How to turn on the IR port on the Xiaomi smartphone: a complete guide with a health check

The infrared port (IR port) in Xiaomi smartphones is an invisible but extremely useful module that allows you to control household appliances without additional remotes. However, many users face a problem: they bought a Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro, try to adjust the air conditioner through Mi Remote, and the application says, "The device does not support infrared port." The reason is often not a hardware malfunction, but in the software settings or missed activation nuances.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn on the IR port on Xiaomi smartphones, from checking the physical presence of the module to hidden settings in the engineering menu. You will also learn how to check the port’s health if the application does not see it, and what to do if the IR port stopped working after the MIUI update. Separately, we will consider models where the port is physically absent (yes, there are!), so that you do not waste time on useless manipulations.

Before you start, make sure your smartphone is indeed equipped with an infrared port. For example, in the POCO F and Redmi K lineup, the module is often missing, whereas in the Mi 11 or Redmi Note 10 Pro, it is available, but can be disabled by default. If you are not sure, use our compatibility table below.

1.How to check if there is an IR port on your Xiaomi

The first thing you need to do is make sure that the IR port is physically present, and many users try to adjust the control of the hardware without knowing that their model just doesn't support this function.

The IR port on Xiaomi smartphones is usually located at the top of the case, next to the speaker or front camera, and it looks like a small black glass (sometimes reddish) with no holes. If you're not sure, use one of the methods:

• 🔍 Visual inspection: Take a flashlight and shine a light on the top of the phone.The IR port will reflect light slightly, unlike a microphone or sensors.
• 📱 Check through AIDA64: install the app AIDA64 From Google Play, go to Sensors and find the IrDA bar (if it is not available, there is no port).
• 🛠️ Testing through the engineering menu: enter the code ##36446337## in the dialer. IR Test - port is available.

If none of the methods confirmed the presence of an infrared port, then your model does not support it, in which case you can control the equipment only via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (for example, using Google Home or Smart IR Remote).

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Some models (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3) have an IR port, but it is hidden under a plastic plug. To activate it, you may need to disassemble the device - do not recommend doing it yourself!

2. List of Xiaomi models with an IR port (2020–2026)

To save you time, we have compiled a table with the current models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, which support the IR port. If your smartphone is not on the list, most likely, the port is missing.

Note that even if your model is on the list, the IR port can be disabled software, for example, after the MIUI 14 update, some Redmi Note 11 Pro+ users complained that the Mi Remote app stopped seeing the port, in which case resetting or manual activation through the engineering menu will help.

3. Standard way to enable the IR port via Mi Remote

If your smartphone supports an infrared port, the easiest way to activate it is to install the official Mi Remote app (formerly called Mi Remote Controller).

1. Download Mi Remote from Google Play (or update if it’s already installed).
2. Open the app and click Add the device.
3. Choose the type of equipment (such as Air Conditioning or Television).
4. Point the top of the smartphone to the device and press the Test.

If the IR port is working, the app will suggest you select the brand from the list, but if the error "IC port not detected", then it is disabled at the system level, in which case move to the next section.

Install the latest version of Mi Remote|Enable permission to use the camera (needed for scanning) QR-code)|Disable the power saving mode for the application|Direct the smartphone to the equipment from a distance of 1-2 meters-->

Important: Some versions of Mi Remote may not work properly on custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).If you use unofficial software, try installing an alternative application, such as Smart IR Remote or AnyMote.

4. Manual activation of the IR port through the engineering menu

If Mi Remote doesn’t see the port, but you’re sure it’s physically there, try activating it via an engineering menu.This method works on most Xiaomi smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##36446337###.
2. In the menu that appears, select Hardware Testing → IR Test.
3. Click Start Test – if the port is running, you will see a green tick.
4. If the test fails, press Enable IR (if any).

On some models (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro), the engineering menu may look different. If the code didn't work, try an alternative:

#4636## → Go to “Equipment Testing” → “IK-Port”

Note: on models with a MediaTek Helio processor (e.g. Redmi 9T or POCO M3), the engineering menu may not include options for the IR port, in which case the only way out is to use alternative applications or update the firmware.

5. Alternative applications for technical management

If the standard Mi Remote doesn't work and the engineering menu doesn't work, try one of these apps. They often recognize the IR port better and support more devices:

• 📺 Smart IR Remote – supports more than 900,000 devices, there is manual learning of buttons.
• 🔧 AnyMote Universal Remote – works even on uncertified firmware.
• 🌐 BroadLink – if the IR port is not working, you can connect an external IR blaster (for example, BroadLink) RM4 Pro).
• 📱 ZaZa Remote – specializes in air conditioning and split systems.

Before installing an alternative application, disable Mi Remote, as two applications may conflict at the same time. Also check permissions: the application needs access to the Camera (to scan the QR) and Files (to save settings).

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If no app sees the IR port, but you're sure it's physically there, the problem may be the firmware. Try rolling back on the previous version of MIUI or installing custom software (e.g. Xiaomi.eu).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if the IR port is on, users often encounter errors, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

• ❌ "IR port not detected" in Mi Remote Solution: Reinstall the application, clear the cache (Settings → Annexes → Mi Remote → Warehouse → If it doesn't work, check if the port in the engineering menu is disabled.
• ❌ The remote only works close to the port Solution: Wipe the IR port with an alcohol napkin (dust and dirt block the signal.
• ❌ After updating MIUI Solution: Reverse to the previous firmware version or wait for the patch. Often, IR port bugs are fixed in the next updates.
• ❌ The app sees the port, but does not control the technique Solution: Try to manually add the device by code (Mi Remote has a codebase for different brands).

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with root rights, some IR port apps may not work due to SELinux limitations.In this case, try disabling enforce via Magisk or install the module IR Fix.

7. How to check the efficiency of the IR port without technology

If you don't have an air conditioner or TV on hand to test the IR port, you can use a smartphone with a camera (yes, it works!).

1. Enable the IR port via Mi Remote or Engineering Menu.
2. Point the top of Xiaomi to another smartphone’s camera (like an iPhone or Samsung).
3. Start recording video on the second phone or turn on photo mode.
4. Press any button in Mi Remote (e.g. Power).

If the IR port is working, you will see a purple flicker on the screen of the second smartphone (infrared signal is visible through the camera!). If there is no flicker, the port is inactive or faulty.

⚠️ Note: Some modern smartphones (such as the iPhone 13 and later) have infrared filters on the camera, so the signal may not be displayed.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions