Peel Mi Remote on Xiaomi: what is this application, why is it needed and can you get rid of it?

If you own a Xiaomi TV or smartphone, you've probably come across a pre-installed Peel Mi Remote app that appears in the device menu at the first setup stage, takes up space in memory and sometimes even starts on its own. But what kind of program is it really? Is it necessary for a modern user or is it just unnecessary "junk" that can be safely removed?

In this article, we will discuss in detail what Peel Smart Remote (also known as Mi Remote in the Xiaomi ecosystem) is, how it works on Mi TVs. TV, We'll talk about the features, the hidden features, and why many users want to get rid of it, and we'll also learn how to properly remove or disable this app without disrupting the system, and what alternatives to consider in 2026.

Spoiler: Peel Mi Remote is not just a remote control, but a whole service with analytics of user habits that can influence the recommendations of content on your TV, and this is not all its features.

What is Peel Mi Remote and why does Xiaomi install it?

Peel Smart Remote (in Xiaomi version – Mi Remote) is an application for managing household appliances through an infrared port (IR-blaster) or over the Internet. Wi-Fi/Bluetooth. It was originally created by Peel Technologies (USA) as a universal remote for TVs, air conditioners, audio systems and other equipment. Xiaomi has integrated it into its devices even in the past. 2015 Since then, it has become an integral part of the firmware.

On Mi TVs. TV (A Pro series, Q2, P1 Peel Mi Remote performs several key functions:

  • πŸ“Ί TV control – channel switching, volume control, access to Smart TV-menu.
  • πŸ”„ Universal remote – support for more than 5000 models of equipment from different brands (Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.).
  • πŸ“Š browsing analytics – collecting data about your preferences for personalized recommendations.
  • 🎬 Integration with Mi Home – the ability to manage Xiaomi smart devices (lamps, sockets, robot vacuum cleaners).

On smartphones (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+, Xiaomi 13T) Mi Remote allows you to turn your phone into a remote control for a TV, air conditioner or music center, but here's a caveat: it requires an infrared port, which is not available in all models (for example, it is not available in the computer). POCO F5 or Redmi 12).

⚠️ Beginning in 2023, Xiaomi will gradually replace the Peel Mi Remote with its own solution – Mi. TV Remote (for TVs) and Xiaomi Remote (for smartphones).However, on devices released before 2022, the old app still remains.

How the Peel Mi Remote works: technical details

The Peel Mi Remote app consists of two main components:

  1. The client side is the interface that you see on your TV or smartphone screen, and it sends commands to Peel servers.
  2. Cloud service – processes requests, stores a database of codes for different devices and analyzes user data.

When you press a button on the virtual remote, the following happens:

  1. The team is sent to Peel servers via the Internet.
  2. The server finds the appropriate code for your model of equipment (for example, for a Samsung TV). QLED QN90C).
  3. The code is returned to your device and transmitted by IR/Bluetooth/Wi-Fi target-mount.

On Mi TVs. TV The application is integrated at the firmware level and works even without an Internet connection (for basic functions). However, to synchronize with smart devices or download new codes, a network connection is required.

FunctionOn TV.On a smartphone.
Management of TVβœ… Full control.βœ… Through IR/Bluetooth
Working without the Internetβœ… Yes (basic functions)❌ No (needs server codes)
Support for a smart homeβœ… Mi Home, Google Homeβœ… Only through Mi Home.
Viewing analyticsβœ… Yes (sending data)❌ No.
πŸ“Š How to use Peel Mi Remote?
Actively managing technology
Sometimes I turn on the TV.
I don't use it, but I didn't remove it.
I deleted it.
I don't know what it is.

The Pros and Cons of Peel Mi Remote: Should You Use it?

Like any pre-installed app, Peel Mi Remote has its advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a closer look at them so you can make an informed decision.

