Owners of modern Smart TVs often face the need to re-synchronize control devices, especially after buying new equipment or a system failure. Xiaomi Mi TV 4S Pro 43, known in catalogs as L43M5 5ARU, is equipped with an advanced remote control, working on Bluetooth technology, which allows you to control the TV without having to point the device directly to the receiver.
Connection may be required not only when you first turn on, but also when the remote stops responding to commands or is running late. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of pairing, from preparing batteries to hidden functions of the developer menu. Understanding how Bluetooth Low Energy works in the Android TV ecosystem will help you avoid common errors and quickly regain control of the device.
Features of the Mi Remote for the 4S Pro series
The control device that comes with the L43M5 5ARU is significantly different from the standard IR remotes of previous generations, the main difference being the use of a Bluetooth radio channel to transmit basic commands such as navigation through menus, application launches and voice input, which means that the device does not require direct visibility with a logo on the bottom of the TV to work properly, which increases the usability in the complex geometry of the room.
Despite the dominance of Bluetooth, the device retains an infrared module, which is necessary to control external devices such as sound panels or old receivers, and also serves as a backup channel for turning on and off the TV itself. In the initial setup, the system tries to establish the most stable connection, prioritizing the wireless protocol to ensure minimal delay in response of the PatchWall interface.
Importantly, the remote is not only compatible with a particular TV, but can also be reprogrammed to work with other Xiaomi devices. However, initial activation on the L43M5 5ARU model requires a certain sequence of actions, which we will talk about later. Ignoring the type of connection can lead to the fact that some functions, such as voice search, will remain unavailable.
Preparation for the first pairing of the device
Before you try to connect the remote to the TV, you need to make sure that the batteries are not working properly. Often the reason for the failure is not a software failure, but insufficient battery charge, especially if they are stored at home for a long time. The Mi Remote requires two AAA batteries, which must be installed in accordance with the polarity indicated on the inside of the cover.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use old or partially discharged batteries even for a short-term check. Low voltage can lead to unstable operation of the Bluetooth module, which will interrupt the pairing process at the stage 90-95%.
After installing the batteries, you need to turn on the TV with a button on the case or through a regular IR remote, if any. If the regular remote is lost, you can use the Mi Remote application on a smartphone with an IR port or USB-Make sure the TV is fully loaded and is in the standby mode or language selection menu.
☑️ Checking before connection
The key is distance. To successfully establish handshake signals between devices, it is recommended to be no more than 1-2 meters from the Mi logo on the bottom frame. The presence of obstacles in the form of glass shelves or metal objects between the remote and the receiver can also adversely affect the speed of detection of the device.
Step-by-step instruction for connecting via Bluetooth
The main method of activating the remote for the L43M5 5ARU model involves simultaneously pressing two buttons. On the front of the remote, find the Home (house icon) and Back (arrow to the left) buttons, which must be pinched simultaneously and held for 3-5 seconds until the LED indicator at the top of the device begins to flash quickly white or blue.
Once the indicator flashes, look at the TV screen. In the upper right corner or in the center of the display, a pop-up with the message "New device discovered" or search animation should appear. The system automatically recognizes the remote's mac address and prompts you to complete the pairing. Press OK or Enter on the remote to confirm the action.
In some cases, if automatic detection does not occur, you will need to manually run the search through the menu. To do this, go to Settings, select Remote and Accessories (or Bluetooth depending on the firmware version) and click Add Accessory. The TV will go into active scanning mode, after which you need to again pinch the button combination on the remote.
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If the remote is flashing but the TV can't see it, try removing the batteries for 10 seconds, then inserting them back in and immediately starting the pairing procedure again, which helps reset the Bluetooth module cache.
Successful connectivity is confirmed by the sound signal and the disappearance of the flashing indicator. From now on, navigation on the menu should be smooth, and voice commands should be recognized without delay. If the cursor moves in jerks after pairing, calibration may be required, which usually occurs automatically when first used.
