How to turn your phone into a remote for a TV Xiaomi 4S: 3 proven ways

Lost or broken remote from the Xiaomi Mi TV TV 4S — Smartphones today will easily replace the physical remote, with advanced features such as voice control, gestures, and even smart home automation. In this article, we’ll look at all the working ways to turn a phone into a remote for Xiaomi. TV 4S — From the standard Mi Remote app to alternative solutions for devices without IR-transmitter.

The main advantage of the remote is that you can control your TV even through walls (wi-fi), unlike an infrared remote that needs direct visibility. And if you have a Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 55 or another model with Android TV, the smartphone will open access to hidden settings that are not available from the original remote, then step-by-step instructions for Android and iPhone, as well as solving problems.

1.The method through the official application Mi Remote (IR-port)

If your smartphone is equipped with an infrared port (IR-blaster), then the most reliable way is to use Xiaomi’s proprietary Mi Remote app. It is pre-programmed for all models of the brand’s TVs, including the Mi TV 4S 32” / 43” / 50” / 55” / 65.

The app supports not only basic functions (turning on, adjusting volume, switching channels), but also voice search, application launch (Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video) and even setting up Picture Mode (film, sports, game). IR-transmitter phone must be unlocked - in sleep mode, the infrared port is turned off.

List of Xiaomi smartphones with IR-port (current for 2026):

• 📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Note 11 Pro+
• 📱 Poco F5 Pro, Poco X5 Pro
• 📱 Xiaomi 13 Pro, Xiaomi 12S Ultra
• 📱 Black Shark 5 Pro (Gaming Smartphone)

If your model is not on the list, check if it is available. IR-The other is the data on the website mi.com. IR-Type-C blaster (worth it) ~500₽).

⚠️ Note: On iPhones (including iPhone 15 Pros), there is no physical infrared port. For these devices, use the methods in Section 3 (Wi-Fi control).

2. Mi Remote setup for Xiaomi TV 4S: step-by-step instruction

Install the Mi Remote app from official stores:

• 🤖 Google Play (Android)
• 🍎 App Store (iOS – Wi-Fi management only!)

Follow the algorithm further:

1. Open Mi Remote and click Add Device.
2. Select the TV category → Xiaomi brand.
3. In the list of models, find the Mi TV 4S (if not, choose Mi TV 4 or Mi TV 4A).
4. Point your smartphone at the TV (up to 5 meters away) and click Connection Test.
5. If the TV reacted (blinked or changed the volume), save the settings.

If the connection fails:

• 🔄 Restart the TV (press the power button for 10 seconds).
• 📶 Make sure there are no obstacles between the phone and TV (glass, mirrors are blocked) IR-signal).
• 🔋 Check the phone’s charge at a level below 15% IR-The port may be unstable.

IR-port on the phone (no physical damage)

TV connected to 220V network (indicator glows)

Power saving mode on the phone is off

Distance to TV no more than 5 meters-->

3.Management of Xiaomi TV 4S Wi-Fi (without) IR-port)

If your phone doesn’t have an infrared port, use local area Wi-Fi control.This method works on all smartphones (including iPhones), but requires that the TV and phone be connected to the same network.

The setup will require:

• 📡 Xiaomi Mi TV TV 4S with Wi-Fi connection (you can check the settings) → Network).
• 📱 Smartphone with Mi Home or Google Home (for Android) TV).
• 🔑 Xiaomi Account (if you use Mi Home).

Instructions for Mi Home:

1. Install Mi Home and log in.
2. Click + → Add device → select TV.
3. Follow the connectivity wizard. The TV should show up in the list of available devices.
4. After the bundle in the application will appear virtual remote with control buttons.

Advantages of Wi-Fi management:

• ✅ Works through walls (range of action - up to 20 meters).
• ✅ Voice commands support (OK, Google, turn on Netflix on your TV).
• ✅ Ability to create automation (for example, turn off TV on timer).

⚠️ Attention: Wi-Fi control can cause a delay of 0.5-1 seconds, which is normal and involves signal processing.

4.Alternative applications for managing Xiaomi TV 4S

If Mi Remote or Mi Home doesn’t fit, try the universal apps. They support Xiaomi TV 4S and offer additional features, such as button customization or macros (command sequence).

Top.-3 tested applications:

To work with Yatse or Unified Remote on your TV, you need to turn on ADB Debugging.

1. On the TV remote, click Settings → About TV → Android TV version (click 7 times in a row).
2. Go back to Settings → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. In the application on the phone, select Connect via IP and enter the TV address (you can find out in Settings → Network).

💡

If the TV doesn't show up in Mi Home, reset it to factory settings: Settings → System → Reset. Reconnect after you restart.

5. Voice control of Xiaomi TV 4S via phone

With Xiaomi TV 4S you can control voice – it does not need Xiaomi AI Speaker or Google Nest. Enough smartphone with Google Assistant or Alice (for Yandex.Station).

Configure through Google Assistant:

1. Make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same Google account.
2. Say, OK, Google, plug my TV.
3. Follow the instructions of the assistant for the connection of devices.
4. After connecting, use the commands: Turn on Netflix on your TV Turn up volume by 20% Switch to HDMI 1

For Alice (if the TV is connected to Yandex Ecosystem):

• 🎤 Say, Alice, find my devices.
• 🔍 Choose Xiaomi Mi TV 4S list.
• 🗣 Use commands: Alice, turn on the TV in the kitchen or Alice, put cartoons on TV.

Limitations of voice control:

• ❌ Does not work with manually installed applications (only preinstalled: YouTube, Prime Video, etc.).
• ❌ In Russian, commands may be recognized incorrectly (for example, "turn on diskavers" instead of "turn on Discovery Channel").

💡

Voice control saves time, but for fine tuning (such as color calibration), it is better to use a virtual remote.

6.Problem Solving: The remote on the phone doesn't work

If the virtual remote does not respond to commands, check the following points:

If nothing helps, reset your TV settings:

1. On the original remote (or via Mi Remote) go to Settings → System → Reset.
2. Select Reset to factory settings (default password is 0000 or 1234).
3. After restarting, reset the remote.

⚠️ Note: On some of the firmware Xiaomi TV 4S After reset, the Russian language may disappear. To return it, select Language in the settings. → Russian (Russia).

7. Additional chips: gestures, automation and games

The virtual remote on the phone opens up possibilities not available from the original remote:

• 🤟 Gesture control: in Mi Remote you can configure swipes to rewind video or adjust volume.
• ⏱ Automation: Using Mi Home, create a rule: If your phone is connected to Wi-Fi, turn on the TV".
• 🎮 Play mode: connect a Bluetooth gamepad to your phone and use it to manage games on TV (via Steam Link or Moonlight).
• 📱 Screen Duplication: Stream Your Phone Screen on Xiaomi TV 4S via Miracast (in TV settings: Screen) → Wireless display).

For advanced users: if you have a Xiaomi TV 4S on Android TV 9.0, you can install Tasker on your phone and configure automatic scripts.

• 🌙 "If 22:00, reduce the brightness of the TV to 30%".
• 🔕 "If the phone is on, turn down the sound on TV".

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi management TV 4S phone-on