IR-Xiaomi port: why you need it and how to use it for 100%

Have you ever wondered why some Xiaomi smartphones and smart devices still have an infrared port (IR), And despite the ubiquity of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, at first glance, this little black rectangle on the top of the body seems like an anachronism, a relic of the push-button era. IR-The port in Xiaomi devices performs functions that no other communication module can replace, from air conditioning control to smart home automation.

In this article, we will not just list the obvious ways to use an infrared port, but will reveal hidden opportunities that most users do not even know about. IR-Ports on Redmi Note 12 or Mi TV Box can save on buying additional remotes, integrate old appliances into the Mi Home ecosystem, and avoid typical setup errors. And yes, we will understand why some flagship models Xiaomi (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra) lose this module, and whether it is worth giving up the purchase.

What is it? IR-Port and how it works in Xiaomi devices

An infrared port (IR-blaster) is a wireless data transmission module that uses infrared radiation to communicate with other devices. Unlike radio signals (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), IR radiation only travels within line of sight and over short distances (usually up to 10 meters). IR-port on Xiaomi you need to direct the smartphone to the signal receiver.

In the Xiaomi ecosystem IR-The port is found in three types of devices:

• 📱 Smartphones: Redmi Note series (up to the 11th generation), POCO, Some Mi models (e.g. Mi) 10T Pro).
• 📺 TV set-top boxes: Mi Box S, Mi TV Stick, Xiaomi TV Box 4K.
• 🏠 Smart devices: some models of robot vacuum cleaners (Mi Robot Vacuum) and air conditioners (Mi Air Conditioner).

Technically. IR-The port on Xiaomi consists of:

• 🔦 Transmitter – LED emitting an IR signal with modulation (usually at a frequency of 38 kHz).
• 📶 Amplifier – circuits that amplify the signal to increase the range.
• 🤖 Software drivers and applications (such as Mi Remote) that encode commands into IR signals.

It is important to understand that IR-The port is not universal. It only works with devices that support infrared control (most TVs, air conditioners, audio systems). QLED or LG OLED Often deprived of an IR receiver, but equipped with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Main functions IR-Port: From TV control to smart home

The most obvious application IR-The port is a replacement for remote control, but the module's capabilities don't end there. Consider 5 key scenarios where the IR port on Xiaomi becomes indispensable.

1. Control of household appliances without original remotes

The Mi Remote app (pre-installed on most Xiaomi devices) contains a database of more than 500,000 models from 6,000 brands.

• 📺 Switch channels on Sony Bravia 2018 or Philips TV 4K.
• ❄️ Adjust the temperature of the Daikin or Mitsubishi Heavy air conditioner.
• 🔊 Customize the sound on the Yamaha soundbar or Samsung home theater HW-Q900C.
• 💡 Control lighting with IR panels (for example, Xiaomi Yeelight LED tapes).

And Mi Remote allows you to create macros, or chains of commands, so you can turn on the TV at the touch, you can switch it to the computer. HDMI-Enter and run Netflix on the Mi Box.

2. Integration of old equipment into the Mi Home ecosystem

If you have a Xiaomi Smart Speaker or Mi Home Hub Control Center, IR-The port will help connect devices that don't support Wi-Fi:

• 🌡️ Add an old Electrolux air conditioner to the "I'm leaving" scenario (shutting down with lights and robot vacuum cleaner).
• 🎬 Program the voice command "Cinema" to turn on the TV, soundbar and darken the curtains Xiaomi Curtain.

It's gonna take a while. IR-Mi Home-enabled blaster (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) IR Blaster 2 or Aqara Hub, which connects to the router and relays commands from the smartphone.

3. Automation of routine tasks

Using MacroDroid or Tasker, you can configure automatic trigger actions.

• ⏰ Turn on the Redmond coffee maker on the alarm (if it supports IR control).
• 🚗 Open the garage door when you enter the house (if the remote has an IR protocol).
• 🌙 Turn off all equipment in the bedroom on schedule (TV, air conditioning, fan).

To implement such scenarios, you will need root access or use Xiaomi Automation (built-in software on some models).

4. Diagnostics and testing of IR devices

IR-You can use a port on Xiaomi as a signal analyzer, for example, using an app. IR Remote Tester: You can do it:

• 🔍 Check if the remote is working (if the signal is not passing, the problem may be in the batteries or the remote itself).
• 📊 Read command codes from the original remote and save them to Mi Remote for backup control.
• 🛠️ Set up a universal remote (e.g. BroadLink) RM4 Pro) for working with rare equipment.

5. Alternative uses: data transfer and experiments

Rarely. IR-port can be used for:

• 📲 File transfers between older devices (e.g. Nokia 3310 to Redmi 9 if both support IrDA).
• 🤖 Control robots on Arduino or Raspberry Pi (if equipped with an IR receiver).
• 🎮 Connections of retro game consoles (for example, Nintendo Wii via IR sensor).