Infrared control and universal remote control
While Bluetooth provides basic functionality, the infrared port (IR) in the Mi Remote remote plays an important role in peripheral management. Once successfully connected via Bluetooth, the system can suggest setting up control of the sound bar or receiver. This is done through the Settings menu → Remotes and Accessories → Universal remote.
To adjust the IR part, select the device type (e.g. Audio System) and the manufacturer's brand. The TV will offer a series of test signals. You need to confirm each signal by pressing Yes if the device is responding, or No if there is no reaction. This process can take several minutes, but it will allow you to control the volume of external sound and its onset from one remote.
| Function | Protocol of transfer | The need for direct visibility | Range of action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navigation on the menu | Bluetooth | Not required | Up to 10 meters. |
| Voice input | Bluetooth | Not required | Up to 5 meters. |
| Turn on/off TV | IR/Bluetooth | Desired. | Up to 8 meters. |
| Management of external audio system | ICU | Required. | Up to 5 meters. |
It's important to understand that the IR signal is narrowly focused. If you plan to use the remote to control the equipment hidden behind the cabinet door, make sure that the IR receiver of the TV or remote IR transmitter (if used) has direct visibility with the device being controlled, otherwise the commands will simply not reach the target.
Using a smartphone as an alternative remote
In situations where the regular remote is lost, damaged or discharged, the use of a smartphone is a great solution. For Xiaomi TVs with Android TV, there are several effective ways to emulate the remote. The most official and stable method is using the Google Home application or Android TV Remote Control.
Both devices must be on the same local Wi-Fi network. Once the app is installed on your smartphone (available on Google Play and the App Store), run a scan. The app will find your L43M5 5ARU TV over the network and request a confirmation of connection that will need to be accepted if code appears on the TV screen, a method that is especially convenient for typing, since the phone keyboard significantly speeds up content search.
The Secret Method for Advanced Users
Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners can also use the built-in Mi Remote app, which uses the phone’s IR port, so you don’t need a network connection, just select a TV model from a database, but the functionality of such a connection will be limited to basic commands: channel switching, volume and navigation, without voice input.
Problem Solving: The remote does not connect or works with a delay
The most common problem is when the remote is flashing but the TV is not seeing it, or the connection is established, but the commands are executed with a noticeable delay. First of all, you need to exclude the software conflict. Go to the Settings menu → Remotes and accessories, find your remote (usually indicated as Mi Remote or a set of characters) in the list, and select the option to Delete or Forget the device.
Once you delete the old profile, try pairing again, following the instructions in the second section. If the problem persists, you may need to completely reset the remote settings. To do this, remove the batteries, press all the buttons for 10 seconds, then insert the batteries back and immediately start the connection procedure. This action clears the internal memory of the remote controller.
⚠️ Attention: If the remote control stopped responding after updating the TV firmware, do not rush to buy a new one. Often the problem is solved by disconnecting the TV from the outlet on the TV. 2-3 minutes (full power reset), allowing the system to re-initialize the Bluetooth module.
Lag is often associated with overloading the Android TV operating system. If the TV interface is slow, the remote commands will be processed late, in which case it is recommended to close the background applications or reboot the system through the “Stop → Reboot” menu.
Hidden functions and additional capabilities
Once successfully configured, Xiaomi L43M5 5ARU owners have features that not everyone knows about, such as double-clicking the Home button can be configured to quickly launch a particular application, although in standard firmware this often leads simply to the home screen. More advanced users can activate mouse mode through special applications, turning control into accurate cursor movement.
Voice search, activated by a separate button with a microphone, supports search on YouTube, Netflix and the built-in cinema. To work properly, this feature requires that the remote be connected via Bluetooth, since the IR channel does not transmit audio stream. The quality of speech recognition depends on the quality of the connection and the absence of interference in the Wi-Fi network.
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The stability of the remote is directly dependent on the firmware version of the TV. Check regularly for updates in the Settings menu → About TV → System Update, as new versions often contain patches for the Bluetooth stack.
It's also worth mentioning the possibility of using the remote for presentation management or as a media keyboard for a PC if you install the appropriate emulators on a computer, although these are already use cases for enthusiasts. The main task of the device is to provide comfortable interaction with content without unnecessary movements.