Modern Xiaomi Mi TVs and Android TVs turn the living room into a full-fledged entertainment center, but remote control often seems inconvenient when using heavy emulators or cloud gaming. It is in these situations that third-party controllers, such as popular game manipulators from the DEXP brand, which are affordable and widely compatible with operating systems. The process of synchronizing the input device with the television platform may seem difficult only at first glance, but with the right approach takes only a few minutes.
In this material, we will analyze in detail all the nuances of pairing, including the features of working with Bluetooth modules and wired devices. USB-interfaces that are typical of the Xiaomi ecosystem. You’ll learn how to avoid common driver install errors, what hidden menu settings might be needed to correctly recognize buttons, and why some joysticks models require flashing before using on a large screen.
Particular attention will be paid to the compatibility of different versions of Android TV installed on Redmi and Mi TVs, since the interface and depth of settings can vary significantly depending on the year of release of the model. We will consider both standard system tools and third-party utilities that allow you to expand the functionality of the controller, assigning macros or changing the sensitivity of analog sticks for comfortable play in the genres of fighting games and shooters.
Selecting the right DEXP gamepad model and checking compatibility
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that the controller model you choose is technically capable of running your version of the operating system. The DEXP brand produces several gamepad lines, and not all of them are equally good friends with Android TV Box or embedded smart TVs. The most stable work is demonstrated by devices that support XInput mode, which is the standard for modern games on PC and consoles, and the DInput mode, which is necessary for older emulators.
It is important to check whether your Xiaomi TV has a free port. USB with enough power current if you plan to wired, or have a serviceable Bluetooth adapter version 4.0 and higher for wireless mode. USB-port for power-intensive wireless gamepads, which leads to periodic connection breaks or complete device failure to be determined by the system.
⚠️ Attention: Gamepad models DEXP series GP-0xx without the labeling "Android" or "Mobile" may not have the necessary HID-profiles for working with TVs, requiring the installation of third-party drivers that are on pure Android TV Often impossible without root rights.
For wireless models, it is critical to have fresh batteries or a fully charged battery, as at the time of initial pairing, the device consumes the maximum current for exchanging encryption keys. A weak battery charge can cause the Mi TV to see the device, but cannot complete the authorization process, giving out a connection error.
- 🎮 Check the availability of the switch modes on the back of the gamepad (Android/iOS/PC).
- 🔋 Make sure you have it in the kit. USB-cable with high-quality screening for data transfer, not just charging.
- 📡 For Bluetooth models, make sure your TV supports the protocol. BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).
- 📦 Save the instructions, as the combination of buttons to enter the pairing mode may differ in different revisions.
Compatibility also depends on the version of Android installed on your device. On older versions (below Android 9), driver conflicts may occur that are resolved only by updating the TV firmware through the Settings menu → About TV → System Update. Always update the software before trying to connect new peripherals.
Preparation of Xiaomi TV and gamepad to pair
The first step in the setup process is to prepare the Xiaomi TV platform to receive new control signals. You need to go to the main menu and find the Settings section, which is usually indicated by the gear ikon in the upper right corner of the screen. In the list you should select Add Accessories or Bluetooth, depending on the version of the PatchWall interface or pure Android TV.
In parallel with setting up the TV, you need to put the DEXP gamepad itself into detection mode. For most models, this is done by long (about 5-7 seconds) pressing a combination of buttons, for example, Home + X or Home + B, until the LED light indicator begins to flash quickly. The blinking speed usually indicates the activity of the search mode, slow blinking when you normally turn on.
☑️ Checklist of preparation for connection
If you use a wired method, then the preparation comes down to cleaning the cache. USB-TV services, which is especially true if other devices that have caused failures have previously connected to the port, such as the Clean Master app or Xiaomi’s built-in system optimization tools, which are often preinstalled in Chinese firmware versions.
It is important to provide direct visibility between the Bluetooth antenna TV and the gamepad at the time of pairing, since the metal elements of the Mi TV body can shield the signal. It is recommended to stand in front of the screen and hold the gamepad at the level of the lower frame of the TV, where wireless modules are most often located.
Instructions: Connecting via Bluetooth interface
Wireless connectivity is the most convenient way to use the DEXP gamepad with a Xiaomi TV, as it eliminates unnecessary wires and distance restrictions. Once you activate the search mode on the TV, the name of your controller should appear in the list of available devices, which can look like the Gamepad, Wireless Controller or a specific model, for example, the DEXP GP-010.
