Lost the remote from the console Xiaomi? 7 proven ways to find or replace it

Lose the remote from Xiaomi Mi Box, Mi TV Stick or something, which is familiar to many, a small, lightweight, and often-used accessory that gets lost between the sofa cushions, rolls under the closet, or just lies in an unexpected place. In 80% of cases, the remote is within a radius of 5 meters from the TV, and if not – it can be quickly replaced or temporarily dispensed with it.

In this article, we’ll look at all the search options available, from the banal (shake the couch) to the non-obvious (use your smartphone as a remote). If you lose the remote, we’ll tell you how to buy an original or universal one without overpaying, and you’ll learn how to operate a Xiaomi console without a remote, using a smartphone, keyboard, or even voice commands.

Important: If your console is connected to the Internet, some methods (like controlling through an application) will work even without a physical remote, and for owners of the Mi Box S and later, there is a hidden function of activating the remote via Bluetooth, which works even if the batteries are dead.

1. Where to look for a remote from Xiaomi: top-10 house-place

Start with the obvious: 9 out of 10 remotes are within the arm's length of the TV, but they often lie in unexpected places.

• 🛋️ Between the pillows and in the crevices of the sofa/armchair is the most popular place. Shake all the textile surfaces, look under the seats.
• 📺 Behind the TV or on the shelf with a console - the remote could fall and roll into a corner.
• 🍽️ Under a table or chair where you usually watch TV. Check the space under the furniture.
• 🧦 In pockets of clothes you wore while viewing (especially in a gown or sports pants).
• 🐕 In a bowl or toys of a pet, cats and dogs sometimes “steal” small objects.
• 🧺 In a laundry basket, the remote could accidentally get there with clothes.
• 🚪 On the windowsill or at the front door – if you took it with you to another room.
• 📚 Between books or magazines on the coffee table.
• 🎮 Next to other remotes (from the air conditioner, music center) - often they are put together.
• 🚗 In the car – if you took the console with you on a trip or to the country.

If you can't find the remote, try turning on the flashlight on your smartphone and lighting it up dark corners — a black remote with a dark background is easy to miss. You can also use Find the device in your smartphone (if the remote supports Bluetooth). LE, Like the Mi Remote Controller 2).

⚠️ If there are children in the house, check their toys, designers (LEGO, Play-Doh) and boxes with “treasures” – remotes are often part of children’s games.

2. How to find the remote with a smartphone: applications and functions

If the physical search didn’t work, use technology.Modern Xiaomi remotes (for example, Mi Remote Controller 2 for Mi Box S or Mi). TV Stick supports Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity (BLE). This means that they can be detected through a smartphone – even if the batteries are dead.

Here are 3 ways to use your phone to search:

• 📱 The app "Mi Remote" (official from Xiaomi) download it from Google Play or the App Store. Run a device search — if the remote is within a radius of 10 meters, it will appear in the list.
• 🔍 The "Find the device" function in MIUI. If you have a Xiaomi smartphone, open Settings → Mi Account → Find the device and check if the remote is displayed there.
• 🎵 Sound signal. In some remotes (e.g. for Mi Box) 4S) You can activate the audio signal via the Mi Home app (if the remote is connected to the Xiaomi ecosystem).

If the remote is not there, try rebooting the console, which sometimes helps to restore the connection.

1. Turn off the power from the power outlet.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Connect back and wait for the full load.
4. Repeat the search through the app.

💡

If you have a Xiaomi Smart Speaker, try saying, "Hey, Xiao Ai, find my remote." In some regions, this feature works for ecosystem devices.

3. How to control the console Xiaomi without remote control: 5 alternative ways

While you’re looking for a remote or waiting for a new one, Xiaomi can be controlled in other ways. Here are 5 working methods tested on the Mi Box S, Mi Box 4 and Mi models. TV Stick:

The easiest way is to use Mi Remote, which emulates all the buttons on the physical remote, including voice search and Settings, and if the console and phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, it's as easy to control as the original remote.

