Lost remote from the TV Xiaomi: what to do and what to replace?

Why Xiaomi TVs are not useless without remote control

Losing or breaking a remote control from a Xiaomi TV is a bad situation, but not a critical one. Modern smart TVs of this brand support several alternative ways of controlling, which many users do not even know about. Moreover, in some cases, the absence of a native remote can be an occasion to switch to more convenient solutions, such as voice control or a smartphone as a universal remote.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi Mi TV (including Mi TV 4A, Mi TV 4S, Mi TV 5 and later) is built on Android TV or Google TV, which means access to the Google ecosystem with remote management. Even if you’ve never used such features before, they will take no more than 5-10 minutes to set up.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to control a Xiaomi TV without the original remote, from standard solutions (applications, buttons on the body) to non-obvious life hacks (for example, using a game controller).

Method 1: Buttons on the TV body - emergency control

Any Xiaomi TV has physical buttons on the body that duplicate the basic functions of the remote, usually located on the bottom or side panel (depending on the model) and hidden under a plastic cover or integrated into a frame.

• 🔄 Power button – turn on/off the TV (hold 5-10 seconds for forced shutdown).
• 📺 The Source button is a switch between signal sources (HDMI, AV, TV).
• ➕/➖ Volume buttons are audio adjustments (in some models combined with channel switching buttons).
• 🖥️ The Menu button is a call to the main menu (on older models).

On new Xiaomi TVs (such as the Mi TV Q2 2023 or Xiaomi TV A Pro), buttons can be touch-sensitive. To activate them, swipe the bottom bezel from right to left to light up. On Google TV models, physical buttons are often blocked when you first connect to Wi-Fi, so you have to unlock them through the app.

⚠️ Warning: Some Xiaomi TVs only have buttons on their body when power is connected. If the TV doesn't respond, check that the cable is plugged into the outlet, not the extension cord turned off.

Method 2: Mi Remote app – the official remote in the smartphone

The most reliable way to control a Xiaomi TV without a remote is to use the Mi Remote app (formerly Mi TV Remote), which is available for Android and iOS, supports all models of the brand’s TVs and does not require root rights or complex settings.

To connect:

1. Download Mi Remote for Android or iOS.
2. Turn on the TV with a button on the case and connect it to the same Wi-Fi network as the smartphone.
3. Launch the app, select Add Device → TV → Xiaomi.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (you may need to enter) PIN-TV-code).

The annex supports:

• 🎮 Fully replace touchpad remote for navigation.
• 🔊 Volume control and channel switching.
• 📁 Quick access to apps (YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video).
• 🔍 Voice search (if the TV supports Google Assistant).

If the TV is not on the device list, try manually selecting a model from the list (e.g. Mi TV 4A 32" or Mi TV 5 Pro). New TVs with Google TV may require additional confirmation via a Google account.

Method 3: Google TV App is an alternative to new models

Xiaomi TVs based on Google TV (such as Xiaomi TV A Pro 2023 or Mi TV Q2 75) support the official Google TV app (formerly Android TV Remote), which works similarly to Mi Remote, but with advanced features:

• 🎤 Voice input via Google Assistant (even if the TV doesn't have a microphone).
• 📱 Remote installation of apps from Google Play.
• 🔄 Quickly switch between user profiles.
• 📺 Home screen content recommendations.

To connect:

1. Install the Google TV App.
2. Open the app and select your TV from the list (it should be on the same Wi-Fi network).
3. Confirm the connection with the code that appears on the TV screen.

The advantage of this is that it integrates with the Google ecosystem, for example, you can say, "OK, Google, turn on Netflix on your TV," and the TV will automatically open the app, but on older Xiaomi models (until 2020), this app may not work as well.

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If the TV doesn’t find a Wi-Fi network, try connecting to it via a mobile hotspot from your smartphone, and then reconfigure the main connection.

Method 4: Universal remotes - which to choose for Xiaomi TV

If you don't feel comfortable operating your TV from your smartphone, you can buy a universal remote. The main thing is to choose a model that is compatible with the Xiaomi protocol. Most of the brand's TVs work on the IR standard (infrared), but some new models (for example, the Mi TV Q1E) also support Bluetooth.

Here are the best options for Xiaomi TV:

Before buying, check if your TV has a IR- receiver (usually located in the front or bottom of the case). If it is not (as on some models of Mi TV QLED), you need a remote with Bluetooth support.

