How to Connect and Tie a Remote to a Xiaomi TV: A Complete Guide to 2026

Introduction: Why Xiaomi remote may not connect

Xiaomi Mi TVs are known for their combination of affordable price and advanced features, but even with them, sometimes there are problems when connecting the remote control. Most often, users are faced with a situation where the new remote is not recognized by the TV, and the old one suddenly stops working after updating the firmware or resetting the settings. The reasons can be different from a dead battery to software failures in the Bluetooth module.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to connect remotes to Xiaomi TVs, both original and universal, you will learn how to properly perform Bluetooth binding, what to do if the remote is not determined, and how to reset the settings for re-synchronization. We will look at the nuances for different models: from Mi TV 4A before the flagship Mi TV Q2 mi TV Master.

Xiaomi TV Remote Types: What Do You Have?

Before you start connecting, it’s important to determine what type of remote you’re working with, which is what the synchronization methods available depend on and what problems you might have, and all the remotes for Xiaomi Mi TV fall into three main categories:

  • πŸ”΅ Original Bluetooth remotes β€” come bundled with a TV. They work on Bluetooth Low Energy protocol (BLE) And they need to be linked to a particular device. TV 4S, Mi TV 5 Pro, Mi TV Q1.
  • πŸ”΄ Universal IR remotes are compatible with most TVs, but Xiaomi often requires manual code tuning. They can only control basic functions (on, volume, channels).
  • 🟒 Remotes from other Xiaomi devices, such as Mi Smart Projector projectors or sound panels, can sometimes be tied to a TV, but the functionality will be limited.

The original Xiaomi remotes typically have a minimalist design with a touchpad and a Mi button in the center. They do not require direct view of the TV (unlike the IR remotes), because they operate over a radio channel. Universal remotes, on the contrary, need to be directed directly to the IR receiver of the TV (usually located on the right or bottom of the screen).

πŸ“Š What remote you use with a Xiaomi TV?
Original Bluetooth remote
Universal IR remote
Remote from another Xiaomi device
I don't know what remote I have.

Preparation for connection: what to check before binding

Before you try to connect the remote, perform a few mandatory checks, which will save time and help avoid typical errors:

⚠️ Warning: If the Xiaomi TV doesn't respond to any remote, including the buttons on the case, check the power first.Perhaps the problem isn't the remote, but the power supply or motherboard.

  • πŸ”‹ Battery Charging: The original Xiaomi remotes do not have removable batteries - they are equipped with an integrated battery. USB-C. If the remote does not respond, plug it into charging for 10-15 minutes. the charging indicator (if any) should catch fire.
  • πŸ“Ά Bluetooth on TV: Make sure the Bluetooth module is on. Go to Settings for this β†’ Devices β†’ Bluetooth and activate the switch. On some models (Mi) TV 4A) Bluetooth can be disabled by default.
  • πŸ”„ Reboot: Perform a cold reboot of the TV: disconnect it from the network for 30 seconds, then turn it on again.This will reset the temporary errors of the Bluetooth module.
  • πŸ“± Remote in the Device List: If the remote has been previously connected, check if it appears in the list of associated devices (Settings) β†’ Devices β†’ If so, remove it and try to reconnect it.

If you use a universal IR remote, make sure it supports Xiaomi protocols. To do this, check the list of compatible brands in the instructions to the remote, or try to enter codes for Xiaomi manually (more on this in the next section).

Make sure the remote is charged (or the batteries are not running out)

Turn on Bluetooth on your Xiaomi TV

Reboot the TV (disconnect from the network for 30 seconds)

Check if the remote is connected to another device (for example, a smartphone)

Remove the remote from the list of associated devices (if there is one there)-->

Method 1: Standard binding of the original Bluetooth remote

Xiaomi's original remotes connect to the TV via Bluetooth automatically when first turned on, but if the sync didn't happen or the remote was reset, you'll need a manual tether. Here's a step-by-step instruction:

  1. Turn on the Xiaomi TV and go to the main menu.
  2. Open Settings β†’ Devices β†’ Add an accessory (or Add a Bluetooth device, depending on the firmware version).
  3. Press and hold the Mi button (with the logo) and the Volume + button on the remote simultaneously for 5-7 seconds until the indicator starts flashing.
  4. The TV should detect the remote in the list of available devices, select it and confirm pairing.
  5. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 30 seconds).

If the remote does not appear in the list, try an alternative method:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ About TV β†’ The version of the software.
  2. Click on the Software Version 7 times in a row to activate the Developer Mode.
  3. Go back to Settings β†’ Devices and select Add Remote. Follow the instructions on the screen.

⚠️ Attention: On Mi TVs TV 4A (2018-2019 models may not have the option of manually adding the remote, in which case only resetting the TV to factory settings will help.

What if the remote is connected, but some buttons are not working?
If the remote is paired but some buttons don't respond (such as voice search or app launch), this may be due to a mismatch between the remote's firmware version and the TV. Try updating the TV's firmware through Settings β†’ About TV β†’ System Update. If the problem persists, reset the remote: pinch Mi + Volume + for 10 seconds until the indicator goes out and blinks again.