For advanced users, the method of ADB. Connect the device to the computer through USB and use commands:

adb connect [IP- prefix address


adb shell input keyevent 3 # Emulation of the HOME button




adb shell input keyevent 23 # Emulation button up

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause a reset if you type the wrong command. Don't experiment if you're not sure what you're doing.

Make sure the remote is lost (recheck all the seats)

Try to control the console through a smartphone

Check the compatibility of the new console with the console model

Compare prices in the official store and on marketplaces

Pay attention to reviews about the quality of the assembly-->

4. Which remote to buy instead of lost: original vs universal

If the search is unsuccessful, you'll have to buy a new remote.

1. The original remote from Xiaomi is the most reliable, but also the most expensive.

Here is the table of compatibility of the original consoles with popular Xiaomi consoles:

Where to buy:

• 🛒 Xiaomi official store - the guarantee of the original, but the price is higher.
• 🌍 AliExpress is cheaper, but the risk of running into a fake (check reviews).
• 🏬 M-Video, Citilinch, DNS — Sometimes available, you can check before buying.
• 🔄 Avito, Yula – cheaper, but only used (check the performance).

When buying a universal remote, pay attention to the communication protocol:

• Bluetooth for Mi Box S, Mi TV Stick.
• Infrared (IR) — For older models, the Mi Box 3).

💡

Before buying, check if your console supports Bluetooth remotes. For example, the Mi Box 3 only works with a Bluetooth console. IR-Mi Box S with Bluetooth devices.

5. How to connect a new remote with the console Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

If you bought a new remote (original or universal), it should be linked to the console.

Bluetooth remotes (Mi Box S, Mi) TV Stick):

1. Turn on the console (use the button on the case or the Mi Remote app).
2. Put the batteries in the new remote.
3. Press and hold the Home buttons. + Back (or Home) + OK) 5 seconds until the indicator starts to flash.
4. Wait for the automatic connection (can take up to 30 seconds).
5. Check all the buttons.

For IR-Remotes (Mi Box 3, universal):

1. Make sure there are no obstacles between the console and the console.
2. On the universal remote, select Xiaomi or Android mode TV.
3. Point the remote to the console and press Power (the TV must turn on / off).
4. If it doesn’t work, try other codes from the manual to the remote.

If the remote is not communicating:

• 🔋 Check the batteries (even new ones can be discharged).
• 🔄 Reboot the console.
• 📱 Update the console firmware through Settings → About the prefix → Updating the system.
• 🛠️ Reset the remote settings (if there is a Reset button on the back panel).

6. How to avoid losing the remote in the future: 5 useful life hacks

To avoid losing the remote, use these tips:

• 🧲 Magnet attachment. Stick a small magnet to the back of the remote and a metal plate to the TV or wall -- the remote will always be in place.
• 🔗 A keychain with a rope. Tie the remote to a table leg or a shelf, it won't fall or roll.
• 📍 A bright sticker, which will help you see the remote faster, among other things.
• 📱 Geozone in a smart home.If you have a Xiaomi Smart Home, set up a notification when the remote leaves the area near the TV.
• 🛒 Buy a cheap universal remote and store it in a drawer in case you lose the main one.

You can also use a pocket case for the remote, which will protect against dust and make it less slippery. For example, silicone cases for Mi Remote Controller 2 cost about 200-300 rubles on AliExpress.

If you have children in your family, explain to them that the remote is not a toy, and you can buy a children's remote toy (for example, from Fisher-Price) so that he does not take the real one.

7. Frequent Xiaomi remote issues and their solutions

Sometimes the remote is there, but it doesn't work, and here are the typical problems and their solutions.

If the remote has fallen into water or liquid:

1. Remove the batteries immediately.
2. Dry the remote in rice or silica gel for 24 hours.
3. Don’t use a hair dryer – it can damage the charge.
4. After drying, check the work.

⚠️ Note: If the remote after falling into the water began to corrode (there was a white plaque on the board), do not try to clean it yourself - contact the service.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions