How to use Xiaomi remote: from basic functions to hidden features

Contents

• Quick start: connection and first settings
• Decoding all buttons on the Xiaomi remote
• Features of TV management Mi TV
• How to set up a remote for air conditioning
• Voice control and Mi Remote
• Solving typical remote control problems
• Hidden functions and life hacks

Xiaomi’s remote controls look minimalistic, but hide a lot of features from basic control to integration with the Mi Home ecosystem. Many users have been using only the on and volume buttons for years, without even realizing the possibility of voice search, quick commands or customizing macros for several devices at once.

In this article, we’ll look at not only the obvious features, but also the features that Xiaomi doesn’t mention in the official instructions, such as how to use one remote control to control a TV, air conditioner and smart lamp at the same time, or why the Mi button on the remote control from Mi. TV Stick works differently than on the remote from Mi TV Q2. Particular attention will be paid to the typical errors that cause the remote control to stop responding to commands and how to avoid them.

Quick start: connection and first settings

The first switch on the Xiaomi remote usually does not cause questions - just insert the batteries (usually 2).×AAA) And then you can point it at the device, but there are some things that the manufacturer doesn't always warn you about:

• 🔋 Batteries: Use alkaline batteries only - cheap salt can leak and damage contacts. In backlit remotes (for example, Mi). TV Stick) discharge is faster.
• 📶 Distance: Maximum distance for IR remotes is 8 meters, but for stable operation, keep within 5 meters. TV Q1E) work up to 10 meters.
• 🔍 Inclination angle: The IR signal should go straight to the receiver. If the remote is not working at an angle, check for obstacles (glass, mirrors) or move the device.

For initial settings:

1. Insert batteries, observing polarity (on Xiaomi remotes contacts are often marked non-standardly - minus on the right).
2. Press and hold the Power button for 3-5 seconds until the indicator lights up (on backlit models).
3. For IR panels: point it at the receiver of the device (usually located at the bottom of the TV screen or on the front of the air conditioner).
4. For Bluetooth remotes: enable pairing in device settings (Settings) → Devices → Bluetooth).

⚠️ Note: If the remote from Mi TV 4S Do not respond to pressing, check the film on batteries - sometimes it remains after unpacking and blocks contact.

Decoding all buttons on the Xiaomi remote

Externally, Xiaomi remotes look simple, but their buttons perform different functions depending on the model of the device. Below is a universal decoding for most remotes (in the example of Mi). TV Remote and Mi Air Conditioner Remote):

The Netflix and Prime Video buttons are different -- not all remotes have them. TV P1 And newer, these buttons are programmable: they can be reassigned to other services through the Settings menu. → DU remote → Tune buttons.

The air conditioner consoles have unique buttons:

• ❄️ Mode – switching between modes (cooling, heating, ventilation).
• 🌡️ Temp ↑/↓ — Temperature change (step 0.5)°C on new models).
• 💨 Fan - adjusting the fan speed (auto/low/medium/high).
• 🕐 Timer – set the shutdown timer (pressing keeps the current settings running).

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If it's on the Mi remote. TV Stick does not work with the Google Assistant button, update the device’s firmware through Settings → About the device → Updating the system.

Features of TV management Mi TV

Remote for Xiaomi TVs (series Mi) TV 4/5, Q1, P1, A2) Not only do they support basic features, but they also support gestures, voice search, and fast commands, such as double-clicking on Home reveals a list of recent apps, and holding Back brings back to the home screen.

Key features:

• 🎤 Voice search: Press Mi and query (e.g., "Put the Cartoon on TNT"). Works only with connected internet.
• 🖱️ Virtual mouse: On touchpad remotes (e.g. Mi) TV Master) swipe your finger to control the cursor.
• 📱 Mi Remote: Smartphone app can duplicate remote features, plus adds a virtual keyboard.
• 🔄 Quick commands: Set up macros in Settings → DU remote → Quick commands (e.g., “Switch off TV”) + switch off»).

For Mi owners TV Stick and Mi Box useful function Screen Cast - it allows you to duplicate the screen of the smartphone on TV without additional applications. Activated by a long press on Home (on some firmware).

