How to use Xiaomi phone as a remote for your TV: all ways + instructions

Lost or broken native remote from the Xiaomi TV? Don't rush to buy a new one - your smartphone based on MIUI can completely replace it. Modern Xiaomi phones (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra) support several technologies for remote control of TV: classic infrared port, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

In this guide, we will discuss all the current ways of connecting, including hidden settings and solutions for older TV models. You will learn how to configure Mi Remote to manage Mi TV and third-party brands (Samsung, LG, Sony), what alternative applications to use if the standard one does not work, and how to avoid typical errors like “device not found”.

Important: control options depend on the phone and TV model, for example, the Redmi 9A does not have an infrared port, but supports Wi-Fi Direct, and the flagship Xiaomi 13T Pro can control equipment through Ultra Wideband (UWB) - but only if the TV is also equipped with this module.

1. Method: Mi Remote (for Xiaomi TVs and other brands)

Mi Remote is Xiaomi’s official app, pre-installed on all MIUI smartphones, and supports more than 50,000 models from 2,000+ brands, including TVs, air conditioners and audio systems, with the main advantage of not requiring a single Wi-Fi network (working via an infrared port or Bluetooth), and the device base is regularly updated.

To set up management:

• 📱 Open the Mi Remote app, if you don't have one, download it from Google Play or the App Store.
• 🔍 Press "+" → Select the category "Television" → Enter the brand name (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) TV A2 43").
• 📶 If your phone supports an infrared port (the list of models below), the app will automatically prompt you to check compatibility. Point your phone to the TV and follow the instructions on the screen.
• 🔄 For Wi-Fi/Bluetooth-Select the "Connect over the network" option and follow the setup wizard (you will need to enter) PIN-TV-code).

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi TV is released before 2019, Mi Remote may not have a model of it. In this case, choose the nearest yearly graduation series (for example, instead of Mi Remote). TV 4A 2018 pick Mi TV 4A 2019 – Most teams match.

The phone and TV are more than charged. 30%|The IR port of the phone is not covered with a cover or film|The TV is on and on standby (not sleepy)|It's on on the phone. Bluetooth/Wi-Fi (if you are using a wireless connection)-->

2. Control via IR port: which phones Xiaomi supports

Infrared port (IR) is the most reliable way to manage, as it does not depend on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. However, not all Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with it. Below is the current list of models with an infrared port (as of 2026):

🔍 How to check for an IR port:

1. Start Mi Remote and try adding the device.
2. If the application offers “Check the IR port” – it is.
3. Alternatively, shine a flashlight at the top of the phone – the IR port looks like a small dark glass (usually next to the front camera).

⚠️ Attention: IR port is sensitive to angle of direction:

• 📏 Keep your phone 1-3 meters away from the TV.
• 🎯 Direct the IR port strictly to the TV signal receiver (usually at the bottom or side of the screen).
• 🌡️ Avoid direct sunlight – they interfere with the IR signal.

IR port|Wi-Fi|Bluetooth|I didn't use a virtual remote.-->

3. Wi-Fi control: for Xiaomi TVs with MIUI TV

If your TV is powered by MIUI TV (all Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi Smart TV models after 2018), you can control it via a local Wi-Fi network, which is convenient because it does not require direct vision between devices and supports additional features like file transfer or screen mirroring.

Instructions for setting:

1. Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network (guest networks are not supported!).
2. On the TV, go to Settings → Devices → Wi-Fi connection and activate the “Change from the phone” option.
3. On your phone, open Mi Remote, select your TV from the list (it should appear automatically) and confirm the pairing on the TV screen.
4. 🔑 At the first connection, you may need to enter PIN-code (displayed on the TV).

💡 Expanded Wi-Fi management capabilities:

• 🖥️ Screen projection: in Mi Remote, click "More" → "Screen projection to duplicate the phone display on TV (works on Mi) TV 5/5X newer).
• 📁 File Transfer: In the same menu, select Send Files to stream your photo/video directly to your TV.
• 🎮 Game mode: if you connect the gamepad to the phone, its buttons will be duplicated on the TV (useful for emulators).

💡

If the TV is not displayed in Mi Remote over Wi-Fi, restart the router and check that the TV is turned on Miracast protocol (Settings → Display and Sound → Wireless Display).

4. Alternative TV Control Applications

If Mi Remote is not suitable (for example, your TV is not supported or your phone is not infrared), try third-party apps.

🔧 How to choose an application:

• If the phone has an IR port → AnyMote or Sure Universal.
• If you need to manage Wi-Fi → Google TV (Android TV) or Unified Remote.
• If the TV is older than 2015 → ZaZa Remote (Best Compatibility with Older Models).

5. Problem Solving: TV doesn't find phone (and vice versa)

The most common mistake when setting up a virtual remote is that devices can't see each other, and here are the specific reasons and ways to fix them:

• 🔌 Problem: The TV doesn't show up in Mi Remote over Wi-Fi. Solution: On TV: Settings → General. → About the programme → Update (update to the latest version) On the router: turn off Customer Isolation (which blocks device interaction on the same network) On the phone: turn on Developer Mode and activate Local Network (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 5 times press "Version").

