Xiaomi’s current Android TVs or PatchWall come with a remote that is significantly different from the classic “lean” of the past decade. Owners often wonder what kind of remote will be included and whether it can be expanded. The standard set of buttons may seem minimalistic, but behind it lies deep integration with the smart home and multimedia capabilities of the platform.
Depending on the model year and the price segment of the device, you can find both a classic IR remote with rubber buttons and an advanced Magic Remote with a gyroscope and a microphone. Understanding the differences between these models is critical, because the type of controller depends on the available methods of setting and the ability to control the TV interface. Some users do not even realize that their device supports voice input or smartphone control.
In this article, we will take a closer look at what kinds of remotes are found on Xiaomi TVs, how to connect them correctly and configure them for comfortable use. You will learn how to activate hidden functions, reassign buttons, and what to do if the standard kit no longer responds to commands. Competent setting of the remote makes viewing content a really convenient process.
Types of remote control Xiaomi TV
Xiaomi uses several remotes depending on the TV series. The most common is the classic version with an infrared port (IR), which requires line of sight with a TV receiver. These models are reliable, but functionally limited to basic navigation and volume control commands, and they are often found in budget series and models released several years ago.
More modern models, especially the flagship Mi TV and Redmi TV series, come with Bluetooth remotes. Bluetooth connectivity allows you to control the TV without line of sight, which is especially convenient when the device is hidden in a niche or mounted high on the wall. These remotes often have a built-in microphone for voice search and have additional buttons to call streaming services.
⚠️ Attention: Visually, the remotes may look identical, but they may differ in the type of communication. If your remote doesn't respond when you close it with your palm, but it works in line of sight, it's probably an IR model, not Bluetooth.
Separately, support for universal remotes and the ability to use a smartphone as a full-fledged replacement device. The Mi Home ecosystem allows you to turn any phone based on Android or iOS into a powerful controller with full functionality, including touchpad emulation, this is especially true if the regular remote was lost or damaged.
Basic functions and hot keys
Regardless of the model, Xiaomi remotes have a set of standard and specialized buttons that make it easier to navigate the PatchWall or Android TV interface. Central to the call button is the Google Assistant or Mi AI voice assistant, which allows you to search for content, manage a smart home and ask questions without using a keyboard. Voice input significantly speeds up the search for movies and applications.
At the top of the device are often dedicated buttons for quick access to popular services such as Netflix, YouTube or Prime Video.Clicking these buttons instantly triggers the corresponding application, bypassing the main menu.However, the functionality of these keys can be reconfigured depending on the regional settings of the TV or personal preferences of the user.
An important feature is the button to call the settings menu or quick access to the signal sources. HDMI-Long pressing of some keys can activate additional commands, such as turning off the TV or restarting the system.
- 🎙️ Microphone button: activates voice search and smart home control.
- 🏠 Home button: returns to the home screen or calls the menu of running applications with double pressing.
- ⚙️ Settings button: quick access to image, sound and network settings.
- 🔇 Cutting the sound button: jams the audio or calls the menu to select the sound source with a long press.
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Double-clicking on the Home button often opens a list of recently launched apps, allowing you to switch between tasks faster than through the standard menu.
How to connect and connect the remote with the TV
The process of connecting the remote depends on the type of remote, infrared remotes do not require pairing and start working immediately after installing the batteries. Bluetooth models must be pre-paired with the TV, usually automatically when a new TV is turned on for the first time, when the system suggests pressing a certain combination of buttons.
If you don't have an automatic connection, or if you're using a new remote, you'll need to go to the TV settings menu. The path to settings is usually Settings → Remotes and Accessories → Add the device. In this menu, the TV will start looking for available Bluetooth devices. To navigate the menu, you can temporarily use the control buttons on the TV itself or the Mi Remote app on your smartphone.
☑️ Bluetooth remote interface
Manual pairing often requires the back button (left hand) and home buttons to be pressed for 5-10 seconds at the same time. The remote indicator (if any) will flash to signal search mode. The TV should detect the device and prompt the connection to be terminated. After a successful pair, the remote will connect automatically when the TV is turned on.
⚠️ Note: When pairing, make sure that the remote is not more than 20 cm from the TV receiver. Obstacles and strong sources of radiation can interfere with the process.
Customization of buttons and voice control
Xiaomi’s TV operating system allows you to flexibly adjust button behavior and voice input sensitivity. In Settings → Device → Accessories, you can reassign the functions of the quick start buttons if they do not match your habits. Deep tuning allows you to adapt the device to the individual needs of the user.
It's important for voice control to configure the language and region correctly. Google Assistant supports many languages, but for smart home commands to work correctly, the interface language and the assistant language must match. You can also train the system to recognize your voice (Voice Match), which will allow you to receive personalized responses and access personal data.
Secret reassignment function
The sensitivity of the microphone is also software-controlled. If the remote does not hear commands from a distance, check the noise reduction settings. The optimal distance for voice input is 1-2 meters from the user. Do not yell at the remote; speak clearly and at a normal pace, holding the device in the direction of the face.
Using a smartphone as a remote (Mi Remote)
If you lose your controller or get a better text input, Mi Remote (or Google TV for Android) is a great solution, which turns your smartphone screen into a touchpad, allowing you to control your finger cursor across the screen, which is often faster than navigating with buttons.
The application requires that the smartphone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. The connection process is simple: install the application, select Add Device, and the system will find your Xiaomi TV on the local network. Once the code is confirmed on the TV screen, the phone will become a full-fledged remote.
| Function | Staff remote | Mi Remote appendix | Universal IR remote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of communication | Bluetooth/IK | Wi-Fi / Local area network | Infrared port |
| Input of text | Screen (slowly) | Smartphone keyboard (quickly) | Absent. |
| Cursor control | Buttons/Gyroscope | touchpad | Buttons |
| Voice input | There's (built-in micro.) | Aye (via phone microphone) | No. |
| Working without Wi-Fi | Yes (Bluetooth/IC) | No (network required) | Yes (IR only) |
The advantage of using a smartphone is that it can stream the screen and manage media files directly from the phone's gallery. Cast is built into the app and allows you to display photos and videos to the big screen in one click, making the smartphone an indispensable tool for displaying content.
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The Mi Remote app on your smartphone is the best alternative for losing a regular remote, as it does not require buying equipment and offers a full-fledged keyboard for entering passwords.
Solution: if the remote stops working
The most common cause of remote failure is a battery that is depleted. Even if the LED flashes, the charge may not be enough for a stable Bluetooth connection. Replace the batteries with new alkaline batteries, avoiding the use of salt counterparts, which are faster to go down.
The second common problem is desynchronizing the Bluetooth module. Reconnect often solves the problem: remove the device from the list of conjugated TV settings (using buttons on the TV body or app) and perform the pairing again. Also helps to completely reset the TV from the socket for 1-2 minutes.
If the remote is reacting with a delay, check for interference. 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi routers, USB 3.0 unshielded cables and other wireless devices can interfere. Try repositioning the router or using the device. USB-Wi-Fi extension for the TV adapter, if it is connected directly.
- 🔄 Restart the TV completely offline for 60 seconds.
- 🔋 Replace batteries with quality Alkaline (Duracell, Energizer).
- 📡 Remove sources of interference (routers, microwaves) from the signal reception zone.
- 📲 Use the remote app to check the performance of the TV itself.
⚠️ Warning: Do not disassemble the contact clearing control with alcohol if it is under warranty. Moisture can damage the electronic board, and mechanical intervention will cancel the warranty case.