Xiaomi’s current TVs and Redmi sub-brands come with advanced remote controls that operate not only through the infrared port but also over Bluetooth. This allows voice control and find the device even when it’s hidden behind furniture. However, this technology is a feature that often raises questions among users when they first turn on or after replacing batteries. Many owners face a situation where the TV responds to the on button but the menu does not switch, indicating that there is no Bluetooth pairing.
The process of synchronizing the controller with a media console or Smart TV usually takes no more than a minute, but requires precise adherence to the sequence of actions. Unlike older IR remotes, where it was enough just to point the device to the receiver, you need to initiate a search through a software interface or a special key combination. Incorrect execution of steps can lead to the remote remaining in standby mode, and the user decides that the accessory is defective.
In this article, we will discuss all the methods of connection in detail, from automatic pairing at the first start to manually adding a device through the system settings of Android TV. You will learn how to distinguish an IR remote from a Bluetooth model, how to reset the controller and what to do if the standard methods do not work. We will also touch on the topic of setting up universal remotes and voice control, which will turn the use of the TV into a comfortable experience.
The difference between Bluetooth and IR consoles Xiaomi
The first step in solving control problems is understanding the type of device you have. Xiaomi Mi TV and Redmi TV can come with two types of remotes: classic infrared (IR) and hybrid Bluetooth-IC. Infrared remote requires direct vision between the emitter and the receiver of the TV, has no microphone and works immediately after installing the batteries without pairing. It looks like a standard rectangular remote with rubber buttons.
In turn, the Bluetooth remote (often called "Voice Remote" or "Mi Remote") has a more ergonomic shape, often with streaming buttons and a microphone for voice commands. This remote works within a radius of 10 meters without line of sight, but requires a mandatory pairing procedure with the TV. It is Bluetooth models that users have 90% of questions, because they do not work "out of the box" in full.
To determine your device type, look at the top of the remote. Having a microphone hole and a Mi or Redmi logo on the front almost always indicates a Bluetooth module. Also, if the remote has separate buttons for Netflix, Prime Video or Google Assistant, it's exactly a Bluetooth model. IR versions tend to have a simpler design and lack these multimedia keys.
⚠️ Note: If your remote only works on/off and change volume, but does not control the cursor in the Android menu TV, So, the Bluetooth interface is not installed. In this mode, it functions like a normal IR remote.
Automatic connection at first activation
The easiest way to set up the remote is to use the regular Android TV mechanism, which activates when you first start the TV or after you reset the settings to the factory. When you first turn on the new Xiaomi Mi TV Stick or TV, the system suggests connecting the remote before you enter the main menu.
Usually, the system asks you to hold two keys simultaneously: the menu (three stripes) and Home (house). In some models, especially the older versions of the Mi Box S, the combination may be different — for example, Back and Home. Hold the buttons until the screen shows a message about a successful connection or flashes the indicator on the remote (if any), This method works only if the TV is in the initial setting mode.
If the automatic window didn't appear, maybe the TV was already set up and the remote was paired with another device or the connection was severed, in which case you can manually adjust through the menu.
Manual settings through the Android TV menu
If the automatic connection didn’t work or you bought an extra remote, you can manually run the procedure through the operating system interface, which is the most reliable method, since it allows you to see the status of the connection in real time. First, make sure the TV is on and on the main menu. If the remote doesn't respond at all, you can use the Android app. TV Remote Control on your smartphone or connect USB-mouse/keyboard for navigation.
Go to the top right corner of the screen where the gear icon (Settings) is located. In the menu that opens, select Remotes and Accessories (or Remote & Accessories) section, which will show a list of all previously connected devices. To add a new remote, click Addory access. The TV will go to Bluetooth device search mode.
☑️ Checklist before pairing
Now, on the remote control itself, you need to press the key combination to go into pairing mode, most often by pressing the Home and Menu buttons (three dots or stripes) simultaneously. Hold them for about 5-10 seconds. The device name should appear on the TV screen, for example, Mi Remote or Bluetooth Remote. Select it using the mouse or working navigation buttons, and confirm the connection.
Once paired successfully, the system may suggest configuring additional features, such as a power button. If the TV asks if you want the power button on the remote to control that TV, answer yes, which will allow the IR signal to turn on and Bluetooth for navigation, which provides full functionality.
