamepads.

7.The best gamepads for Xiaomi Mi TV 2026

If you haven’t bought a joystick yet and want to choose a model with maximum compatibility, look for the following options:

• 🥇 8BitDo Pro 2 — Universal gamepad with Bluetooth support, 2.4 GHz and USB-C. Works with Mi. TV without additional settings, there are modes of emulation Xbox/Switch.
• 🎮 GameSir T4 Kaleid is a low latency wired/wireless controller that supports Hall Effect).
• 💰 Xbox Wireless Controller (2020) – official support for Android TV 10+, but may require updating the firmware of the gamepad through Xbox Accessories App on PC.
• 📱 Razer Kishi Mobile – if you plan to stream games from your phone to your TV via Miracast or Steam Link.

Budgetary options (< 3000 ₽):

• 🕹️ EasySMX ESM-9110 — Cheap Xbox Controller with Vibration.
• 🎯 IPega PG-9087S — foldable gamepad for the phone, but it works with Mi TV Bluetooth.

Avoid buying used PlayStation 3 gamepads (like DualShock 3) – they require special adapters and often run unstable on Android. TV.

FAQ: Frequent questions