Smart home ecosystem owners often face the need to synchronize devices to make them as convenient as possible. The question of how to tie a Xiaomi remote is when you buy new equipment, change accessories or reset your system. The pairing process can vary depending on the device model, whether it is a smart TV, a Mi Box console or a smartphone with an infrared port. Understanding the type of remote is the first and most important step to successful configuration.
Xiaomi's modern devices use different communication protocols: classic infrared port (IR) and more modern Bluetooth. If you have a voice-controlled remote, it's probably a Bluetooth connection. Conventional models that send commands through an eye on the end require direct visibility and no barriers. Correct identification of the type of communication will save you time and nerves when trying to adjust the control of the equipment.
In this article, we will take a look at all possible connection scenarios, from standard procedures to manually configured via an engineering menu. You will learn how to bypass typical pairing errors and get the remote to respond to your every action instantly. Whether you are using a PatchWall TV or an Android TV, the manual will help you regain control of the device.
Definition of the type of remote and preparation for pairing
Before you start any manipulation, you need to determine exactly what kind of accessory you are dealing with. In the Xiaomi and Mi lineup, you can find both classic IR models and advanced Bluetooth analogues. IR remotes work on the principle of transmitting light signals and do not require pre-binding in the classical sense - they just send codes. However, if your remote has a microphone button for voice search or smart home management, it necessarily needs Bluetooth pairing.
Visually, you can tell them by having special buttons or Bluetooth logos on the case. Also note the battery compartment: Bluetooth remotes often use more capacious batteries or specific batteries, because the radio module consumes more energy. For IR remotes, the serviceability of the infrared diode, which can be checked by the smartphone camera, is critical. If the diode does not glow purple when you press the buttons, the problem may be the power or the emitter itself.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the remote has fresh batteries of correct polarity. Weak charge is the most common reason why the device does not enter pairing mode, even if it is in good working order.
Preparation also includes providing physical access to the receiver of the signal on the TV or console. The distance between the devices when you first set up should not exceed 10-15 centimeters. Remove any foreign objects that may block the signal, especially if you work with an IR port. For Bluetooth devices, it is important not to have strong sources of radio interference in the immediate vicinity.
How to tie Xiaomi Bluetooth remote to your TV
The process of connecting a Bluetooth remote to a Xiaomi Mi TV or Redmi TV requires you to switch to a special mode (couples). Standard button pressing here will not help, since the TV does not yet "know" the existence of the remote. You will need to find a hidden key combination that activates the search mode. This is usually the simultaneous pressing of two buttons: most often the back button (arrow left or house) and the Menu button (or the button with the image of the mi logo).
☑️ Preparation for Bluetooth pairing
Once you pinch the right combination, the indicator on the remote (if any) should start flashing quickly, and the TV screen will show a message about the search device or animation of the connection. If nothing happens on the screen, try to bring the remote closer to the Mi logo on the bottom frame or to the receiving area of the IR signal, since often this is where the Bluetooth module is located. Once the connection is successful, the system will emit an audible signal confirming that the remote is tied.
In some cases, especially on global PatchWall firmware versions, the process can be done automatically when you first turn on your TV. However, if you reset or bought the remote separately, manual activation is necessary. Sometimes you need to confirm on-screen with another remote or buttons on the TV body if the main remote is not working yet.
What to do if the button combination does not work?
Setting up the IR remote via the Mi Remote app
If your Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone has an infrared port, you can turn it into a universal remote control, which is especially useful if your regular remote is lost or out of order. It uses the built-in Mi Remote app, which allows you to emulate the signals of thousands of different devices, including TVs, air conditioners and consoles.
