How to connect the gamepad to Xiaomi Mi Box S: all the ways and nuances

Xiaomi Mi Box S – popular Android TV-It's a console that transforms a normal TV into an entertainment center, but for full-scale gaming on a big screen, one remote control is not enough, and a gamepad comes to the rescue, but not everyone knows how to properly connect the controller to the Mi Box S and avoid the typical mistakes.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of connecting: from a standard Bluetooth connection to use. USB-You'll learn which gamepads work out of the box with the Mi Box S, how to set buttons in games, what to do if the console can't see the controller, and secret chips to reduce input delay and increase responsiveness.

Important: instructions will be suitable for all versions of the Mi Box S firmware (including the latest Android) TV 9), but may differ for other Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi Box 4 or Mi). TV If you have another console, check compatibility at the end of the article.

What gamepads are compatible with Xiaomi Mi Box S

Not every controller will work correctly with the Mi Box S. The console supports:

• 🎮 Official gamepads for Android TV: NVIDIA Shield Controller, Xiaomi Game Controller, Google Stadia Controller (Bluetooth only).
• 🎮 Universal Bluetooth gamepads: 8BitDo Pro 2, Gamesir T4 Pro, Flydigi Wee 2T.
• 🎮 Xbox and PlayStation Controllers: Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One (Bluetooth only, no adapter) DualShock 4 (PS4) DualSense (PS5) — require manual adjustment
• 🎮 USB-Gamepads: Most wired controllers with support XInput/DInput (Like Logitech. F310).

❌ Incompatible models (without additional manipulations):

• Old Xbox 360 gamepads (required) OTG-adapter + specialty)
• Some Chinese no-name controllers without Bluetooth certification HID
• Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (only works through emulation in apps)

🔍 How to check compatibility? Look at the package of the gamepad icons Android or Bluetooth HID. If they are not, you will probably need a manual adjustment.

Connecting the gamepad via Bluetooth: step-by-step instructions

The most versatile way is wireless connectivity, which is suitable for most modern gamepads.

Enable the gamepad in pairing mode (usually the Share button) + PS/Xbox)

Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled on the Mi Box S (Settings) → Devices → Bluetooth)

The charge of the controller is not less than 30% (otherwise, connection breaks are possible)

Disable other Bluetooth devices (earphones, keyboards) to avoid conflict

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Step 1: Activate the gamepad search mode:

• 🎮 Xbox Series X|S: Press the Sync button (near the USB-port by 3 seconds.
• 🎮 DualShock 4/DualSense: clamp down on Share + PS light-emitting.
• 🎮 8BitDo/ Gamesir: Hold Start + A (see model instruction).

Step 2. On the Mi Box S, go to Settings → Devices → Add a Bluetooth device. The console will start scanning.

Step 3. In the list of found devices, select the name of your gamepad (such as Wireless Controller or Xbox Series X).

Step 4. Wait for the message Connected. Now the gamepad has to work in games and emulators.

⚠️ Warning: If the Mi Box S doesn't see the gamepad, try: Reboot the console (Settings) → The device → Reboot) Update the firmware of the gamepad (relevant to 8BitDo and Gamesir) Reset Bluetooth settings on the console (Settings) → Devices → Bluetooth → Forget the device)

💡

If the gamepad connects, but the buttons are not working correctly, try changing the input mode. 8BitDo Pro 2 switch from DInput to XInput (mode button).

Connecting the gamepad to USB: whenever

USB-connection is relevant in three cases:

1. Your gamepad does not support Bluetooth (e.g., older wired models).
2. You experience wireless input delays.
3. Bluetooth on the Mi Box S is unstable (relevant for firmware older than 2021).

What you need:

• 🔌 OTG-adapter (if the gamepad with a connector) USB-A). Mi Box S is suitable for adapter USB-C (male) → USB-A (female).
• 🔋 Power: Some gamepads require additional power via the hub (e.g. Xbox 360).