However, these scenarios require deep technical knowledge and are often limited by data transfer speeds (maximum 4 Mbps in IrDA, which is 1,000 times slower than Wi-Fi 6).

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IR-The port on Xiaomi is not only a replacement of remotes, but also a tool for automating a smart home, diagnosing equipment and even experimenting with electronics.

Why some Xiaomi flagships are being stripped of their IR-Port: Technical and marketing reasons

Compare the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Xiaomi 13 Ultra, you will notice that the flagship model IR-This is not an accident, but a conscious decision of the manufacturer. Consider the 4 key reasons why Xiaomi is abandoning the IR module in the top devices.

However, there is a reverse trend: Xiaomi continues to equip IR-budget and mid-budget models (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro) POCO X5 Pro. This is due to two factors:

1. Target audience: users of budget smartphones are more likely to live in regions where old equipment with infrared control is still common.
2. Competitive advantage: among Chinese brands, only Xiaomi and Realme are massively preserved IR-The port that sets them apart from Samsung or Motorola.

Interesting fact: in 2023, Xiaomi filed a patent for a "hybrid IR module" that combines an infrared transmitter and a proximity sensor. IR in the flagship, but in a truncated form.

How to set up IR-Port on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions for beginners

If your device is equipped with IR-It takes no more than 5 minutes to set up the port, and let's take a look at the Redmi Note 11 Pro and Mi Remote.

Step 1: Checking Compatibility

Before setting up, make sure that:

• ✅ Your device supports your IR (see spoiler above).
• ✅ The latest version of Mi Remote is installed (you can download it here).
• ✅ The device you want to control (such as a TV) is on and in line of sight (up to 5 meters).

Step 2: Adding a new device

1. Open Mi Remote and click "Add Device".
2. Select the category of equipment (for example, "TV").
3. Enter the brand of the device (for example, LG) or select it from the list.
4. Direct. IR-port of the smartphone to the receiver of the signal technology and follow the instructions on the screen (usually you need to press the switch on the screen of the smartphone).

If the automatic definition didn’t work, select Manual Code Entering and try the standard codes for your model (you can find them on the CodesForRemotes website).

Step 3: Setup macros and widgets

To simplify management:

• 🔄 Create a macro: go to Mi Remote → Macros → Create, add a sequence of commands (for example, "Enable TV" → Turn over. HDMI1 → Launch YouTube").
• 📱 Add the widget to the main screen: press your finger in the free screen space → "Widgets" → Choose Mi Remote.
• 🔒 Block important buttons (such as “Switch off TV”) from accidentally clicking in the app settings.

Step 4: Troubleshooting

If IR-port is not:

Make sure nothing is covered by the IR transmitter (e.g., a case)

Check if it's on. IR-blaster in settings (Settings) → Additionally. → IR-port)

Reboot your smartphone

Update the Mi Remote app to the latest version

Try to control other appliances (e.g. air conditioning instead of TV)-->

If the problem persists, the module itself may have malfunctioned. In this case, contact the Xiaomi service center (repair). IR-port-of-port ~1000-1500 rubles).

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If your device does not support IR, But you need to manage the equipment, consider buying an external one. IR-blaster (e.g. BroadLink) RM4 Pro or Xiaomi Mi IR Blaster 2. It connects over Wi-Fi and works over Mi Home.

Hidden opportunities IR-Port: Life hacks you didn't know about

Most users are limited to basic Mi Remote features, but IR-Xiaomi port is capable of more. Here are 7 non-obvious life hacks:

1. Control of the technique through voice commands

If you have a Xiaomi Smart Speaker or Google Nest smart speaker, you can link it to Mi Remote via the Google Smart Speaker. IFTTT Or Yandex Alice:

• Say: “Alice, turn on the TV in the kitchen” – and the column will send the command to the smartphone, and that – through the phone. IR-port.
• Select the script: OK Google, Movie Time" → Turning off the lights, turning on the TV and launching Netflix.

This will require:

1. Install IFTTT Connect to Google Assistant and Mi Home.
2. Create an applet with a trigger (voice command) and action (sending) IR-signal).

2. Cloning of remotes with rare protocols

Some devices (e.g., professional Epson projectors or medical equipment) use non-standard IR protocols to clone them:

1. Download the app IR Universal Remote (Paid Version).
2. Select the "Learn" mode IR" and point the original remote to IR-port.
3. Press the button on the original remote – the application will record the signal and save it to its database.

This method works even with remotes that are not in the Mi Remote database.