⚠️ Note: If Netflix or Prime Video buttons stop working after the firmware update, reset the remote settings via Settings → Devices → DU remote → Reset.

How to set up a remote for air conditioning

Xiaomi air conditioner remotes (such as Mi Air Conditioner Companion) are versatile and suitable for most models – both native (Mi Air Conditioner) and third-party (Gree, Midea, Haier).

1. Hold the Power + Mode for 5 seconds until the indicator blinks.
2. Enter the code of your model of air conditioner (the list of codes is in the manual or on the Xiaomi website). ↑.
3. After successful pairing, save the settings with the button OK.

If the remote doesn't find your model, try manually entering the code. For example, for Gree air conditioners, codes 001, 003 or 012 are often suitable.

To save energy, set up a sleep timer (Timer button): one tap counts down 1 hour, repeated taps increase the time by 30 minutes. On models with Mi Home support, you can control the air conditioner through the app even if the remote is lost.

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If the air conditioner is not responding to commands, check if the temperature settings are not lost. On some Xiaomi models, the minimum value is reset after a power failure (16).°C), which prevents the device from switching on.

Voice control and Mi Remote

One of the key features of Xiaomi remotes is voice control support through Xiao AI (on TVs or Google Assistant (on Mi) TV Stick, however, you need to work properly:

1. Connect the remote to the same Wi-Fi network as the TV (for Bluetooth models, this happens automatically).
2. Activate the voice assistant in settings (Settings) → Voice control → Turn on).
3. Pass a brief microphone setting (the remote will request to pronounce the test phrase).

Examples of voice commands:

• 📺 «Turn on the Multiple on TNT - launch channel.
• 🎬 «Find the Interstellar Movie – Search in PatchWall.
• 🔊 «Increase volume by 20" - adjust the sound.
• 🌡️ «Set the temperature at 22 degrees" (for air conditioners).

If voice search doesn’t work:

• Check your internet connection (voice commands are handled by Xiaomi’s cloud).
• Update the TV and remote.
• Reboot the device (press Power and hold for 10 seconds).

Mi Remote (available for Android and iOS) allows you to use your smartphone as a remote.

• 📱 It works even without the original remote (if the TV supports the console). Wi-Fi/Bluetooth).
• 🔧 Supports macro settings (e.g., Evening Theater» = turn off + turn on + launch Netflix).
• 🌐 Can manage the equipment of other brands (through the IR blaster of the smartphone).

⚠️ Attention: The Mi Remote app for air conditioners has advanced settings that are not available on the physical remote – for example, adjusting the direction of air flow vertically (Swing).

Solving typical remote control problems

Even Xiaomi's high-quality remotes sometimes fail, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

If the remote stopped working after a fall, check the integrity of the board. Often the contacts of the battery compartment are detached - they can be soldered yourself. TV Stick Remote) is a typical problem – the backlight LED dump, but it does not affect the basic functions.

To reset the remote to factory settings:

1. Remove the batteries.
2. Press and hold the Power. + Home Home 10 seconds.
3. Put the batteries back in (without releasing the buttons).
4. Release the buttons after the indicator flashes.

Hidden functions and life hacks

Xiaomi remotes hide features that are not even written about in the official instructions.

• 🎮 Gamepad mode: On the Mi remotes TV Master and Mi TV Q1 hold on OK + Menu 3 seconds to activate virtual joystick for gaming.
• 🔇 Silent Mode: Triple tap on Mute disables all interface sound effects (including voice prompts).
• 🔄 Quick switching HDMI: Press Source twice to cycle between connected devices.
• 🌙 Night mode: On the remotes with lights hold Back + Home to turn off button lighting (saves battery charge).

For owners of several Xiaomi devices, the universal control function is useful:

1. Open the Mi Home app.
2. Go to Profile. → Settings → DU remote.
3. Add all the devices you want to control from one remote.
4. Set up macros (e.g., “Cinema» = turn off + turn on + projector).

The remotes for Mi Projector have a hidden image correction function: hold the Menu for 5 seconds to open the service menu with focus settings and trapezoidal distortion.

💡

If you press Netflix at the same time + Prime Video on the Mi remote TV 5, a hidden menu with color temperature settings that are not available in the standard interface will open.

FAQ: Frequent questions