How to use the IR port on the Xiaomi phone: from setting up to managing equipment

The infrared port (IR port) in Xiaomi smartphones is a convenient tool for managing household appliances without additional remotes. Despite the proliferation of smart devices with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the IR port remains relevant for air conditioners, old-style TVs and other equipment that does not support modern protocols. In this article, we will discuss how to turn on, configure and effectively use the IR port on your Xiaomi, and also consider typical problems and their solutions.

It is important to understand that not all Xiaomi models are equipped with an IR port. For example, the flagship Xiaomi 13/14 series or POCO F5 are deprived of it, while budget and mid-budget devices (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Redmi 10C) often come with it. Before you start setting up, check for an IR port in the characteristics of your model or visually – it looks like a small black glass at the top of the case.

If you've never used an IR port, it might seem complicated. In fact, the setup process takes no more than 5 minutes, and further management of the equipment becomes intuitive, the main thing is to add the devices correctly to the Mi Remote app (or its analogues) and synchronize the commands.

What Xiaomi models support the IR port

Xiaomi’s infrared port is found mainly in budget and mid-budget lines, and here is the current list of models (for 2026) equipped with an infrared blaster:

• 📱 Redmi Note 12 (all modifications except Pro)+)
• 📱 Redmi Note 11 / Note 11S / Note 11 Pro
• 📱 POCO X5 / POCO X5 Pro
• 📱 Redmi 10 / Redmi 10A / Redmi 10C
• 📱 Redmi 9 / Redmi 9A / Redmi 9C / Redmi 9T
• 📱 POCO M4 Pro / POCO M5

Flagship models (Xiaomi 12/13/14, Mix 4, Black Shark) and most POCO F series devices do not have an IR port. If you do not find your model on the list, check the specifications on the official Xiaomi website or in the Settings app → About Phone → Full specs.

Also, even if your smartphone is equipped with an IR port, it depends on the software, for example, after the MIUI 14 update, some users experienced errors in the Mi Remote application, in which case reinstall the application or reset its settings helps.

Preparation of the phone to work with the IR port

Before you start to operate the equipment, you need to perform a few preparatory steps, which will take no more than 2-3 minutes, but will eliminate problems in the future.

1. Check for an IR port, located at the top of the body (usually next to the speaker or front camera), if the glass is missing or closed with a protective film, clean it carefully.
2. Update MIUI. Go to Settings → About Phone → Update system and install the latest firmware. This ensures compatibility with the latest versions of appliance management.
3. Install the Mi Remote app. It's pre-installed on most Xiaomi devices, but if it's not, download it from Google Play or AppGallery.
4. Permit the necessary permissions. When you first start up, Mi Remote will request access to the camera, microphone and location, and these permissions are needed to scan the devices and determine their models.

If Mi Remote stopped working after the update, try clearing the app cache: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Mi Remote → Storage → Clear the cache.

Installation and configuration of the Mi Remote application

Mi Remote is the primary tool for IR-powered technology management, and it supports more than 1,000 brands and 50,000 device models, from TVs to air conditioners. Let's take a look at the step-by-step customization process.

Step 1 Starting and Adding the Device

1. Open Mi Remote and click Add Device.
2. Select the category of equipment (for example, TV, Air Conditioning, Music Center).
3. Specify the brand of the device. If your brand is not listed, select Another and try universal codes.
4. Point the phone’s IR port to the receiver (usually located on the front panel) and hold the test button until the device responds.

Step 2: Checking the performance

After adding the device, check the basic functions:

• 📺 For TVs: on/off, volume control, channel switching.
• ❄️ For air conditioners: temperature change, heating/cooling modes, fan speed.
• 🎵 For music centers: playback, pause, rewind.

If some buttons don’t work, go back to your device settings in Mi Remote and select a different protocol (code) for your model.

Step 3: Set up widgets

For quick access to frequently used devices, add them to the home screen:

1. In Mi Remote, click and hold the device icon.
2. Select Add to the main screen.
3. Now you can control the app directly from the desktop without opening the app.

Solving common problems with IR port

Even with the right setup, users sometimes face difficulties, and let's look at the typical problems and how to fix them.

If none of the solutions worked, check the performance of the IR port using the test:

1. Open the camera on another phone.
2. Point your Xiaomi’s IR port to the camera and press any button in Mi Remote.
3. If the second phone's screen shows purple light flickering, the port is in good condition. If not, contact the service center.

Alternative applications for technical management

If Mi Remote is not suitable (for example, does not support your model of technology), you can use third-party applications.-3 proven alternatives:

• 📱 AnyMote Universal Remote supports more than 900,000 devices, there is a function of learning commands from the original remote.
• 📱 ZaZa Remote is a simple interface, working with rare brands (for example, Daikin, Midea.
• 📱 SURE Universal Remote – supports not only the IR, but also the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth-There's voice control. Minus: complex setup for beginners.

When choosing an alternative application, pay attention to: compatibility with your Xiaomi model (some applications do not work on new versions of MIUI), the presence of Russian (not all applications are localized), user reviews about the stability of working with your brand of equipment.

For testing, you can install several applications and compare them, for example, AnyMote is better at air conditioning, and SURE is more convenient for managing smart TVs.

💡

If you often manage different brands, create separate profiles for each device in Mi Remote and name them clearly (for example, “Samsung TV living room”, “Mitsubishi Bedroom Air Conditioning”).

Advanced IR port functions: automation and scenarios

Xiaomi's IR port can be used not only for manual control, but also for creating automated scripts. For example, you can configure:

• 🌡️ Automatically turn on the air conditioner when returning home (via geolocation or Wi-Fi connection).
• 📺 Simultaneously turning on the TV and sound panel with one button.
• 🔄 Cyclical switching (e.g. heating) → cooling → air-conditioning).

This will require:

1. Install MacroDroid or Tasker (for advanced users).
2. Create a macro with a trigger (e.g., Connect to Home Wi-Fi).
3. Add the action "Send IR command" and select the right command from Mi Remote.
4. Save and test the script.

Important: for automatic scripting to work, the phone must remain on and not go into deep sleep mode. Set an exception for automating applications in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.

Example scenario for MacroDroid:

Trigger: Wi-Fi connection (network name: "Home")


Action 1: Send an IR command (device: Air conditioning, command: Enable)




Action 2: Send an IR command (device: Air conditioning, command: 24°C temperature)




Action 3: Notification (text: "Air conditioning on at 24°C")

This scenario works automatically when you return home.

Security and Restrictions in the Use of an IR Port

Despite the convenience, the IR port has limitations that are worth remembering:

⚠️ Attention: the IR signal has a limited range (usually up to 5-7 meters) and requires a line of sight between the phone and the receiver.

Also consider the following nuances:

• 🔒 Security: IR commands are not encrypted, so in theory they can be intercepted with special equipment).
• 🔋 Battery consumption: Active use of the IR port increases power consumption by 2-5%. When you control equipment frequently, keep your phone charging.
• 📱 Compatibility: Some new models of technology (especially with support) Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) They may not have an IR receiver. Check this before you buy.

If you use an IR port to control your air conditioner or heater, avoid the following mistakes:

⚠️ Warning: Do not set the heater to a maximum temperature automatically without control. This can cause the room to overheat or run high. Always set a limit on running time (for example, no more than 2 consecutive hours).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the IR port on Xiaomi