How to turn on your TV via Xiaomi phone: 5 working ways (including hidden features)

Why Xiaomi Phone Can Replace TV Remote

Lost the remote control of the TV or it suddenly stopped working? Don't rush to buy a new one - your Xiaomi smartphone is likely to solve the problem. Modern devices of the brand are equipped with an infrared port (IR-blaster), and models without it support control over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth through special applications. Even if your TV is not from Xiaomi (for example, Samsung, LG or Sony), the chances of success remain high.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can turn on your TV via your Xiaomi phone, including little-known features like HDMI-CEC and voice control. You’ll learn which smartphone models support each method, how to connect to TVs from different brands, and what to do if standard solutions don’t work.

Before you start, check two key points: 1. Make sure the TV is connected to the power grid (the power indicator is on or blinking). 2. IR-blaster, make sure there is no protective film or cover on the phone blocking the infrared port (usually located at the top of the case).

Method 1: Control via built-in Mi Remote (IR-blaster) application

The most reliable method for Xiaomi phones with infrared port is using the standard Mi Remote app (formerly called Mi Remote Controller), which is pre-installed on most of the brand’s devices, including the Redmi Note series, POCO and Mi. If the app does not exist, download it from Google Play.

How to check if there is IR-And you can see the top of the body, and you can see there's a little black or gray round sensor. IR-port: Xiaomi 13/13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5 Pro, Mi 11 Ultra and earlier flagships.If your model is released after 2023 year and is in the budget segment (e.g. Redmi) 12C or POCO M6), likely, IR-no blaster.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Mi Remote app and allow access to the location (required for work) IR-transmitter).
2. Press + (Add Device) → select the Television (TV) category.

If the TV doesn't respond:

• 🔄 Try another brand on the list (for example, Samsung has a profile sometimes). LG vice versa).

Make sure the phone supports IR-blaster

Remove the cover/film from the top of the phone

Connect the TV to the outlet (power indicator should burn)

Point the phone to the IR receiver of the TV (usually from the bottom or side)

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Method 2: Manage Wi-Fi via Google TV or Mi Home (for smart TVs)

If your TV supports Smart-functions (wi-fi connection, application installation), you can control it over a local network without any problems. IR-This method works for the blaster:

• 📺 Xiaomi TVs (Mi) TV 4/5, Redmi Smart TV, Mi TV Q1/Q2).
• 📺 Android TVs TV (Sony Bravia, Philips, Nvidia Shield).
• 📺 Devices with support for Google Cast or Apple AirPlay.

For Xiaomi TVs, the best option is the Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS), which allows you not only to turn on / off TV, but also to adjust the brightness, sound, and launch applications (for example, Netflix or YouTube) directly from your phone.

Instructions for Mi Home:

1. Connect your TV and phone to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Open Mi Home → Press + → Select Television (TV).
3. Follow the setup wizard: the app will automatically find the TV on the network.
4. After connecting, a control panel will appear on the main screen with Power, Volume, Source, etc. buttons.

For Android TVs (not Xiaomi), use the Google TV app (formerly Android TV Remote):

• 🔗 Download it from Google Play.
• 📶 Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🔍 In the appendix, click "Settings» → Choose your TV from the list.
• 🎮 On the screen will appear a virtual remote with a touch panel to control the cursor.

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If the TV is not displayed in the device list in Mi Home or Google TV, Try to manually enter it. IP-Find out the address. IP You can use the TV network settings (section About) → Network).

Method 3: Using HDMI-CEC (one button on Xiaomi remote)

Few people know, but if your TV and Xiaomi device (such as the Mi Box or Mi TV Stick) are connected via an HDMI cable, you can control both from the same remote thanks to HDMI-CEC technology.

How it works: 1. Connect the Mi Box or Mi TV Stick to your TV via HDMI. 2. Enable HDMI-CEC in your TV settings (names may vary):

• 📺 Xiaomi TV: Settings → System system → HDMI-CEC.
• 📺 Samsung: Settings → General. → External devices → Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC).
• 📺 LG: Settings → Sound. → SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC).
• 📺 Sony: Settings → System system → BRAVIA Sync.

