Can I use a Xiaomi TV Box without a remote?
Losing or breaking a remote from Xiaomi Mi Box S, Mi Box 4 or other consoles is a bad situation, but not critical. Many users mistakenly believe that without the original remote, the device becomes a “brick.” In fact, the manufacturer has provided several alternative ways to control, and third-party solutions expand the possibilities even more.
In this article, we will discuss all working methods, including official (via Mi Remote and Google Home apps), universal (IR remotes, keyboards) and emergency (resetting settings through a button on the case), and you will learn how to avoid common connection errors and what to do if the console does not respond to any of the ways.
Importantly, not all methods are equally convenient, for example, managing through ADB requires technical skills, and voice commands only work with certain models, and we will note the pros and cons of each option so that you can choose the best one.
1. Control via smartphone: Mi Remote app
The easiest and most official way is to use Xiaomi’s proprietary Mi Remote app, which supports all console models (Mi Box S, Mi Box 4, Mi TV Stick) and works over infrared (IR) or Wi-Fi (depending on the model).
To connect:
- 📱 Download Mi Remote from Google Play or App Store.
- 🔗 Connect your smartphone and console to the same Wi-Fi network (required!).
- 🎯 In the app, select Add Device → Television → Xiaomi Mi Box.
- 🔍 Follow the instructions on the screen for synchronization.
Download application | Connect to one Wi-Fi | Enable Bluetooth on your smartphone | Allow access to location-->
If the application does not find the prefix:
- 🔄 Restart router and console (turn off power for 30 seconds).
- 📶 Check that the smartphone and Mi Box are no more than 5 meters away.
- 🔧 In the router settings, disable the function AP Isolation (customer isolation).
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If you have a Mi Box 4K (model MDZ-22-AB), Try to manually IP-The address of the console in the application can be found in the router settings in the Connected Devices section.
2. Alternative applications: Google Home and others
If Mi Remote does not work (for example, due to model incompatibility), use universal applications.
| Annex | Supported models | Type of connection | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Home | Mi Box S, Mi Box 4 (with Android TV 9+) | Wi-Fi | Voice control, integration with Google Assistant | It does not work with outdated firmware |
| Yatse: Remote for Android TV | All models on Android TV | Wi-Fi | Full control, customization of buttons | Paid version for advanced functions |
| Unified Remote | Any Android consoles | Wi-Fi/Bluetooth | Support for mouse and keyboard | A complex setup for beginners |
To connect via Google Home:
- Open the app and click Add → Set up the device.
- Select a New Device → Television.
- Follow the instructions on the screen. The console should appear in the list of available devices.
Mi Remote|Google Home|Yatse|Unified Remote|Other|Not using.-->
⚠️ Note: If the console does not appear in Google Home, check if its settings include the Settings option. → The device → Google Assistant → Allow control. Some firmwares have this parameter disabled by default.
Physical devices: keyboard, mouse, IR remote
If the software solutions are not suitable, connect physical accessories:
- 🖱️ Wireless mouse/keyboard with USB-It's a receiver or Bluetooth. Any model that supports it will do. HID-It's connected via the port. USB-A prefixed.
- 🎮 Gamepad (e.g. Xiaomi Game Controller or Sony DualShock 4) You need to enable Android compatibility mode.
- 📺 Universal IR remote (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Universal Remote or BroadLink) RM4 Set it up to Xiaomi mode. TV Box.
To connect the keyboard/mouse:
- Put it in. USB-port-port.
- Reboot the device (remove the power plug for 10 seconds).
- After downloading, the mouse or keys should work automatically.
How to connect the gamepad to Xiaomi Mi Box?
If the keyboard is not recognized:
- Try another one. USB-port (if there are several).
- Check compatibility: Some keyboards with multimedia buttons may conflict.
- Update the console firmware (instruction in Section 5).
4. Voice control: Google Assistant and Alice
Modern Xiaomi Mi Box models (starting with the Mi Box S) support voice control via built-in Google Assistant or external speakers (e.g. Yandex Station).
To activate voice input:
- 🎤 On the remote (if it still works) press the button with the microphone.
- 📱 Google Home says, “OK Google, turn on Netflix on the Mi Box».
- 🔊 If you have a Yandex Station connected, say: Alice, launch YouTube on your TV».
List of supported voice commands:
| "Open Kodi" | Launch of the application |
|---|---|
| "Grow volume by 20%." | Sound adjustment |
| "The Search for Interstellar Movie" | Search for content |
| Turn off the Mi Box in 30 minutes. | Sleep timer |
⚠️ Attention: Voice control only works when you're connected to the Internet. If it's offline, commands are ignored. Also make sure that the settings have Settings enabled. → The device → Google Assistant → Allow voice input.
5. Emergency resetting settings through a button on the body
If the console does not respond to any control method (for example, after a firmware failure), perform a hardware reset.
- Turn off the power to the console.
- Find the Reset button (usually hidden in a hole near the HDMI port) on the case.
- Take a paperclip or toothpick, press and hold the button for 10-15 seconds.
- Connect the power without releasing Reset, another 5 seconds.
After discharge:
- 🔄 The console will restart and return to factory settings.
- 🔑 You will need to reset your Wi-Fi and Google account.
- ⚠️ All installed applications and data will be deleted.
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Hardware reset is the last option if other methods don't work, and only use it when there's a critical failure, because all data will be erased.
If the dumping didn't help:
- Check the power supply (try another adapter with 5V/2A options).
- Connect the console to another. HDMI-television-port.
- Update the firmware manually (instruction below).
6. Update firmware without remote control
If the console is bugged due to outdated software, update the firmware via USB or ADB.
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Mac.
- 🔌 Cable USB-A — USB-A (for ADB).
- 📁 Firmware file for your model (download from the official website).
Method 1: USB (for all models)
- Download the firmware (for example, mi_box_s_2.0.276.zip For the Mi Box S).
- Unpack the archive and copy the update.zip file to the flash drive (FAT32).
- Connect the flash drive to the console and restart it. The update will start automatically.
Method 2: Through ADB (for Advanced)
adb connect 192.168.1.100:5555 # Connect to the console (IP check in the router)
adb sideload update.zip # Launch update⚠️ Attention: Continue the upgrade process! If the console is stuck on the Xiaomi logo for more than 20 minutes, turn off the power, wait 30 seconds and try again. If the problem persists, run the device through the Fastboot (requires disassembly of the case).
7. Purchase of a new remote: original vs alternative
If neither of these options works, buy a new remote.
| Type of remote | Models. | Price (≈) | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original. | Xiaomi Mi Remote (for Mi Box S/4) | 1 500–2 500 ₽ | 100% compatibility with voice input | Long delivery, high price |
| Universal IR | BroadLink RM4 Pro, Xiaomi Universal Remote | 800–1 500 ₽ | Works with other devices | You need to set up, no voice control. |
| Air Mouse | Xiaomi Mi Air Mouse, MECOOL KM6 | 2 000–3 500 ₽ | Convenient cursor, keyboard on the back side | Requires charging, more expensive than the original |
Where to buy it?
- 🛒 Xiaomi official store (guarantee, but long wait).
- 📦 AliExpress (cheap, but the risk of running into a fake).
- 🏬 Local electronics stores (check compatibility with your model).
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Before buying, check the console model on the back sticker. For example, the Mi Box S (model MDZ-22-AB) is not compatible with the remotes from the Mi Box 3 (model MDZ-16-AB).