How to turn Xiaomi phone into a remote for TV: a detailed guide

Controlling a TV from a smartphone is convenient, practical and modern, especially if the original remote is lost, broken, or just lying too far away. Xiaomi phone owners can use their devices as a full-fledged remote control (DU) for most TVs, including models from Samsung, LG, Sony and even its own Mi TV. But how does it work in practice? What applications are needed, how to configure them, and what to do if synchronization fails?

In this article, we will look at all the steps, from choosing the right software to the intricacies of managing different brands of TVs, you will learn how to connect a Xiaomi phone to a TV via an infrared port or Wi-Fi, what features are available in the standard Mi Remote app, and what to do if your TV model is not automatically determined, and secret chips that are not written in the official instructions.

Spoiler: For most modern TVs, a free app from Xiaomi is enough, but there are nuances with outdated models and rare brands. If you want to control not only the basic buttons, but also voice or gestures, we have solutions for that.

What Xiaomi phones support the remote control function

Not all Xiaomi smartphones can work as a remote for a TV, but the main condition is the presence of an infrared port (IR), without which you can only control over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but this limits the list of supported TVs.

Here is a list of Xiaomi lineups that have models with an IR port (relevant for devices released before 2026):

• 📱 Redmi Note (starting with the 5th series, except Note) 11T 5G)
• 📱 Redmi (series 9, 10, 12) – check out the specific model)
• 📱 POCO (X3, X3 Pro, F3, F4 — Most models are equipped with IR)
• 📱 Mi (series 9, 10, 11 – flagships usually have an IR port)

To find out if there is an IR port on your phone, do one of the following:

1. Check out the technical specifications of the model on the official Xiaomi website.
2. Run the Mi Remote app – if the phone supports IR, a port check notification will appear.
3. Use third-party apps like this IR Tester (available on Google Play).

⚠️ Note: Phones without an IR port (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G or POCO X5 Pros can only control the TV via Wi-Fi, but for this TV must support Mi Home or Google Cast technology.

What app to use: Mi Remote vs Third-Party Alternatives

The main tool for controlling the TV from Xiaomi’s phone is the Mi Remote app, which is pre-installed on most of the brand’s devices and supports more than 5,000 models of TVs, air conditioners, projectors and other equipment, but there are alternatives, sometimes more versatile or convenient.

Compare the key applications:

For most users, Mi Remote is the best choice: it is free, pre-installed and regularly updated, TCL Or Hisense of the old series, try AnyMote - there are more manual settings.

Important nuance: Wi-Fi management apps (e.g. Google) TV) They require that your phone and TV be connected to the same network, and that's not always convenient, especially if you have multiple routers or guest Wi-Fi.

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If Mi Remote doesn't have your TV model, try to choose a similar one by brand and year, and often the control codes are the same for different series of the same manufacturer.

Step-by-step setting up Mi Remote for TV control

Now, let's get to the practice. Let's look at how to set up Mi Remote on a Xiaomi phone to control the TV through the IR port, and it's going to take 5 minutes to do it.

Step 1: Installation and launch of the application

• 📥 If Mi Remote is not installed, download it from Google Play or AppGallery (for models without Google services).
• 🔧 Open the app and allow access to the camera (need to test the IR port).
• 🔍 Click Add Add the device → Choose the Television category.

Step 2: Selecting a TV brand and model

• 📺 Enter the brand name of your TV (e.g. Samsung, LG, Xiaomi Mi TV).
• 🔍 If the model is not in the list, select Code Search – the application will try to find a compatible protocol.
• 📶 Point the phone’s IR port to the TV (usually located at the top of the case) and press the Test.

Step 3: Checking the performance

• 🎛️ If the TV has responded to the signal, save the settings.
• 🔄 If not, try another code from the list or choose a different model from the same brand.
• 📱 On the main screen of the application will appear virtual remote with the main buttons.

If the TV doesn’t respond to commands, check:

• 🔋 Phone battery charge (the IP port may not work at low charge level).
• 📶 Distance to TV (optimally - 1-3 meters).
• 🔍 Obstacles between the phone and the IR receiver TV (glass, furniture).

⚠️ Note: Some Samsung TVs and LG 2020-2023: The IR port is disabled by default to save energy. To activate it, go to the TV menu: Settings → General. → External devices → DU remote (IR).

Wi-Fi TV Control: When the IR is Not Working

If your Xiaomi phone doesn't have an IR port or your TV doesn't respond to infrared, you'll still have Wi-Fi control. TV, webOS (LG) Tizen (Samsung) but requires additional settings.

Method 1: Through the Mi Home app (for Mi) TV)

If you have a Xiaomi Mi TV TV, Use the Mi Home app of the company:

1. 📱 Install Mi Home from Google Play.
2. 🔧 Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account.
3. 🔍 Click Add Add the device → Choose the TV.
4. 📶 Connect your TV and phone to the same Wi-Fi network.
5. 🔗 Follow the instructions on the screen for synchronization.

Method 2: Through Google TV (Android TV)

For Android TVs TV (For example, Sony Bravia, Philips):

1. 📱 Install the Google app TV (pre-Android TV Remote).
2. 🔧 Open it and select your TV from the list of devices.
3. 🔐 The confirmation code will appear on the TV - enter it in the application.
4. 🎛️ Now you can control TV via touchscreen or voice commands.

Method 3: Through SmartThings (for Samsung)

For Samsung TVs with Tizen:

1. 📱 Download SmartThings from Google Play.
2. 🔧 Register with the Samsung Account Service.
3. 🔍 Click Add Add the device → Television.
4. 📶 Make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same network.

