Why Apple TV remote doesn’t work with Xiaomi out of the box
Xiaomi TVs and Apple TV media players are different ecosystems with their own control protocols. Unlike Samsung or LG, where HDMI-CEC support is often set up automatically, owners of Xiaomi Mi TV, Redmi Smart TV or Xiaomi TV A Pro face the need for manual adjustment. The main problem is that the Siri Remote (or Apple TV Remote of the second generation) is not recognized by the TV by default as a compatible input device.
However, this does not mean that synchronization is impossible. There are three main ways to connect: through HDMI-CEC (AnyView Cast technology from Xiaomi), Bluetooth (for Apple TV 4K 2022+ models), and using universal remotes or emulator applications. In this article, we will analyze each method with the features of the firmware MIUI TV and tvOS, and provide solutions for typical errors such as “the remote is not detected” or “buttons are not working correctly”.
Before you start setting up, make sure your Xiaomi TV is updated to the latest version of the software. Current firmware (starting with MIUI TV 3.0) includes improved support for external devices. Check the version in the Settings menu → About TV → Software version.
Method 1: Connect via HDMI-CEC (AnyView Cast)
HDMI-CEC technology allows HDMI-connected devices to exchange control signals, and Xiaomi has implemented it as AnyView Cast (in older models – MI TV Assistant), a method that is suitable for all generations of Apple TV, but requires pre-activation of the function on both devices.
To turn AnyView Cast on your Xiaomi TV:
- Open the settings (cog in the upper right corner).
- Go to Devices and Connections → HDMI-CEC (AnyView Cast).
- Activate the slider Enable AnyView Cast.
- In HDMI Management, select Included for all ports.
On Apple TV, follow the following steps:
- 📺 Go to Settings. → Remote and devices → Television and receiver management.
- 🔄 Select TV Control and turn on the option.
- 🔍 In the list of detected devices, find your Xiaomi TV (It can be displayed as Unknown Device).
- ✅ Confirm the connection by following the instructions on the screen.
If the TV doesn’t appear on the list, try:
- 🔌 Reconnect the cable HDMI to another port of the TV (preferably) HDMI 2.0/2.1).
- 🔄 Reboot both devices (pull out the Apple plug) TV plug-in).
- 📱 Update Apple's firmware TV through settings → System system → Update of the PO.
AnyView Cast is enabled on Xiaomi TV|
Apple TV connected to HDMI port with CEC| support
HDMI Cable Certified (Not Cheap Fake)|
Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (for some models)-->
Method 2: Bluetooth sync (for Apple TV 4K 2022 and later)
Starting with the Apple TV 4K (3rd generation, 2022), it became possible to connect the Siri Remote remote to Bluetooth TVs without being tied to HDMI. This method is more stable than HDMI-CEC, but requires Bluetooth 5.0 support from the TV. Most Xiaomi models of 2020 and later (for example, Mi TV Q1 or Redmi Smart TV X2022) meet this requirement.
Instructions for connection:
- On Xiaomi TV, open Settings → Bluetooth and Devices → Add Device.
- On Apple TV, go to Settings → Remote and Devices → Bluetooth.
- Click Add Bluetooth Device and select your TV from the list (may be called MI-TV-[model]).
- Confirm the pairing on both devices.
Important nuances:
- 🔋 Make sure the Siri Remote is charged (charge indicator is displayed when you press Menu). + Volume Up).
- 📶 Distance between devices should not exceed 3 meters (walls and interference reduce the range of action).
- 🔄 If the connection is interrupted, reset your Bluetooth settings on Apple TV through settings → System system → Reset → Reset the network settings.
What to do if your Bluetooth connection is unstable?
Critical information: Siri Remote 1st generation (2015-2017) does not support direct Bluetooth connection to TVs, only HDMI-CEC or universal remotes are available for them.
Method 3: Use of universal remotes or applications
If neither HDMI-CEC nor Bluetooth work, the alternative is:
- Universal remotes with support for Apple TV (for example, Logitech Harmony or Xiaomi Mi Remote).
