How to Manage an Infrared Port on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to 2026

Infrared (IR) port in Xiaomi devices is a powerful but often underrated tool that turns your smartphone or smart speaker into a universal remote control. Despite the proliferation of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, IR port remains relevant for managing TVs, air conditioners, audio systems and other equipment released before 2020. In this article, we will analyze not only the basic features, but also the hidden capabilities of the IR port, which the manufacturer does not always advertise.

It’s important to understand that not all Xiaomi models are equipped with an IR transmitter. For example, the flagship Mi 12 series and later often lack this module in theft behind a thin body, while budget and mid-budget models (for example, Redmi Note 11 or POCO X4 Pro) keep it. We will help determine whether there is an IR port in your device, how to enable, configure and even expand the functionality with third-party applications.

We will pay special attention to typical problems: why the remote does not work with some devices, how to update the code base and what to do if the IR port stopped responding after the MIUI update.

How to check for an IR port in your Xiaomi device

Before you try to set up an IR port, make sure it is physically present in your device, which can be identified by a small black window (usually located at the top of the case next to the front camera or speaker), but visual inspection is not always reliable - some models hide the transmitter under a glass panel.

A more accurate way is to check the model specifications on the official Xiaomi website or use the compatibility table below. You can also go to Settings → Connected Devices → Remote. If the partition is missing, there is no IR port in the device.

• 🔍 Visual inspection: Look for black glass size ~2×4 mm at the top of the shell.
• 📱 Software check: open the menu Remote in the settings.
• 🌐 Official data: check the technical characteristics of the model on the manufacturer's website.

⚠️ Note: Some Chinese versions of devices (e.g. Redmi) K40) They may have an IR port, but global modifications may not. Check the exact model in the settings along the way. → The phone. → Model.

Activation and basic configuration of the IR port

If you have an IR port on your device, it takes less than a minute to activate it. By default, the function is enabled, but it can be hidden in the depths of the MIUI menu. Here is a step-by-step instruction:

1. Open Settings and go to Connected Devices.
2. Select Remote (or Infrared Port in older versions of MIUI).
3. Click Add Remote and select the device type (TV, air conditioning, etc.).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to link the control code.

The system will suggest automatically determining the brand of your device, but this process is not always accurate. If the autodetermination does not work, manually select a brand from a list (for example, Samsung, LG, Daikin).

Check for the presence of an IR port in the device

Update MIUI to the latest version

Connect to stable Wi-Fi (for code download)

Place the smartphone at a distance of 1-3 meters from the controlled device

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Once successfully anchored, you can control the equipment through a standard remote control app or widget on the home screen. Note that some devices (such as air conditioners) may require temperature calibration, an option hidden in the additional remote settings.

Television

Air conditioner

Audio system

Other

I don't use an IR port.

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Advanced Features: Automation and Smart Home

Few people know that the IR port on Xiaomi can be integrated into the smart home system through the Mi Home app, which allows you to create scenarios like “turn off the TV when you leave the house” or “turn on the air conditioner 30 minutes before you return.”

1. Open Mi Home and add a new device via + → Remote.
2. Link the IR port to your Xiaomi account (authentication is required).
3. In Automation, create a new scenario by selecting a trigger, such as Geolocation or Time.

This feature is especially useful for owners of Xiaomi Smart Speaker or Redmi Display, where the IR port is used to control all the equipment in the room with voice. For example, the phrase "OK, Google, turn on the TV on Sony" will only work if you pre-configure the bundle through Mi Home.

For advanced users, settings are available via Tasker or Home Assistant, where IR commands can be tied to any event (for example, sending a command to turn on the projector when a movie is launched in Kodi). JSON-teams and work with ADB.

⚠️ Note: When using an IR port in smart home scenarios, consider command delays (up to 2 seconds). IRDA. For critical tasks (for example, emergency shutdown), it is better to use Wi-Fi relay.

Solving problems with the IR port

The most common problem is that the IR port stops working after the MIUI update, which is because newer versions of the firmware can reset the codebase or disable the management service.

• 🔄 Resetting remote settings: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → DU remote and clear the cache.
• 📥 Manual Code Download: From the remote menu, click Add Manual and select a file with codes (can be found on the forums) 4PDA).
• 🛠️ Firmware rollback: If the problem occurs after the update, go back to the previous version MIUI via Fastboot.

Another common complaint is that the remote is unstable or "can't see" the device.

• Distance to the equipment (maximum 5-7 meters, without obstacles).
• Angle of direction (the IC signal should go directly to the receiver).
• Bright light sources (sun rays or lamps can jam the signal).

If the IR port has completely ceased to react, check its operability through the engineering menu:

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The IR Test section should display Passed status. If the test fails, this may indicate a hardware malfunction (for example, oxidation of the module contacts).

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If the standard Remote app doesn't recognize your technique, try third-party programs like AnyMote or ZaZaRemote, which support more brands and allow you to create custom teams.

Compatibility with popular brands of technology

The codebase in the standard Xiaomi app covers about 80% of popular brands, but there are exceptions.

For rare brands (such as Bang & Olufsen or Dyson), the standard Xiaomi app is useless. In such cases, learning the remote will help: direct the original remote to the infrared port of the smartphone and record commands. This feature is available in AnyMote Pro (paid) or IR Universal Remote (free with restrictions).

Xiaomi’s IR port does not support two-way communication (for example, you can not get data on the current temperature of the air conditioner or TV volume). IRDA, And you can only get around it through Wi-Fi/Bluetooth-modules.

Alternative ways to use the IR port

In addition to managing household appliances, the IR port can be used for non-standard tasks:

• 🎮 Game consoles: management of PlayStation 3/4 Xbox One (requires manual code configuration).
• 💡 Smart lighting:Yeelight of the old model) support control through the port.
• 🚗 Automotive systems: Toyota and Honda 2000s).
• 🔧 Diagnostics of technology:

For experimenting with alternative uses, Bartolomeo’s IR Remote app, which lets you send raw IR commands in Pronto Hex format, is useful if you found code for a rare device on the forum but don’t know how to apply it.

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The IR port consumes a minimal amount of power (about 0.1% battery charge per hour), so it can be left on permanently without risk to autonomy.

An interesting life hack: if you have two Xiaomi devices with an IR port, you can set one up as a repeater for the other, for example, a smartphone in the kitchen will transmit commands to the TV in the living room via a second smartphone, which will require a MacroDroid app and a little patience.

Security and Restrictions of the IR Port

Despite the convenience, the IR port has a number of limitations that are worth remembering:

• 🔒 No encryption: Fliper Zero).
• 📶 Limited range of operation:
• 🔄 Impossibility of feedback:
• 🛡️ Vulnerability to interference:

To minimize the risks, follow simple rules:

• Do not use an IR port to control critical systems (e.g. alarms).
• Regularly update the code base in the DU Remote application.
• For a smart home, combine IR with Wi-Fi/Zigbee-devices (e.g. Xiaomi Aqara).

⚠️ Note: In some countries (e.g. the United States), using IR transmitters to control other people's devices without permission may be considered a violation of privacy laws.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the IR port Xiaomi