Xiaomi's voice control TV saves time and makes viewing easier -- just say a command to change a channel, start an app or change the volume. However, many users face difficulties when first connecting a voice remote: the TV does not find the device, the microphone does not respond to voice, or the remote only partially. In this article, we will discuss all the steps from compatibility check to fine-tuning, and also consider typical errors and how to fix them.
It is important to understand that the connection process depends on the TV model and firmware version. For example, the voice remotes for the Mi TV 5 Pro and Redmi Smart TV X 2023 support an expanded set of commands, while older models may require software updates. We collected current data for 2026, including nuances for different regions (in some countries, the voice assistant XiaoAI is limited).
If you've tried to connect the remote and it didn't work, don't be quick to blame the technology. In 70 percent of cases, the problem is the little things: the batteries are dead, the language is wrong in the settings, or the conflict with other Bluetooth devices. Next, you'll find a checklist for diagnosis and step-by-step instructions with illustrations (descriptions) of each step.
1. Compatibility: Which Voice Remote Is Right for Your Xiaomi TV
Not all Xiaomi remotes support voice control, and not all TVs can work with them.
- 📺 TVs with support: Mi TV 4/4A/4C/4S/5/5 Pro, Redmi Smart TV X/A/Pro (2020 The model before 2019 years (e.g. Mi) TV 3S) Requires firmware updates to MIUI TV 3.0+.
- 🎤 Official remotes: Xiaomi Mi Remote Controller Pro (with microphone), Redmi Voice Remote. remotes without microphone button (for example, a standard IR remote control included) voice does not support.
- 🔄 Alternatives: You can use Google Assistant or Alice via your smartphone, but this requires additional settings (see the section on alternative ways).
To find out if your TV supports a voice remote, check:
- Go to Settings → About TV → Model.
- Compare the model with the compatibility table below.
- Update the firmware to the latest version (instructions in the next section).
| Model TV set | Support for voice remote | Required firmware | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi TV 5 Pro (2020–2026) | ✅ Yes. | MIUI TV 3.0+ | Supports XiaoAI and Google Assistant |
| Redmi Smart TV X55/X65 | ✅ Yes. | MIUI TV 2.5+ | Requires Redmi Voice Remote |
| Mi TV 4S 55" (2019) | ⚠️ Partially. | MIUI TV 3.0 | It only works after the update. |
| Mi TV 3S (until 2018) | ❌ No. | — | External microphone required |
⚠️ Note: The remotes from the Mi Box S or Mi Stick are not compatible with Xiaomi TVs - they use a different connection protocol!
2. TV Preparation: firmware update and resetting settings
Before connecting the remote, make sure that the TV is running the current version of the software. Outdated firmware is the most common cause of failures.
To update the firmware:
- Open Settings → About TV → Update system.
- Click Check for updates.
- If a new version is available, confirm installation. Do not turn off the TV during the process (it will take 5-15 minutes).
If the update is not automatically updated:
- 🔌 Connect your TV to the internet via an Ethernet cable (Wi-Fi can be unstable).
- 📥 Download the firmware manually from the official website (select your model) and install through USB.
Check the TV model in the settings|Update the firmware to the latest version|Remove old paired devices in Bluetooth|Insert batteries into the remote (polarity!)|Connecting the TV to the Internet-->
If the remote previously connected to another device, reset its settings:
- Remove the batteries from the remote for 30 seconds.
- Press and hold the Menu + OK buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds.
- Put the batteries back in, the remote is ready for a new pairing.
⚠️ Warning: After the remote is reset, all previous pairings are erased. If it was tied to another TV or console, you will need to reconfigure the console.
3. Step-by-step instruction: how to connect a voice remote to Xiaomi TV
Now, let's get to the main process. Follow the instructions carefully, the order of the action is important.
Step 1. Enable the pairing mode on the remote
- 🔋 Insert batteries into the remote (use new ones, discharged ones can interrupt the process).
- 🎙️ Press and hold the microphone button (usually located at the top of the remote) for 5 seconds until the indicator flashes blue.
Step 2: Activate device search on the TV
- Go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and remotes.
- Select Add Device.
- In the list, find the remote, which will be called Mi Remote Controller or Xiaomi Voice Remote.
- Confirm pairing on the TV and remote (on the remote you may need to press OK).
Step 3: Set up a voice assistant
After the remote is connected:
- Back to Settings → Voice control.
- Choose a language (Russian, English, Chinese are available depending on the region).
- Take a short calibration of the microphone: say a test phrase (e.g., "Hello, XiaoAI").
What if the TV can’t see the remote?
If voice commands are not working after you connect, check the regional settings of the TV: in some countries (for example, in Europe), the XiaoAI function is disabled by default. To activate it, change the region to China or India in Settings → Language and Region.
Tweaking voice commands: What to say to a TV
The XiaoAI voice assistant (or Google Assistant, depending on the model) supports more than 100 commands.
| Category | Examples of teams | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reproduction management | "Pass", "Next Episode", "Cloud up 20%" | It works on Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video |
| Search for content | "Find the Lord of the Rings" and "Show the Comedy of 2023" | Searches by names and genres |
| TV settings | "Switch off the TV in 30 minutes", "Set brightness to 70%" | Not all models support the change in brightness of the voice |
| Smart home. | "Show the camera from the porch." | Requires a connection to Mi Home |
To add your own commands:
- Open Settings → Voice control → Configure commands.
- Select an action (for example, "Open App").
- Write down your phrase (e.g., “Run Disney+”).
💡
If the TV doesn't recognize your voice, try speaking more clearly and closer to the microphone (from 20 to 30 cm away). Avoid noisy spaces - fans or air conditioners can interfere with recognition.
Extended functions (such as smart home management) will require:
- 📱 Install the Mi Home app on your smartphone.
- 🔗 Connect your TV and other Xiaomi devices to one account.
- 🔄 Enable synchronization in Settings → Smart home.
Typical problems and their solutions
Even after a successful connection, failures can occur, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
- 🔇 Remote unresponsive to voice: Check to see if the microphone is silenced (some remotes have a physical switch). Update the remote's firmware via Mi Home (if available). Reset the remote settings (see Section 2).
- 🔌 Remove the remote by itself: Replace the batteries with new ones (even if the old ones "seem to work"). Remove the remote from the Bluetooth list and reconnect. Check if there is interference from other wireless devices (Wi-Fi router, microwaves).
- 🗣️ TV doesn't understand commands: Change the voice assistant's language to English (sometimes more accurate), Reboot the TV (Settings) → Reboot. Turn it off. VPN, If it's on, it can block the voice recognition servers.
💡
If the remote is connected but the voice commands are not working, the problem is most often regional settings. Change the country to "China" or "India" in the TV settings, even if you don't speak these languages - this activates the full functionality of XiaoAI.
If nothing helps, try an alternative management method:
- 📱 Use Google Assistant on your smartphone: Install the Google Home app. Add the TV as your device. Say, OK, Google, turn on the TV in the living room".
- 🎮 Connect a game controller with a microphone (such as Xbox Controller) via Bluetooth.