Why is Xiaomi Mi TV remote lost more often than others?
Xiaomi’s minimalist design is both a plus and a minus. Compact dimensions, smooth surfaces with no protrusions and black make the device almost invisible on dark surfaces. Service center statistics show that Mi TV 4A/4S/5X owners lose remotes 3 times more often than other TV users, not only because of the design, but also because of the lack of mounts to fix on the table or wall.
Another common reason is the weak Bluetooth connection between the remote and the TV. If you notice that commands are executed with a delay or only at close range, there is a high risk that the remote has long been lying on the other side of the room. And you just thought it was broken. Before you panic, check Settings → Bluetooth devices → Perhaps the signal is blocking another device (for example, wireless headphones).
Where to look for remote control: 10 non-obvious places in the house
Start with your comfort zone, which is where you normally watch TV, but don't just limit yourself to the sofa and coffee table, and the remote control could migrate to where you last used it for the wrong purpose.
- 🛋️ Under the sofa cushions, especially if they're lightning-powered, the remote easily falls into the gaps between the cushion and the frame.
- 📚 Between books on the shelf. If you've ever used a remote as a bookmark, it could get lost among volumes.
- 🧦 It sounds weird, but the remotes often get in with the clothes when they're lying on the bed.
- 🐕 In a pet bowl. Cats and dogs like to play with small objects - check not only the bowl, but also the couch.
- 🚗 In the glove compartment or under the car seat, if you have taken the remote control with you on your trip (for example, to watch movies in the parking lot).
Don't ignore vertical surfaces: the remote could roll behind the cabinet, refrigerator, or even hang from the shower curtain (if you've been watching TV from the bathroom). Use a flashlight - the glossy surface of the remote reflects light even in dusty corners.
⚠️ Warning: If you have kids in the house, check the playboxes with a designer. The remote is the perfect size for "building a spaceship" from Lego.
What to do if the remote fell into the slot?
How to manage Xiaomi Mi TV without remote control: 3 temporary solutions
If your search is unsuccessful, don’t rush to buy a new remote.You have at least three ways to turn on and control your TV without the original Xiaomi remote:
- Buttons on the TV body, on the back or bottom of the Mi. TV There are physical buttons: 🔘 Power - on/off switching; 🔄 Input – Switching signal sources; ➕/➖ Volume - Volume adjustment; ↕️ Channel - channel switching (on models with TV tuner).
On the Mi TV 5 Pro and newer, the buttons are hidden under the removable panel - carefully tuck it in with a plastic card.
Mi Remote
Google Play
App Store
1. Turn on the TV with the Power button on the case.
2 Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. In the app, select "Add device" → "TV" → "Xiaomi".🔹 Important: On Mi TV Stick and Mi Box app only works via Bluetooth, not Bluetooth IR.
Voice assistant
Google Assistant
Alice.
- Say, “OK Google, turn on Mi TV” (for Android TV models).
- Or: “Alice, show the NTV channel on the TV” (if connected through Yandex Station).
Check all possible places in the house
Try to control through buttons on TV
Install the Mi Remote app on your phone
Check the compatibility of the remote with the TV model-->
What to buy instead of lost: 5 options
If the original Xiaomi remote can not be found, you will have to choose a replacement, but not all remotes are universal - some only work with certain Mi TV models. Below is a table with proven options (relevant to 2026):
| Model remote control | Compatibility | Type of connection | Price (₽) | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi TV Remote (original) | All Mi TVs (2018–2026) | Bluetooth | 1 200–1 800 | Voice search, minimalist design | Expensive, often forged |
| Redmi TV Remote | Mi TV 4A/4S, Redmi TV | Bluetooth + IR | 800–1 200 | Cheaper than the original, there is an IR port | No voice control. |
| One For All URC 7940 | Universal (including Mi TV) | IR | 600–900 | Works without settings, highlighting buttons | You need to set up codes for Xiaomi |
| Xiaomi Mi Game Controller | Mi TV 5/5 Pro, QLED | Bluetooth | 1 500–2 000 | Game buttons, vibrations. | Inconvenient for everyday use |
| Remote from Mi Box S | Mi TV with Android TV | Bluetooth | 500–800 | Cheap, compact. | No volume control buttons. |
Critical nuance: Xiaomi remotes 2020-2026 use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol, not the classic IR. This means that old universal remotes (for example, from Samsung or LG) will not work. Before buying, check whether your TV supports BLE - this information is in Settings → About TV → Model.
⚠️ Attention: AliExpress often sells fakes for the original Xiaomi remotes. The original is different: the Mi logo is engraved, not pasted; buttons are not lumpy; the kit comes with a branded battery CR2032.
How to tie a new remote to Xiaomi Mi TV: step-by-step instructions
Even the original Xiaomi remote doesn’t always automatically connect to the TV, so if it doesn’t work after you change your battery or buy a new remote, do the manual binding:
- Reset the old remote (if you still have one): 1. Remove the battery from the old remote. 2. Press and hold the Home + Back button for 10 seconds. 3. Put the battery back in.
- Activate the pairing mode: 1. Turn on the TV with a button on the case. 2. Go to Settings → Devices → Remote DU. 3. Select "Add remote" → "Bluetooth remote".
- Connect a new remote: 1. Insert the battery into the new remote. 2. Press and hold Home + OK for 5 seconds (until the indicator flashes). 3. The TV should show a notification "Remote connected."
If the TV doesn't find the remote, check:
- 🔋 Battery charge – even a new one can be discharged;
- 📶 Distance – the remote must be no further than 1 meter from the TV;
- 🔄 Reboot the TV – Turn it off for 30 seconds.
💡
If you have a Mi TV 4S or older, try connecting the remote via the Mi Home app. To do this, select Add Device → Television → Xiaomi Mi TV and follow the instructions. This method works even if the Bluetooth on the TV is turned off.
What to do if the remote is found but does not work
Sometimes the remote is there, but it refuses to follow the commands, and the reasons can be mechanical or software.
- Battery check: 🔋 Use a multimeter or replace the battery with a known working one (for example, from another remote control). 🔄 If the contacts are oxidized, clean them with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.
IR transmitter test
1. Point the remote to the smartphone camera.
2. Press any button.
3 If you see a flicker on the phone screen, the transmitter is working.Resetting the remote settings
Press and hold Menu + Volume + for 15 seconds.Update of TV firmware
Go to Settings → About TV → System Update.If the remote is still down, the problem may be the Bluetooth antenna of the TV, which is true for the Mi TV 4A and 4C models, where the antenna is located on the power board, in which case only the service center will help.
💡
In 80% of cases, a broken Xiaomi remote is restored after replacing the battery and resetting, and if this does not help, there is a problem in the hardware (transmitter or remote board).
How to avoid loss of remote in the future: 5 working life hacks
To avoid repeating the search, use the advice of owners of Xiaomi Mi TV, who have not lost the remote for years:
- 📍 AirTag tracker or Mi Band. Put a miniature tracker in a remote case so you can find it through your phone.
Another effective method is to create a point of attraction, and you can put a little box or a stand next to the TV, and you can teach your household to put the remote control only there, and in a month, it will become a habit.