Today’s Xiaomi Mi TVs and Android TVs offer a wide range of user experience options. However, a standard remote is often lost, discharged, or simply inconvenient to type when searching for content. In such situations, a smartphone that is always on hand and can completely replace physical buttons comes to the rescue.
Using a mobile device as a remote is not just a way to replace a lost accessory, it's a way to take a whole new level of interactive interaction with a multimedia system, so you can control a cursor, enter queries from a full keyboard, and even stream the phone screen to a large display without delay.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways of connecting, from official solutions from Google and Xiaomi, to advanced methods for power users, you will learn how to set up a connection in a few minutes, which apps work best with Xiaomi TV Box and how to avoid common errors when syncing devices.
Google Home and Android TV Remote
The most reliable and versatile way to manage is to use the Google Home ecosystem. Since most Xiaomi TVs run on the Android TV or Google TV operating system, native support for Google protocols ensures maximum connection stability. To get started, you will need to download the Google Home app from the Google Play Store or the App Store.
Once you install the app, make sure your smartphone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.This is a critical condition, as the control commands are transmitted locally via the router. Open the app, click on the plus in the corner of the screen and select Add Device. The system will automatically scan the network and find your Xiaomi TV.
You'll see a confirmation code on your TV screen, enter it in your smartphone app to complete the pairing, and then you'll see your TV card in the Google Home interface, and you'll have access to the basic controls, like volume, channel switching, and menu navigation.
- 📱 Full integration with Google Assistant for search.
- 🔗 Automatic Device Detection on a Local Area Network Without Manual Setup IP.
- 🖥️ The ability to broadcast photos and videos from the phone gallery with one touch.
- ⚙️ Access to TV settings via smartphone interface.
⚠️ Note: If the TV is not displayed in the list of available devices, check the router settings. AP» (AP Isolation must be disabled, otherwise devices will not be able to “see” each other on the network.
For more advanced controls, including touchpad emulation, it is recommended to install a separate Android TV Remote Control app (developed by Google LLC) that provides a more detailed interface that mimics the buttons of a real remote and allows you to use the smartphone microphone for voice input.
Mi Remote app and Xiaomi ecosystem
Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone owners have a built-in advantage: the Mi Remote app (or Remote) is deeply integrated into the MIUI and HyperOS shell, ensuring fast operation and minimal resource consumption. For Xiaomi and Mi brand TVs, this is often the best choice.
There are two modes of application operation: through infrared port (IR Blaster) and through Wi-Fi. If your smartphone is equipped with an infrared port, you can control the TV even without an Internet connection using the principle of a conventional remote control, in which case you need to select a model of the TV from the list, and the application will adjust the frequency of the signal.
Wi-Fi is preferable to smart TVs because it supports feedback. You see what's happening on the screen, as opposed to IR, where commands are sent blindly. To connect via Wi-Fi, run Mi Remote, click Add Remote, and select TV. The system will suggest finding devices on the network.
Customization path: Mi Remote → Add → TV → Search on the network → Select deviceThe Mi Remote app is designed to support automation scenarios, so you can set up certain apps to run on your TV when you meet the conditions on your phone, for example, when you connect to your home Wi-Fi network, your phone can automatically prompt you to start your Xiaomi TV.
💡
If the infrared port on your phone is covered with a case, remove it for better signal passage, even a small obstacle can reduce the range of infrared radiation.
Third-party applications for extended functionality
When standard solutions don’t meet all the requirements, third-party solutions come to the rescue. The Android app market offers many alternatives with unique features such as macros, customization of the interface and support for specific codecs. One of the most popular solutions is the Universal TV Remote app or TV Remote Control for Android TV.
These applications often run faster than official analogues, as they use a direct connection to the Internet. IP-You may need to manually enter the TV address, which can be found in the network settings (Settings) → Network and Internet → Direct connectivity eliminates delays associated with cloud services.
