How to control a Xiaomi TV without a remote: a complete guide to managing from a phone

Why a phone could replace a Xiaomi TV remote – and when it won’t work

Losing or breaking the remote control from the Xiaomi Mi TV is a bad situation, but it is not critical. Modern smart TVs of this brand support several ways of remote control via a smartphone, and not only through branded applications. It is important to understand that not all methods are universal. For example, the old models of the Mi TV series 3 (2016-2017) may not support Bluetooth control, but work perfectly through Wi-Fi Direct. But the new Xiaomi A TV Pro or Xiaomi TV Q2 even offer voice control through Google Assistant.

Before you try to connect your phone, check two key points:

• 📶 The TV is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the smartphone (or supports Wi-Fi Direct.
• 🔋 The TV is turned on – if it is turned off, then you can activate it without a physical remote control only through the CEC (HDMI) power-button.

In this article, we’ll look at all the working methods, from the official Mi Remote app to the hidden Android features that allow you to control Xiaomi TV even without the Internet. And if your model does not support any of the methods, at the end there is a guide to how to make a remote from an old smartphone in literally 10 minutes.

Method 1: The official Mi Remote app is simple, but not universal.

Mi Remote (formerly Mi TV Remote) is the first thing that comes to mind: it's free, available for Android and iOS, and theoretically should work with all Xiaomi TVs.

• 🔄 Supported models no older 2018 year of release (Mi series) TV 4/4A/4C For Mi, and newer. TV 3 We have to look for alternatives.
• 🌐 Requires a common Wi-Fi network with the TV - without it, connection is impossible.
• 📱 On Android, it can conflict with other IR remotes (e.g., from air conditioners).

How to set up:

1. Download Mi Remote from Google Play or App Store.
2. Open the app and select Add Device → TV → Xiaomi.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen – the app will find the TV on the network (if it is turned on).
4. After connecting, a virtual remote with power, volume, navigation and voice search buttons will appear on the screen.

If the TV is not available:

• 🔌 Restart your router – sometimes DHCP-server "forgets" devices.
• 📵 Make sure the Network Management option is turned on on on the TV (Settings) → Network → Additionally).
• 🔄 Try connecting via the TV’s access point (if you have Wi-Fi Direct feature).

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If Mi Remote can't see the TV, try manually entering it. IP-Find out the address. IP You can use the router settings or on the TV screen in the Network section → State of the network.

Method 2: Control via Google TV or Android TV for new models

Xiaomi’s Android TVs (Mi TV 5 series, Xiaomi TV A Pro, Xiaomi TV Q2 and later) support management via the Google TV app (formerly Android TV Remote), a method that is more reliable than Mi Remote, as it uses the Google Cast protocol rather than Xiaomi’s proprietary solutions.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎯 The TV is connected to another network (via Google Cloud).
• 🎤 Supports voice input through Google Assistant.
• 🖱️ There is a touchpad mode for easy navigation.

Instructions for connection:

If the TV is not on the list:

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) TV 4A PatchWall) Remote management through Google is disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings. → Accounts and security → Google → Remote management and enable the option.

For iPhone owners, there is a nuance: the Google TV app on iOS does not support touchpad, only basic buttons, in which case it is better to use Mi Remote or the web interface (about it in the next section).

Method 3: Web remote via browser – if there is no access to applications

Few people know, but Xiaomi TVs on Android TV They have a built-in web management server, which means you can open the browser on your phone, type in. IP-The address of the TV, and you get a full virtual remote, and it works even without installing apps!

How to do this:

1. Find out. IP-TV address: On the remote (if it still works) click Settings → Network → Network status. Or check the list of connected devices in the router's admin panel.

http://[IP_TELEVISOR]:8080/remote

For example, http://192.168.1.100:8080/remote

8008

8081

On the screen will appear a virtual remote with control buttons.

Importantly, this method only works on Android TVs with firmware 9.0 and later, and on older PatchWall models, the web interface is disabled by default.

If the web remote does not open:

• 🔌 Check that the TV and phone are on the same network.
• 🛡️ Turn it off. VPN firewall on the phone.
• 🔄 Reboot the TV (button on the case).

Method 4: Control over HDMI-CEC (if another device is connected)

HDMI-CEC allows you to control your TV through a remote from a connected device — for example, Xiaomi Mi Box, NVIDIA Shield or even PlayStation. If any HDMI device is connected to your Xiaomi TV, you can use its remote for basic commands (On/Off, Loudness, Signal Source).

How to set up:

1. Make sure that the TV and connected device support CEC (most modern devices do).
2. Enable the function in the settings of the TV: Settings → HDMI-CEC → Enable
3. On a connected device (such as the Mi Box), also activate the CEC in the HDMI settings.
4. Now the remote from the Mi Box or console will control the TV.

Limitations of the method:

• 🎮 Only basic commands work – navigation on the TV menu is not available.
• 🔌 If the TV is off, turn it on through CEC Not all models are possible.
• 📺 Some Xiaomi TVs require a reboot after turning on CEC.

If you don’t have a connected device but have a laptop with HDMI, you can use it as an intermediary: connect the laptop to the TV, activate the CEC, and control the TV via a keyboard (F1–F12 buttons often emulate the remote).

Method 5: Bluetooth remote from an old smartphone – if nothing helps

If your Xiaomi TV supports Bluetooth (most models after 2019), you can turn an old smartphone into a permanent remote, a method that takes a little more effort, but it works consistently and is independent of Wi-Fi.

What you need:

• 📱 Old Android smartphone (version 6.0 and newer).
• 🔵 Bluetooth adapter on TV (check in Bluetooth settings).
• 🛠️ Button Mapper or MacroDroid app to set buttons.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Remote or Unified Remote app on your old smartphone.
2. Connect your smartphone to your TV via Bluetooth: TV settings → Bluetooth → Add device
3. In the Button Mapper app, assign physical smartphone buttons (like Volume+) to the TV commands.
4. Fix your smartphone on a wall or table – now it’s your permanent remote.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔋 It doesn’t depend on Wi-Fi – it works via Bluetooth.
• 📱 You can use a touch screen for navigation.
• 🔄 Easy to reconfigure for other devices (for example, air conditioning).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models TV (Like Mi. TV 4S) Bluetooth can be turned off in sleep mode. To avoid this, turn off the Bluetooth Energy Saving option in the TV settings.

What to do if the TV is off and there is no remote

The hardest part is when the Xiaomi TV is off and the remote is off, and there are few options, but there are:

Power button on the body

• 🔘 On most models, the button is located under the logo or on the lower frame.
• 🔄 On some TVs (e.g., Mi) TV 5 Pro – touch button – touch it for 3 seconds.

2. Smart socket with Wi-Fi control

If the TV is connected via a smart socket (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Smart Plug), you can turn on the power via the Mi Home app.

⚠️ Warning: A sudden power outage can cause firmware failure if the TV is in the process of upgrading.

3. CEC via connected device

If you have a console connected to the TV (for example, Xiaomi Mi Box S), turn it on – the TV can turn on automatically by signaling HDMI-CEC.

4. Service mode (only for experienced)

On some models of Xiaomi TV you can turn on the TV through the service menu, if you connect the keyboard via USB.

1. Connect. USB-keyboard.
2. Press Ctrl + Alt + F1 (Ctrl + Shift + P on some models).
3. In the menu that appears, select Power On.

⚠️ This method can break the warranty and cause the system to fail. Use it only if other methods have failed.

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If the TV is turned off, the safest way to turn it on is by putting a button on the case or a CEC through a connected device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about managing Xiaomi TV without remote control