Launch the app and click the add button. Select the "TV" category and find the brand of your device in the list. If the brand is not listed, select "Universal remote" or try searching by model code. Next, follow the instructions on the screen: the app will alternately send test signals, asking if the TV reacts to them. You will need to click "Yes" or "No" until you find the working code.
| Type of device | Required module | Range of action | Do you need direct visibility? |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR panel (standard) | Infrared port | 8 meters | Yes. |
| Bluetooth remote | Bluetooth 4.0+ | 10 meters | No. |
| Wi-Fi remote (rarely) | Wi-Fi module | Network coverage | No. |
| Xiaomi Smartphone | IR port/Wi-Fi | Depends on the module. | For IR, yes. |
| Mi Box S | Bluetooth | 10 meters | No. |
After you've successfully selected your code, remember to save the configuration and give it a clear name, such as "Living room TV." This will allow you to quickly switch between profiles if you manage multiple devices. The codebase in the app is updated regularly, so if you can't find the code right away, check for updates for the Mi Remote app itself in the GetApps store or Google Play store.
💡
If automatic code selection in the Mi Remote app fails, try using the Code Search feature manually, looking at options for neighboring brands. Often, codes from the same group's TVs (for example, Hisense and Toshiba) can be identical.
Interface with Mi Box and Android TV consoles
The Mi Box S and Mi TV Stick use Bluetooth exclusively to communicate with the remote, as the IR receiver is often absent or used only for training. The binding process here is similar to a TV, but has its own nuances. The console must be on and in standby mode of connection (usually this happens automatically at the first start or after reset).
To enter the Mi Remote interface (black, round or rectangular with buttons), press the Home button (house icon) and Back button (arrow). Hold them for about 5-10 seconds until the LED on the remote blinks. The TV screen should show a message "Remote found" or similar. Press the confirmation button on the remote if the system requires it.
Sometimes the remote stops responding after updating the console firmware. In this case, a full reconnect helps. Go to the Android TV settings via the menu (using the navigation buttons if the remote is partially working, or connecting the mouse / USB keyboard), select "Pulse and accessories", find your remote in the list and select "Forget" or "Delete". After that, Reboot the console by disconnecting the power also often solves the problem of the hung Bluetooth module.
⚠️ Warning: When pairing with the Mi Box, make sure you are not near other active Bluetooth devices that can intercept a signal or cause interference.
Problem Solving: The remote does not tether or does not work
Situations where standard methods don't work are rare, but require a special approach. If the Xiaomi remote isn't tethered, first check if the device is locked in the system. Go to the settings of the TV (using buttons on the case or the app on the phone) and look at the list of associated devices. If there are old records about the remotes, delete them. The overflowing memory of the Bluetooth module can prevent new devices from connecting.
Another common problem is time desynchronization or system failures in the PatchWall shell. Try to completely reboot the TV by disconnecting it from the socket for 1-2 minutes, which will allow you to reset the residual charge from the capacitors and restart all services, including the wireless module. It is also worth checking whether the TV is on Eco-Power or energy saving mode, which can limit the operation of the Bluetooth module in the background.
If nothing helps, you can try an alternative method of input through USB-Connect a normal computer keyboard or mouse to the interface. USB-It's a port of the TV, and it allows you to fully control the Android interface. TV If the keyboard is running the TV normally, it means that the radio module or compatibility of the remote is the problem.
Use of third-party applications and universal codes
If the original remote is lost and the smartphone does not have an IR port, Wi-Fi applications come to the rescue. Apps like Remote TV, Mi Remote Controller (from different developers) or the official Mi Home app (for some models) allow you to control the TV if both devices are on the same network. However, the initial setting of Wi-Fi on the TV often still requires a physical remote or buttons on the case.
For other brands' TVs that you want to tie into the Xiaomi ecosystem (like a universal IR remote), it's important to get the code right. Xiaomi's codebase is huge, but not infinite. If your TV is rare, try to match the code from a TV with a similar motherboard. OEM-components, changing only the logo on the body.
The critical point is that for a Bluetooth remote to work with voice control on third-party TVs (not Xiaomi/Mi), voice functions will not work – only basic navigation will be available if the TV supports CEC protocol or if the remote is trainable.
Remember, TV software is constantly updated. If you haven't updated your firmware for a long time, it may have Bluetooth bugs fixed in new versions. Check Settings → TV → System Update. Sometimes it's the software update that solves the problem when hardware methods are powerless. The current firmware provides better compatibility with new versions of accessories.
💡
If neither method worked, the Bluetooth module in the TV or the infrared receiver may have failed. USB-Adapter with remote control or purchase a universal remote with support for your brand.