Problem:

Decision:

• Check the phone’s IR port for health through the IR Tester app (available on Google Play).
• If the test shows an error, clean the port of dust with a toothpick (do not use metal objects!).
• In Mi Remote, select "Signal Test" and follow the calibration instructions.

Problem:

Decision:

1. On TV: Remove all saved Bluetooth devices (Settings → Bluetooth → Delete All).


2. On your phone: turn on "Visibility for all" (Settings → Bluetooth → Additional).




3. Reboot both devices and repeat pairing.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi Mi TV Stick or Mi Box, to control from the phone you need to enable the option "ADB Debugging" in the settings of the consoles (Settings → About the device → Assembly number → Press the developer mode 7 times without this, Mi Remote will not be able to connect over Wi-Fi.

💡

90% of connection problems are solved by updating the TV software and resetting network settings on the phone (Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional → Resetting).

6.Voice control and gestures: hidden functions

Modern Xiaomi TVs (starting with the 2021 Mi TV Q1) support voice control and gestures via the phone, features often hidden in settings, but make interactions much easier:

Voice assistant:

• 🎤 In Mi Remote, click on the microphone icon (in the upper right corner).
• 🗣️ Say a command in Russian, such as “turn on Netflix on TV” or “Revolve to 50%".
• 🌐 Languages supported: Russian, English, Chinese, Spanish.

Gesture control:

• 👋 Activate in the TV settings → Special facilities → Gestures.
• 📱 On the phone in Mi Remote, turn on the option "Motion Sensor".
• 🎮 Now we can: 👆 Raise your hand up to increase the volume. 👇 Lower your hand to reduce the volume. ☝️ Clenching the fist - pause/replay. 🔍 How to improve gesture recognition: Make sure there are no obstacles in front of the TV (recognition works through the front camera of the TV). Turn on bright lighting - in the dark, sensors work worse. In the settings of the TV, increase the sensitivity of gestures (Settings → Sensors. → Camera Sensitivity). 7. Connection mode comparison: what to choose To determine the optimal control method, we will evaluate each according to the key criteria: IR port criterion Wi-Fi Bluetooth Response speed ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (momentarily) ⭐⭐⭐ (delay 0.5–1 s) ⭐⭐ (delay up to 2 c) Range Up to 5 m (direct visibility) Up to 10 m (through walls) Up to 10 m (no obstacles) Energy consumption Minimum average (Wi-Fi must be turned on) High (Bluetooth quickly puts the battery down. functions Only basic commands Screen projection, file transfer Voice input, gestures Compatibility Any TV with IR receiver Only Mi TV/Android TV Bluetooth TV 4.0+ 📌 Recommendations for selection: 🏆 For maximum reliability: IR port (if it is in the phone). 🎮 For gamers: Wi-Fi + screen projection (you can connect the gamepad to the phone). 🗣️ For voice control lovers: Bluetooth + Mi Remote. 📺 For older TVs: third-party apps like AnyMote with IR. FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions ❓ Can I use the iPhone as a remote for Xiaomi? TV? Yes, but with limitations: For IR control, download Mi Remote from the App Store (works on an iPhone with an IR port, for example, iPhone). 15 Pro via adapter. Use Google app for Wi-Fi TV (Android required TV TV-wise). 🚫 Bluetooth is not supported – Xiaomi does not provide API iOS. ❓ Why After Updating MIUI The IR port stopped working? MIUI 14 for some models (Redmi Note 11 Pro)+, POCO F4). Solutions: Reverse to the previous version MIUI via Fastboot (instructions on Xiaomi.eu). IR Fix via Magisk (root required). Contact Xiaomi Support - they can send beta firmware with a fix. 🔹 Temporary solution: Use Mi Remote in Safe Mode (hold the power button) → "Safe regime"). ❓ How do you control a TV over a phone without the Internet? All the ways except Wi-Fi work without the Internet: IR port: no network. Bluetooth: creates a direct connection (but you need to at least once attach devices when you have the Internet to download drivers). If the router distributes Wi-Fi without Internet access, the management will work. 💡 Tip: before going to the country, save the offline version of Mi Remote to your phone (in the application settings) → "Download the device database"). ❓ Can I use a single phone to control multiple TVs? Yes, Mi Remote supports up to 10 saved devices. To switch between them: Open Mi Remote and swipe left/right across the screen. Click on the Device icon (bottom of the screen) and select the desired TV. For quick access, add the Mi Remote widget to the home screen (hold your finger in free space). → "Widgets"). ⚠️ Limitation: Only one device can be controlled at a time (e.g., two TVs cannot be turned on by one command). ❓ How to Reset Control Settings from Your Phone on Your TV? If the virtual remote is not working properly, reset: On TV: Settings → Devices → Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Connection → Remove all associated devices On the phone: Settings → Applications → Mi Remote → Storage → Clean the data After the reset will have to re-sanctify the devices.