How to connect a new remote to a Xiaomi TV: the complete guide

The situation when the remote control stops responding to commands at the most inopportune moment is familiar to many owners of smart equipment. The screen burns, but you can not control the Android TV or PatchWall system, which turns a modern TV into a useless piece of plastic and glass. Most often the problem lies in the dead batteries, but if they do not help, you have to look for ways to activate the device using alternative methods.

For Xiaomi and Redmi owners, there are several proven ways to regain control without using the original Bluetooth remote. You can use a wired keyboard, an IR port smartphone, or even a mouse to get into the settings menu. The main thing is to understand what type of connection your gadget uses, since the methods for IR models and Bluetooth devices are significantly different.

In this guide, we'll look at all possible scenarios, from emergency USB connectivity to customizing universal applications, how to get around the limitations of the interface and get the TV to listen to new commands, and how to act consistently to avoid disrupting the software's synchronization settings.

Diagnosis and determination of the type of remote

Before trying to connect a new device to a TV, it is necessary to pinpoint the type of communication that was used before. Xiaomi Mi TV Stick, Box S and modern smart TVs of the EA series, ES most often work via Bluetooth, which allows you to control the device without pointing the remote directly at the screen. Old or budget models can rely on an infrared port (IR), which requires a line of sight between the transmitter and the receiver.

Visually, Bluetooth remotes are often devoid of a digital button block or have a minimalist design, because data is transmitted over a radio channel. If you have a microphone button on your device for voice search, this is guaranteed by the Bluetooth model. IR remotes, in turn, have a transparent window at the top of the case through which the signal is emitted.

Understanding the type of connection is critical, because the pairing process looks different for them. For IR panels, simply insert batteries and point them at the TV, whereas Bluetooth devices require a mandatory pairing procedure through the system menu, and a mistake in choosing the connection method will only lead to a waste of time.

• 🔍 Look at the top of the remote: the presence of a transparent IR emitter indicates an old type of communication.
• 🎤 Having a microphone button or touchpad is guaranteed to mean using Bluetooth protocol.
• 📡 Check out the TV model: Mi series TV P1, Q1 They are almost always using Bluetooth Low Energy.

⚠️ Note: Attempting to connect a Bluetooth remote as a normal IR device through third-party applications will not work, since data transfer protocols are incompatible.

Use of the USB-keyboards and mice to access the menu

The most reliable way to get into the settings of the TV when the remote is not working is to use a regular computer. USB-Keyboards or mice. Android operating system TV, Xiaomi TVs are based on which it has built-in support. HID-You just need to find a free device. USB-port on the back or side panel of the TV and connect the manipulator there.

Once connected, a notification of a new device may appear on the screen, but most often the cursor or text field is activated instantly. With the mouse, you can click on the gear icon in the upper right corner of the screen to open the Settings section. If there is no mouse, the keyboard will also allow you to navigate the interface using arrows, and the Enter button will perform the selection confirmation function.

This method is especially useful if you need to go through deep system setup or install applications to control from your smartphone. The keyboard allows you to quickly enter passwords from Wi-Fi, which often becomes a problem when using on-screen keyboards. In addition, some keyboard shortcuts can emulate remote commands, such as the F1 or Home button sometimes returns to the home screen.

• 🖱️ Connect. USB-Mouse in any free port (preferably) USB 2.0 Black for better compatibility).
• ⌨️ Use the arrows on the keyboard for navigation and Enter for menu items.
• 🔌 If ports USB busy, use USB-Hub to connect both mouse and driver drive at the same time (rarely, but required).

⚠️ Warning: Do not connect your keyboard or mouse while updating your TV firmware, this may interrupt the system file writing process.

💡

Use a wired keyboard without additional drivers – Android TV recognizes them automatically as standard input devices.

Connection via smartphone: IR port and Wi-Fi

If you have a smartphone with an integrated infrared port (often found in Xiaomi, Huawei, Honor models), you can turn it into a universal remote. You just open the standard “Mi Remote” or “Mi Remote” app and add a new device. Choose the “Television” category, then the “Xiaomi” brand and start testing the proposed buttons.