Benefits of the annex

  • πŸŽ›οΈ Universality – supports thousands of models of equipment from different brands (including outdated devices).
  • πŸ”„ Replace multiple remotes – you can control the TV, air conditioning and audio system from one interface.
  • πŸ“± Convenience on a smartphone – no need to look for a physical remote if it is lost.
  • πŸ€– Integration with voice assistants – works with Google Assistant and Alice (on TVs).
  • πŸ†“ Free – does not require the purchase of additional accessories (if there is one on the phone) IR-port).

Disadvantages and risks

  • πŸ“‘ Data collection – the app sends information about your activities to Peel servers (including browsing history).
  • 🐒 Slowing down the system on weak TVs (e.g. Mi) TV 4A) It can slow down the interface.
  • πŸ“¦ Inability to completely remove – on TVs, the application is sewn into the firmware, you can only turn off.
  • πŸ”„ Advertising and recommendations – may show content from Peel partners (e.g., movies on Amazon Prime).
  • πŸ”Œ Compatibility issues – some newer models of technology (e.g. TVs) LG OLED C3) may not be supported.

Privacy is a particularly critical issue for many users: Peel Technologies was caught in a scandal in 2020 over the sale of user data to third parties, and while the company said it had fixed the issue, many still view the app with distrust.

πŸ’‘

If you are concerned about data collection, check your privacy settings in Peel Mi Remote. β†’ Settings β†’ Privacy. You can turn off the statistics, but some of the functions will stop working.

How to remove or disable Peel Mi Remote on Xiaomi?

If you decide you don't need a Peel Mi Remote, there are a few ways to get rid of it, but the methods vary depending on the type of device.

On Mi TVs. TV (model)

On TVs, the app is built into the system, so you can't completely delete it, but you can turn it off and hide it.

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Installed Applications.
  2. Find the Peel Mi Remote on the list.
  3. Select Disable (if the button is inactive, first click Reset settings).
  4. Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu, but it will remain in the system.

If the shutdown does not help, and the application still starts, you can go to radical measures:

Disable the application in the settings|Remove updates (if any)|Reset the TV to factory settings|Turn off the internet for the TV (so it doesn’t update)|Use an alternative firmware (for advanced users)-->

On smartphones. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO

On Peel Mi Remote (or Mi Remote) phones, you can remove the following by standard means if it is not system-specific:

  1. Open Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management.
  2. Find Mi Remote on the list.
  3. Click Remove (if the button is active).
  4. If deletion is not available, select Disable and Stop.

For devices without IR-The port (for example, Xiaomi 13 Lite) application can be safely removed – it still will not work.

⚠️ Note: On some TV models (e.g. Mi) TV Q1 75) disabling the Peel Mi Remote may cause the remote to malfunction, in which case it is recommended to use alternative applications (see next section).

The best alternatives to Peel Mi Remote in 2026

If you have removed the Peel Mi Remote but still need a universal remote, consider these alternatives:

AnnexPlatformPlusesCons
Mi TV Remote (official)Android/iOSOptimized for Mi TV, no advertisingIt only works with Xiaomi TVs.
Google TV (formerly. TV Remote)Android/iOSSupport for voice search, integration with YouTubeDoes not work with air conditioning and other equipment
Yatse: Universal RemoteAndroidSupport IR, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth; customization of the interfacePaid version for full functionality
SURE Universal RemoteAndroid/iOS1 million devices, work without the InternetAdvertising in the free version
BroadLink + e-ControlAndroid/iOS + hardware-moduleWi-Fi management, script support (e.g. "Cinema")Requires purchase of BroadLink hub RM4 Pro

For smartphones without IR-The best solution for the port will be a hardware remote (for example, Xiaomi Mi Remote Bluetooth or Logitech Harmony), which connects over Bluetooth and manages equipment through the cloud service.

How to transfer settings from Peel Mi Remote to another application?
1. Take screenshots of all settings in Peel Mi Remote (button location, macros). 2. Install an alternative app (e.g., install an alternative app, SURE Universal Remote). 3. In the new app, select the same model of technology as in Peel. 4. Manually adjust the location of the buttons, focusing on screenshots. 5. Test the remote. If some buttons do not work, check the codes in the database of the alternative application.