Select the device you want with the remote control and press the confirmation button. The system can request confirmation of pairing through a pop-up window where you need to select the Pair or enter a pin code if you need it (standard codes: 0000 or 1234). Successful connection is confirmed by an audible signal and changing the status of the indicator on the gamepad to a constant glow or a rare blink.
| DEXP Model | Combination for Bluetooth | Indicator | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| GP-009B | Home + X (5 seconds) | Fast blinking. | Standard Android mode |
| GP-010 | Home + B (3 seconds) | Cyclical blinking | Requires repressing. |
| GP-011 | Home button (8 seconds) | Burning blue. | Automatic reconnection |
| GP-012 | Home + Y | Slow blinking | Low-delay mode |
In some cases, especially on global versions of MIUI for TV firmware, the system may suggest installing additional drivers or apps for full button functionality.Consent to install only from the official Google Play Store or Mi Store to avoid the introduction of malware.
After successful pairing, it is recommended to immediately check the response of buttons in the navigation menu of the TV. If the cursor moves, and the selection of points is correct, then the basic HID (Human Interface Device) is working properly and you can move to the setting of specific games.
What to do if the TV doesn’t see the gamepad?
Configuring a wired connection via USB
Wired connection through the port USB Provides minimal input lag, which is critical for dynamic games where every millisecond of reaction is important. DEXP, free-riding USB-The system must automatically identify a new input device and assign it standard drivers.
But not all of them. USB-portages on Mi TVs TV The same: ports with labels USB 3.0 (usually blue) may have power priority, but are sometimes less compatible with older controllers than ports. USB 2.0 (black) If the gamepad is undecided the first time, try switching it to another connector, preferably one that is closer to the edge of the case.
In rare cases, it may be necessary to activate USB debugging to work properly on some features, although this is not usually required for basic gamepad use.If you plan to use complex emulators such as RetroArch, make sure that the developer settings (Settings → About TV → 7 times click on “Build”) include the option of debugging over USB.
⚠️ Attention: When in use USB-Hubs to connect multiple gamepads make sure that the hub has its own external power supply, otherwise the current from the TV may not be enough for stable operation of all devices at the same time.
The advantage of the wired method is that there is no need for batteries and no interference from neighboring Wi-Fi networks or microwave ovens, making wired connections the most reliable option for organizing tournaments or long gaming sessions.
Using emulators and setting buttons in games
After physical connection, the next step is to programmatically adjust the DEXP buttons to match the actions in games. Android TV regular applications often do not have a flexible reassignment system, so it is recommended to install a specialized emulator for full use, for example, RetroArch or Panda Gamepad Pro.
Inside the RetroArch emulator, you need to go to Settings → Input and select the auto configuration option, where the system will try to find a ready profile for your controller. If the automatic search did not work, you can use manual settings by consistently pressing the gamepad buttons according to the prompts on the TV screen.
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For older console emulators (PS1, Sega) in RetroArch settings, enable the “Analog to Digital” option to make analog sticks work like a cross, which will improve management in platformers.
Special attention should be paid to calibrating analog sticks, since budget DEXP models can experience a “drift” effect when the character moves without touching the stick. In the emulator input settings menu, find the Deadzone (dead zone) item and increase its value until the spontaneous movement stops.
Cloud gaming through apps like GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming usually doesn’t require additional setup, as these services use standard XInput profiles. However, if buttons are not working correctly (for example, confused places), you may need to use a mapper app that intercepts signals and redirects them to the game.
Solution: drivers, delays and failures
The most common problem when connecting DEXP gamepads to Xiaomi TVs is to de-synchronize buttons or completely ignore input in certain applications. This is often due to the fact that the game expects a signal in XInput format, and the gamepad sends DInput by default. The solution is to switch the mode of operation of the gamepad itself using special button combinations (usually Home + A or Home + Start).
Another common difficulty is the high input delay, which makes the game uncomfortable. TV enable Game Mode, which disables the extra post-processing of the image. You can find this option in the Settings menu → Image: → Image mode → Playing or through a quick menu caused by a long press of the menu button on the remote control.
- 🔄 Reset Bluetooth settings in the TV menu if the device connects but does not transmit signals.
- 🔋 Replace batteries even if they seem to work – low voltage often causes chaotic behavior.
- 📶 Disable unused Bluetooth devices to free up the communication channel for the gamepad.
- 📲 Delete the cache of the "Bluetooth" application in the "Applications" section of the Android settings TV.
If none of the methods helps, a specific version of Android TV firmware may conflict. In this case, it is worth searching for information on the forums about your specific model of TV and the version of software used, as sometimes it helps to roll back the system or, conversely, install a beta version of the update.
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The stability of the gamepad depends on the version of the TV firmware and the selected emulation mode (XInput vs. DInput) by 90%.