3. Automatic shutdown of the timer technique

With the MacroDroid application, you can configure:

• ⏱️ Turning off the TV 30 minutes after falling asleep (according to the fitness bracelet Mi Band).
• 🌅 Turning on the coffee maker on the alarm clock at 7:00.
• 🚗 Opening of garage doors at the entrance to the house (on the GPS-coordinate).

Example of macros to turn off the TV:

Trigger: “The device is connected to charging” (smartphone on charging = you are asleep)


Action: "Send IR- to the team" (turn off the TV)




Restriction: "Time between 23:00 and 7:00"

4. Managing equipment through Telegram-bot

If you often forget to turn off the iron or air conditioner, you can create a Telegram bot that will send you a message. IR-- On-demand teams:

1. Install Termux on your smartphone and configure a Python script with a python-telegram-bot library.
2. Write a bot that's on command. /tv_off It will run Mi Remote with the right IR-team.
3. Run a bot on a hosting site (like Heroku) or leave it running locally (then the smartphone should always be turned on).

You can now turn off the equipment remotely, even if you forgot to do so before leaving.

5.Use of IR-port

IR-The port can be used in the smart home system for:

• 🚨 Presence simulations: accidentally turning on/off lights and TV in your absence (via Mi Home).
• 🔐 Locking equipment in case of gas leakage (if the Xiaomi Gas Sensor sensor works, IR-port will turn off the plate with IR control).

To implement it, you will need Xiaomi Home Hub and setup automation in Mi Home.

6. Testing of IR devices for compatibility

If you buy used equipment (for example, air conditioning or projector), IR-The port can check if its remote is working:

1. Download the app IR Remote Tester.
2. Direct the remote from the test device to IR-port.
3. Press any button – if the signal graph appears on the screen, the remote is serviceable.

7. Control of equipment through a computer

If you work for a PC, but want to control the equipment without getting up, you can use:

• 🖥️ TeamViewer or AnyDesk for remote access to a smartphone IR-port.
• 🤖 Tasker + AutoRemote plugin to send commands from PC to phone.

For example, you can create a shortcut on your desktop that will send a command to turn on the air conditioner by click.

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IR-The port on Xiaomi is not only a replacement for remotes, but also a tool for automation, security and even experimentation with IoT. Most of its features are hidden under the hood of standard applications, but with the right tools (for example, Tasker or the Internet of Things). IFTTT) You can turn your smartphone into a control center for all the equipment in your home.

Common mistakes in the use of IR-Port and how to avoid them

Even experienced Xiaomi users sometimes face problems when working with the company. IR-Here are the 5 most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

1. IR-Ports do not respond to commands

Causes and solutions:

• 📱 The case blocks the signal: remove the case or cut the hole for IR-port.
• 🔋 Weak signal: point your smartphone closer to the receiver (maximum 5 meters) and make sure there are no obstacles on the way.
• 🔄 Incorrect Device Code: In Mi Remote, select Manual Code Entering and try alternative codes for your model.
• 🛠️ Hardware malfunction: check out IR-port IR Tester (if the signal is not fixed, the module is defective).

2. Commands are executed with a delay

If between the press of the button on the smartphone and the reaction of the technique passes a few seconds:

• 📶 Check if the smartphone processor is overloaded (close the background apps).
• 🔄 Reboot Mi Remote or reinstall it.
• 📱 Turn off energy saving mode for Mi Remote app in battery settings.

3.Not all buttons work.

If a part of the buttons on the virtual remote does not respond:

• 🔧 Try to retrain the remote (in Mi Remote, select "Set up buttons").
• 📋 Check if your model supports all functions through IR (Some manufacturers block some commands for third-party remotes).
• 🔄 Update the Mi Remote database in the app settings.

4. IR-The port stopped working after the update

Sometimes after the update MIUI IR-The port is failing to function:

• 🔄 Reverse to the previous version of the software (if there is a backup).
• 📱 Reset the Mi Remote settings to factory (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Remote → Warehouse → Clear the data).
• 🔧 Install custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU) where the problem is fixed.

If the problem is massive, check the forums (for example, for example, 4PDA) — Maybe there's a patch already.

5. You can't add a rare device.

If your equipment is not recognized by Mi Remote:

• 🔍 Search for codes for your model on sites like Remote Central.
• 📱 Use the alternative applications: Universal Remote, SURE Universal Remote or Peel Smart Remote.
• 🔧 Set up management via BroadLink RM4 Pro (universal) IR-Cloud-based blaster).

For some brands (such as Midea or Gree), there are branded apps that work better with their tech than Mi Remote.

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If you often face problems IR-Port, back up your Mi Remote settings through Settings → Backup. This will save time when resetting or replacing your smartphone.

IR-Port vs. Alternatives: What is Best for Technology Management?

IR-The port isn't the only way to control appliances from a smartphone. Consider how it compares to alternatives: