Xiaomi Smartphone as a remote for TV: the full guide 2026

Your Xiaomi smartphone can replace multiple remotes from TV to air conditioning. But how does it work? Many users don't even know that their device is based on the device. MIUI HyperOS is able to control household appliances through a built-in infrared transmitter or over Wi-Fi. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to turn Xiaomi into a universal remote, from basic settings to advanced life hacks.

The main advantage of this solution is that you don't have to buy separate remotes or consoles like Xiaomi Mi Remote. It's enough of your smartphone and the right app. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO It supports infrared, and it requires compatible Wi-Fi controls. We tested it with Samsung TVs, LG, Sony and Xiaomi TV — results in the table below.

If you've lost your remote control, or you just want to centralize all your hardware in one device, this guide will help you understand all the intricacies, from simple synchronization to creating macros for complex scenarios, it's got everything you need to fully replace traditional remotes.

What Xiaomi smartphones support the remote function

Not every Xiaomi device can work as a remote, but the key component is an infrared (IR) transmitter, which is not available in all models, such as the flagship Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi. 13T It is not available in the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 They're equipped with it:

• 📱 Redmi Note Series: Almost all models since 2018 (except for Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G for certain regions).
• 📱 Linea POCO: POCO X3 Pro, POCO F4, not POCO F5 (no I).
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi: models up to Mi 11 inclusive (starting with Mi 12 IR removed).
• 📱 Foldable and premium devices: Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 and Xiaomi 13 Ultra have an IR, but that’s the exception.

Check the presence of an IR transmitter can be in two ways:

1. Look at the Settings. → The phone. → Full specifications and search for the line "Infrared port".
2. Install the Mi Remote application - if there is an IR, the program will offer to configure the remote.

If your model doesn't support IR, you'll have to control it over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which works with smart TVs. QLED 2020+, LG OLED CX/BX, Xiaomi TV A2/Q2) and some other consoles (Mi Box S, NVIDIA Shield. More on this in the next section.

⚠️ Note: On devices without an IR port, the Mi Remote app may not appear in the Mi App Store.In this case, download it from APKCombo or APKMirror, but be careful with sources.

How to control the TV from the smartphone Xiaomi

There are three main ways to turn Xiaomi into a remote:

Let's look at each method in more detail.

1. Control via IR port (Mi Remote)

This is the most versatile method, even with older TVs.

Download the Mi Remote app from the Mi App Store|Select the type of device (Television)|Specify the TV brand (Samsung, LG etc.)|Check the operation of the buttons (volume, channels)|Save the remote to the chosen ones.-->

If your TV isn’t automatically detected, try a manual search:

1. In Mi Remote, select Add Device → Television → Other.
2. Press Manual Enter and follow the instructions on the screen.
3. Test the buttons one by one – when the TV reacts, save the configuration.

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If the buttons are not working properly (e.g., "Loudness"+" increase channels, try a different profile for your brand in Mi Remote. Sometimes one TV supports multiple configurations.

2. Wi-Fi management (Mi Home / Google Home)

For modern smart TVs, control over a local network is suitable, the main condition is that the TV and smartphone must be connected to the same router.

Add the TV to the Mi Home ecosystem:

1. Open the Mi Home app and click Add Device (+).
2. Select the TV category and follow the setup wizard.
3. Enter your Mi Account (if required) or confirm your connection on TV.

After synchronization, you will be able to:

• 📺 Turn the TV on/off.
• 🔊 Adjust volume.
• 🔄 Switch signal sources (HDMI, TV etc.).
• 🎤 Use voice commands through Alice or Google Assistant.

⚠️ Note: On Samsung TVs and LG To manage Wi-Fi, you may need to install an official brand application (SmartThings or SmartThings). LG Mi Home works with them in limited ways.

3. Bluetooth connection (rarely)

This method is only suitable for individual models of TV with Bluetooth support. HID (For example, some Sony Bravia 2021-2023). To connect:

1. Activate Bluetooth on your smartphone and TV.
2. In the TV settings, find the Remote Control section → Add the device.
3. Select your smartphone from the list and confirm the pairing.

After that, a virtual remote with basic buttons will appear in the Bluetooth menu on the smartphone.

Hidden functions and life hacks

Regular users are limited to basic buttons, but Mi Remote and Mi Home have hidden features:

• 🎛️ Button Customization: You can reassign actions in Mi Remote, like making a long home tap open Netflix.
• 🔄 Macros: Record the sequences of commands. Example: one button turns on TV, switches to HDMI1 and launches YouTube.
• 📱 Widget to lock screen: Add Mi Remote widget to home screen for quick access.
• 🔗 Multi-Device Management: Set up a single profile for TV, air conditioning and sound bar – switch between them with swipes.

To create a macro:

1. Open Mi Remote and select Macros → Create a new one.
2. Add commands in the desired sequence (for example: Turn on TV) → HDMI1 → Launch Prime Video).
3. Save the macro and assign it a button on the main screen of the remote.

Another useful trick is voice control. If you have Xiaomi. AI Speaker or Alice's column, connect her to the TV via Mi Home:

• "Alice, turn on the TV on Channel One."
• "Alice, turn it 20 percent louder."
• "Alice, run the movie search on the TV."

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Voice commands only work with Android TVs TV Or with Mi Home support. Samsung/LG We need their branded assistants (Bixby/ThinQ).

Solving problems and mistakes

Even with the right setup, you can have failures, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If Mi Remote can’t see your TV, try alternative apps:

• 📌 Unified Remote – supports IR and Wi-Fi, there is a plugin for Samsung TV.
• 📌 AnyMote – universal remote with support for macros.
• 📌 Yatse – for managing Kodi and smart TV.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Especially global, the IR port function can be blocked by regional restrictions, in which case changing the region to India or China in the smartphone settings will help (but this can disrupt other services).

Comparison with other solutions: which is better?

Using a smartphone as a remote is convenient, but not always optimal.

For most users, Xiaomi is the gold standard: free, always on hand, and covers 80% of tasks. But if you want advanced features (such as lighting control with TV), consider Logitech Harmony or the Mi Home smart home system.

Security and confidentiality

When managing equipment through a smartphone, there are risks:

• 🔓 Interception of IR signals: theoretically possible (specialized equipment is needed), but in practice it is unlikely.
• 🌐 Wi-Fi data leak: If TV and smartphone are on the same network, an attacker can intercept commands.
• 📱 Mi Account Access: Linking Techniques to Xiaomi Account Gives Company Use Data.

How to minimize the risks:

1. Use a guest network for smart devices (separate) SSID router).
2. Turn off Diagnostics in Mi Home settings.
3. For IR remote: Do not configure access to banking applications through the same smartphone.

If you're concerned about privacy, the alternative is local management through apps like Unified Remote (no cloud sync) or use a physical remote, Mi Remote, which doesn't require an internet connection.

FAQ: Frequent questions