Connecting the Xiaomi Mi Box S remote to the TV: all ways and solutions to problems

Xiaomi Mi Box S – popular Android TV-It's a console, but even it sometimes has trouble connecting the remote, and whether you've recently bought the device or experienced a sudden failure, syncing the remote to the TV can be difficult. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways of connecting, including Bluetooth connection, use of an infrared port (if supported), and alternative methods of controlling via a smartphone.

The Mi Box S is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) remote, not a traditional IR signal like most TV remotes, which means that synchronization requires not only direct visibility, but also the right setup of the console itself. If the remote stops responding after updating the firmware or discharging the battery, don't rush to buy a new one: in 90% of cases, the problem can be solved software.

1. Preparation before connection of the remote

Before you try to sync the remote with the Mi Box S, make sure that the basic conditions are met:

• 🔋 Remote Battery Charge: Insert new type batteries AAA (Even if the old ones "seem to work," the discharged elements may not provide enough current for the BLE-module.
• 📺 Power consoles: Connect the Mi Box S to the TV via HDMI and make sure that the indicator on the case is white or blue (red means standby mode).
• 📶 Distance and obstacles: The remote must be no further than 3 meters from the console, without thick walls or metal objects between them.
• 🔄 Reboot: If the remote previously worked but suddenly stopped responding, disconnect the console from power for 30 seconds, then turn it on again.

If you are connecting the remote for the first time (for example, after buying a used console), note: the Mi Box S can “forget” all previously paired devices after resetting, in which case you will need a complete resynchronization.

2. Standard Bluetooth connection

The original Mi Box S will sync to the console automatically when you first turn on. If this does not happen, manually link:

1. Turn on the Mi Box S and wait for the Android TV home screen to load.
2. Press and hold the Back + Home buttons on the remote at the same time for 5-7 seconds until the indicator on the remote starts flashing.
3. The TV screen will display a notification "Connect remote..." Wait 10-20 seconds - sync will end automatically.

If the remote does not respond to button retention, check:

• 🔄 Firmware Update: Go to Settings → About the prefix → Update the system and install the latest updates.
• 📱 Reset the remote settings: Remove the batteries, press any button 10 times in a row, then insert the batteries back.

Batteries in the remote are new and correctly inserted|Mi Box S is on and downloaded|No interference from other Bluetooth devices (headphones, speakers)|The remote is within a radius of 1 meter from the console-->

⚠️ Warning: If after updating the firmware to version 9.0.1 or higher, the remote stopped working, try rolling back the system to the factory version via Recovery Mode (clip Reset on the console body when you turn on the console).

3. Alternative ways to control the Mi Box S

If the Bluetooth remote has refused to work, and resets do not help, use one of the alternative methods:

Control via Mi Remote (smartphone)

Download the official Mi Remote app (available for Android and iOS) and follow the steps:

1. Connect your smartphone and Mi Box S to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Open the app, select Add Device → Android TV → Xiaomi Mi Box S.
3. Follow the instructions on the mating screen.

The app emulates all the features of the original remote, including voice search (if supported).

Connection of the universal IR panel

If your TV supports HDMI-CEC (HDMI Multiple Device Control), you can use the TV remote for basic control of the Mi Box S:

• 📺 Turn it on. HDMI-CEC In the settings of the TV (called Anynet)+ Samsung has Bravia Sync with Sony).
• 🔌 Connect the Mi Box S to HDMI-port ARC or CEC.
• ⚙️ In the settings of the consoles, activate the settings → Display and sound → HDMI-CEC.

Restriction: HDMI-CEC only provides basic functions (volume, channel switching, navigation) and requires an original remote or smartphone to be fully controlled.

4. Solving Connection Problems

If the remote is not able to connect, use the diagnostic table:

If none of these methods worked, check the hardware serviceability of the console. Connect a keyboard or mouse to the Mi Box S via USB: if they work, the problem is precisely the remote or its synchronization. If not, the Bluetooth module of the console may have been damaged (repair required).

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Before you contact the service, try connecting the remote to another console Mi Box S (a friend/neighbor), if it works, the problem is in your console, if not in the remote.

5. Customization of the remote for advanced users

If standard methods don't work, you can try forced resynchronization via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for advanced users:

1. Enable USB Debugging on Mi Box S: Settings → About console → Assembly number (click 7 times) Settings → Developer preferences → USB debugging (enable)
2. Connect the console to the PC by USB Adb devices adb shell am start -a android.settings.BLUETOOTH_SETTINGS
3. In the Bluetooth settings that open, remove all paired devices and reboot the console.
4. Repeat the standard procedure for connecting the remote (holding Back + Home).

This method resets all Bluetooth connections, which can help if the console “forgot” the remote after the failure.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause a system failure if you type commands at random. Do not change other settings through the adb shell unless you are sure of their purpose.

Frequent questions and answers

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If the Mi Box S remote doesn't respond to pressing, 80 percent of the time it's the dead battery or Bluetooth connection that's at fault, and always start diagnosing it by replacing it and restarting it.