Xiaomi remote TV: How to use, customize and solve problems

Remote from Xiaomi TV: where to start?

Xiaomi TVs have gained popularity due to a combination of affordable prices and advanced features, but even with such a device can be difficult — especially if it is a remote control, many users are faced with the fact that not all buttons are intuitive, and some functions are hidden in the depths of the menu.

This article will help you understand all the nuances: from basic control to hidden remote capabilities, which the manufacturer does not always advertise. TV 4/4A/4S/5/5X, And we'll also have new versions with voice control and touchpad, and we'll focus on the typical issues of why the remote might not work, how to reprogram it, and what to do if you lose the original set.

If you've just unpacked your TV or you've been using it for a while but want to learn more, this tutorial will be helpful. Let's start with the simplest: learning about buttons and their basic functions.

Location and assignment of buttons on the Xiaomi remote TV

Xiaomi's standard remote has a minimalist design, but behind a simple look, there are dozens of features. TV 5X (It is also important for other models with minor differences):

• 🔴 Power button - turn on/off the TV. Hold on 5+ Seconds cause a forced reboot of the system.
• 📺 Home – returns to the main menu PatchWall (the shell of Xiaomi) or Android TV (model-wise).
• 🔍 Search: Calls the search bar for content and apps. In some firmware, it works like a Google Assistant button.
• 🎤 Microphone – activates voice assistant (recognizes commands in Chinese, English and Russian in new versions of the software).
• ⬅️⬆️⬇️➡️ Navigation bar -- cursor control, menu selection, button in the center. OK confirm.
• 🔙 Back – Returns to the previous screen or closes the current window.
• 📛 Menu – opens additional settings for the current app or broadcast.
• 🔊 Loudness (±) and 🔄 Channels (±) — sound adjustment and signal source switching (HDMI, AV, TV).
• 🎭 Quick Settings – quick access to brightness, sound and network settings.
• 📺 Source – switching between connected devices (prefix, laptop, etc.).

On the consoles of the latest generations (for example, for Mi). TV Q2 2023) may have a touchpad instead of physical navigation buttons, and it supports gestures: swipe left/right to rewind video, swipe up/down to adjust volume. Also, some models are equipped with an infrared unit for controlling other devices (air conditioning, audio system).

⚠️ Note: The Mute button on Xiaomi remotes is often combined with the Google Assistant button. Long press (3 seconds) activates the voice assistant, and short press turns off the sound.

How to connect and sync the remote with the TV

In most cases, Xiaomi’s remote is already paired with a factory TV, but sometimes it requires re-synchronization.

• 🔄 You reset the TV to factory settings.
• 🔋 Replaced batteries in the remote.
• 📦 Buy a new remote (original or universal).
• 🔌 Connected the TV to another outlet or moved it.

To synchronize, follow the following steps:

1. Turn on the TV with the power button on the case (if the remote does not work).
2. Hold the remote over the distance. 10-20 cm to the IR receiver (usually located on the right or bottom of the screen).
3. Press the Home buttons at the same time + Back to 5-7 seconds until the red light on the remote is lit.
4. Release buttons – the TV should show a notification of a successful connection.

If the synchronization is not successful:

• 🔋 Check the batteries (even new ones can be discharged).
• 📶 Make sure there are no obstacles between the remote and the IR receiver.
• 🔄 Restart the TV through the Settings menu → On TV. → Reboot.
• 🛠️ Update the TV firmware (instructions in the section below).

⚠️ Attention: Remotes for Mi TV 4A (2018-2019 d) use Bluetooth protocol LE They sync automatically when you turn them on, but they can get lost after updates. → DU remote → Reset the connection.

Check the battery charge.|Make sure there are no obstacles|Bring the remote close to the IR receiver|Hold on Home. + Back to 5 seconds|Restart the TV when you fail-->

Hidden Xiaomi remote features: what does your remote control know?

The manufacturer doesn't always document all the features of the remote, but here are some unique features that few people know about:

• 🎮 Gamepad mode: In games (e.g. emulators) button holding OK + And the navigation keystrokes mimic the joystick, and this allows you to play without having to plug in any other controllers.
• 🔍 Search by voice in Russian: In firmware starting with MIUI TV 3.0, the voice assistant understands commands like "Turn on Channel One" or "Turn up volume by 20%." To activate, say "Hi, Mi" after pressing the microphone button.
• 📱 Smartphone management: If you have a Xiaomi smartphone, you can use the remote as a trigger to run scripts in the Mi Home app.For example, double-pressing Home can include a smart lamp.
• 🔄 Quick Profile Switching: Triple press of the Menu button switches between user profiles (if they are set up in the system).
• 🎬 Secret menu to calibrate screen: Press Menu + Up for 10 seconds – the service menu with color balance settings and gamma correction will open.

