Cat Controls for Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Setup and Use

What is Cat Controls and Why You Need It for Xiaomi Devices

Cat Controls is a universal remote control that turns your Xiaomi smartphone into a powerful tool for controlling TVs, air conditioners, media players and other equipment. The main advantage of the program is the support of infrared (IR) port and Wi-Fi devices through the local network, making it indispensable for owners of equipment without the original remote or with lost buttons.

For users of the Xiaomi ecosystem, the app is especially relevant: it is compatible with Mi TVs, Redmi Smart TVs, Mi Box consoles, as well as smart lamps, air conditioners and even some robot vacuum cleaners. Unlike the standard Mi Remote app, Cat Controls offers advanced features: customization of the interface, creation of macros (sequences of commands) and gesture management.

It’s important to understand that the app works not only through an IR port (available on Xiaomi models until 2022), but also over Wi-Fi/Bluetooth for modern devices, which means that even if your smartphone is not equipped with an IR port (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), you will still be able to control the equipment over a local network.

Download and install Cat Controls on Xiaomi

The Cat Controls app is officially not available on Google Play for Russian users, but it can be installed through alternative sources. APK-A file from a proven resource, such as APKCombo or APKMirror. The version for Xiaomi does not require special modifications, but you must install it before installing it:

• 📱 Allow installation from unknown sources: go to Settings → Annexes → Special access → Install unknown applications and select the browser through which you will download APK.
• 🔍 Check the hash file (MD5) on a donor site to avoid fake versions. APK size ~12-15 MB.
• 🛡️ Once installed, turn off permission for unknown sources back (for security reasons).

If your Xiaomi smartphone is running MIUI 14+, the system can block the installation with a warning about a “potentially dangerous file”.

1. Press the details. → Set it up anyway.
2. After installation, launch the application and provide all the permissions requested (network access, IR port camera, device search location).

First Connection: How to Add Xiaomi Device

After launching Cat Controls, you will be asked to choose the type of device.

1. Click Add Device (the + icon in the lower right corner).
2. Select a category: 📺 Television - for Mi TV, Redmi Smart TV. ❄️ Air conditioning for split systems Xiaomi Mi Air Conditioner. 💡 Smart home for Yeelight or Mi lamps LED Desk Lamp.

Xiaomi

Redmi

Another brand

For IR devices (TVs until 2021, some air conditioners):

• 🎯 Direct the smartphone’s IR port to the device receiver (usually located at the bottom of the TV screen).
• 🔄 Press Connection Test – the application will send a test signal.
• ✅ If the device reacted (for example, the TV turned on), save the settings.

For Wi-Fi devices (Mi TV 5X, Mi Box S and later):

• 🌐 Make sure your smartphone and device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🔍 Click Search on the network – the application will find compatible devices automatically.
• 🔑 If necessary, enter PIN-code (usually 1234 or listed on the device sticker).

Enable Wi-Fi on your smartphone and Xiaomi device

Check the battery charge of the smartphone (minimum 30%)

Allow Cat Controls to access network and location

Shut down. VPN (It can block device search)-->

Customization of gestures and hot keys

One of the key features of Cat Controls is gesture control, which is especially useful for Xiaomi TVs, where you can:

• 👆 Swipe up - increase the volume.
• 👇 Swipe down - reduce the volume.
• ☝️ Double touch - pause / playback.
• 🔄 Circular movement - forward/backward.

To tune the gestures:

1. Open the device menu in Cat Controls.
2. Go to Settings. → Gesture management.
3. Choose an action and assign him a gesture from the options offered.
4. Test the work in real time (for example, on the Mi TV Q2).

You can also create hotkeys for quick access, like:

💡

If gestures don’t work, check if battery optimization in MIUI blocks them. Add Cat Controls to exceptions: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All apps → Cat Controls → Unlimited

Creating macros (sequences of commands)

The macros in Cat Controls allow you to automate routine activities, for example, with a single click you can:

• 🎬 Turn on the Xiaomi TV, launch Disney+ and set the volume to 50%.
• 🌙 Turn off all Yeelight smart bulbs, close the curtains (if connected via Mi Home) and activate Do Not Disturb mode on your TV.
• 🎮 Switch Mi Box to Game Mode and Disable Movement Processing.

To create a macro:

1. In the main menu of the application, click Macros → Create a new one.
2. Add commands in the desired sequence (e.g.: Turn on TV → Launch the application → Set the volume).
3. Assign a macro name and icon (you can choose from the gallery or download your own).
4. Save and test it by running it from the home screen.

Delayed macros are especially useful for Xiaomi devices, for example, when you turn on Mi TV Stick, you sometimes need a pause of 5-10 seconds before sending the next command. In Cat Controls, this is configured via the Add Lagency option (indicated in milliseconds).

Solving common problems

Even with the right Cat Controls setup, you can experience failures, and here are the typical errors and solutions for Xiaomi devices:

⚠️ Attention: If the TV is Mi TV 4S It doesn't respond to IR commands, check if the IR port of your smartphone is covered with a cover or film, and even thin glass can block the signal.

If Cat Controls stopped seeing Xiaomi’s device after the firmware update:

1. Remove the device from the list in the app.
2. Reboot both the TV and the smartphone.
3. Add the device again (you may need to choose another model manually).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware MIUI TV 3.0+ You may need to manually allow remote control in the Settings menu → The device → Control from other devices. Without that, Wi-Fi commands are blocked.

Cat Controls Alternatives for Xiaomi

If Cat Controls is not suitable (for example, due to lack of an IR port or model incompatibility), consider alternatives:

• 📱 Mi Remote is the official app from Xiaomi with support for most of the ecosystem’s devices.
• 🌍 Yatse: Remote Control is a universal remote with support Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and integration with Kodi/Plex.
• 🎛️ Unified Remote – Suitable for managing PCs and smart devices, but requires server software installation.
• 🔄 Sure Universal Remote – Xiaomi supports and has a built-in media player.

Comparison of key functions:

For owners of Xiaomi Mi TV Stick or Mi Box, Cat Controls or Yatse are the best choice, as they support management via ADB (USB debugging), which is useful for advanced users.

💡

If your Xiaomi device does not support IR or Wi-Fi control, check for a Bluetooth LE port. Some models (such as Mi TV Lux OLED) allow you to connect through it with limited functionality.

FAQ: Frequent Cat Controls questions for Xiaomi