Phone as a remote for Xiaomi TV Box: full setup instructions

Why Smartphone is More Convenient Than a Standard Remote for Xiaomi

The classic remote from Xiaomi Mi Box S or Mi TV Stick is often lost, discharged or broken – and the smartphone is always at hand. You can turn it into a full-fledged remote control (DU) in 5 minutes, while getting advanced features: voice search, gesture control and even automatic switching modes when you start applications.

The main advantage is that you don't have to buy any additional accessories, just install the official Mi Remote Controller app or third-party solutions like Yatse or Unified Remote, and if your console supports Google Cast, then your smartphone will also become a media center with the ability to stream the screen.

But there are nuances: not all phone models are compatible with an IR port (if you have one on the console), and to work on Wi-Fi requires a stable connection to the same network, let's analyze all the ways of connecting, from the simplest to the most advanced.

What Xiaomi-prefixes support control from a smartphone

Remote management is available for most modern Xiaomi devices, but there are important limitations:

• 📺 Mi Box S (MDZ-22-AB) — Full support via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (depending on firmware).
• 🎮 Mi TV Stick (all generations) – Wi-Fi only, no IR port.
• 🖥️ Mi Box 4/4c/4s — Partial support: Some features (such as voice search) may not work.
• ⚠️ Outdated models (Mi Box 3, Mi Box 1) – require manual tuning through the ADB third-party.

To check your console compatibility, go to Settings → About → Android TV. If version 9.0 or newer, there will be no problems. Old firmware (7.1 and below) may need an update.

How to connect your phone to Xiaomi TV Box

There are three main methods of controlling the console from a smartphone, the choice depends on the model of the device and your tasks:

1. Wi-Fi (recommended) - works on all consoles, does not require additional equipment, suitable for control at a distance of up to 10 meters.
2. Bluetooth is a more stable connection, but not supported by all models (e.g., the Mi Box S after the 2023 update).
3. Through the IR port, only for consoles with a physical IR receiver (for example, the Mi Box 4 Pro). Requires a smartphone with an IR transmitter (for example, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10).

The most versatile option is Wi-Fi, which does not require a pair of devices (unlike Bluetooth), and works even if the console is hidden behind the TV, minus the input delay of up to 0.5 seconds with a weak signal.

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If the console is not visible on the network, check that both devices are connected to the same access point.Use 5 GHz for less latency, but remember that walls weaken the signal more than 2.4 GHz.

Step-by-step configuration through the official Mi Remote Controller app

This app from Xiaomi supports all modern consoles of the brand. Download it from Google Play or App Store (for iPhone).

Install Mi Remote Controller on your phone |

Connect the console and phone to the same Wi-Fi network |

Turn on the console and go to the main menu |

Open Bluetooth settings on your phone (if you use this method)-->

Follow the instructions:

1. Start Mi Remote Controller and click Add Device.
2. Select a category TV Box → Xiaomi.
3. In the list of models, find your console (for example, Mi Box S). If it is not, select Another device and enter IP-The address of the console manually (you can find it in Settings) → Network).
4. Confirm the pairing on the TV screen (a code of 4 digits will appear).
5. Now, the virtual remote control with the control buttons will be displayed on the phone screen.

If the app does not find the console, try:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📶 Connect to a 5 GHz network (if the router is dual-band).
• 🔧 Manually enter IP-console address (see above).

Alternative applications: Yatse, Unified Remote and others

If the official app doesn't work, there are more flexible solutions that support not only the basic functions of the remote, but also automation (like running Netflix with one tap) and customization of the interface.

For maximum control, we recommend Yatse. It allows you to create your own macros (for example, "Switch off the TV → start Kodi → turn on subtitles") and has a built-in media player for streaming files from the phone.

⚠️ Note: Applications like Unified Remote require the server part to be installed on the console, without which they will only work as a base remote without advanced features.

Solving common problems

Even after setting it up properly, there can be failures, and here are the most common errors and their solutions specific to Xiaomi consoles:

• 🔌 "Device not found" - check that the console is on mode ADB by Wi-Fi (Settings) → For developers → Networked ADB).
• 🕒 Lag when pressing buttons – turn off power saving for the remote app in the phone settings.
• 🔇 Voice commands don’t work – update Google Play Services on console and phone.
• 📱 The remote is turned off when the screen is locked - in the application settings, turn on the option Work in the background.

If the Mi TV Stick periodically loses the connection, try:

1. Connect her to USB-externally powered hub (lack of power from port) TV malfunction).
2. Router secure MAC-fixed-end IP.
3. Disable the Green AP function in the router settings (it can break the connection to save power).

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If the console stopped responding to the phone after the upgrade, reset it to factory settings (Settings → Storage and Reset → Data Reset) and this will solve 90% of compatibility issues.

Hidden functions: voice control and gestures

Few people know that a smartphone as a remote for Xiaomi TV Box can do more than just replace buttons.

• 🎤 Voice Search – In Mi Remote Controller, hold the microphone button and say a command (e.g., “turn on YouTube”). Only works on consoles with Google Assistant.
• ✋ Gestures – in Yatse you can configure swipes to control volume or rewind.
• 📱 Screen control – some applications (for example, TeamViewer QuickSupport) allow you to duplicate the console screen on the phone and control it like a mouse.
• 🔄 Automation – Tasker or MacroDroid can program your phone to start the console on schedule (for example, turn on the morning news at 7:00 am).

To activate voice control:

1. Open Mi Remote Controller and go to Settings → Voice Search.
2. Select the language (Russian, English, Chinese supported).
3. Press and hold the microphone button on the virtual remote, then say the command.

If voice search is not working, check:

• 🔊 Phone microphone (permissions for the application must be enabled).
• 🌐 Internet connection (voice commands are processed on Google servers).
• 📋 Region of consoles in settings (Settings) → Language and keyboard → The region must match the language of the voice assistant).

FAQ: Frequent questions about using your phone as a remote control