⚠️ Warning: Cheap universal remotes (up to 500 ₽) often don't support all of Xiaomi's TV features, such as app launches or voice search.

Method 5: Gaming controllers and keyboards are an unexpected alternative

If you have a game controller (such as from Xbox, PlayStation or Steam Deck) or Bluetooth keyboard, they can be connected to a Xiaomi TV and used for navigation.This is especially convenient for gamers or those who often use Smart TV- applications.

How to connect:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your TV: go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
2. Activate the pairing mode on the controller (usually the Share + PS button on DualSense or Sync on Xbox is held).
3. Select the device from the list on TV and confirm the connection.

After connection:

• 🎮 The D-pad on the gamepad replaces the remote navigation buttons.
• 🔘 Button A (or X) – Confirmation of selection (like OK on the remote).
• 🔙 Button B (or O) is a back-up.
• 🔊 The LT/RT triggers can be assigned to adjust volume.

Any Bluetooth model (such as the Logitech K400 or Xiaomi Bluetooth Keyboard) is suitable for the keyboard, and it is convenient to enter passwords in applications or search for content in the browser.

Method 6: Voice control – when hands are busy

Xiaomi TVs with Google Assistant or Alice from Yandex support voice control. This is handy if you lost the remote, but want to quickly turn on the movie or change the volume.

For Google Assistant:

• 🗣️ Say, "OK, Google, turn on Netflix on your TV."
• 🔊 Or, "Okay, Google, turn it up 20 percent."
• 📺 On the new models (Mi TV Q2, Xiaomi TV A Pro), the microphone is built into the case - just say the command next to the TV.

For Alice (if connected):

• 🗣️ Say, "Alice, turn on the cartoon on the TV."
• 🔍 Or, "Alice, find comedies on Movie Search."

To activate voice control:

1. Make sure the TV is connected to the internet.
2. Go to Settings → Voice Assistant and turn on the desired service.
3. Go through a short setup (you may need to log in to your Google or Yandex account).

⚠️ Warning: Voice commands only work on TVs with a microphone or with an external device connected (e.g. Google Nest Mini). On models without a microphone (e.g. Mi TV 4A), voice search is only available through the app on the smartphone.

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Voice control is the fastest way to include content, but it won’t replace a full remote for fine-tuning (like calibrating an image).

Method 7: HDMI-CEC – control from the remote of another device

If another device is connected to the Xiaomi TV (such as the Xiaomi Mi Box, NVIDIA Shield or PlayStation), you can control it using the HDMI-CEC function. This technology allows you to synchronize the remotes of multiple devices via an HDMI cable.

How to turn HDMI-CEC on Xiaomi TV:

1. Go to Settings → Display and Sound → HDMI-CEC.
2. Enable the option (may be called HDMI Management or Anynet+).
3. Connect the device to a HDMI- port (preferably with support for CEC, usually a HDMI port 1 or HDMI ARC).

After activation:

• 🎮 The console from PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X will switch inputs to TV.
• 📺 The remote from Xiaomi Mi Box will be able to adjust the volume of the TV.
• 🔊 The power button on the console console will turn the TV on/off.

The limitations of HDMI-CEC:

• ❌ Not all remote features will be available (e.g., running apps).
• ❌ On some models, Xiaomi TV HDMI-CEC is not stable with other brands.

Method 8: Resetting settings – if nothing helps

If you lose the remote and can’t connect to a Xiaomi TV in any of these ways, the last resort is to reset the settings to factory settings, which will return the TV to its original state, but will delete all installed apps and accounts.

How to reset without a remote:

1. Find the Reset button on the TV body (usually next to the power and volume buttons).
2. Take a paper clip or toothpick and hold the Reset button for 10-15 seconds.
3. The TV will restart and start the reset process (confirmation via volume buttons may be required).

After discharge:

• 🔄 The TV will turn on in initial settings.
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi via the buttons on the case or the Mi Remote app.
• 🔑 Enter your Google account details (if required).

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi TVs with Google TV, after a reset, licenses for some apps (e.g. Netflix or Disney+) may need to be re-activated.

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Resetting is the last chance to regain control of your TV, but only use it if other methods have not worked.

FAQ: Frequent questions about lost Xiaomi TV remote