How to call the keyboard on the Xiaomi TV with the remote: all ways

The virtual keyboard on Xiaomi TVs is an indispensable tool for typing, from finding movies to logging in to apps. But many users are faced with the problem of how to quickly call it when only a standard remote control is at hand? This article will help you understand how to activate the keyboard on MI TV 4/5, Redmi Smart TV and other models without connecting a mouse or external keyboard.

We'll look at all the ways you can do it, from the standard button combinations to the hidden features of Android TV, and we'll also look at why the keyboard might not appear and how to fix it, and if you're tired of entering passwords with the arrows on the remote, this is the guide for you.

Why can't I call the keyboard from the remote?

The problem with calling a keyboard on Xiaomi TV is usually due to one of three reasons:

• 🔹 Wrong combination of buttons – on different models of remotes, combinations may differ.
• 🔹 System restrictions – in some applications (such as Netflix or YouTube) the keyboard is blocked.
• 🔹 Android malfunctions TV — After updating the firmware or resetting the function may stop working.

If you click on the input field but the keyboard doesn’t appear, check first:

1. Is the remote connected to the TV (the indicator should burn when you press the buttons).
2. Is Game Mode enabled, some interface functions are disabled.
3. Is there a third-party keyboard (such as Gboard) that may conflict with the system keyboard?

Method 1: Standard combination of buttons on the remote

The easiest method is to use a button combination embedded in the firmware. On most Xiaomi remotes (including the MI Remote and Redmi Remote models), the keyboard is called like this:

1. Go to the field where you need to enter text (for example, search bar or authorization form).
2. Press and hold the Menu button (three horizontal lines) for 2-3 seconds.
3. If it doesn’t work, try the Menu + OK combination.

Some remotes (such as the MI TV 5 Pro) may require:

Press "Microphone" → Hold 3 seconds → Select "Keyboard"

Make sure the batteries are not discharged.

Check the connection of the remote to the TV (the indicator flashes when pressed)

Reconnect the remote via Bluetooth (Settings → Devices → Remotes)

Update the remote firmware (if available)

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Important: If you have a remote with Google Assistant, try pressing it once – sometimes it automatically opens the keyboard for voice input.

Method 2: Through Android TV system settings

If the button combinations don't work, you can call the keyboard via the system menu, which is universal for all Xiaomi models based on Android TV:

1. Open the settings (cog on the main screen).
2. Go to the Device section → Keyboard and input.
3. Select the Android TV Virtual Keyboard.
4. Press Show keyboard (confirmation may be required).

If this is not the case, try an alternative route:

Settings → Applications → Special features → Virtual keyboard

Note: on a Redmi Smart TV with MIUI TV firmware, the path may be different.

Settings → System → Language and input → Keyboard management

Method 3: Using a voice assistant

If your remote supports Google Assistant or XiaoAI, you can call the keyboard with a voice:

• 🎤 Press the microphone button on the remote and say “Open keyboard” or “Show keyboard".
• 🎤 For XiaoAI (on Chinese models): "" (dǎkāi jiànpán).

If the voice assistant does not recognize the command:

1. Check your internet connection (voice commands require a network).
2. Update the TV firmware (Settings → About TV → System Update).
3. Reinstall the voice assistant via Google Play.

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If voice input is not working properly, try switching the system language to English (Settings → Device Preferences → Language).

Method 4: Alternative keyboards from Google Play

If the system keyboard doesn't appear, install a third-party solution.The best options for Android TV are:

How to install and activate:

1. Open Google Play on your TV.
2. Find the keyboard you want and install it.
3. Go to Settings → Device → Keyboard and input.
4. Turn on the installed keyboard and make it the main one.

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The side of the keyboard is often more stable than the system, but may require more resources. If the TV brakes after installation, remove unnecessary applications.

Method 5: Connecting an external keyboard or mouse

If none of these methods work, the temporary solution is to connect. USB- or Bluetooth keyboards:

• 🖱️ USB-Keyboard: Connect to the port USB-A The system has to recognize it automatically.
• 🔵 Bluetooth keyboard: activate pairing mode on the keyboard, then on TV go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and select the device.

For the mouse:

1. Connect the wireless mouse through USB-receiver.
2. Click the left button on the input field - the keyboard will open automatically.

Important: on some Xiaomi models (for example, MI TV 4A 32") USB-The ports may not support keyboards because of firmware limitations, and only a Bluetooth device will help.

What to do if the keyboard does not appear at all

If none of these methods worked, the problem could be a system failure.

1. Reboot the TV: Hold the power button on the remote for 10 seconds, then turn the TV on again.
2. Reset keyboard settings: Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find Android TV Keyboard and select Reset settings.
3. Firmware Update: Check for updates in Settings → About TV → System Update.
4. Reset to factory settings: a last resort – Settings → Storage and reset → Data reset.

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Before reset, save a list of installed applications. To do this, take a screenshot of the Settings screen. → Apps or take a picture of it on your phone.

⚠️ Note: If the keyboard never appeared after reset, the problem may be a hardware failure of the remote or Bluetooth TV module.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the keyboard on Xiaomi TV