If you don't have an IR port on your phone, you can use Google's Android TV Remote Control app or the official Mi Remote for iOS/Android. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. The problem is that if the TV isn't already connected to the router, this method won't work. However, if the network is already set up, the app will allow you to fully control the TV, including text input and voice search.

For iPhone users, it is important to use the built-in Remote function in the control center if the TV supports the HomeKit protocol or has AirPlay 2 built-in. Otherwise, you will have to download a third-party application from the AppStore, for example, Universal TV Remote.

It takes no more than two minutes to set up the IR remote on your smartphone, you just pick the code from the list, and the phone starts sending signals. If the TV responds to the test button, the code fits, and it can be saved, and it's a temporary but effective solution to wait for the new original accessory to arrive.

The procedure for pairing Xiaomi Bluetooth-core

If you have purchased a new original remote or want to reconnect an existing one, you need to start pairing mode. On most Xiaomi and Redmi models, you need to press two buttons simultaneously: usually the Home button (house icon) and Back button (arrow icon), in some versions, these can be the Menus and OK buttons.

Hold the buttons for 5-10 seconds until the LED light on the end or top of the remote blinks quickly.This means that the device has gone into detection mode. A pop-up window should appear on the TV screen suggesting that you connect the new device. If the screen is not visible, use the previously connected mouse to go to Settings → Remotes and Accessories → Add Accessory.

From the list of available devices, select the name of your remote (often referred to as Xiaomi Bluetooth Remote or similar). Once the connection is confirmed, the system may ask you to press a certain combination of buttons to complete the check. Successful pairing is confirmed by an audible signal and the blink indicator disappears.

Sometimes the remote is not there the first time, so try to remove the batteries, wait a minute and insert them back, then immediately start pairing mode. It is also worth checking if the remote is connected to another Xiaomi TV in the next room, as it can automatically try to connect to a known network.

⚠️ Note: When pairing, keep the remote at a distance of no more 20-30 see from the TV to provide a stable signal at the time of encryption key exchange.

Compatibility table and codes for universal remotes

When buying a universal remote, it is important to consider the manufacturer’s codes, since Xiaomi TVs are often produced in factories of different types. OEM-partner (TCL, Hisense, Changhong.The table below shows the basic codes that may be required when configuring a universal control device.

Code entry is usually done through a special button combination on the universal remote, described in his instructions, such as holding the TV button and entering a four-digit number. If the code fits, the TV will turn off. After that, you need to save the settings. Code 0236 is the most versatile for modern Smart TV Xiaomi.

You don't have to just use the codes from the manual that comes with the universal remote, there are extended databases on the Internet that can find the right combinations for specific Mi TV models released this year, and this is especially true for devices that use PatchWall.

Alternative methods and resetting settings

In extreme cases, when none of the methods work, you can try resetting the TV to factory settings, and you can do this through the Recovery Mode menu, if you have access to buttons on the TV body itself, and you usually need to pinch the power button or the control joystick on the back and turn the TV on to the socket.

In the recovery menu, you can either use volume buttons (if you have them on the case) or automatically. If you select Wipe Data, you will delete all accounts and settings, including those associated with Bluetooth devices. Once you reboot, the TV will be as new as you would like to try to reconnect the remote as you would when you first turned on.

There is also a method of using a USB-to-Bluetooth adapter if the TV has a free port and support for external modules, although this is rare for Xiaomi TVs, since the module is usually built into the board. A more realistic option is to buy a low-cost USB adapter with an IR receiver that emulates the signal, but this requires drivers that are difficult to install without a working remote.

If nothing works, there is still an option to use HDMI-CEC. If you have a console (such as a Xiaomi Mi Box or a game console) connected via HDMI, its remote can control the TV. HDMI-CEC allows you to send on and on navigation commands via the HDMI cable. Turn on the TV button on the case, then try to control it through the console menu.

💡

Combination HDMI-CEC and USB-mouse is the “gold standard” for emergency access to the system, when the standard remote has completely lost functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)