What to replace the remote from the TV Xiaomi: all ways to control without native PC

A lost, broken, or suddenly disabled remote from Xiaomi TV is a situation familiar to many owners of the brand’s smart TVs. Unlike older models with mechanical buttons on the body, modern devices lack physical controls, making them completely dependent on the remote, but there is a way out: the manufacturer and third-party developers offer several alternative ways of controlling, from official applications to unexpected life hacks.

In this article, we will discuss 10 working methods to manage Xiaomi Mi TV, Redmi Smart TV or Mi TV Stick without the original remote – from basic (via smartphone) to exotic (with the help of a game controller).

1 Official Mi Remote Controller (Android/iOS)

The most obvious and reliable way to do this is to use Xiaomi’s proprietary app, which supports all of the brand’s TVs since 2018, and offers a full suite of features from the original remote, including volume control, channel switching, and PatchWall access.

To connect:

• 📱 Download Mi Remote Controller from Google Play or the App Store.
• 🔗 Make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or use Mi Home for direct Bluetooth connection).
• 🔍 In the app, select a model of your TV from a list (e.g. Mi TV 4A 43" or Redmi Smart TV X55).
• 🎮 Press "Connect" and follow the instructions on the screen.

Advantages of the method: does not require additional devices, supports voice input (via the microphone of the smartphone), saves the history of the channels viewed. Disadvantages: delays are possible with a weak Wi-Fi signal, some models do not work adjusting the sound balance.

💡

If the app doesn't find the TV, try manually entering IP- TV address in the connection settings. You can find it in the Settings menu → About TV → Network Status

2. Universal remotes: from Xiaomi Universal Remote to Logitech Harmony

If the original remote is lost, and it is inconvenient to manage from a smartphone, it is worth considering buying a universal remote. Xiaomi offers its own model - Xiaomi Universal Remote (about 1,500 ₽), which is compatible with all TVs of the brand and supports up to 10 devices (including air conditioners, audio systems).

To set up:

1. Put the batteries in and turn on the remote.
2. Press and hold the TV + OK buttons for 5 seconds until the indicator flashes.
3. Enter the code for your Xiaomi TV model (e.g. 0123 for Mi TV 4S). The full list of codes is in the instructions.
4. Check the power buttons, Volume+, Home.

Alternatives:

• 🎛️ Logitech Harmony 650 – Supports macros (e.g., one button to turn on the TV + sound bar).
• 📺 One For All URC 7940 is a budget version with a codebase for Xiaomi.
• 💡 BroadLink RM4 Pro – manages TV via an IR port and integrates into smart home systems.

3. Manage via Google Assistant or Alice from Yandex

If your Xiaomi TV supports Google Cast (models with PatchWall 3.0+), you can control it via a speaker or smartphone.

From Google Assistant:

1. Make sure that the TV and the device with the Assistant (like Google Nest Mini) are connected to the same network.
2. Say, “OK Google, turn on Mi TV” or “OK Google, put Channel One on your TV.”
3. To set up, go to Settings → Devices → Add the device to the Google Home app.

With Alice:

• 🗣️ Say: “Alice, turn on the TV” (you need a connection via Yandex Station or Yandex app).
• 🔗 Preliminarily link your Xiaomi account to Yandex in your smart home settings.

Restrictions: Voice commands only work for basic functions (on, switching channels, launching applications) and audio adjustment or navigation on the PatchWall menu is not available.

4.Use of game controllers (PS4, Xbox, Switch Pro)

Few people know, but Xiaomi TV based on Android TV supports the connection of gamepads over Bluetooth.This allows you to control the interface using joysticks and buttons – convenient for games or navigation through the menu, if the remote is not at hand.

Instructions for connecting DualShock 4:

1. Press and hold the Share + PS buttons on the gamepad until the LED blinks.
2. On the TV, go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
3. Select the Wireless Controller from the list of available devices.
4. Confirm the pairing.

Button correspondence:

• 🎮 Crossing - Navigating the menu.
• 🅾️ Circle is a choice (analogue OK on the remote).
• 🄱 Cross - return (analogue of Back).
• 🔺 Triangle - Opening PatchWall.

