How to turn on and configure the IR port on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: full instruction with photo

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T is one of the few budget smartphones that still has an integrated infrared port (IR), which allows you to turn the phone into a universal remote control for TVs, air conditioners, music centers and other equipment. However, many users face the problem: the infrared port is physically present, but in the settings it is not visible or it does not work. In this article, we will discuss how to properly activate the infrared port on the Redmi Note 8T, check its performance and avoid typical errors.

It’s important to understand that the IR port on Xiaomi doesn’t require a separate “on” in the classic sense – it activates automatically when you first start the Mi Remote app (or analogues), but there are nuances, from the firmware version to regional restrictions that can block the feature. We tested all methods on MIUI 11-14 firmware and are ready to share working solutions.

If you've never used an IR port on a smartphone, make sure it's even in your model. On the Redmi Note 8T, the IR transmitter is located at the top of the body (near the speaker), visually it looks like a small black glass window — easy to confuse with a proximity sensor or a front camera.

Where is the IR port on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T

The physical infrared transmitter on the Redmi Note 8T is located at the top of the front panel, to the right of the speaker.

• 🔍 Take a flashlight and shine it on the top of the phone – the IR port will look like a small dark spot (diameter). ~2 mm), slightly recessed in the body.
• 📱 Compare it to the photo: on the official images of Redmi Note 8T The IR port is located between the proximity sensor and the LED indicator.
• 🛠️ Check the integrity: if there are scratches or chips on the port glass, it can degrade the signal. ~300-500 rubles in the service center).

Important: The IR port only works in line of sight from a receiver (like a TV), obstacles like glass, walls, or even a thick book can block the signal, and the optimal distance for control is up to 5 meters.

If you can’t find the port visually, try this test:

1. Open the Mi Remote app (if not, install it from Google Play).
2. Choose any equipment (such as a Samsung TV).
3. Point the top of the phone to the IR receiver and press any button in the app (e.g., Power).
4. If the equipment reacts, the port works. If not, move to the next section.

Why the IR port may not work on the Redmi Note 8T

If you are sure that the IR port is in place but it is not responding to commands, the reasons may be as follows:

A critical feature of the Redmi Note 8T is that some phones (released in 2020) have the IR port turned off at the firmware level for the European and Russian markets, because of certification requirements, and only flashing to the global or Chinese version of MIUI will help.

⚠️ Note: If you bought your phone in a grey way (such as with AliExpress), check the model in the settings (Settings) → The phone. → Model. Sometimes disguised as Redmi Note 8T Redmi Note 8 (which doesn't have an IR port!) can be distinguished by the marking: Note 8T The end of the model name will be the letter T (for example, the letter T, M1908C3XG).

How to turn on the IR port through Mi Remote

The main way to activate the IR port is to install and configure the official Mi Remote application.

1. Install Mi Remote: 📥 Download the app from Google Play or AppGallery. 🔒 Allow all requests for access to the camera, files and location (this is necessary to determine the model of technology).
2. Add the device: 📺 Press. + in the upper right corner and select the type of equipment (for example, TV). 🔍 Enter the brand of your device (for example, LG, Samsung or select from the list. 📶 Point your phone to the IR receiver and press Test. If the equipment responds, the port is running.

Save the settings.

• 💾 Click Save to make the remote appear on the app's home screen.
• ⚙️ If necessary, edit the location of the buttons in the Settings menu. → Change the layout.

If the IR port does not work after these actions, try alternative applications:

• 📱 ZaZa Remote – supports more models than Mi Remote.
• 🎮 AnyMote – a universal remote with the ability to create custom commands.
• 🔧 IR Universal Remote – works even on unofficial firmware.

⚠️ Warning: Some alternative apps require root rights to access the IR port. - Redmi Note 8T You can get root through Magisk, but this will void the warranty and may lead to unstable system operation.

Setting up the IR port through the engineering menu (for experienced)

If standard methods fail, you can try activating the IR port via the Engineering Mode, which is suitable for advanced users and requires caution.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##36446337## This will open the Engineer Mode (MTK).
2. Go to the Hardware Testing section → IR Test.
3. Press the IR Emit Test and point the phone to another smartphone's camera. If the IR port is in good condition, the camera will show a purple glow (the IR radiation is not visible to the eye, but is captured by the camera).
4. If the test fails, try resetting the IR port settings via Factory Reset in the same menu.

Warning: Do not change other options in the engineering menu unless you are sure of their purpose.

• 📵 Loss of net (IMEI plant).
• 🔋 Quick battery discharge.
• 🔄 Load looping (bootloop).

Update firmware to restore the IR port

On some versions of MIUI (especially 12.5 and 13 for the European region), the IR port can be software-disabled, in which case updating the firmware to the latest stable version will help.

How to update:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check Updates and wait for the latest version to download.
3. If the update is not available, download the firmware manually from the official Xiaomi website: Select the Redmi Note 8T model. Download the Stable version for your region (for example, Russia). Move the.zip file to the root folder of the phone. In the update menu, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select the firmware file.

After the update:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Open Mi Remote and check the IR port.
• ⚙️ If the port is still not working, reset settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).

💡

Updating the firmware is the safest way to return the IR port to work, but before the procedure, back up the data via Settings → System → Backup.

Alternative ways to control equipment without an IR port

If the IR port on your Redmi Note 8T is not working or missing, there are a few alternatives:

• 📶 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Remote: Modern TVs and air conditioners support control via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Examples of applications: Samsung SmartThings (for Samsung appliances). LG ThinQ (for ThinQ) LG). Mi Home (for Xiaomi smart devices).
• 🔌 USB-IR adapters: Connect to the connector USB-C They're all IR port emulators, starting at 500 rubles. RM4 Pro (Universal, working with 50)+ by the brands. IR Blaster (only for Xiaomi equipment).
• 🤖 Voice assistants: Set up Alice (from Yandex) or Google Assistant to manage compatible appliances. Team example: OK, Google, turn on the TV in the kitchen".

Advantages of alternative methods:

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If you use an IR port frequently, add the Mi Remote widget to the home screen. To do this, click and hold the free space on the screen → Widgets → find Mi Remote and drag it to a convenient place.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When working with the infrared port on the Redmi Note 8T, users face typical problems, and we have collected the most common ways to eliminate them:

• 🚫 "Mi Remote does not see the technique": Make sure you have chosen the right make and model of the device. Update the remote database in the application settings (Settings) → If the equipment is old (released before 2010), the IR codes may not be supported.
• 🔋 "The IR port only works after the reboot": This is a sign of a software failure. → Annexes → Mi Remote → Warehouse → Clear the data. If the problem persists, update the firmware.
• 📵 "Signal does not reach the technology": Make sure there are no obstacles between the phone and the receiver. Try to bring the phone closer (at a distance of 1-2 meters.
• ⚠️ "After the update, the IR port is gone: This is a known problem of some versions MIUI 13.The solution is to roll back on MIUI 12.5 or wait for the patch. Check if the port is disabled in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → For developers → Debugging by USB → Turn on the IR port).

If none of the methods worked, contact the service center Xiaomi. In some cases, the malfunction of the IR port can be covered by a warranty (if the phone is not dropped and not dismantled). The average cost of repairing the IR port on the Redmi Note 8T is 800-1,500 rubles.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions