Owners of modern Smart TVs from Xiaomi often face limited functionality of the standard remote when trying to run mobile games or emulators on the big screen. The standard remote control, even with voice control, is completely not adapted for comfortable passage of action, racing or fighting games. Which is why the question of what joystick for a Xiaomi TV is critical for those who want to turn their living room into a full-fledged gaming area.
The peripheral market offers many options, from cheap Chinese counterparts to professional controllers, but not all of them guarantee stable operation with the shell of Android TV or Google TV installed on Mi TVs. Wrong choice of device can lead to desynchronization of buttons, input lag or complete inoperability of the gamepad. In this article, we will discuss in detail compatibility, ways of connecting and the best models for your system.
First of all, you need to understand that Xiaomi TVs run on the Android operating system, which is a huge opportunity, but also imposes certain limitations. Bluetooth gamepads are the most preferred choice, as they do not require additional transmitters and take up minimal space. However, even among wireless models there are those that require specific drivers or do not support native navigation on the Smart TV menu.
⚠️ Note: Not all Bluetooth gamepads support navigation on the Android menu TV (cursor, choice of applications. Some models only work inside the running game, leaving you with no way to control the TV interface without a remote control.
The choice of controller directly affects your user experience. If you plan to use the TV not only for games, but also as a multimedia center, you will need a device that supports multimedia keys or the ability to emulate the remote, ignoring this aspect will lead to the fact that you have to constantly switch between the TV remote and the joystick, which is extremely inconvenient.
Compatibility criteria for joysticks with Android TV
The main requirement for any controller to work with a Xiaomi TV is support for the HID (Human Interface Device) protocol, which allows the operating system to recognize the input device without installing additional drivers. Most modern gamepads certified for Android or Windows have built-in HID support, but their implementation may differ.
It is important to distinguish between controller modes. Many universal joysticks have multiple connection modes (for example, for iOS, Android, PC) that are activated by a combination of buttons. Xiaomi TVs most often require a mode that emulates XInput (Xbox standard) or a specific Android mode. If the gamepad is switched to keyboard emulation mode, it may not work correctly in games that require analog control.
Xiaomi TVs released in recent years are usually equipped with Bluetooth 4.0, 5.0 or higher modules. Using older Bluetooth 2.1/3.0 gamepads is possible, but can lead to increased signal delay or unstable connection. For cloud gaming (such as GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud), low latency is critical.
- 🎮 Support for the protocol HID — a prerequisite for native recognition by a system without root rights.
- 🔋 Autonomy of operation – the presence of a built-in battery is preferable to batteries AA steady-voltage.
- 📡 Bluetooth version – preferably 4.0 and higher to minimize latency and power consumption.
- 🖱️ Mouse support – some advanced gamepads allow you to control the cursor, replacing the remote completely.
Don’t rely on the manufacturer’s claims of “Smart TV” compatibility. Often this means only working with specific Samsung or LG models using their operating systems. For Xiaomi running on Android, compatibility with this OS should be a priority.
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If you choose between several models, check the availability in the kit. USB-Adapter (whistling) Connect via USB-The 2.4GHz adapter is often more stable and has less latency than a direct Bluetooth connection, especially if the router is causing interference.
Top gamepad models for Xiaomi TV
When choosing a particular device, you should focus on proven brands that have proven themselves in the Android ecosystem. Microsoft controllers are certainly the market leader, since the Xbox ecosystem is natively built into Android TV. Xbox Wireless Controller gamepads (One S and Series X/S series) are instantly connected and support vibration and gyroscope.
Sony’s alternatives are DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers. They also work great with Xiaomi TVs, but it’s worth considering that some games may still have PlayStation-style display buttons (cross, circle), which can be confusing if the game is sharpened for Xbox.
For the budget segment, 8BitDo products, particularly the SN30 Pro+ or Ultimate, are a great choice for the company’s products, especially the SN30 Pro+ or Ultimate models, designed specifically for retro consoles and Android devices, have a convenient layout and often come with a dock. Chinese brands like GameSir also offer interesting solutions, such as the GameSir T4 Pro, which has a built-in gyroscope and NFC for fast.
| Model | Type of connection | Compatible with Android TV | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Wireless Controller | Bluetooth / USB | Perfect (Native) | Best Ergonomics, Auto-Definition |
| Sony DualSense | Bluetooth / USB | Tall. | Adaptive triggers, touchpad (limited) |
| 8BitDo Ultimate | Bluetooth 5.0 / Dock | High (Android mode) | Hall Sticks, Docking Station Complete |
| GameSir T4 Pro | Bluetooth/2.4 GHz | Good. | Gyroscope, NFC, affordable price |
| Logitech F710 | USB-2.4 GHz whistle | Requires customization | Reliability, but you need it. USB-port |
When choosing between Xbox and PlayStation, note that there are no additional apps required for Xbox.You just pinch the pairing button on the gamepad and search for the device in the TV's Bluetooth menu. DualSense is similar to the process, but in rare cases, initial setup via a smartphone may be required.
