Why Wireless Joystick Doesn't Work with Xiaomi Mi TV and How to Fix It
Xiaomi Mi TVs TV (Mi TV 4/4S/4A/5/5X/Q1/Q2) They don't officially support plugging gamepads out of the box, but that doesn't mean you can't play with a joystick. TV, It's optimized by default for remotes and touch panels, but with workarounds, it's from direct to direct. USB-Connections before emulation via Bluetooth – you can make even old wired controllers from Xbox work 360, DualShock 4 chinese.
In this article, we will take a look at all the working ways of connecting (including rare ones), find out which joysticks are compatible without additional devices, and solve common errors like “device is unrecognizable” or “buttons do not respond.” HID-The protocol in your TV model and what to do if the TV ignores the gamepad after updating the firmware.
Importantly, the methods are different for PatchWall TV and MIUI TV, and we will give you nuances for both.
How to connect a wired joystick to Xiaomi Mi TV
There are 4 main methods that work on most Xiaomi Mi TV models (except the oldest ones on Android 6.0).The choice depends on the type of joystick and the available ports on the TV:
- 🔌 Straight. USB-Connection - for gamepads with support XInput/DInput (Xbox One Controller in wired mode).
- 🔄 USB-Bluetooth adapter – if the joystick is not directly defined, but supports wireless protocol.
- 🖥️ Emulation via an application (e.g. Octopus or Tincore Keymapper) – for non-standard controllers.
- 🔧 Custom software firmware (for example, ATVXperience) is a radical method for advanced users.
Let’s start with the simplest – direct connection via USB.
Method 1: Connecting the joystick through USB-port
This is the most reliable way, but it only works with gamepads that support the HID (Human Interface Device) protocol, such as the original Xbox One controllers (models after 2016) or the 8BitDo Pro 2 in wired mode.
Step-by-step:
- Insert the joystick cable in USB-TV port (preferably) USB 3.0 if there is).
- Press the Guide (or Home) button on the gamepad to activate it.
- Go to Settings → Devices → Accessories (for PatchWall) or Settings → Bluetooth and Devices (for MIUI TV).
- Wait for the joystick name to appear in the list of connected devices (it can take up to 30 seconds).
If the gamepad is not displayed:
- ⚡ Check the cable - some cheap USB-The cables only transmit power, not data.
- 🔄 Try another one. USB-port (on some Mi models) TV Q1 It's only running the back port).
- 📱 Update the TV firmware to the latest version (in Settings) → On TV. → Update of the PO).
The original cable is used.|Joystick supports XInput/DInput|The TV is in Game Mode (Game Mode)|Port port USB intact-->
Compatible joysticks (checked by users):
| Model joystick | Support for USB support | Adapter required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox One Controller (2016+) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | It works without drivers. |
| DualShock 4 (CUH-ZCT2) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | You need to hold Share + PS for 3 seconds. |
| 8BitDo Pro 2 | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | Switch to X-Input mode |
| Logitech F310/F710 | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | Only in XInput mode |
| Chinese analogues (e.g. EasySMX) | ⚠️ Partially. | ✅ Sometimes. | Depends on the chip inside. |
⚠️ Attention: On the TVs Xiaomi Mi TV 4A (2018) USB-Ports are often turned off for the periphery because of energy savings. To activate them, go to Settings. → Energy conservation → Standby regime → Shut down. USB-ports and turn off this option.
Method 2: Connect via Bluetooth (if the joystick supports wireless mode)
Many wired gamepads (such as DualShock 4 or Xbox Series X Controller) can run over Bluetooth. USB-The port is busy or the cable is too short.
Instructions for PatchWall (global firmware):
- Activate pairing mode on the joystick: For DualShock 4: hold Share + PS for 3 seconds. For Xbox Controller: hold the sync button (near USB-C).
Settings → Devices → Add Accessory → Bluetooth
Wireless Controller
0000
Instructions for MIUI TV (Chinese firmware):
- Open Settings → Bluetooth and Devices → Device Search.
- Click Add Device and select the gamepad from the list.
- If the joystick is not there, restart the TV and try again.
How to connect:
- Connect the adapter to USB-television-port.
- Put the joystick in pairing mode (for 8BitDo Adapter, hold the Pair button for 2 seconds).
- Press the sync button on the adapter (the indicator should blink).
- Wait until the indicator on the adapter burns constantly (usually 5-10 seconds).
Challenges and solutions:
- 🔴 Adapter not defined: try connecting it through USB-feed-in.
- 🔴 Buttons work incorrectly: update the firmware of the adapter through the PC (instructions on the manufacturer's website).
- 🔴 Delayed input: in the adapter settings (if any) select Low Latency mode.
💡
If the adapter doesn't work with the Xiaomi Mi TV, try connecting it to an Android smartphone and check compatibility. If the phone has a joystick, the problem is the TV firmware, try updating it.
Method 4: Emulation of the gamepad through applications (for non-standard controllers)
If your joystick is not system-level, you can use emulator apps that convert signals from the gamepad into virtual clicks.
- 🎮 Octopus – supports most gamepads, including Chinese counterparts.
- 🎮 Tincore Keymapper – allows you to assign keys manually.
- 🎮 USB/BT Joystick Center – for fine-tuning sensitivity.
Instructions for setting up Octopus:
- Install Octopus from Google Play (some Mi TV models need to first enable installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security).
- Connect the joystick via USB or Bluetooth.
- Launch Octopus and select a profile for your game (like Call of Duty Mobile or PUBG).
- Follow the instructions on the screen to calibrate the buttons.
Limitations:
- ⚠️ Not all games support virtual gamepads (for example, the game is not supported by the game, NVIDIA GeForce NOW can block the input).
- ⚠️ In some apps (such as Netflix), the joystick buttons will conflict with the remote control.
- ⚠️ Octopus requires a permanent internet connection (license check).
💡
Emulator apps are the only way to connect custom gamepads (like those from Sega Genesis or Nintendo 64), but they add latency and may not work in some games.
Problem Solving: The joystick is connected but not working
Even if the TV recognizes the gamepad, there can be errors: buttons don't respond, sticks don't work correctly, or the joystick shuts down after a few minutes.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Joystick connects, but buttons don't work | Incompatible protocol (e.g. DirectInput instead of XInput) | Use an adapter or switch mode on the gamepad (if any) |
| Sticks move in jerky fashion | Low polling frequency USB-port | Connect the joystick through USB-feed-in |
| Joystick shuts down in 5-10 minutes | Energy conservation USB-port | Turn off the option to disable USB to save energy in the settings |
| It's not recognized in games. | The game does not support gamepads | Use Octopus or Tincore Keymapper |
| Vibration's not working. | No support for Force Feedback in firmware | Update your TV or use a vibration-emulated adapter |
Additional steps for diagnosis:
- Check the joystick on another device (PC, smartphone) – if it works there, the problem is in the TV.
- Reset your TV settings to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset), but save the data first.
- If you use USB-Hub, try connecting the joystick directly - some hubs do not transmit data correctly.
⚠️ Attention: On the TVs Xiaomi Mi TV 4S (2019) with Android 9 firmware there is a bug: after connecting the gamepad through USB soundless HDMI-ARC. Solution: Reboot the TV or turn off/connect the cable HDMI freshly.