How to turn on MTR on Xiaomi: full instructions for TVs and smartphones

What is MTR on Xiaomi and why is it necessary?

Xiaomi’s MTR (Mi TV Remote) technology is the brand’s proprietary remote control solution for the brand’s TVs via smartphone. Unlike classic IR remotes, MTR runs on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, which provides stable connectivity even across walls and up to 10 meters away. The main advantage is the ability to control Mi TV, Redmi Smart TV and other models without a physical remote, using a virtual panel on the phone screen.

But MTR is not just a remote replacement, but it's integrated into Xiaomi's ecosystem and allows you to:

• 🎮 Use your smartphone as a gamepad for embedded games on Mi TV
• 🔊 Adjust volume and switch channels with voice commands (via Google Assistant or Alice)
• 📱 Automatically connect to your TV when you sign in to a single Mi Account.
• 🔄 Sync notifications from your smartphone to the big screen.

However, many users face problems when they first connect: the TV does not find the smartphone, the MTR does not activate or the connection is constantly broken. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to turn on MTR, typical errors and alternative management methods.

Preparation of devices before activation of MTR

Before you activate MTR, make sure both devices meet the minimum requirements. Xiaomi TVs support the technology since the firmware MIUI TV 2.0 (2019 and later).

• 📱 Version MIUI not lower than 12.0 (for Redmi Note 10 and older models)
• 🔄 Bluetooth 4.2+ and Wi-Fi enabled
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 30% (at low charge connection may be interrupted);
• 📲 Installed Mi Remote app (available from Google Play or App Gallery).

Check on the TV:

1. Internet connection (via Wi-Fi or cable);
2. Active Mi Account mode (signing in to one account on both devices will speed up pairing);
3. No restrictions in the settings of the permission → Remote management.

Update the TV firmware to the latest version|

Make sure your smartphone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network|

Turn off the VPN on your phone (may block the connection)|

Restart both devices before setting up-->

Important: If your TV is released before 2019 (e.g. Mi TV 4A 32), MTR may not be supported at the hardware level, in which case use an IR remote or third-party applications like Unified Remote.

Method 1: Enabling MTR through the Mi Remote application

The most reliable method of activation is using the official Mi Remote application.

1. Install the app: Download Mi Remote from Google Play (for Android) or App Gallery (for Huawei).The app weighs ~15MB and does not require root rights.
2. Sign up for Mi Account: If you don’t have a Xiaomi account, create it through Settings → Accounts → Add an account. Use the same login on your phone and TV.
3. Connect TV: Open Mi Remote, click Add Device → TV → Xiaomi. The app will automatically find available Mi TV on the local network. If the TV is not displayed, enter its IP- address manually (you can find it in Settings TV → About TV → Network information).
4. Activate MTR: After pairing, a virtual remote will appear on the phone screen. Press Menu → Settings → Enable MTR. On the TV, confirm the connection by selecting Allow.

If the error "Can not find the device" occurs at the connection stage, check:

• 🔌 Are both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not mobile internet!)
• 🔒 Is the guest mode on the TV turned off (in Settings → Accounts);
• 📡 Are there any interference from other Bluetooth devices (headphones, fitness bracelets).

Method 2: Activate MTR through TV settings

If Mi Remote doesn’t work, try turning MTR directly into the TV menu, which works on Mi TV Q1/Q2, Redmi Smart TV X and later.

1. Open the settings: On the remote, press Settings (cogs) or go to Settings → Connections and Sharing.
2. Select Remote Control: In the Bluetooth and Devices section, find Mi TV Remote (MTR) and activate the slider.
3. Connect your smartphone: QR- code will appear on your TV. Scan it through Mi Remote or your smartphone camera (if supported).
4. Confirm Connection: The TV screen will display a request for control permission. Choose Confirm.

After successfully pairing your TV settings, your smartphone name will appear.

• 🔄 Turn off the device;
• 🔒 Lock control (if the remote is lost)
• 📱 Add additional smartphones (up to 5 devices at a time).

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If the QR- code is not scanned, try entering the 6 digit code manually. It appears as QR on your TV screen.

Method 3: Using a voice assistant to control

MTR supports integration with Google Assistant and Alice (for users from Russia), which allows you to control the TV voice without a physical remote control.

1. Activate voice assistant: On your smartphone, open Google Assistant or Yandex and say, "Plug in Mi TV." The system will automatically find the TV on the local network.
2. Set up commands: In the Assistant app, go to Devices → Add Device → Xiaomi. Select a TV model and confirm pairing.
3. Use voice commands: Examples of supported phrases: 🔊 "Put Mi TV on 40 inches"; 🔊 "Revolve volume on Redmi TV"; 🔊 "Open Netflix on TV."

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Works only with Android TVs TV 9.0+
• ❌ Requires a permanent Internet connection.
• ❌ Not all models support Russian-language commands (e.g., Mi TV 4S works only with English).

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Voice control via MTR is convenient for fast channel switching or volume control, but will not replace a full remote for setting image or sound parameters.

Compatibility table MTR with Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi devices support MTR. Below is a compatibility table for popular models:

If your model is not in the table, check for MTR support in official documentation or through Xiaomi Support (settings → About TV → Model).

Typical errors and their solutions

When setting up MTR, users often encounter problems, and let’s look at the most common errors and how to fix them:

⚠️ Warning: If the TV's firmware update MTR stopped working, reset the network (Settings → System → Network Reset) and return the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi settings to factory settings.

If none of these methods worked, try:

1. Remove the TV from the list of devices in Mi Remote and add again;
2. Update the TV firmware through Settings → Software update;
3. Reset the Mi Remote settings on your smartphone (Application Settings → Reset).

Alternative ways to control Xiaomi TV

If the MTR doesn’t work or your TV model doesn’t support the technology, use alternative methods:

• 📱 Remote Apps: Download Unified Remote, Yatse, or TV Remote from Google Play. These apps run on an IR port (if you have one on your smartphone) or Wi-Fi.
• 🖥️ PC Control: Use TeamViewer QuickSupport or AnyDesk to remotely access your TV via Mi Account.
• 🎮 Game controllers: Connect Xiaomi Game Controller or Sony DualShock over Bluetooth. In the settings of the TV, select Settings → Bluetooth → Add the device.
• 🔊 Third-party voice assistants: Set up Amazon Alexa or Google Home to control your TV through smart speakers (Mi Home is required).

For models without Bluetooth (for example, Mi TV 4A 2018), the only option is an IR remote or universal applications with support for Wi-Fi Direct.

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If you lost the original remote, buy a universal IR remote (such as Xiaomi Mi Remote Bluetooth) and set it up via the Mi Home app.

FAQ: Frequent questions about MTR on Xiaomi