Xiaomi Mi TV 4S — Popular Smart TV with Android Support TV, But many users have difficulty connecting gamepads: Bluetooth connection breaks, buttons fail, and late entry makes games unmanageable. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of connecting - from standard Bluetooth to use. USB-Adapters and solve typical compatibility and performance problems.
The Mi TV 4S (unlike the flagship Xiaomi TV Q2 or Mi TV 6 OLED models) features limited support for peripherals at the firmware level, which means that even the original Sony DualSense or Xbox Series X gamepads may require additional manipulations to work properly. We tested all methods on the firmware of MIUI TV 3.0 and Android TV 11/12, so the instructions are relevant for most users.
1.What gamepads are compatible with Xiaomi Mi TV 4S
Theoretically, the TV supports any HID (Human Interface Device) gamepad, but there are some nuances in practice.
- 🎮 Xbox Wireless Controller (Models 2016 and newer) – works via Bluetooth, but requires manual pairing.
- 🎮 Sony DualSense (PS5) DualShock 4 (PS4) — Partially supported (no feedback on DualSense).
- 🎮 Nintendo Switch Pro Controller – stable but may not be recognized in some games.
- 🎮 8BitDo Pro 2 and Sn30 Pro – Optimized for Android TV, support all functions.
- 🎮 Anybody. USB-gamepad XInput/DInput (Like Logitech. F310).
Important: Gamepads from PS3 (DualShock 3 and older Xbox 360 models (without Bluetooth) won’t work directly – you’ll need to USB-Adapter or special software. Some Chinese no-name controllers may not be identified due to the lack of drivers in the TV firmware.
If your gamepad is not included in the list, check its compatibility through the official Android TV directory. Devices marked "Works with Android TV" are guaranteed to be supported.
2. Connecting the gamepad via Bluetooth: step-by-step instructions
The most versatile way is wireless. However, the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S has a limitation: you can only connect 1 gamepad at a time (unlike the Mi TV 5 Pro, which supports up to 4 devices).
- Enable the gamepad in pairing mode: For Xbox: press the sync button (the little button on top) for 3 seconds until the indicator starts flashing. For DualSense/DualShock 4: pinch Share + PS before the LED flashes. For Switch Pro: hold the sync button (near USB-C) for 5 seconds.
On the TV, go to Settings → Devices → Add Bluetooth device.
Select your gamepad from the list. If the device doesn't show up, update the TV's firmware or restart it.
Confirm the pairing. On some gamepads (e.g, 8BitDo) need to be PIN-code - usually 0000 or 1234.
Charge the gamepad to 50% and above |
Update the firmware of the gamepad (if there are updates) |
Make sure the gamepad is not connected to other devices |
On the TV, turn off Bluetooth | power saving mode
Reboot the TV before pairing-->
Common errors in Bluetooth connection:
- ❌ The gamepad is connected, but the buttons are not working. → Try resetting the controller settings (clamping Reset for 10 seconds).
- ❌ The connection is terminated in 5-10 minutes. → Turn off Bluetooth Auto Shutdown in TV settings.
- ❌ The gamepad is defined as an "Unknown device" → Update the TV to the latest version.
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If the gamepad connects but doesn’t work in games, try installing the Gamepad Tester app from Google Play on your TV to see if the clicks are recognized at the system level.
3. USB Connection: When Bluetooth is Not Working
If your wireless connection is unstable or your gamepad does not support Bluetooth (e.g. Xbox 360), use the USB-It's going to take a connection:
- 🔌 Cable USB-A → USB-C (for modern gamepads or USB-A → Micro-USB (for older models).
- 🔌 OTG-Adapter (if the TV does not have a TV) USB-port-A).
Instructions:
- Connect the gamepad to the TV with a cable. Some models (for example, DualSense) will require you to switch the controller to Wired Mode (clamp PS + Share for 10 seconds).
- Wait for the alert "USB-If the message doesn't appear, check the cable or adapter.
- Start the game and check the buttons. In some cases, you will need to restart the TV.
Advantages USB-connection:
- ✅ Zero Delay (Critical for Fightings and Shooters).
- ✅ No need to charge the gamepad during the game.
- ✅ Compatible with older controllers (e.g. Logitech) F310).
⚠️ Attention: When in use USB-The hub (spunter) may not be detectable, connect the controller directly to the TV port, and avoid extension cords longer than 1 meter, which can cause delays.
4.Use of Bluetooth adapters for incompatible gamepads
If your gamepad is not directly supported by your TV (such as the Xbox Elite Series 2 or Steam Controller), you can use specialized adapters.
| adapter | Supported gamepads | Price (2026) | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8BitDo Wireless Adapter 2 | Xbox One/Series, PS4/PS5, Switch Pro | ~2 500 ₽ | Low latency, support for 4 devices | Requires firmware for some gamepads |
| Mayflash Magic-NS | Switch Pro, DualSense, Xbox, PS3 | ~3 000 ₽ | It works with most controllers. | Sometimes she loses her connection. |
| Brook Wingman XE | Xbox 360, PS3, arcade sticks | ~4 500 ₽ | Support for old devices | Dear, complicated setup |
How to connect the adapter:
- Connect the adapter to USB-television-port.
- Transfer the gamepad to pairing mode (see the instructions for the adapter).
- On the adapter, press the sync button (usually marked as Pair).
- Wait for the indicator to flash - the connection is established.
Adapters are especially useful for retro games (NES emulators, SEGA) or arcade sticks that don’t have Bluetooth built-in. However, note that some adapters (such as Mayflash) may conflict with the TV’s built-in Bluetooth – in which case, turn it off in the settings.
5. Gamepad settings in games and emulators
Even if the gamepad is successfully connected, games can have problems recognizing buttons.
- 🎮 For emulators (RetroArch, PPSSPP): Launch the emulator and go to Settings → Control. Select "Configure controller" and follow the instructions on the screen. Save the control profile (e.g. "Xbox 360" for maximum compatibility).
For Android games (Call of Duty Mobile, Genshin Impact):
- Enable gamepad support in the game settings (usually in the "Management" section).
- If the buttons are not working properly, use the Octopus app to emulate touches.
For cloud services (Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce NOW):
Only official Xbox and DualShock 4 gamepads are supported. Other controllers will need to reflash them under XInput (for example, through 8BitDo Ultimate Software).
Challenges and solutions:
- ❌ Buttons A/B and X/Y switched → Change the layout of the game or emulator settings to Japanese or American".
- ❌ Analog sticks work in jerks → Calibrate them through Settings. → Devices → Gamepad calibration.
- ❌ Vibration's not working. → Update the gamepad firmware (relevant to DualSense).
How to emulate a keyboard from a gamepad
6. Performance optimization: how to reduce input delay
The delay between pressing a button and reacting on the screen (input lag) is a major problem when playing on a TV. On the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S, it can reach 50-150 ms (compared to 10-30 ms on PCs or consoles).
- 🔧 Enable Game Mode: Go to Settings → Display and sound → Image mode → It'll turn off post-processing.
- 🔧 Turn off energy saving: In Settings → Devices → Bluetooth deactivate the option "Switch off devices to save charge".
- 🔧 Use a wired connection: Bluetooth adds 20–50ms of latency. USB-plug-in 8BitDo In Wired Mode mode, it will be reduced to 10-20 ms.
- 🔧 Close the background applications: Click Settings → Annexes → Start and stop unnecessary processes (e.g. Mi Home or Google Assistant).
Delay test: To measure input lag, use the TestUFO site (open it through your browser on your TV).
- 🟢 Less than 30 ms – perfect (fightings, shooters).
- 🟡 30-60 ms acceptable (RPG, race).
- 🔴 More than 60 ms – uncomfortable (needs optimization).