Instructions:

1. Connect. OTG-port-adapter USB-C on the Mi Box S.
2. Connect the gamepad to the adapter cable USB-A → Micro-USB/Type-C (model-wise).
3. Wait for the automatic driver installation (on the screen will appear a notification) USB-plug-in).
4. Check out the game or test menu (e.g., the Game Controller Tester from Google Play).

⚠️ Note: When connecting DualShock 4 to USB The Mi Box S may not have a touchpad and a speaker. That's the limitation of Android. TV — Use Bluetooth for full functionality.

Setting up a gamepad for games: calibration and mapping buttons

Even after a successful connection, the gamepad may not work correctly: the buttons do not correspond to the actions in the game, the joysticks “float”, or the controller is defined as a mouse.

Method 1. Calibration via Android TV

1. Go to Settings → Devices → Gamepads.
2. Select the connected controller and press Calibration.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen: alternately press the buttons, tilt the joysticks to extreme positions.

Method 2. Manual assignment of buttons (mapping)

If the game does not support the gamepad, use the Tincore Keymapper app:

1. Install Tincore from Google Play (Special Features Permission Requires).
2. Create a new profile for your game.
3. Assign physical gamepad buttons to on-screen taps (for example, Krestovin) → WASD).
4. Save your profile and start the game.

Method 3: Emulation of an Xbox Controller

Some games (e.g. xCloud or GeForce) NOW) They require XInput, if your gamepad doesn't support it:

• Install Octopus or Mainline from Google Play.
• Select the Xbox 360 Controller Emulation mode.
• Assign your gamepad buttons to the virtual Xbox controller.

Problem Solving: The gamepad is not working or is shut down

Common mistakes and their solutions:

Critical information: if after updating the firmware Mi Box S gamepad stopped working, reset Bluetooth settings via ADB-team:

adb shell pm clear com.android.bluetooth

This command removes all the mated devices and resets the Bluetooth module to factory settings.

⚠️ Note: Mi Box S firmware older than 2020 may not support Bluetooth 5.0 (PS5) Xbox Series X will not work smoothly, so use it. USB-connection.

Use of gamepad in emulators (RetroArch, PPSSPP)

Retro game emulators on the Mi Box S often require a separate gamepad setup, as seen in RetroArch:

Step 1. Connect the gamepad (Bluetooth or USB) and launch RetroArch.

Step 2. Set the buttons:

1. Go to the Settings → Input → Port 1 Controls.
2. Select User 1 Device Type and select your gamepad.
3. Press Bind All and alternately press the buttons on the controller.

Step 3: Save Configuration: Configuration File → Save Current Configuration.

🔹 For PPSSPP (emulator PSP):

• Start the game, press Menu. → Controls → Control mapping.
• Select External Gamepad and assign buttons.
• Activate the Analog Stick option for joysticks.

🔹 For Dolphin (emulator) Wii/GameCube): You will need to configure GCPad in the Controllers section.

💡

In emulators, always set the gamepad first in the app menu, not in the system. Otherwise, the buttons may duplicate or not work.

How to reduce the input lag (input lag) in games

The delay between pressing a button and reacting on the screen is a common problem on Android TV. Causes and solutions:

• 📶 Bluetooth Lag: Use the USB-Connection or gamepad with Bluetooth Low Latency support (for example, 8BitDo Ultimate).
• 🖥️ Emulator Delay: In RetroArch, turn on Run Ahead (Settings) → Latency → Run Ahead Frames).
• 📺 TV Latency: Activate Game Mode in Settings TV.
• 🔄 Background Processes: Close all applications through Settings → Annexes → Launched.

Delay test: Input Lag Test from Google Play and measure response time.

• Bluetooth: 30–60 miss
• USB: 10–30 miss
• Emulators: 50–100 ms (depending on console)

💡 The Secret Trick: If You Play Through GeForce NOW or xCloud, connect the Mi Box S to the router via Ethernet cable (via the adapter) USB-C → RJ45). This will reduce the network lag by 20-40 ms.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting the gamepad