Some apps allow you to create your own remote layouts, and you can only bring the buttons you use most often to the home screen, such as fast access to Netflix, YouTube or Kinopoisk, which is especially convenient for older people or children who find it difficult to navigate complex menus.
- 🎨 Ability to create skins and themes for the remote interface.
- ⌨️ Support for external Bluetooth keyboard through intermediary app.
- 📹 The “mouse” function that allows you to control the cursor of the phone gyroscope.
- 📡 Support for management via mobile Internet (outside the home network).
It is important to remember security: downloading applications from unknown developers risks handing over access to your home network to third parties, always check the permissions the program requests, and read user reviews before installing.
Connection via Wi-Fi Direct and Miracast
Beyond interface control, a smartphone can act as a signal source, and Wi-Fi Direct allows you to transfer images and sound directly from your phone to your Xiaomi TV without using a router, ideal for watching high-resolution video when home Wi-Fi speeds are limited.
To activate the feature on a Xiaomi TV, go to the signal source menu and select Wireless Display or MiraCast. On an Android smartphone, the feature is usually called Translation, Smart View or Projection. After searching for devices, select your TV from the list.
The connection is set up in seconds, the phone screen is completely duplicated on the TV, allowing you to run any application, game or browser, and the quality of the image depends on the power of the Wi-Fi modules of both devices and the distance between them.
| Parameter | Wi-Fi (Router) | Wi-Fi Direct | Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission speed | High (depends on router) | Very high (straight) | Low (Audio/Commands only) |
| Delay (Latency) | Medium | Minimum | Tall. |
| Range of action | Up to 30 meters. | Up to 10 meters. | Up to 10 meters. |
| Battery consumption | Medium. | High-pitched | Low. |
⚠️ Note: When using Wi-Fi Direct for gaming, be aware that incoming calls or notifications on your phone will be displayed on your TV screen.
Why does the quality of the image drop when broadcasting?
Troubleshooting and Connection Problems
Despite the ease of setting up, users often encounter situations where the phone "does not see" a Xiaomi TV.The most common reason is using different Wi-Fi frequencies. If the router gives away a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with different names (SSID), make sure both devices are connected to one of them.Sharing frequencies often prevents devices from being discovered via DLNA or Chromecast protocol.
The second important aspect is firewall settings: antivirus or built-in router protection can block the ports needed to transmit control signals. Try temporarily disabling protection or adding devices to the trusted list. Also, rebooting network equipment helps: turn off the router and TV from the outlet for 30 seconds, then turn it on again.
If the problem persists, check the date and time on both devices.Unsynchronizing system time for more than 5 minutes can cause security certificates to fail and devices will refuse to establish a secure connection.
☑️ Checklist of diagnostics
In some cases, you need to reset your TV's network settings. Go to Settings → Device → Reset and select Reset Network Settings.This will delete stored Wi-Fi passwords, but often resolves the device's visibility problems on the LAN.
Voice control and smart home
Today’s Xiaomi TVs are being actively integrated into the smart home system. By connecting the TV to the Google Home platform or Yandex Alice (through skills), you can control the voice. Phrases like “Alice, turn off the TV” or “Ok Google, turn on YouTube on the TV” work flawlessly when devices are connected into a single ecosystem.
To set up the integration with Google Home, you need to add your TV account to the Google Home app. Once you link the services, you can create scripts. For example, the Kino team can lower the curtains (if there are smart eaves), dim the lights and turn on the TV with Kinopoisk running.
Using your smartphone as a voice-activated remote greatly speeds up search. Instead of flipping letters with a virtual keyboard on the screen, just tap the microphone in the app and say the name of the movie. Speech recognition on a modern smartphone works much more accurately than on a TV.
💡
The link between a smartphone and a TV through a single ecosystem (Google or Mi Home) turns ordinary TV viewing into a voice-controlled multimedia system.
Remember that voice functions require a stable Internet connection. Local commands such as volume control can work without a network (when using an IR port), but content search and smart home management require access to servers.