Owners of modern Xiaomi TVs often face limited functionality of the regular remote, especially when it comes to games or navigation in the browser. Standard buttons allow you to switch channels and run applications, but for a full multimedia experience, this is not enough.
The peripheral market for Smart TVs is huge, and it’s hard to choose the right device without preparation. There are classic Bluetooth gamepads, specialized gyroscope remotes, and universal combines. The wrong choice can lead to the device simply not being determined by the Android TV system or requiring complex driver manipulation. In this article, we will break down all the nuances of compatibility so that you can make an informed decision.
It is worth considering that the Xiaomi ecosystem based on Android TV PatchWall, which has its own features of connecting external controllers. USB-While other devices are running exclusively through Bluetooth 4.0 and higher, understanding these technical differences will help avoid buying a useless accessory that will dust on the shelf.
Types of game controllers for Android TV
The first thing to determine before buying is the type of connection and the device form factor. Xiaomi TVs are two main areas: classic game controllers and specialized aeromas. Classic gamepads resemble those used with Xbox or PlayStation consoles, and are ideal for emulators and cloud gaming.
The second option, known as the Fly Air Mouse, combines the functions of a remote, mouse and joystick, which are controlled by the movement of the hand in space thanks to the built-in gyroscope, which is much easier to navigate through the Smart TV interface than trying to cursor into the desired icon by paddling your finger on the touchpad.
The choice between them depends on your goals. If you plan to play heavy games or use retro console emulators, you need a full-fledged controller with two analog sticks. An aeromouse is better for surfing the Internet and controlling a media player.
- 🎮 Bluetooth gamepads: wireless connection, no wires, support for up to 8 devices at a time.
- 🖱️ Fly Air Mouse: control cursor movement of the hand, the presence of a keyboard, infrared port for controlling the TV.
- 🔌 USB-receivers: stable connection via 2.4 GHz radio channel, do not require pairing, work immediately after insertion into the port.
⚠️ Note: Not all Bluetooth gamepads support mode HID (Human Interface Device on Android TV. Before buying, be sure to check the presence of the logo "Works with Android" TV" Or check with the seller for support of the Android platform.
It's also important to pay attention to the physical keyboard on the remote, which is critical to typing Wi-Fi passwords or YouTube searches, and the absence of letter buttons will make you reach for your smartphone every time you install a special remote app, which negates usability.
Compatibility and methods of connection
Xiaomi TVs are based on the Android TV operating system or its modification PatchWall. This means that they support most standardized input protocols. However, there are nuances in how the system recognizes different types of devices. Bluetooth connection is the most preferred, since it does not take up the USB ports that are often needed to connect external drives.
The pairing process is usually standard: you need to transfer the joystick to pairing mode and find it in the Settings menu. → Devices → Some models, such as the Xiaomi Mi Remote Controller, may require a special connection mode that is different from the standard. USB-Dongles are often defined by the system as keyboards, which can lead to control conflicts.
Power is a special issue. Active backlit and vibrating gamepads can quickly land batteries; models with built-in batteries are more convenient, but they need to be recharged periodically; gyroscope remotes usually run on two AAA batteries for more than a year thanks to energy-efficient technologies.
- 🔋 Autonomy: built-in Li-Ion battery against replaceable batteries AA/AAA.
- 📶 Range: Bluetooth usually holds up to 10 meters, radio channel 2.4 GHz. 15-20 meters.
- ⚡ Delayed input: wired and USB-The models have a minimum Input Lag, which is important for dynamic games.
If you are using a Xiaomi TV in conjunction with the TV-The console (like the Mi Box S) is expanding compatibility. The consoles often have more recent versions of Android and better support specific gamepad drivers than built-in smart TV systems.
TOP of popular models of gamepads
There's a list of devices that have proven to be the most stable in the market with Xiaomi, and the brand itself is often the leader, but third-party vendors also offer great alternatives.
One of the most popular models is the Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Gamepad, which is a compact device that fits perfectly in the palm of your hand. It's designed specifically for the Xiaomi and Mi Box ecosystem, so there's almost no compatibility problem. It's ergonomically mobile-friendly, but it's also great on the big screen.
