Poco X3 Pro owners often don’t realize they have a universal key to the digital world in the room, and at the top of the device, an infrared transmitter lurks, making it a complete replacement for dozens of physical buttons. Mi Remote (or “Mi Remote”) is built into the default MIUI shell, eliminating the need to buy third-party accessories or install dubious apps.
The main purpose of this tool is to control household appliances through an infrared port. TVs, air conditioners, projectors, receivers and even some smart home systems obey the commands that your phone gives out. It is important to understand that this feature does not require a connection to a Wi-Fi router or Bluetooth, since it uses a time-tested infrared signal, similar to that emitted by conventional plastic remotes.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at how you initialize, add different devices, and solve typical synchronization problems, and you’ll learn how to create user-friendly control scenarios and how to turn your Poco X3 Pro into a central media control panel.
Search and activate the Mi Remote app
The first step to get started is locating the system app. On Xiaomi and Poco smartphones, it's preinstalled, but it can be hidden in the Tools folder on the desktop. The app icon usually looks like an orange circle with a white image of the remote control inside. If standard methods fail to find the program, check the system by typing in the name "Mi Remote" or "Mi Remote."
Once you run the app, you'll need to provide the necessary permissions. Android on Poco X3 Pro will request access to the location and the IR port, a requirement for the code database to work properly, and without validating those rights, the app will simply not be able to send a signal to your hardware.
The interface is minimal, and at the bottom of the screen is a + button that's used to add a new device, and that's where you start the process of tuning any gadget, and the top of the screen is a list of the remotes that you've already added, so you can quickly switch between the control of the TV and the air conditioner.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the top end of the Poco smartphone X3 Pro, where the IR emitter is located, is not covered with a tight cover or protective film, as this can block the signal.
For users who are used to the classic interface, the feature of switching views can be useful. In the application settings, you can change the display of buttons to make them larger or smaller, this is especially true if you plan to use the phone as the main remote for elderly relatives or children.
The process of pairing with the TV
The most common use case is TV control. Click on the add-on button and select the "TV" category. You'll see a list of popular brands: Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, Xiaomi, and others. Find the manufacturer of your TV on the list. If the brand is not on the list, select the "Can't find a brand" option for manual code search.
Once you select a brand, the app will offer a signal test, and you will have a button on your smartphone screen that you press and hold by pointing the top of the Poco X3 Pro to the TV’s IR receiver, and you will be sequentially combing through the codes from the database, and you will be able to watch the TV screen carefully and press Yes as soon as it reacts (for example, the volume changes or a menu appears).
Successful pairing is confirmed by saving the device profile, you can give it a name, for example, "Living room" or "Bedroom", so as not to confuse the devices, now your phone has full control of the basic functions: turn on, switch channels, adjust sound and log into the settings menu.
In some cases, the standard set of buttons may be different from the physical remote you're used to. The app lets you edit the layout. You can add missing buttons or remove unnecessary ones by dragging them to a convenient place. This creates a personalized interface tailored to your browsing habits.
☑️ Checking the TV connection
Configuring the air conditioner and other equipment
Climate control is the second most popular feature. The process of adding air conditioning is similar to setting up a TV, but has its own nuances. Choose the "AC" category and find the brand of your device. Because air conditioners often do not have screens for visual feedback, the signal is tested by a beep or change the indication on the device body.
It's important to note that the IR signal is unidirectional, which means that the phone has to "see" the air conditioner receiver. Unlike Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, the IR port does not break through walls. However, the Poco X3 Pro has a powerful enough transmitter that allows you to control equipment even from a distance of 5-7 meters, subject to direct visibility.
In addition to TVs and air conditioners, the app supports:
- 📺 TV Box – consoles and media players.
- 📷 Cameras – Some models of digital cameras.
- 🎥 Projectors - home theaters.
- 📀 DVD/Blu-ray — disk-player.
- 🏠 Set-top box – cable and satellite receivers.
Each category of device has its own set of features. For example, for air conditioners, temperature and mode change buttons (cooling, heating, draining) are critical. Make sure that after setting up all these functions work correctly. If some button does not respond, try recoding the device by selecting a different code during the testing process.