After activation:

• 🔘 Press the Power button on the remote from Mi Box – the TV will turn on automatically.
• 🎚️ Volume buttons on the console will regulate the sound of the TV.
• 🔙 The Return button will take you back to the main screen.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Does not work if the TV is turned off from the socket (standby mode is required).
• ❌ Not all Xiaomi models support all of them. HDMI-CEC (Check the specifications of your TV).
• ❌ Some TVs require additional signal source adjustment (Source) → HDMI-CEC Device).

Method 4: Voice control via Google Assistant or Alice

If you have a smart TV with voice assistants, you can turn it on using Google Assistant (for Android TV) or Alice (for Xiaomi TV with YoYo) commands.This method is handy when the remote is lost and the phone is on hand.

Setting up for Google Assistant:

1. Make sure that your TV and phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Open Google Assistant (or download it from Google Play).
3. Say, “OK Google, turn on the TV,” or “OK Google, start Netflix on the TV.”
4. If the TV doesn’t respond, check in Google Home settings that the device has been added to your ecosystem.

Customization for Alice (Yandex):

• 📱 Install the Yandex app with Alice on your phone.
• 🔗 Connect your Xiaomi TV to your Mi Home account (see Method 2).
• 🎤 Say, "Alice, turn on Mi." TV» Or, "Alice, put cartoons on TV».

Important nuances:

• 🔇 Voice commands only work if the TV is in standby mode (the indicator is on).
• 📶 Fast Wi-Fi is required for stable operation (delays of more than 1 second make it difficult to control the system).
• 🔒 Some TVs need to pre-allow voice control in privacy settings.

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Voice control is the most convenient way for smart TVs, but requires pre-setting and a stable internet connection.

Method 5: Alternative applications for managing without IR-blaster

If your Xiaomi phone is not equipped IR-The port, and the TV doesn't support Smart features, but the option is with third-party applications that use Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth.

Instructions for Unified Remote (Unified Remote):

1. Install the application on the phone and the server part on the PC (if you need to control through a computer).
2. Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. In the app, select “Add device” → “TV” → specify the brand.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen for synchronization.

Warnings:

⚠️ Note: Apps like Unified Remote or SmartThings require permission to access your location and network. Don’t install them from third-party sources – only use official stores (Google Play or App Store).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs older than 2019 may require a firmware update to work with applications over Wi-Fi. Check the current version in Settings → On TV. → Update of the PO.

What to do if nothing works: Diagnostics and solutions

If none of these things work, don't panic, 90 percent of the time, it's just a simple solution.

• 🔌 Check the power on the TV: disconnect it from the socket for 30 seconds, then turn it on again.
• 📶 Reconnect Wi-Fi: Forget the network on your TV and phone and connect again. Use 2.4 GHz (not 5 GHz) - some TVs don't support the new frequency.
• 🔄 Update the firmware: on the Xiaomi TV go to Settings → On TV. → Software Update: Other brands may have different paths.
• 🛠️ Reset TV settings: in extreme cases, reset to factory settings (Settings) → Support → Warning: This will delete all stored data!

If the TV is turned on but does not respond to commands:

• 🔍 Check if the IR receiver on the TV is blocked (for example, by a decorative panel or other devices).
• 📱 For Wi-Fi applications (Mi Home, Google) TV) Check if the firewall or antivirus on your phone is blocking access.
• 🔊 If there is sound but no image, try switching the signal source on the TV. → HDMI/TV).

For Xiaomi TVs with black screen after the update:

⚠️ Warning: If the TV turns on (indicators are on) but the screen remains black, it may be due to a failed firmware update. In this case: Turn off the TV for 1 minute. Press and hold the Power button on the TV body for 10-15 seconds (before). If it does not help, contact the support Xiaomi – self-repair may deprive the warranty.

FAQ: Frequent questions about managing a TV through Xiaomi