For those looking for a more serious gaming tool, GameSir or 8BitDo controllers will do. The GameSir G3s or 8BitDo SN30 Pro+ model is often recommended by enthusiasts. They support the Xbox 360 emulation mode, which Android TV recognizes out of the box without additional settings.
| Model | Type of connection | Compatible with Android TV | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Gamepad | Bluetooth 4.0 | Native. | Compact size, created for Android |
| Logitech F710 | USB (radio channel) | Partial (requires mapping) | Professional ergonomics, vibration |
| GameSir G3s | Bluetooth / USB | Tall. | Gyroscope support, turbo mode |
| Trust GXT 590 | Bluetooth | Medium | Budget option, basic functionality |
The secret of compatibility of old gamepads
When choosing a particular model, you should pay attention to the presence of Multi-mode support, which allows you to switch between operating modes (Android, iOS, Windows) with a simple combination of buttons, which makes the purchase more justified, since the joystick can be used with both the phone and the computer.
Fly Air Mouse Remotes: An Alternative to a Gamepad
If your primary goal is not hardcore gaming, but to manage your TV interface comfortably, buying a classic joystick may be overkill, dominated by devices like the Fly Air Mouse, which look like remotes with a mini keyboard and work like a wireless mouse.
It's based on a gyroscope, where you hover your cursor on the screen just by turning the remote in your hand, and it solves the main problem of a Smart TV, which is the inconvenience of navigating the grid of apps with the "Up-Up-Up" buttons, and for browsers and YouTube, it's an indispensable tool.
Many of these remotes, like the G10S or MX3, have an IR port, which allows you to program the remote to control the volume and turn on the Xiaomi TV itself, getting rid of the second remote in your hand, but they are not suitable for games due to the lack of full analog sticks.
- 🖐️ Gesture control: cursor follows hand movement like laser pointer.
- ⌨️ Mini-keyboard: presence of a digital block and basic letters for text input.
- 📺 IR training: the ability to copy signals of the native TV remote.
⚠️ Attention: Cheap models of aeromouse (worth up to 500 rubles) often have a "shaking" cursor and low sensitivity of the gyroscope.
For owners of Xiaomi TVs with voice control, these remotes are a great addition, often with a microphone and speaker built in, allowing you to use voice search Google Assistant even if the TV itself is unstable or missing.
Setup and calibration of the device
Once you have selected and purchased a joystick, you have to set it up correctly. In most cases, Android TV automatically recognizes the device, but games may require button mapping, which is the process of assigning actions to specific controller keys.
To fine-tune it is recommended to install the Button Mapper or Gamepad Keymapper app from the Google Play Store, which allows you to reassign button functions if they are not defined correctly, for example, you can make the Back button on the gamepad work like a Home button in the interface.
☑️ Post-connection verification
In some cases, you may need to activate USB debugging mode. Go to Settings → Device → Build and click on the build number 7 times. Then enable USB debugging in the developer menu, which will allow you to use more advanced customization tools via PC.
adb shell input keyevent KEYCODE_DPAD_CENTERThis command, entered through ADB, can help check the system's response to the central gamepad button. However, for the average user, standard system settings are enough, the main thing is to make sure that the games have the correct control profile (usually Xbox 360 or Generic).
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If the joystick works in jerks, try to turn off the option "Absolute accuracy" in the Bluetooth settings or reconnect the device, having previously completely discharged its battery.
Problems and solutions
Even compatible devices sometimes have problems, the most common of which is desynchronization of buttons. You press "A" and the TV perceives this as "B." This is treated by resetting the controller settings (usually by clamping the button combination specified in the instructions) and re-pairing.
Another common problem is spontaneous shutdown, which may be due to the settings of the TV's energy saving, which can put the Bluetooth module to sleep if you don't have active input, and then it helps to install the phone applications that prevent the system from sleeping.
Users also often find that the joystick doesn't see individual games, because not all Android TV apps are optimized for external control, and in such cases, you have to use emulators or special launchers that force support for the gamepad.
Why Xiaomi joystick doesn’t work with games from the phone?
Can I connect two joysticks at the same time?
How to reset Bluetooth settings on Xiaomi TV?
So, the choice of joystick for Xiaomi TV depends on your priorities. For games, take a dedicated Bluetooth gamepad with Android support. For interface management and web surfing, a gyroscope remote is better suited. The right periphery will turn your TV into a powerful multimedia center.
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The optimal choice for most Xiaomi users is a universal Bluetooth gamepad with support for Android mode and a built-in battery.