Modern smartphones have long since ceased to be just a means of communication, becoming universal devices for solving household tasks. Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 became one of those devices that retained an important but rare feature today – the built-in infrared port. This technology allows you to turn the phone into a full-fledged remote control for TVs, air conditioners, consoles and other household appliances without having to buy additional equipment.
Redmi Note 7 owners often underestimate the capabilities of the standard Mi Remote app, believing that it works only with Xiaomi brand technology. However, the range of supported brands is huge, covering almost all the world's electronics manufacturers. Proper configuration of the IR blaster allows you to easily manage the entire multimedia system in the house directly from the smartphone screen, saving space and eliminating the search for lost remotes.
In this guide, we will discuss in detail how to connect, configure and optimize the operation of an infrared transmitter, how to add a new device, what to do if the code does not fit, and what hidden functions are available in the system application. Using the regular system tools is preferable to third-party counterparts, since they have deep access to the hardware of the smartphone.
Technical features of the IR port in Redmi Note 7
The infrared port on the Redmi Note 7 is located on the top end of the case, next to the noise reduction microphone. It's a compact module that emits infrared light that is invisible to the human eye. Unlike Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, infrared communication requires direct visibility between the phone and the receiver of the device, because the signal does not bend obstacles. However, this provides high accuracy of commands and no delays typical of wireless protocols.
The key advantage of the built-in solution is that you don't have to pair devices. Infrared is one-to-many: the phone can mimic the signals of dozens of different remotes, just changing the frequency and encoding of the radiation. This means that you can control a Samsung TV, then switch to LG air conditioning, and then turn on Sony's audio system using the same application.
⚠️ Attention: Infrared port does not require pairing, but is sensitive to bright sunlight. Direct sunlight can "clog" the signal, so in brightly lit rooms, try to keep the phone closer to the receiver of the equipment.
The Mi Remote system application (or "Mi Remote" in Russian localization) contains a vast code base that not only sends a "on" signal, but emulates the full set of commands of the original remote, including complex menus and audio settings, which makes replacing the regular remote not only possible, but often more convenient, because the interface on the smartphone screen is more intuitive.
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For stable operation of the IR port, make sure that the protective glass or case does not overlap the upper face of the smartphone. Even a slight shift of the accessory can reduce the range of the signal.
Primary configuration of the Mi Remote application
On Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI shell, the application is preinstalled in the Tools folder. If you accidentally delete it or use global firmware without preinstalled software, you need to download Mi Remote from the official Google Play store or GetApps. After the first launch, the application will request permission to access the geolocation and network - this is necessary to download current databases of devices and determine your location for correct code selection.
The process of adding a device starts with pressing a big button + in the program interface. The system will ask you to choose a category of technology: TV, console, air conditioner, projector or Mi Box. It is important to choose the right category, because it depends on the set of available buttons and the algorithm for selecting the code. For example, for air conditioner critical buttons change temperature and mode, which are not available on the TV.
Next comes the brand selection phase, and the list is sorted alphabetically, but the most popular brands (Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips) are often introduced or have a special icon. Once you select a brand, the app will run a test mode. The screen will ask, "Is the device working?" You will have to point the phone at the appliances and press a virtual button, usually an on button.
- 📺 If the equipment reacted (turned on or made a sound), press Yes - the code is saved.
- 🔴 If no response, click No, the system will suggest the following code from the database.
- ⚡ To speed up the process, you can use the “Auto Search” function, if it is available for the selected brand.
- 🔄 If no code fits, you can try to choose another manufacturer whose TV is built on the same platform.
☑️ Set-up of a new device
Manual setting and code search
Automatic code selection works well in most cases, but sometimes the database may not contain an exact model of your device or offer incomplete functionality. In such situations, manual configuration helps. In the Mi Remote application, you can enter code manually if you know it from the documentation for the technique, or use advanced search by model.
To find the code manually, open a list of brands and scroll down to the Others section or search the box. By entering an exact model of a TV or air conditioner (such as Samsung UE40N5000), you can get a specific code that will ensure all buttons work, including specific features of Smart TV. This is especially true for older models of equipment or rare brands.
There is also a blind matching method through the learning feature, if you have a working original remote on hand. Although the Redmi Note 7 does not have an IR learning feature (it does not have an IR receiver, only a transmitter), you can use third-party applications to decode the signal from the desktop, if you have an IR receiver for a PC, and then enter the data obtained. However, for most users, a standard codebase that is updated by Xiaomi servers is enough.
| Brand | Type of device | Probability of success | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Television | 98% | All buttons are working, including the Smart Hub. |
| LG | Television | 95% | You may need to select a code for WebOS |
| Daikin | Air conditioner | 90% | Full control of temperature and regimes |
| Sony | Audio system | 85% | Basic functions are operating stably |
| Supra | Television | 80% | Codes from other Chinese brands are often suitable |
What to do if the brand is not on the list?
Control of air conditioners and complex equipment
Using the Redmi Note 7 as an air conditioner remote is one of the most popular features. Unlike a TV, where channels and volume are important, the accuracy of displaying the current temperature and operating mode is critical for climate engineering. The Mi Remote app can synchronize state: if you turn off the air conditioner from your phone, it will show it on the screen, even if the original remote was lost.
When you add air conditioning, you can go through an extended calibration, and you'll be asked to check the temperature change, the direction of air flow, and the turbo mode, which takes longer than setting up the TV, but ensures that you can quickly adjust your climate in winter or summer. Some air conditioners support displaying the current temperature on your smartphone screen, which is extremely convenient.
The phone doesn't know that the air conditioner is actually on until you press a button. So the application interface simulates the state based on the last command you sent. If you turn off the air conditioner with the original remote, the phone will "think" it's on until you send the command back from the phone.
⚠️ Warning: When operating the air conditioner, keep the phone strictly horizontal and point the top end exactly at the split receiver. A narrow angle of IR scattering requires more accurate aiming than a wide beam of a conventional remote control.
For smart home users, the Redmi Note 7 can act as a bridge between old appliances and new ecosystems. Although the phone itself does not connect the "stupid" air conditioner to Wi-Fi, it allows you to integrate control through voice assistants (if you have scripts in the Mi Home app that support IR control through the phone as a hub, although this requires constant screen operation or special energy saving settings).
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The main difficulty in controlling air conditioning is that there is no real-time status feedback, and the app shows the state it sent, not what the air conditioner received.
Resolving and remediation of malfunctions
Despite the reliability of the technology, users can face problems: the remote does not respond, buttons are pressed with a delay or the device is not in the database. The first reason is always to check the physical integrity of the infrared port. On the Redmi Note 7, it is in a narrow slot that can get clogged with dust. Careful brushing often solves the problem.
The second common problem is application conflict: if you have multiple IR port management software installed (e.g. ZaZa Remote, AnyMote), they may conflict over access to the hardware, and it is recommended to leave only the regular Mi Remote app, as it has native rights in the MIUI system and works more stable than third-party counterparts.
If the app is working but the app is not responding, check the power saving settings. MIUI aggressively optimizes the background processes. Make sure Mi Remote has a "No Limits" rule in the battery settings. Cleaning the app's cache through the Settings menu → Apps → All Apps → Mi Remote → Clear the data.
- 🔋 Check if the phone battery is discharged – at low charge, the system can limit the power of the IR emitter.
- 📱 Make sure the proximity sensor is not closed by film, sometimes it blocks the work of adjacent modules.
- 🌐 Check the Internet connection – the codebase is loaded online, without the network, finding new devices is impossible.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – it resets hardware drivers and often solves software glitches.
Alternative applications and functional extensions
While Xiaomi’s standard solution covers 95 percent of the needs, there are scenarios where third-party development is required, and applications like Irplus or ZaZa Remote offer more flexible remote form settings, the ability to create macros (one button triggers a chain of action), and access to raw codes, which is useful for advanced users who want to create a unique management interface.
However, third-party applications often contain ads and require more permissions, may not have access to system priorities, which may cause the IR port response to be slightly slower, and Mi Remote remains the best choice for everyday use, balancing functionality, speed and lack of intrusive advertising.
In conclusion, the Redmi Note 7 remains one of the last smartphones available with a full-fledged infrared port in the budget segment, making it a valuable device for automating everyday life. The correct configuration of the application turns the phone into a powerful universal remote that can replace a mountain of plastic devices on the nightstand. Use this feature to make interaction with equipment more modern and convenient.