How to turn on the infrared port on the Xiaomi Redmi phone: a complete guide with a health check

The infrared (IR) port in Xiaomi Redmi smartphones allows you to control household appliances — from air conditioners to TVs — directly from the phone screen, replacing a whole set of remotes. However, many users are faced with the fact that the feature is either missing from the menu or does not work after updating the firmware. In this article, we will discuss how to properly activate the infrared port, check its presence in a particular Redmi model, and what to do if the phone does not recognize the device.

It’s important to understand that not all Xiaomi Redmi models have a physical IR transmitter. For example, budget devices in the Redmi A or Redmi Go series often lack this feature, while the flagship Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Redmi K50 support it out of the box. We will explain in detail how to determine the presence of a port without disassembling the phone, and what to do if the settings do not include Infrared port.

How to find out if there is an IR port in your Xiaomi Redmi model

Before you try to turn on an infrared port, make sure it's physically present on your phone. Here are 3 reliable ways to check:

• 🔍 Visual inspection: The IR transmitter looks like a small black or transparent window (usually next to a front camera or speaker) hidden under a protective glass on some models.
• 📱 Check through MIUI: Open the Settings. → Connections and sharing. If there's an Infrared Port, there's a port, but it's probably offline.
• 🌐 Official specifications: Find your model on the Xiaomi website (Specifics section.

If none of the methods confirmed the presence of the port, then your Redmi model does not support control of equipment by IR. In this case, the alternative will be Wi-Fi remotes (for example, through the Mi Home application) or Bluetooth devices with support for BLE.

Step-by-step: how to turn on the IR port on Xiaomi Redmi

If you have a port but it is inactive, follow this instruction.The process may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12/13/14), but the general logic is maintained:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Connections and Sharing (in older versions – Additional).
3. Find Infrared Port (can be called IR Blaster or Remote Management) if it is not available, see What to do if it is not on the menu.
4. Activate the slider Enable the infrared port. The system can request permission to access the location (this is normal - you need to determine the regional settings of the equipment).
5. Once activated, the IR port notification will be on, and you can add devices.

Check if the IR port is in the model

Update MIUI to the latest version

Charge your phone at least 30%

Make sure there are no bright light sources nearby (they interfere with the IR signal)-->

If the port doesn’t work after turning on, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📲 Update the Mi Remote app (it is responsible for managing the equipment).
• 🛠️ Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

Set up the Mi Remote app for managing machinery

By itself, an enabled IR port is useless without a program that will send commands. In Xiaomi Redmi, the standard Mi Remote app (or Remote remote in Russian firmware) is responsible for this. If it is not, download it from Google Play.

Instructions for adding the device:

1. Open Mi Remote and press + Add the device.
2. Select the category of equipment (for example, Air Conditioning, TV).
3. Specify the brand from the list (if yours is not, choose Universal).
4. Point the phone's IR port to the device and press Test. If the technology responds, save the settings.

Important: Some brands (like Daikin or Mitsubishi Electric) may require manual code entry.

• 📄 In the instructions for the technique (section "Remote control codes").
• 🌍 Sites like CodesForUniversalRemotes.

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If Mi Remote doesn’t find your model, try AnyMote Universal Remote, which supports more brands and allows you to create custom teams.

Compatibility table of the IR port with Xiaomi Redmi models (2020–2026)

Not all Redmis support IR port, but here's the latest compatibility table for popular models, and if yours isn't on the list, check the specifications on the official website.

Note: models with the suffix "Lite" (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Lite) often lack the IR port, even if it is in the main version. Always check the package before buying if the control of equipment is critical for you.

What to do if the item "Infrared port" is not in the settings

The absence of an item in the menu can mean:

1. The IR port is physically absent from the model (see table above).
2. The port is disabled at the firmware level (relevant for custom ROMs or global versions of MIUI).
3. The phone has a stripped-down firmware (for example, for the European market).

Decisions:

• 🔧 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📦 Install regional firmware (e.g. Chinese or Indian) where the IR port is not blocked. ⚠️ Warning: Firmware reflashing removes warranty and may result in data loss.
• 🛠️ Activate the port through the engineering menu (power users only):

##3644633## → Service Menu → Infrared → Enable

If you don’t have an engineering menu, try apps like MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek phones) or Qualcomm USB Driver (for Snapdragon).

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even after successful activation, users face difficulties, and the most common ones are the ways to fix them:

• 🔴 Phone can't find the device: Check: Distance to the machine (maximum 5-7 meters); No obstacles (glass, walls); Direction of the IR port (he must "look" at the receiver of the equipment).
• 🟡 Teams are sent but the technique is not responding: Possible reasons: Mi Remote brand misselected (try "Universal"). app failure (reinstall it) interference from other IR devices (turn them off).
• 🟢 The IR port worked but stopped after the update: This is a known problem MIUI Solutions: Reverse to the previous firmware version. Clear the Mi Remote cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi Remote → Clear the cache.

⚠️ Note: if after all the manipulations the IR port has not worked, the transmitter itself may be defective. In this case, contact the Xiaomi service center - repairs will cost 800-1500 rubles (depending on the model).

Alternatives to IR port for equipment management

If your Redmi doesn’t support IR, there are a few workarounds:

• 📶 Wi-Fi remotes: Apps like Mi Home or Google Home allow smart devices to be controlled over a local network, LG ThinQ and others.
• 🔵 Bluetooth remotes: Some devices (e.g. Samsung SmartThings or BroadLink) RM4 Pro) connect to Bluetooth and relay IR signals. Cost: from 1500 rubles.
• 🌐 Universal hubs: Devices such as Xiaomi Mi Smart IR Remote Controller (about 2000 rubles) connect to the socket and control the equipment by IR through the application on the phone.

The advantage of alternative methods is that they work on any smartphone, even without an IR port, and the disadvantage is that they require the purchase of additional equipment and the customization of the smart home ecosystem.

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The infrared port is convenient for controlling "stupid" equipment (air conditioners, TVs). 2010–2018 but for modern devices with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth It is better to use specialized applications from the manufacturer.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the IR port in Xiaomi Redmi