- Emulator apps for smartphones (Apple TV Remote for iOS or Mi Remote for Android).
- Voice assistants (Siri or Google Assistant) through integration with HomeKit.
To configure the universal remote:
- 📱 Download the official remote manufacturer app (for example, Mi Home for Xiaomi Mi Remote).
- 🔍 Select from the list of Apple devices TV (or Media Player → Apple).
- 🎯 Follow the sync instructions (usually you need to press and hold the Setup buttons or OK + Power).
To control via smartphone:
- 📲 Install the Apple app TV Remote (App Store) or Mi Remote (Google Play).
- 🔗 Connect your smartphone and Apple TV single-wire.
- 🔑 Enter the 4-digit code displayed on the Apple screen TV, appendix.
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If the buttons on the emulator are running late, reduce the number of active Wi-Fi connections on the TV. To do this, turn off the Miracast function in Settings → Connections → Miracast.
Compatibility table of Xiaomi and Apple TV models
Not all Xiaomi TVs work equally well with Apple TVs, and the following is a compatibility table for popular models:
| Model Xiaomi TV | HDMI-CEC (AnyView Cast) | Bluetooth 5.0 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi TV 4S/4X (2018–2020) | ✅ Yes (with an update) | ❌ No (Bluetooth 4.2) | Requires MIUI TV 2.0+ firmware |
| Redmi Smart TV X (2021) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | Supports Siri Remote 2/3 Generation |
| Xiaomi TV A Pro (2022) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (Bluetooth 5.2) | Best Compatibility with Apple TV 4K (2022) |
| Xiaomi TV Q2 (2023) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (Bluetooth 5.3) | Supports automatic switching of inputs |
| Xiaomi TV ES (2020) | ⚠️ Partially (bugs with CEC) | ❌ No. | It is recommended to use a universal remote |
If your model is not in the table, check the specifications on the official Xiaomi website in the section Technical specifications → Wireless technologies.
Solving common problems
Even after a successful connection, users face common errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.
⚠️ Note: If, after connecting to HDMI-CEC The volume buttons on Siri Remote are not working, check the TV's audio settings. → Sound. → Volume control must be selected parameter HDMI ARC or an external device.
Problem 1: The remote is connected but reacts with a delay.
- 🔋 Check the charge of the remote (the indicator flashes red at low charge).
- 📶 Reduce the number of active Bluetooth devices near the TV.
- 🔄 Reboot Apple TV through settings → System system → Reboot.
Problem 2: The TV doesn't respond to on/off commands.
- 🔌 In the settings HDMI-CEC Xiaomi TV Turn on the power management option.
Problem 3: The navigation buttons (up/down/left/right) are not working properly.
- 🎯 Retrain the remote in the Settings menu → Remote and devices → Training remote at Apple TV.
- 🔄 Reset the remote settings through Settings → Remote and devices → Reset the remote.
- 📱 Use the Apple app TV Remote on iPhone as a temporary replacement.
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If none of these methods worked, check the physical state of the HDMI port on your TV, and if the contacts are damaged or oxidized, they can block CEC signaling.
Additional settings to improve compatibility
For the smoothest possible operation of the Apple TV with the Xiaomi TV, it is recommended to perform several additional settings:
1. Optimization of permission and personnel frequency:
- 📺 On Apple. TV Go to Settings. → Video and sound → Permission.
- 🔍 Choose. 4K SDR or 4K Dolby Vision (depending on TV support).
- 🎬 Set a 60Hz refresh rate (for most Xiaomi models, this is the best option).
Sound adjustment:
- 🔊 Settings menu → Video and sound → Audioguide select HDMI.
- 🎵 If there is no sound, check the audio format: switch from Dolby Digital to the audio format. PCM.
- 🔇 On TV in Settings → Sound. → Select User mode and disable all post-processing.
3. Elimination of image delay:
- 🎮 Turn on the Game mode on the TV (Settings) → Picture → Image mode → Playing).
- 🔄 On Apple. TV Turn off motion smoothing in Settings → Video and sound → Decrease in flickering.