Method 2: Connecting a universal IR remote

Universal IR remotes (such as those from Huayu, One For All or Xiaomi Universal Remote) do not require Bluetooth pairing, but need to adjust the codes correctly. For Xiaomi TVs, codes for Xiaomi, Mi or PatchWall brands are usually suitable (depending on the firmware).

Instructions for setting:

  1. Turn on the TV and point the remote to the IR receiver (usually located in the lower right part of the case).
  2. Press and hold the Setup (or Set) button on the remote until the indicator blinks twice.
  3. Type the code for Xiaomi. Try the following options: 0171, 0180 for most Mi TV models 4/5; 0195, 0211 for PatchWall TVs; 0037 for universal code for Android TV.

After you enter the code, press Power. If the TV is turned off, the code fits. If not, repeat the process with another code.

If none of the codes work, use the automatic search function:

  1. Hold the Setup until the indicator blinks twice.
  2. Press Power and hold it until the remote starts to go through the codes (the indicator will flash with pauses).
  3. Once the TV is turned off, release the Power and press it again for confirmation.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall firmware (e.g. Mi) TV 4A In the Indian market, third-party remote support may be disabled, in which case only the firmware of the European version of the software will help.

πŸ’‘

If the remote stopped working after updating the TV firmware, try rolling back the system to the previous version. To do this, download the necessary firmware from the official Xiaomi website and install it manually through Settings β†’ About TV β†’ Local Update.

Alternative ways to control Xiaomi TV

If you can't connect the remote, you can control the Xiaomi TV in alternative ways, which is a temporary solution, but it will help you to use the basic functions until the problem is fixed.

1. Control via smartphone

Download the official Mi Remote app (available for Android and iOS) that lets you control your TV via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth:

  1. Connect your smartphone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Open the Mi Remote app and select Television β†’ Xiaomi.
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen for pairing.

The application supports all the features of the original remote, including voice search and application launch.

2. buttons on the TV body

On the back or side of the Xiaomi TV, there are physical buttons:

  • Power - on/off;
  • Menu - entry to the menu;
  • Volume Β± - Volume adjustment;
  • Source: Switching signal sources.

With their help, you can perform a basic setup and even reset the TV to factory settings (hold Menu for 10 seconds).

Voice control

If your TV supports Google Assistant or Alice, you can control your voice via a smart speaker or smartphone.

  1. Activate the voice assistant on your TV (Settings β†’ Voice control).
  2. Say a command, for example, β€œOK Google, turn on Netflix on your TV.”

4. Mouse or keyboard via Bluetooth

You can connect a wireless mouse or keyboard via Bluetooth and control the TV like a computer, which is convenient for text input or menu navigation.

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Devices β†’ Add an accessory.
  2. Turn on the pairing mode on the mouse/keyboard.
  3. Select the device in the list and confirm the connection.

πŸ’‘

If you have a Xiaomi Mi Band or Mi Smart Band, you can use it to control your TV. Install the Mi Fitness app, plug in the bracelet, and activate the "Television Control" feature in your device settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I connect the Xiaomi Mi Box remote to a Xiaomi TV?
Yes, but with limitations. The remotes from the Mi Box S or Mi Box 4 use the same Bluetooth protocol as Xiaomi TVs, so they can be tethered via Settings β†’ Devices β†’ Add Accessory. However, some buttons (like launching Google Play) may not work, as they are programmed for Android TV, not PatchWall.
Why does Xiaomi TV not see the remote after resetting?
Once the TV is reset to the factory settings, all the associated devices are removed, including the remote. You need to re-assign the remote. If the remote is not detected, try: Reboot the TV; Reset the remote settings (clamp Mi + Volume + for 10 seconds); Update the TV firmware to the latest version.
How to check if the Bluetooth module in the Xiaomi TV is working?
To make sure that the Bluetooth module is not the problem, follow these steps: Try connecting another Bluetooth device (earbuds, keyboard). If other devices are connected, the problem is in the remote. If nothing connects, the Bluetooth module may be defective. In this case, contact the service center. Also check if Bluetooth is disabled in the developer settings (Settings β†’ TV β†’ Software version β†’ 7 times click on the Software version, then go to Developer Settings β†’ Debugging over Bluetooth).
Can I use a Xiaomi remote with a TV from another brand?
Xiaomi’s original Bluetooth remotes are not compatible with other brands (Samsung, LG, Sony) because they use a proprietary pairing protocol. However, you can: Use a universal IR remote with codes for your TV; Connect the TV to and control the Xiaomi Home smart system through the Mi Home app; Use Google Assistant or Alice if the TV supports voice assistants.
How to reset the Xiaomi remote to factory settings?
To completely reset the remote settings (for example, if it was tied to another device), do the following: Disconnect the remote from all devices (TV, smartphone, etc.). Press simultaneously the Mi buttons (logo), Volume + and Volume βˆ’. Hold them for 15-20 seconds until the indicator blinks 3 times and goes out. Release the buttons. The remote will reset to the factory settings. After reset, it can be re-linked to the TV.