⚠️ Warning: Models with PatchWall 2.0 and below may not have management in some apps (e.g. YouTube or Netflix). Before buying a gamepad, check the firmware version in Settings → About TV.

5. Control via HDMI-CEC (single button from the sound bar or console)

HDMI-CEC technology allows you to control multiple devices through a single remote. If your Xiaomi TV is connected to a sound bar, receiver or console (such as Xiaomi Mi Box S) via HDMI, you can use their remote for basic functions.

How to activate:

1. Go to Settings → HDMI-CEC (on some models, the path: Settings → Display and Sound → HDMI-CEC).
2. Enable the option to Manage via HDMI or Anynet+ (name depends on the model).
3. Connect the device to the same HDMI- port as before (e.g. HDMI 1 (ARC)).

What can be controlled:

• 🔁 Turning the TV on/off.
• 🔊 Volume adjustment (if the device supports ARC)
• 📺 Switching signal sources (HDMI, TV).

Restrictions: Navigating the PatchWall menu is not possible, voice search and application launch are not working.

💡

HDMI-CEC is the only way to control Xiaomi TV without a smartphone and additional devices, if you have a remote from connected equipment (for example, a soundbar or console).

6.Alternative applications: TV Remote, UniMote, Yatse

If the official Mi Remote Controller app is unstable, try third-party solutions. They often offer advanced features, such as button customization or support for multiple TVs.

Top.-3 applications:

• 📱 TV Remote (by Twinone) — works on Wi-Fi and IR port (if the smartphone has an IR transmitter), supports gestures and voice input.
• 🎛️ UniMote is a universal remote with support for macros and widgets for quick access.
• 🖥️ Yatse: Remote for Android is an advanced solution with Tasker integration and automation (e.g., turn on your TV on schedule).

To connect via UniMote:

1. Download the app and select Add Device → Xiaomi TV.
2. Enter IP- TV address (you can find it in Settings → Network).
3. Set the buttons to suit you (for example, add a button to access Prime Video quickly).

⚠️ Warning: Apps using the smartphone’s IR port only work up to 5 meters from the TV and require the direct-to-line view of the IR receiver (usually located on the right or bottom of the screen).

7. Gesture control (hidden PatchWall feature)

PatchWall has undocumented gesture control through the TV camera since version 3.5, a feature originally intended for models with built-in cameras (such as the Mi TV Lux), but it can be activated on other devices as well.

How to turn on:

1. Go to Settings → Device → Additional settings.
2. Find the item Gesture Management (if not, update the firmware to the latest version).
3. Activate the option and follow the calibration instructions.

Supported gestures:

• 👆 Raised palm - pause/replay.
• 👉 Swipe right is the next episode/channel.
• 👈 Swipe left is the previous episode/channel.
• 🙌 Two hands up - return to PatchWall.

Restrictions: The feature only works in standard apps (TV, Video, Music) and requires good lighting.

- The TV is connected to the Internet.

PatchWall 3.5 or later

The camera is not covered with a decorative panel.

- In the room there is enough light (at least 200 lux)

-->

8 Emergency methods: buttons on the case and reset settings

If none of the above methods are suitable (for example, there is no smartphone or Wi-Fi), you can use hidden physical buttons on the TV body, which are even on models where the external buttons are not visible.

Where to look:

• 🔘 On the bottom of the screen (usually under the Mi or Redmi logo) is a Power touch button.
• 🔧 On the back is a Reset button (small hole, paper clip required).
• 📺 On some models (e.g. Mi TV 4S) are buttons Volume+/Volume- and Input under the IR receiver.

If the TV doesn’t respond to buttons, try resetting to factory settings:

1. Turn off the TV for 1 minute.
2. Press and hold the Power button on the body.
3. Connect the power without releasing the button for 10 seconds.
4. After the appearance of the Xiaomi logo, release the button and the reset will begin.

⚠️ Warning: Reset will remove all installed apps, accounts and PatchWall settings. After the procedure, you will need to reset Wi-Fi and log in to Mi Account.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing the Xiaomi TV remote