⚠️ Attention: Cheap clones of popular gamepads with AliExpress often do not have high-quality calibration of sticks. On the big TV screen, the stick drift (spontaneous movement of the cursor) is much more noticeable than on the monitor, which can spoil the experience of the game.
Instructions for connecting the joystick to Xiaomi TV
The process of pairing the controller with the Xiaomi TV is quite simple and standardized for the Android operating system. The first step is to put the gamepad itself in search mode. For Xbox controllers, you need to press the pairing button (located on the upper end next to the USB port) until the Xbox logo starts flashing quickly.
Next, take the remote control and go to the main menu. You need to open the system settings section. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (PatchWall or pure Android TV), but it usually looks like this: Settings → Devices and accessories → Add accessories. In some versions of the Bluetooth interface is in the Settings → Remotes and Accessories section.
☑️ Algorithm of connecting the gamepad
Once the device is detected, the TV will request confirmation. Press the "Plug" or "OK" button on the remote. Successful pairing is usually confirmed by an audible signal and a change in the indication on the gamepad itself (the LED is constantly on or changing color).
It's important to note that some games may require additional calibration, and if you notice that the character is going sideways without you, go to the settings of the game itself and look for the "Gamepad Calibration" or "Gamepad settings" section, where you can reset the central position of the sticks.
What if the TV doesn’t see the gamepad?
Solving problems with navigation and emulators
One of the common problems is the lack of response of the Android TV interface to the pressing of the gamepad buttons. The standard Xiaomi launcher may not perceive the controller as a navigation device unless it is defined as "Gamepad" in the system, but as "Keyboard".
To solve this problem, you can use specialized launcher applications that have built-in support for gamepads, such as ATV Launcher or Flauncher, which allow you to configure mapping buttons to run applications and navigate through menus, which is especially true for those who use the TV as a retro console.
If you use emulators (RetroArch, PPSSPP, Dolphin), the setup takes place inside the emulator application itself. In the emulator settings, you need to go to the Input → Port 1 Controls section and reassign each button by pressing them on the connected joystick, which ensures that the emulator will correctly interpret the signals.
- 🔧 Use the Button Mapper app to reassign button functions in the system.
- 📱 For complex cases, setting up emulators is more convenient to use the smartphone as a touchpad.
- 🔄 When updating the TV firmware, Bluetooth settings may reset – you will need to reset.
Conflicts are also worth mentioning: If multiple Bluetooth devices are connected to the TV at the same time (e.g., headphones and a gamepad), there may be dissynchronization of sound and image or increased input delay, in which case it is recommended to use a wired connection for one of the devices or turn off unnecessary accessories.
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To fully navigate the Android TV menu using the gamepad, the device must support the HID Gamepad profile. If the navigation does not work, use the launcher app with support for gamepads or setting up through Button Mapper.
Use of wired gamepads and adapters
Not all users are willing to put up with possible wireless delays or battery discharge. USB-The port is the most reliable way to ensure zero latency. Xiaomi TVs are usually equipped with ports USB 2.0, less often 3.0, which can transmit data and power simultaneously.
To connect a wired gamepad (for example, from Xbox 360 with an adapter or wired) USB-The gamepad is easy enough to insert it into a free port. Android automatically recognizes the device as input. HID. But there is a nuance here: ports. USB TVs often have limited current strength.
If your gamepad is equipped with a powerful vibration or backlight, the power from one port may not be enough, in which case the gamepad may be permanently switched off or not turned on at all. USB-This will allow you to supply enough current for the accessories without overloading the TV power supply.
Separately, consider the use of Bluetooth adapters. If the built-in Bluetooth TV is unstable or busy transmitting sound to speakers, you can purchase an external USB Bluetooth adapter. However, support for such adapters on Android TV is limited. Only adapters on chips whose drivers are sewn into the Android core (often old adapters on Realtek or CSR), which turns this method into a lottery.
⚠️ Note: When connecting several USB-devices (gamepad, hard drive, webcam) be sure to use active USB-Xiaomi’s built-in TV ports may not produce a total current of more than 500 mA, which will lead to unstable operation of all connected devices.
Setup of emulators and gaming platforms
The Transformation of Xiaomi TV In a retro console, a popular joystick scenario, platforms like RetroArch that combine multiple emulators into one interface are used to do this. RetroArch will offer you to customize the controller when you first run it. android_input or linuxraw for best compatibility.
In the emulator settings, you should pay attention to the "Menu Driver" option. xmb or ogl is best for controlling from the gamepad, since they have clear navigation. The standard Android settings menu can be inconvenient to manage without a mouse, so mastering the emulator hotkeys (usually a combination of Select + button) will become a necessity.
For modern games from the Google Play Store catalog (e.g. Asphalt 9, Call of Duty Mobile via emulator, Minecraft), the setting is usually automatic. The game itself detects the presence of the gamepad and switches the interface from touch to button. If this does not happen, check the control settings inside the game itself, the "Controller" or "Gamepad" section.