How to connect Xiaomi remote to your TV: 3 proven ways + problem solving

Xiaomi’s remotes are not just accessories, they’re full-fledged smart devices that support Bluetooth, IR port, or Mi Home, but the setup process isn’t always smooth. If your Mi Remote, Mi TV Stick Controller, or standard Mi TV remote doesn’t sync with your TV, the problem may be incorrect settings, outdated firmware, or protocol incompatibility.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can connect, from basic Bluetooth synchronization to manually configuring IR codes for other brands of TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony), and what to do if the remote is not defined, how to reset it to factory settings and what alternative control methods exist. Instructions are relevant for models from 2020 to 2026, including the Mi TV 4S/5 Pro, Mi Box S and Xiaomi Mi Remote universal remotes.

Before you start, make sure that:

• 🔋 The remote has working batteries (or it is charged if it is a model with a battery).
• 📺 The TV is on and in standby mode (for Bluetooth).
• 📱 If you use the Mi Home app, it is updated to the latest version.

1. Connecting Xiaomi remote to a TV over Bluetooth

Most modern Xiaomi remotes (such as the Mi Remote Pro or the Mi TV 5 remote) connect to the TV via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), a method that provides stable communication without the need to “aim” the IR receiver, but requires prior synchronization.

To connect the remote over Bluetooth:

1. Turn on the TV and go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth (the path may vary depending on the TV model).
2. Activate the search mode for new devices.
3. Press and hold the Mi (or Home) button on the remote for 5-7 seconds until the indicator starts flashing.
4. In the list of available devices, select the name of your remote (usually Mi Remote XXX or Xiaomi TV Remote).
5. Confirm the pairing on the TV and remote (entry may be required) PIN-standard code - 0000 or 1234).

If the TV doesn't find the remote:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📱 Update the TV firmware (in Settings) → On TV. → Update of the PO).
• 🔋 Check the battery charge of the remote (if it is a model with a battery).

Make sure that Bluetooth is on on the TV|

The remote is in pairing mode (blinking indicator)|

Distance between devices not more than 1 meter |

No interference from other Bluetooth devices (headphones, speakers)

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2. IR connection setup for TVs of other brands

If your TV is not from Xiaomi (Samsung, LG, Philips, etc.), the universal remote Mi Remote can be configured via an infrared port (IR).

1. Install the Mi Home app on your smartphone (available for Android and iOS).
2. Add the remote to the app: Add the device → remotes → Xiaomi Mi Remote.
3. Select your TV brand from the list (if there isn’t one, select Another and manually enter the code).
4. Point the remote to the TV and follow the instructions on the screen to test the buttons.

Important: Some Xiaomi remotes (such as Mi Remote Youth Edition) do not support IR control of other brands’ TVs – check your model’s specifications before buying.

If the automatic setup didn't work, try entering the code manually. Below is a table of popular codes for different brands:

How to enter the code manually:

1. In the Mi Home app, select Add Device → Remote → Manual Addition.
2. Specify the brand of the TV.
3. Enter one of the codes from the table and check the buttons.

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If no code fits, try 9999, which triggers an automatic search for a compatible protocol.

3. Connecting the remote from Mi TV Stick or Mi Box

The remotes that come with the Mi TV Stick or Mi Box S are automatically connected when you first turn on the device, but if you don't sync, follow these steps:

For Mi TV Stick:

1. Connect the set-top box to the TV via HDMI and turn it on.
2. Press and hold the Back + Home buttons on the remote for 5 seconds until the indicator blinks.
3. Wait for the automatic connection (can take up to 30 seconds).

For the Mi Box S:

1. Go to Settings → Remote and accessories → Add an accessory.
2. Select the Mi Box Remote and follow the instructions on the screen.

⚠️ Warning: If the Mi Box remote doesn't connect, check if it conflicts with other Bluetooth devices (such as a gamepad or keyboard.

4. Problem Solving: The remote does not connect or does not work

If the Xiaomi remote does not respond to taps or is not detected by the TV, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔋 Discharged batteries (even if the indicator is on, the voltage may not be enough).
• 📶 Interference from other wireless devices (Wi-Fi routers, microwaves).
• 🔄 Failure of the firmware of the remote or TV.
• 🔌 Incompatibility of Bluetooth versions (e.g. remote control with Bluetooth) BLE 5.0 does not work with a Bluetooth 4.0 TV).

What to do:

1. Reset the remote to factory settings: press and hold the Mi + Back for 10 seconds until the indicator goes out and blinks again.
2. Update the TV firmware: in Settings → About TV → Software update.
3. Check the IR port: If you use an IR connection, make sure there are no obstacles between the remote and the receiver.
4. Reconnect the remote: remove it from the list of Bluetooth devices on the TV and pair again.

If the problem persists, try connecting the remote to another device (such as a smartphone via Mi Home), and if it doesn’t work there, the remote is likely to be faulty.

5. Alternative ways to control Xiaomi TV

If the remote is lost or broken, you can control the Xiaomi TV in other ways:

• 📱 Mi Remote app: download it to your smartphone (Android/iOS) Connect to the TV via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
• 🎮 Gamepad or keyboard: connect via Bluetooth to Settings → Devices.
• 🖥️ Voice Assistant: Activate Google Assistant or Alice (if supported by a TV model).
• 🖱️ Mouse by mouse. USB/Bluetooth: Suitable for navigating the menu.

To control via Mi Remote on your smartphone:

1. Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Open the app and select your TV from the list of devices.
3. Use a virtual remote on the smartphone screen.

⚠️ Note: When controlling via Wi-Fi, delays of up to 1-2 seconds are possible. For games or watching videos, it is better to use a Bluetooth remote or gamepad.

6. Update of Xiaomi remote firmware

If the remote is unstable, the reason may be outdated firmware, which can be updated through the Mi Home app:

1. Connect the remote to the application (if not already connected).
2. Go to the device settings and check for updates.
3. If the update is available, confirm the installation and wait until it is completed (don’t disconnect the remote from the power source!).

For the Mi TV Stick or Mi Box remotes, the console firmware update occurs automatically when the console itself is updated.

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Updating the remote firmware can solve connection problems, but never interrupt the process – this will cause the device to fail.

7.Compatibility of Xiaomi remotes with TVs of other brands

Xiaomi’s universal remotes (such as Mi Remote or Mi Smart Remote) support control of other manufacturers’ TVs, but there are nuances:

• ✅ Full compatibility: Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, TCL (via IR or Bluetooth).
• ⚠️ Partial compatibility: Xiaomi (some features may not work on older models).
• ❌ No compatibility: TVs with proprietary protocols (e.g. some Panasonic or Sharp models).

Before buying, check the list of supported devices on Xiaomi’s official website or product description.For example, Mi Remote Pro supports up to 50,000 devices, but for rare brands, manual customization may be required.

If your TV isn’t on the compatibility list, try:

1. Use universal IR codes (see table in section 2).
2. Connect the remote via Mi Home in training mode (requires the original remote from the TV).
3. Use alternative control methods (smartphone, voice assistant).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)