Use of universal remote and smartphone
When the native remote is lost or faulty, users often turn to universal solutions. Xiaomi and Redmi TVs are based on the Android TV platform, which opens up wide opportunities for alternative control. The most convenient way is to use a smartphone. The official Google Home or Android TV Remote Control app allows you to completely replace the physical remote, including a keyboard for text input and voice search through the phone’s microphone.
To connect via the app, make sure that the smartphone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Launch the app, it will automatically find the available devices. PIN-If you use the code on your TV screen, your phone will become a full-fledged remote, and this solution is especially useful for entering passwords from Wi-Fi and accounts, since the virtual keyboard is much more convenient than the buttons on the remote.
If you use a universal IR remote from a third party (like One For All or universal Chinese counterparts), you will need to perform an encoding procedure. You can't do this on the TV menu, the setting is done on the most versatile remote control according to its instructions. It's usually a long process of brute force until the TV responds to commands. However, universal remotes often do not support Bluetooth functions such as voice input.
| Type of remote | Radio of action | We need to pair. | Voice control |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR (Standard) | Up to 5-7 meters. | No. | No. |
| Bluetooth Voice | Up to 10 meters. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Smartphone (App) | Within Wi-Fi. | Yeah (wi-fi) | Yeah (via phone) |
| Universal IR | Depends on the model. | No (code needed) | No. |
Resetting remote settings and reconnecting
Sometimes the remote gets stuck, the buttons get stuck, the connection gets lost at short intervals, or the device doesn't see the press, and in these cases, it helps to completely reset the remote settings and remove it from the TV's memory, which breaks the current connection and clears the pairing cache, which often resolves software conflicts.
To perform the reset, first remove the device from the list of connected. Go to Settings → Remote and Accessories, find your remote in the list, click on it and select Remove or Forget the device. Then remove the batteries from the remote. Now you need to perform a hardware reset of the controller itself. To do this, press the Home button (or the Home + Back combination) and, without releasing it, insert the batteries back.
Secret combination for resetting
After the reset procedure, the indicator on the remote (if any) can often flash, signaling the search mode. Immediately repeat the pairing procedure through the TV menu described in the previous sections. If the remote does not work after that, the problem may lie in the hardware of the device itself or the IR receiver of the TV.
⚠️ Note: When you remove the device from the TV memory, the remote will stop controlling the Android menu. USB-mouse, keyboard or application on a smartphone.
Customization of buttons and voice control
After successfully connecting Xiaomi Bluetooth remote, additional customization options open up. First of all, check the voice input. Press and hold the microphone button, then clearly say a command, such as "Open YouTube" or "Find space movies." If the TV does not respond, check the microphone settings in the Device Settings → Preferences → Google Assistant.
An important aspect is the setting of the power button. Many users want the TV remote to control the sound bar or monitor. The Remotes and Accessories menu often has a Power button setting. Here you can choose which device should be turned on and off when you press the red button, which is especially true if the TV is connected via HDMI and you use external acoustics.
Also, in advanced settings, you can reassign some buttons if you rarely use certain apps. However, standard Android TV tools are difficult to do, most often requiring third-party apps from the Google Play Store, such as Button Mapper, which allows you to reprogram long-term pressing of any button to launch the application or action you want.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Even with the right connection, users can experience periodic failures. One common problem is that the remote will fall off after a few minutes of operation, often due to energy saving the remote itself or interference from other Bluetooth devices (earbuds, speakers, Wi-Fi routers), try to move the router away from the TV or change the Wi-Fi channel to a less busy one.
Another problem is delaying response (lag). The cursor on the screen moves late after pressing a button. This may indicate an overload on the TV's operating system. Try clearing the cache or restarting the TV by completely disconnecting it from the socket for 30 seconds. The battery charge level is also a critical factor: even if the remote is shining, low voltage can cause unstable operation of the Bluetooth module.
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The stability of the Bluetooth remote depends on the quality of the batteries and the absence of radio interference in the 2.4 GHz range.
If the remote control stopped responding to infrared signals (on, volume), but Bluetooth is working, check if the IR receiver on the TV is closed with decorative elements or a sound panel. Also make sure that the transmitter on the remote is not contaminated. Wiping the IR diode with soft cloth sometimes works wonders.