Important: Wi-Fi control only works if the TV supports Smart Remote, which older models (until 2018) may not have.

Advanced features: voice control and macros

The basic buttons are just the beginning, and with a Xiaomi phone, you can set up voice control, you can set up automatic scripts, you can even control multiple devices at once, and you can take a look at the most useful chips.

1. Voice control via Google Assistant

If your TV supports Google Cast or Android TV, You can use voice commands:

• 🎤 Say, “OK Google, turn on the TV in the living room” (if the device is tied to the room in Google Home).
• 🔊 Or, "Okay, Google, put Netflix on your TV".
• 📺 The phone and TV must be connected to the same Google account.

Macros in AnyMote (Management of Multiple Devices)

AnyMote allows you to create chains of commands, for example, with a single click you can:

• 🎬 Turn on the TV.
• 🔊 Set the volume to 50%.
• 📺 Turn the entrance to HDMI 1.
• 💡 Turn off the lights (if smart lamps are connected).

3.The remote widget on the main screen

In Mi Remote you can add a widget for quick access:

1. 📱 Hold your finger to the free space on the main screen.
2. 🔧 Select the Widgets → Find Mi Remote.
3. 🎛️ Drag the widget on the screen and select the saved remote.

4. Gesture management (for advanced users)

With the Tasker app and the AutoInput plugin, you can configure gesture control of your TV, for example:

• 👆 Twice swipe up the screen to increase the volume.
• 👇 Shake the phone - turn off the TV.

⚠️ Attention: Voice control and macros require a stable Internet connection. If Wi-Fi goes down, these functions will stop working, but the base buttons of the remote (via IR) will remain available.

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Voice control and macros save time, but depend on the stability of the Internet. For reliability, keep a backup control method (such as the original remote).

What to do if the remote on the phone does not work

Even after you set it up properly, you can have problems, and we'll look at some of the most common mistakes and how to fix them.

Problem 1: Television doesn't respond to commands

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Weak IR signal: Check if the port on the phone is covered with a cover. Try to bring the phone closer to the TV (from 10 to 30 cm).
• 📱 Mi Remote: Remove the saved remote and add it again by selecting another code.
• 🔄 App crash: Restart Mi Remote or reinstall it.
• 📵 Interference from other IR devices: Turn off other remotes or infrared sources (e.g. heaters).

Problem 2: The app can’t find the TV on Wi-Fi

Checklist for elimination:

• 📶 Make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not the guest network!).
• 🔧 On your TV, turn on the Network Remote or Remote Control via Network (usually in network settings).
• 🔄 Restart your router – sometimes DHCP-The server does not provide the correct IP-address.
• 📱 Update the TV firmware and app on your phone.

Problem 3: Delays in managing Wi-Fi

If the commands are executed with lag:

• 📶 Connect your phone to a 5GHz network (if the router supports it).
• 📵 Disable other devices that consume traffic (torrents, online games).
• 🔧 In the router settings, enable QoS (Quality of Service) and prioritize your phone.

Problem 4: Some buttons are not working

If some of the features are not available (for example, Netflix or YouTube):

• 🔧 Try a different remote template in Mi Remote (even if the brand is the same).
• 📱 Update the application database: go to Settings → Update the device list.
• 🔍 Check if your TV supports these features through third-party remotes (some manufacturers block access to certain buttons).

If nothing helps, try alternative apps (AnyMote, SURE Universal Remote – They sometimes work better with rare TV models.

Hidden Opportunities: What else can you do with a remote control on your phone?

The remote on Xiaomi phone is not only a replacement for the original DU, it can automate routine activities, integrate the TV into the smart home system, and even use the phone as a game controller.

1. Automatic turn on of the TV on schedule

With MacroDroid, you can set up the automatic turn on of your TV at a given time, for example:

• 🕘 At 18:00, the phone sends a Power On command.
• 📺 The TV is switched on and switched to HDMI 1 (where the console or game console is connected).
• 🔊 Loudness set to 40%.

2.Integration with a smart home

If you have smart lamps (Yeelight, Philips Hue) or outlets (Xiaomi Smart Plug), you can create a scenario:

• 🎬 When the TV is turned on, the lamps are dimmed to 30%.
• 🔌 When the TV is turned off, the socket with the sound system is turned off.

Use Mi Home or Google Home for this.

3 Use of the phone as a gamepad

On Android TVs. TV You can connect your phone as a controller for games:

1. 📱 Install the GameSir or Octopus app.
2. 🎮 Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. 🕹️ Start the game on TV and select your phone as your controller.

4. Controlling the TV from the other end of the house

If your phone and TV are connected to Google Home or Mi Home, you can:

• 📱 Turn on TV from another room (e.g. kitchen).
• 🔊 Increase the volume if you can’t hear it from the bathroom.
• 📺 Switch the channel for the child without getting up from the sofa.

5. Creation of custom remotes

AnyMote or SURE Universal Remote is available:

• 🎨 Change the location of the buttons for yourself.
• 🔧 Add commands that are not in the standard remote (for example, Quick Settings for the console). LG).
• 📁 Save multiple remotes for different devices (TV, air conditioner, receiver).

These features take time to set up, but make everyday TV usage much easier, such as a movie night scenario that can be clicked on:

1. Turn on the TV.
2. Turn off the lights.
3. Launch Netflix.
4. Set the volume to 60 percent.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions