When a native remote is not on hand, it always takes you by surprise, especially if you need to turn off or change the channel right now. Owners of Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi TV smart TVs face this problem less often due to voice control, but they are not immune to battery drain or accessory breakdown. Fortunately, the Android TV ecosystem on which the PatchWall shell is based provides many alternative ways to navigate the menu.
Don't panic or rush to the electronics store to buy an expensive original accessory, because there are simpler and faster solutions. Modern technology allows you to turn your smartphone into a full-fledged remote control, and connect an ordinary computer mouse through the Internet. USB-The port is often the most effective crutch in an emergency, and we'll look at all the methods available, from using embedded buttons on the case to installing specialized applications.
The key to most software methods is to have an active TV connection to a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network, and if the device is completely powered down or not connected to the router, your options will be limited to physical buttons on the back or buying a universal IR remote, and let's take each option Step-by-step.
Use of control buttons on the TV body
The first thing to do when the remote is lost is to look carefully at the TV body. Xiaomi engineers rarely leave the devices without physical control, although they try to make it as invisible as possible to preserve the aesthetics of the design. The location of the joystick or buttons depends on the particular model and year of release of the device.
Most modern Mi TV Stick models or thin panels use a hidden joystick, which can be located at the bottom of the center, under the logo, or behind, shifted to the right or left. Pressing the joystick usually corresponds to the command "OK" or "Input", and offset to the sides regulates the volume or movement on the menu.
Older or budget models of Redmi TVs have a number of individual buttons, often looking like small grooves or bumps on the bottom edge or side end, sometimes requiring a slight push on the panel or a thin object to avoid damaging the plastic.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use excessive force when pressing the body buttons, especially if they are hidden under a decorative overlay.Mechanical switches in Xiaomi TVs are often short-range and can easily be damaged if aggressively impacted.
Buttons on the body are usually limited to basic steps, but they are enough to turn on the TV, select a signal source or run a pre-installed application. For full navigation on a complex interface, this method can be tedious, but as a temporary solution it is indispensable.
☑️ Search for buttons on the body
Control via smartphone: Mi Remote app
The most civilized and functional way to replace a lost remote is to use a smartphone. If you have an Android phone with an infrared port (IR Blaster), you can turn it into an exact replica of the remote. Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models often come with this module, making them ideal candidates for controlling the hardware.
To do this, you will need the Mi Remote system app, which is pre-installed on most of the brand’s devices. If it is not available, you can download it from the Google Play store or GetApps. In the app, you must select the type of device “TV”, then the brand “Xiaomi” and follow the instructions on the screen to check the code.
The pairing process takes no more than a minute. The app will ask you to press a virtual button on your phone screen and ask if the TV is responding. Once tested successfully, you'll have full access to all of the features, including voice input, which often works even better than the original remote.
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If your phone doesn’t have an IR port, check for Xiaomi TV or Google TV in the app store – they let you control your TV over Wi-Fi, but require pre-setting or at least one working remote for initial pairing.
Importantly, IR port control works like a direct-to-sight control, and you'll need to point the top end of the phone towards the receiver on the TV, which is not a limitation when using Wi-Fi methods, which will be discussed below.
Connection USB-mouse and keyboard
One of the most underappreciated but effective ways to manage is to connect a normal computer mouse. TV fully HID-This is a device that allows the mouse cursor to appear on the TV screen, and it's perfect if you need to log into the settings menu or start an app.
To implement this method, you will need any wired or wireless mouse with a USB-Just put the plug in the free port. USB It's automatically recognized the device, and a cursor arrow will appear on the screen.
The left mouse click replaces the OK button, and the right button often emulates the back command. The wheel can be used to scroll pages or change volume depending on the system settings. If you have a wireless touchpad keyboard, it's an even more convenient tool.
| Mouse action | TV function | Keyboard operation |
|---|---|---|
| Left click | Choices/Entrance (OK) | Enter |
| Right click | Back/Contextual menu | Backspace / Esc |
| Kolesico (up/down) | Scrolling/Loudness | Up/down arrows |
| Dragging | Moving the cursor | touchpad |
Using a mouse is especially important for entering passwords from Wi-Fi networks, which with the help of buttons on the case would be a real torture. You can easily type text using an on-screen keyboard, controlling its cursor.
Wi-Fi management applications
If your smartphone doesn’t have an infrared port, but both devices (TV and phone) are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, you can use software remotes. This requires that the TV is already connected to the router, which is often the default.
There are many replacement apps available in the App Store and Google Play, some of the most popular ones being Google's Android TV Remote Control, Xiaomi TV, or universal solutions like TV Remote Control, which rely on commands being transmitted over a local network.
Once the app is installed, run a network scan. If the TV is in standby mode, the app may suggest waking it up (Wake-on-LAN function) if supported by the model. Once connected, you will get a virtual touchpad and keyboard.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your smartphone and TV are on the same subnet.If you have Guest Wi-Fi set up for your phone and the TV is connected to the main network, they may not be able to "see" each other due to customer isolation.
The advantage of these apps is that they have a user-friendly keyboard for text input, which is critical for finding YouTube videos or installing new apps. Voice input in apps also often works more consistently, recognizing speech through a phone's microphone.
Purchase of a universal or original remote
If the software methods don't fit or seem too complicated for every family member to use on a daily basis, there's still the option of buying a replacement. Xiaomi's original remotes have a Bluetooth module for voice search and improved ergonomics, but cost more than their counterparts.
Universal Android TV remotes can be found at any electronics store. When choosing, pay attention to the presence of a button with the Google or Netflix logo, as well as voice control support if this feature is important to you. Many universal models require minimal customization through the TV menu.
There are also IR adapters that plug into a 3.5mm connector (if you have one in your TV model) or connect via USB, allowing you to control your TV from any IR remote, even from an old VCR, but these are exotic solutions for enthusiasts.
Where can I buy the original remote?
When buying a universal remote, make sure that the kit has instructions for codes for Xiaomi TVs. Often, just clamp down on the button combination, and the remote will select the desired code from the database.
Configuring alternative management methods
To avoid future remote loss, it makes sense to prepare alternative control channels in advance, for example, to pre-mount a remote app on the phone of all family members and configure them.
It is also useful to check your network access settings. In the Settings → Network and Internet menu, make sure that remote control is enabled. Some models require activation of permission to connect new devices, which pops up on the screen when you first try to pair.
If you have a smart speaker with Alice or Google Assistant, you can link your TV account to a voice assistant, which will allow you to control the on, volume and launch of content with your voice without requiring a remote at all.
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The most reliable way to protect yourself from loss of the remote is the presence of at least one alternative control device (phone with an IR port or a phone with an IR port). USB-mouse) in accessible space.
Remember that regularly updating your TV firmware can add new ways of interacting or improve the stability of existing remote applications. → System update.