How to connect the remote to the TV Xiaomi Mi: all ways (2026)

Why Xiaomi Mi TV Can't See the Remote and What to Do About It

Did you take a new Xiaomi Mi TV out of the box, turn it on, but the remote doesn't work? Or did the old remote suddenly stop responding to commands? The problem is familiar to many owners of a smart TV from Xiaomi. The reasons can vary from a dead battery to a malfunction in the firmware. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to connect the remote, both original and universal, and also tell you what to do if the TV "can't" the remote even after all the manipulations.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi Mi TV (including the Mi models TV 4A/4S/4X/5/5X/Q1/Q2) Supports several types of remotes: Bluetooth (wireless, for example, Mi). TV Remote or Mi TV Stick Remote, IR port (infrared like the old models) and versatile (from other brands), the connection method depends on the type of remote and the firmware version of the TV. If you're not sure what remote you have, look at the back of it: Bluetooth remotes usually have a pairing button (Pair or icon) BT), a IR panels work only in line of sight.

Before you start setting up, check the obvious:

🔋 Batteries in the remote (even if they are new - try replacing them with others).

📶 Distance to the TV (for IR remotes - no more than 5 meters, for Bluetooth - up to 10 meters without obstacles).

🔄 Rebooting the TV (sometimes helps you just take the plug out of the socket for 30 seconds).

If everything is fine, but the remote still does not work – read on.

Method 1: Connecting the original Xiaomi Bluetooth remote

Most modern Xiaomi Mi TVs (starting with the 2019 models) come with Bluetooth remotes, which connect automatically when you first turn on, but sometimes the connection is lost - for example, after updating the firmware or resetting the settings, to reconnect the remote:

1. Turn on the TV with the power button on the case (if the remote does not respond).
2. Press and hold the Menu + OK buttons on the remote simultaneously for 5-7 seconds until the indicator flashes red and green (pairing mode).
3. On your TV, go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and select Add Device.
4. In the list, find your remote (usually displayed as Mi Remote or Xiaomi TV Remote) and confirm your connection.

If the remote is not displayed in the list:

✅ Make sure your TV is turned on Bluetooth (in some firmware it turns off after resetting).

✅ Try to remove and insert back the batteries in the remote – this sometimes resets its settings.

✅ Check if the remote is connected to another device (e.g. Mi Box or Mi). TV Stick).

Check the battery charge (even new ones can be discharged)

Hold Menu+OK for longer than 7 seconds

Update the TV firmware to the latest version

Reset the remote settings (Reset button on the back)

Try to connect the remote via the Mi Remote app-->

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi Mi models TV 5 Pro and Q2 post-update MIUI TV 3.0 Bluetooth remotes may require forced reset. To do this, press and hold Back. + Home 10 seconds until the indicator goes out.

Method 2: Configure the IR panel (infrared)

The older Xiaomi Mi TV 3/4 (until 2018) often came with infrared remotes, which do not require pairing, but need to be "binded" to the TV.

1. Make sure there are no obstacles between the remote and the TV (glass, walls, other devices).
2. Point the remote directly to the IR receiver (usually located at the bottom of the screen, under the Mi logo).
3. Press and hold the Menu + Volume+ button on the remote for 3 seconds, which will reset its settings.
4. If the TV doesn't respond, try reprogramming the remote: Turn on the TV with a button on the case. On the remote, press Menu + OK until the indicator flashes twice. Enter code 991 (universal code for Xiaomi) and press OK.

If the remote is still not working, the problem may be in the IR receiver of the TV.

1. Open the camera on your phone and point the remote to it.
2. Press any button – if the IR signal is working, you will see a flashing purple light on the phone screen.
3. If there is no light, the remote is faulty (possibly damaged IR illumination).

💡

If the IR remote is unstable, try to clean the IR receiver of the TV with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, and the dust and dirt can block the signal.

Method 3: Connecting a universal remote

If the original remote is lost or broken, you can use a universal remote (for example, from Huayu, One For All or Xiaomi Universal Remote).

1. Turn on the TV with a button on the body.
2. On the universal remote, find the Setup or Code Search button and hold it for 3-5 seconds until the indicator blinks.
3. Type the code for Xiaomi Mi TV (see table below). If the code is unknown, use autosearch: Press Setup, then Power. Point the remote to the TV and press Power every 2 seconds until the TV turns off. Save the code by pressing Setup again.

List of codes for popular universal remotes:

• 🔢 Huayu: 012, 045, 099
• 🔢 One For All (URC): 0506, 0512
• 🔢 Xiaomi Universal Remote: 991 (Automatic Mode)
• 🔢 Supra: 017, 021

⚠️ WARNING: Universal remotes often don’t support voice search and quick access buttons (such as Netflix or Prime Video) on Xiaomi Mi. TV. If these functions are critical, it is better to buy an original remote control.

Method 4: Using a smartphone as a remote (Mi Remote)

If the physical remote is lost or broken, you can control the TV through the Mi Remote app (available for Android and iOS).This is an official solution from Xiaomi, which supports all Mi TV models.

1. Download Mi Remote (Android) or Mi Remote (iOS)
2. Turn on Wi-Fi on your TV and connect it to the same network as your smartphone.
3. Open the app, select TV → Xiaomi → your model (e.g. Mi TV 4A).
4. Click Connect – the TV should appear in the list of available devices.

If the TV is not available:

📌 Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not mobile internet!).

📌 Restart your router – local connections are sometimes blocked.

📌 In the settings of the TV, check if Mi Remote Mode is enabled (Settings) → Communications and networks → Remote control).

📌 On some models, the Mi TV Q2) You must allow manual connection via the Security menu.

Mi Remote allows you to control your TV even over the Internet (if you have Remote Access enabled), but you need to link your Xiaomi account to both devices.

💡

Mi Remote is the most reliable way to control if you lose your physical remote, and it supports all the features of the original remote, including voice search and application launch.

Method 5: Connecting a remote from another TV (Samsung, LG, Sony)

Can you use a remote from Samsung, LG or another brand to control the Xiaomi Mi TV? Technically, yes, but with reservations. Most remotes from other manufacturers are IR-protocol, so they can be programmed to Xiaomi.

• 🔹 Not all buttons will work (e.g. Netflix or Prime Video won't run).
• 🔹 Voice search and quick access buttons are not available.
• 🔹 Bluetooth remotes (such as Samsung Smart Control) won’t work – Xiaomi doesn’t support their protocols.

To program the remote from another TV:

1. Find the Programming or Code Setup section in the instructions to the remote.
2. Enter the code for Xiaomi (usually 012, 045 or 991).
3. Check the basic buttons (Power, Volume, Channel).

If the remote is not programmed:

✅ Try auto-searching the code (the instructions are usually in the manual to the remote control).

✅ Use a universal remote (see Method 3) – it is guaranteed to support Xiaomi.

✅ Buy the original Xiaomi remote – it is inexpensive (from 500 rubles) and provides full compatibility.

What to do if the remote is connected, but it is not working correctly

It happens that the remote is connected to the TV, but:

• 🔘 Delayed reaction to pressing (lag 1-2 seconds).
• 🔘 Some buttons do not work (for example, volume control).
• 🔘 The remote is spontaneously shutting down.

Solutions for each problem:

⚠️ Note: If after updating the firmware of the TV remote stopped working, try to roll back the firmware to the previous version. To do this, download the desired version from the official Xiaomi website and install it through Settings → On TV. → Local Update.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting the remote to Xiaomi Mi TV