How to connect a new remote to the console Xiaomi Mi Box 3: all ways

Lost your native remote from Xiaomi Mi Box 3 or it stopped working? Take your time to buy a new console — you can connect a replacement in 5 minutes, even if you have only a smartphone at hand. Original Mi Remote remotes (including voice-controlled versions) are synced over Bluetooth, and universal IR remotes require customization via Settings. → Input devices.

Many users mistakenly think that you need a working remote to pair, which is not true. If your Mi Box 3 is on and connected to your TV, you can use a mouse with a remote control. USB-In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from standard synchronization to bypassing locks if the console does not respond to commands.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery level in the new remote (if it is a Bluetooth model).
• 📶 The distance between the console and the console is not more than 3 meters for Bluetooth and 5-7 meters for IR.
• 🔄 Reboot the Mi Box 3 by holding the power button for 10 seconds (if the console is getting stuck).

1. Connecting the original Xiaomi Bluetooth remote

The original Mi Remote remotes (including the Mi Bluetooth Voice Remote models) are automatically connected when the Mi Box 3 is first turned on. If synchronization does not occur, force pairing:

Step 1. Turn on the console using the power button on the case or through HDMI-CEC (If the TV is running the control HDMI).

Step 2. Press and hold the Back buttons) + Home (Home) on the remote for 5 seconds, until the indicator starts flashing blue (pairing mode).

Step 3. On the console, go to:

Settings → Input devices → Adding accessories

The system will automatically find the remote. Confirm the connection by pressing OK remote.

Hold on to Back. + Home 5 seconds|The indicator flashes blue?|Run a search in Settings|Confirm the interface on the remote.-->

⚠️ Warning: If the indicator on the remote flashes red, it means battery discharge. Charge the remote via Micro-USB (if the model supports charging) or replace the batteries.

For voice control (Mi Voice Remote) after connection, you may need to update the firmware.

Settings → About the console → Updating the system

2. Setup of a universal IR remote

Universal IR panels (for example, from Samsung TVs, LG You can program it to work with the Mi Box 3, but the functionality will be limited. You will need a device code for Xiaomi or manual configuration.

Method 1: Automatic code search

1. Hold the Setup (or Set) button on the remote for 3 seconds until the indicator blinks.
2. Dial the code 0060 (universal for Xiaomi) or 0178 (for some Mi Box models).
3. Check the Volume, Home and other buttons OK.

Method 2: Manual enumeration of codes

If the automatic code didn’t work, try manually slicing the options from the table:

If none of the code fits, try learning the buttons:

1. On the original Mi Box 3 remote, click the button you want to copy (e.g. Volume).+).
2. Bring the universal remote close to the original (at a distance of 2-3 cm).
3. Hold the Learn (or Mem) button on the universal remote for 3 seconds, then press the same button on the original remote.

💡

If the IR remote is unstable, check the infrared receiver on the front of the Mi Box 3, which may have become contaminated. Wipe it with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

3. Connection via the remote app on a smartphone

If you don't have a physical remote, temporarily control the Mi Box 3 from your smartphone.

• 📱 Mi Remote (official from Xiaomi) – supports Bluetooth and IR.
• 🎮 Yatse: Remote Control – Extended Features for Android TV.
• 🖥️ Google TV Remote (for) iOS/Android) — Wi-Fi-based.

Instructions for Mi Remote App:

1. Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your smartphone.

If the application does not find the prefix:

• 🔄 Reboot the Mi Box 3 and Smartphone.
• 📶 Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🔒 In the settings of the consoles allow control over the network: Settings → Network connections → Remote control

4. Connecting the remote from another device (e.g. from the Mi Box S)

Remotes from Mi Box S, Mi Box 4 or Mi TV Sticks are partially compatible with the Mi Box 3, but Google Assistant or Netflix buttons may not work:

For Bluetooth remotes:

1. Hold on to Back. + Home 5 seconds (Pairing mode).
2. On the console, go to Settings → Input devices → Addition of accessories.
3. Select the remote found in the list.

For IR panels:

Use the codes in the IR panels section, but start with 0178 – it most often works with remotes from new Xiaomi models.

⚠️ Note: The remotes from the Mi Box S and Mi Box 4 can conflict with the original Mi Box 3 remote if both are connected at the same time.

5. Problem Solving: The remote does not connect

If the Mi Box 3 doesn’t see the new remote, check out the following:

Problem 1: The remote is not defined in the list of devices

• 🔋 Replace batteries (even if they are new, factory marriage is possible).
• 🔄 Reboot the console by turning off the power for 30 seconds.
• 📱 Check if another Bluetooth remote is connected to the console (disable it in Settings). → Input devices).

Problem 2: The remote is connected, but not all buttons are working

This is typical of universal IR remotes.

• 🔧 Reprogram the buttons manually (see section on IR remotes).
• 🖥️ Use the keyboard with USB menu-navigation.
• 📲 Install Button Mapper from Google Play on the console (requires the developer mode to be enabled).

Problem 3: The console does not respond to any remote control

Possible causes:

• 🔌 A Bluetooth module or IR receiver on the console is defective.
• 🖼️ Firmware failure (try resetting settings: Settings) → Recovery and discharge → Resetting settings).
• 🔋 The power supply does not give enough voltage (check with another adapter).

💡

If the Mi Box 3 doesn’t respond to remotes and reboots, try hardware reset: hold the Reset button on the console body for 10-15 seconds (the hole next to the console’s body) HDMI-port).

6. Alternative methods of control without remote control

If you can not connect the remote, temporarily control the console in other ways:

1. Mouse or keyboard by USB

Connect. USB-mouse or keyboard to the port Mi Box 3. the mouse cursor will be displayed on the screen, and the keyboard will allow you to type text and navigate through the menu using the keys ↑↓←→ enter.

2. HDMI-CEC (remote control)

If your TV is supported HDMI-CEC (command-transfer HDMI), Turn it on:

Settings → Display and Sound → HDMI-CEC →

Now, the Volume, Power and Navigation buttons on the TV remote will control the Mi Box 3.

3. Voice control via Google Assistant

If you have a Google Home or a smart speaker with Google Assistant, link it to the Mi Box 3:

1. Open the Google Home app on your smartphone.
2. Click + → Set up the device → Set up new devices.
3. Select the Xiaomi Mi Box 3 from the list.
4. Once connected, use voice commands such as, “OK Google, turn on Netflix on the Mi Box.”

7.Where to buy the original remote for the Mi Box 3

If you decide to purchase an original remote, pay attention to the following points:

Official sources:

• 🛒 Mi Store (official Xiaomi store) - guarantee of original products.
• 🌍 AliExpress (sellers with a rating above 98% and reviews about compatibility with Mi Box 3).
• 🏬 Communications salons (Svyaznoy, MTS, Beeline) - sometimes available.

How to distinguish the original from the fake:

Important: Fake remotes often do not support voice control and have delays when pressing buttons.

Before buying, check the compatibility of the model. The original remotes for the Mi Box 3 have articles:

• MDZ-16-AB — standard Bluetooth remote.
• MDZ-22-AB — voice-controlled.

FAQ: Frequent questions