⚠️ Warning: When you control the air conditioner through the IR port, the phone does not receive status from the device. You will not see on the smartphone screen whether the air conditioner is actually on, unless you look at its indicator.
Training mode and manual tuning
What if your device is not in the database or is too old? In this case, you can use a learning mode (if supported by the application version) or manual code selection. However, most often Mi Remote uses a brute force method. If automatic search does not give results, select the option "Not in the list".
In manual mode, you'll have to be patient, and the app will show you buttons and ask if the feature is working, and it can take 2 to 10 minutes, because the codebase is so huge, and sometimes you can have up to 50 different instruction sets available for a single brand.
Why doesn’t automatic search work?
There is also the option of copying buttons from a physical remote if your phone supports this feature at the hardware level (although this is rare on global versions of MIUI). In most cases, Poco X3 Pro users rely on a vast cloud-based codebase that is constantly updated by developers.
For complex systems, such as home theaters with multiple features, it is recommended to create multiple profiles: One profile may contain only basic buttons for quick access, and the second one a full set of commands for deep tuning of sound and image.
Comparison of IR port and Bluetooth remotes
Many users confuse the IR remote built into the Poco X3 Pro with Bluetooth control, which is fundamentally different technology, and understanding their differences will help avoid disappointment and use the smartphone’s capabilities correctly.
Below is a table comparing the key characteristics of the two technologies in the context of technology management:
| Characteristics | Infrared Port (Mi Remote) | Bluetooth remote |
|---|---|---|
| Radio of action | Up to 10 meters (direct visibility required) | Up to 10-15 meters (through obstacles) |
| Direction | Requires a point at the device | Works in any direction |
| Compatibility | Old and New Techniques (99% of Devices) | Only modern smart devices |
| Energy consumption | Minimum (only at the time of pressing) | Above (constant connection search) |
| Setting up | Simple, unconjugated | It requires a pairing (pairing) |
The main advantage of the IR port on Poco X3 Pro is versatile. It's omnivorous. You can control an old, '90s kinescopic TV as easily as you can control the newest. OLED-Bluetooth requires a special module in the controlled device, which is not everywhere.
On the other hand, Bluetooth allows you to transfer more data, such as voice commands or video, but for basic tasks, such as changing the channel or adding volume, the IR port remains the leader in reliability and simplicity.
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Use the Mi Remote app widget on your Android desktop for quick access to frequently used buttons without opening the app itself.
Solving problems and operating advice
Despite the simplicity, users may encounter difficulties. One of the common problems is that the phone stops "seeing" devices after the system update. In this case, it is recommended to clear the cache of the Settings application → Apps → Mi Remote → Storage → Clear the cache. This will not delete your saved remotes, but update temporary files.
Another important aspect is battery power. Although the IR port consumes little power, with a battery running low (less than 10-15%), the system can limit the peripheral modules to save charge. If the remote stops working suddenly, check the charge level of the Poco X3 Pro.
It's also worth mentioning third-party compatibility.If the standard Mi Remote app doesn't appeal to you, you can install alternatives from Google Play, such as Peel Smart Remote or ZaZa Remote.They also use your phone's hardware IR port, but can offer a more beautiful interface or an advanced codebase.
⚠️ Note: Do not use third-party root-rights applications to manage the IR port unnecessarily, this can lead to unstable system operation.
For maximum efficiency, keep the top face of the phone clean. Fat spots from your fingers or dust can scatter the IR ray, reducing range. Rub the area around your black glass eye with a soft cloth.
Additional Opportunities and Automation
Mi Remote can be extended with automation scenarios available in the Security app or through Google Assistant. For example, you can set up a command that turns off lights (if smart) and a TV at a single click. While the IR port itself does not support complex macros within a single click, combining with other services opens up a lot of possibilities.
Some users use the phone as a joystick for presentations or control media players on a PC using a keyboard emulation, but for the Poco X3 Pro, the main scenario remains a household one: control of home electronics.
Periodically log in to the app when connected to Wi-Fi so that it can download new device profiles that may appear in the developer database.
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The main strength of Mi Remote on the Poco X3 Pro is the ability to combine the management of all old and new equipment in one device without the need to buy additional hubs or bridges.