Frequent Peel Mi Remote Problems and Solutions

Even if you decide to keep the Peel Mi Remote, you may encounter problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

1 The app doesn't find my technique

If the Peel Mi Remote does not recognize your TV or air conditioner:

  • πŸ” Check if your model is supported in the database (the list is available on the Peel website).
  • πŸ”„ Update the application to the latest version.
  • πŸ“‘ Make sure your phone/television is connected to the internet (need to download codes).
  • πŸ”Œ Try to manually select the brand and model in the application settings.

2.The buttons on the remote are not working properly

If the commands are executed with a delay or not:

  • πŸ”„ Restart the TV and smartphone.
  • πŸ“± In the application, select Recalibrate the remote (if there is such an option).
  • πŸ”‹ Check the battery power on the physical remote (if you use it with the app).
  • πŸ› οΈ Reset the application settings to factory.

3.Peel Mi Remote spontaneously opens

This is one of the most annoying problems.

  • 🚫 Turn off autostart in the application settings.
  • πŸ”• In the settings of the TV, deny the application access to Special features.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Remove the cache and application data.
  • πŸ”„ Update the TV firmware (newer versions often fix this problem).

πŸ’‘

If the Peel Mi Remote continues to open after all the manipulations, it could be due to a virus or a firmware failure, in which case only a complete reset of the TV to the factory settings will help.

Security and Privacy: What Does Peel Know About You?

The main complaint of users against Peel Mi Remote is the collection and transfer of data. According to the privacy policy of Peel Technologies, the application may collect:

  • πŸ“Ί Viewing information – what channels you watch, how much time you spend on each.
  • πŸ“± Device data - TV/smartphone model, OS version, IP-address.
  • πŸ“ Geolocation (if permitted) – for targeted advertising.
  • πŸ” Action log – which buttons you click most often.

According to the company, this data is used to:

  • Improve content recommendations.
  • Targeted advertising (for example, subscription offers to streaming services).
  • Popularity analysts for channels and shows.

In 2021, Peel updated its privacy policy to turn off data collection, but users say it doesn't always work correctly, and if you're worried about leaks, it's best to turn off or uninstall the app altogether.

⚠️ Attention: On Mi TVs TV firmware MIUI TV The Peel Mi Remote 3.0 and higher can collect data even when it's offline. The only way to completely stop transmitting information is to disconnect the TV from the Internet.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Peel Mi Remote

Can you remove Peel Mi Remote from Xiaomi TV?
No, on most Mi models. TV The app is built into the firmware and cannot be completely removed, and the best you can do is turn it off in the settings, but on some root-access TVs (for example, after installing custom firmware), you can delete it through the use of a custom-based device. ADB: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.peel.app ⚠️ This can lead to unstable operation of the system!
Why does Peel Mi Remote ask for access to contacts and location?
The app requests these permissions for: Contacts to share browsing with friends (the feature is practically not used); Location to show localized ads and recommendations (for example, regional channels); You can refuse access without losing basic features, but some features (for example, voice search) may not work properly.
Does the Peel Mi Remote work with Apple appliances (Apple) TV, HomePod)?summary> Officially, Peel Mi Remote does not support Apple devices, as they use proprietary protocols (such as HomeKit). TV You can use the Apple app. TV Remote (official). Google Home or Siri will be suitable for HomePod management. If you have a HomePod mini, it can be integrated into Mi Home via HomeBridge (requires customization skills).
How to reassign buttons in Peel Mi Remote?
In the standard version of the application, button reassignment is not available. However, you can: Use alternative applications (for example, Yatse), where there is customization. Create macros (command sequences) in Peel Mi Remote. β†’ Macro Settings. On some Mi TVs TV You can change the location of the buttons in the settings β†’ DU remote β†’ Tune buttons.
Will Xiaomi’s physical remote work if I turn off the Peel Mi Remote?
Yes, a physical remote (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) TV Remote will work regardless of the status of the Peel Mi Remote app. IR-But on some models (e.g. Mi) TV P1 55) disabling Peel can reset the remote, in which case it will have to be re-synchronized (press Menu). + OK 5 seconds).