What remote is suitable for Xiaomi TV: the complete guide

The Chinese giant’s smart TV owners often face the need to replace or upgrade their control devices, whether due to a broken accessory, a desire for enhanced functionality, or simply the loss of the original. The peripheral market for the MIUI TV ecosystem is now full of offerings, and it can be difficult to figure out how to make models compatible.

Modern Xiaomi, Mi TV and Redmi TVs use different signaling protocols. Some models work exclusively over an infrared port, others rely on Bluetooth for voice control and quick response. Understanding this difference is critical before buying a new device, since universal solutions for all at once almost do not exist without special emulators.

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For Xiaomi TVs with voice control (Bluetooth), conventional IR panels will not work if you do not use external USB-receiver or infrared port of the TV itself for emulation.

The choice depends not only on the model of the TV, but also on your usage habits. Some people are looking for maximum simplicity, and some people need an aeromouse to navigate in games or a browser. In this article, we will discuss in detail the types of compatible devices, how they are connected and the nuances that are not discussed in electronics stores.

Types of remote control for the Xiaomi ecosystem

The first thing to decide on is signal technology. Xiaomi TVs have historically been divided into two generations by control type: old models with a classic infrared port and new smart versions with Bluetooth. If you buy the wrong type, the TV will simply not see the commands.

Infrared Remotes require direct vision between the emitter and receiver on the TV case. They are cheap, reliable and run on any battery, but have limited functionality. They usually do not have a microphone button for voice search, since the IR protocol does not support real-time audio streaming.

Bluetooth remotes (BLE Remotes have a permanent wireless connection, they don't have to aim at the TV, they work from around the corner or even from another room (within the apartment), and these are the remotes that allow you to use the Google Assistant or XiaoAI function for voice input.

• 🔴 IR remotes: operate through an infrared port, require line of sight, no voice control, cheap.
• 🔵 Bluetooth remotes: work without line of sight, support voice input, require pairing, more expensive.
• 🟢 Hybrid models: have both types of emitters, making them versatile but difficult to set up.

Importantly, some new remotes may have emulation mode. However, to make the smart features of a Mi TV Stick or Mi Box S work, it's better to use the original Bluetooth solutions. IR analogs will cut you off from half the capabilities of a Smart TV.

Original remotes against universal analogues

The original remote, which comes with a Xiaomi Mi TV 4A, 4S or P1, is always the benchmark for compatibility.It has the right button layout, including special keys for Netflix, Prime Video and other streaming services relevant to your region.

Universal remotes, such as the popular G20S, G10 or MX3 models, are often marketed as “fit for everyone.” This is not quite the case. They can actually control volume and switch channels through an infrared port, but the special Android TV features may not work.

When choosing an analog, pay attention to HID (Human Interface Device) support. If the remote supports this standard, the TV will perceive it as a keyboard or mouse, which allows you to control the cursor on the screen, which is especially useful for browsers and games.

⚠️ Note: When buying Chinese versions of remotes (without roasting labels), make sure the layout of the buttons meets your expectations. Often, the Home and Menu buttons can be confused or have unusual designations.

Also worth mentioning is build quality. Xiaomi's original remotes typically feature nice matte plastic and quiet button strokes. Cheap copies can rattle, have tight buttons or run out quickly due to poor-quality electronics consuming more power in standby mode.

Remote guides and aeromouse: is it worth overpaying?

For owners of Xiaomi TVs that actively use the browser, install APK-Third-party application files or emulators, which are not easy to use on the desktop, are often called Air Mouse remotes.

Devices like the G20 Air Mouse or the WeChip G10 act like a wireless mouse, you move the remote in the air, and the cursor repeats your movements on the TV screen, which dramatically changes the experience of interacting with the Android TV interface.

The advantage of these devices is that they have a full-fledged keyboard on the back, and it's much faster to type in YouTube searches or Wi-Fi passwords, but there are also downsides: they require more battery replacement and take up more space in the hand.

If you use your TV primarily to watch movies through embedded apps, it doesn't make sense to overpay for your aeromouse, but if your Mi TV has become a multi-functional media center, it will greatly improve your comfort.

Smartphone as a remote: alternative methods of control

Oftentimes, the remote is lost or the batteries are dead and you need to watch TV urgently, so your smartphone can be a complete replacement. There are several effective ways to implement this idea for Xiaomi TVs.

The easiest method is to use the built-in infrared port in your smartphone (if you have one, for example, in older Xiaomi or Redmi models). The Mi Remote app allows you to instantly turn your phone into a copy of the original remote control. Just select a model of the TV from the list, and the phone will start controlling it.

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If your smartphone doesn’t have an IR port but is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV, use the Google Home app or the official Mi Home app to control playback and navigation.

For more advanced management, including text input and mouse control, Android TV Remote client apps are ideal. They connect over Wi-Fi and allow you to use your phone screen as a touchpad, which is especially useful for entering complex passwords or search queries when you don’t have a keyboard at hand.

⚠️ Warning: When controlling over Wi-Fi, make sure that your smartphone and TV are on the same subnet. If you have a guest Wi-Fi setup for your phones and your TV is on the main network, the connection will not be established.

In addition, many modern remotes from third-party manufacturers support connection through the Internet. USB-Adapter. This is a good option if the TV's Bluetooth module is damaged or malfunctioning. USB-The whistle receives the signal and broadcasts it as keyboard commands, which bypasses many of the system's software limitations.

Instructions for pairing Bluetooth-remote with Xiaomi TV

If you have purchased a new Bluetooth remote or want to reconnect the old one, you need to perform a pairing procedure. On Xiaomi TVs with a PatchWall shell or a pure Android TV, this process may be slightly different, but the overall algorithm is the same.

First, you need to put the remote in pairing mode, usually you need to press two buttons at the same time, such as Home and Back, or a special combination specified in the instructions (often OK and Menu buttons), the indicator on the remote should start flashing quickly.

Then, on the TV, go to the settings menu. The path usually looks like this: Settings → Remotes and accessories → Add accessories. The TV will start searching for devices. When your remote name appears on the list (for example, Mi Remote or Bluetooth Remote), select it and click OK.

Once the connection is successful, the system will confirm this with an audible signal or a pop-up. Now the remote is ready to go. If you have a hybrid remote (IR + Bluetuse), the IR part can work immediately, and Bluetooth will require a separate setup for voice functions.

Solving problems with the Xiaomi remote

Even with compatible equipment, there can be failures, and the most common problem is that the remote controls stop responding or are delayed, and it's worth diagnosing before you run for a new one.

The first thing to check is the battery charge. Bluetooth remotes consume more power than IR analogues. Even if the indicator is on, the voltage may not be enough to transmit the signal consistently. Use only high-quality alkaline batteries, avoiding cheap salt counterparts.

If the power change didn’t help, try reconnecting the device through the Settings menu. → Remotes and accessories. Find your remote in the list of connected devices, select "Forget" or "Disable" and then do the pairing again. This resets the protocol errors.

• 🔋 Batteries: Check polarity and contact in the compartment, sometimes oxidized springs.
• 📶 Interference: Wi-Fi router or USB 3.0-drive next to receiver can jam Bluetooth signal.
• 🔄 Update: Check for TV system updates in Settings section → On TV. → Updating the system.

The critical point is the distance: for the initial pairing of the Bluetooth remote, bring it to the TV at a distance of no more than 10-15 cm.