For Android models TV (Like Mi. TV Q1) Additional combinations available:

• 🔍 Home + Up - opens the notification log.
• ⚙️ Home + Down – Quick access to the developer settings.
• 🔄 Back + Menu – forced withdrawal from Google accounts (useful when selling TV).

These features may vary depending on the firmware version. To find out your version, go to Settings. → On TV. → POS version.

Problems with the Xiaomi remote TV and their decisions

Even the original Xiaomi remotes sometimes fail, and let’s look at the typical issues and ways to fix them:

If the remote is completely out of order, consider replacement options:

• 🛒 Original remote: You can order on AliExpress or in official Xiaomi stores. The cost is from 800 to 1500 rubles depending on the model.
• 🎛️ Universal remote: Any model with Xiaomi support will do TV codebase (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Remote or BroadLink) RM4 Pro).
• 📱 Smartphone control: Install Mi Remote (available for Android and iOS) Requires the TV and smartphone to connect to the same Wi-Fi network.

⚠️ Note: When using universal remotes, the voice assistant and some service functions (for example, quick settings) may not work.

💡

If the remote is in water, remove the batteries immediately and dry it in rice or silica gel for 48 hours.

Set up a remote to control other devices

Xiaomi remotes of the latest generations (starting with Mi) TV 5) support universal control, which allows you to use a single remote for the TV, sound panel, air conditioning and even lighting:

1. Open the Settings menu → DU remote → Add the device.
2. Select the type of device (e.g., "Sound panel" or "Air conditioner").
3. Follow the instructions on the screen – the TV will send out test signals, and you must confirm whether the control has worked.
4. If the automatic search didn’t work, select the brand of the device manually from the list.

The following types of devices are supported:

• 📺 Other brands of television (Samsung, LG, Sony).
• 🔈 Sound panels and receivers (Yamaha, Denon, JBL).
• ❄️ Air conditioning (Gree, Midea, Daikin).
• 💡 Smart Lamps (Yeelight, Philips Hue).
• 📀 Blu-ray players and consoles (Apple) TV, Nvidia Shield).

After setting up, you will be able to:

• Control the volume of the sound panel directly from the TV remote.
• Turn on the air conditioner with one button along with the TV.
• Switch the signal sources on the receiver without an additional remote.

If your device is not found in the database, you can manually record commands from the original remote.

1. In the add-on menu, select "Learning".
2. Point both remotes (original and Xiaomi) at each other in a distance 2-3 centimeter.
3. Press the button on the original remote that you want to record.
4. Confirm a successful recording on the TV.

⚠️ Attention: Training function is only available on remotes with firmware MIUI TV 2.5 and higher: Update the TV to the latest version before setting up.

💡

Universal control only works for IR-based devices. Bluetooth devices (e.g., speakers) JBL) That way you can't manage it.

Update of the firmware of the remote and TV

If the remote is unstable or does not support new features, a firmware update may be required. In Xiaomi, the remote updates come along with the TV updates, so the process boils down to a system update:

Refreshment methods:

• 🌐 By air (OTA): The easiest method. Go to Settings. → On TV. → Update the system and click "Check Updates".
• 📁 Through USB: Download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website (the support section of your model), save to the USB drive in the root catalog with the name update.zip And connect to the TV. It'll start automatically.
• 🖥️ Through PC: Power users. Requires a connection to ADB and hand firmware through the command: adb sideload update.zip

Before the update:

• Connect the TV to a stable power source (do not use extension cords).
• Make sure the remote has a charge level of at least 50% (if it has a battery).
• Close all applications and exit accounts.
• Prepare a backup of settings (in the Settings menu) → System system → Backup).

If after the update the remote stopped working:

1. Perform a reset connection: Settings → DU remote → Reset the connection.
2. Restart the TV with the power button on the case for 10 seconds.
3. If the remote still doesn’t work, go back to the previous firmware version via the restore menu (click Menu). + Loudness + when turning on the TV).

Alternative ways to control Xiaomi TV

If the original remote is lost or broken, there are several ways to control the TV without it:

• 📱 Mi Remote: Download the app from Google Play or the App Store. Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network. Select your TV model in the app and follow the on-screen instructions.

The app supports all the features of the original remote, including voice input and gestures.

Mouse and keyboard via Bluetooth:

Connect the wireless mouse through Settings → Devices → Bluetooth. It's convenient for surfing the Internet or typing. The keyboard supports hot keys:

• Win + D - Returns to the main screen.
• Alt + Tab – Switching between applications.
• F1-F12 — Quick access to settings (depending on firmware).

Game controllers:

Xbox, PlayStation and Switch Pro Controller are supported. Connect via Settings → Devices → Add accessory. In games, you can use analog sticks to navigate the menu.

Voice assistants:

If the TV supports Google Assistant or Alice, you can control your voice through Google Home or Yandex Station.

• "Turn on Channel One on TV."
• "Turn up the volume on Xiaomi TV 70%".
• "Run Netflix on the big screen."