Introduction: Why the remote is not always needed
Lost the remote from Xiaomi Mi TV, Redmi Smart TV or another model? Or suddenly it stopped working and there is no spare? The situation is familiar to many - especially when the TV is mounted on the wall, and getting to the physical buttons is inconvenient. However, you can control a Xiaomi TV without a remote at least 7 different ways, and most of them do not require the purchase of a new device.
In this article, we’ll look at all the current methods, from the standard ones (buttons on the case, Mi Remote app) to the non-obvious ones (mouse/keyboard via USB, voice assistant). And you’ll learn how to unlock a Xiaomi TV if it requires confirmation of actions without a remote, and what to do if none of them worked. All instructions are tested on Mi TV 4S/5X, Redmi Smart TV X and Xiaomi TV A Pro models, but they will also work for other smart TV brands.
Important: Some methods depend on the version of the MIUI TV firmware. If your TV does not respond to standard actions, you may need to update the software - how to do this without a remote, read the section on alternative ways to update.
Method 1: Control through buttons on the TV body
The most reliable, but often ignored, method is physical buttons on the back or side of the TV. OLED-panels) have at least 3 buttons:
- 🔘 Power button – turns on/off TV (sometimes combined with an indicator).
- 📺 The button "Menu" - calls the main settings menu (analogue of the Home button on the remote control).
- 🔽 Navigation buttons – “Up/Down” or "OK" (On some models combined in a joystick).
How to use them:
- Press the power button to turn on the TV.
- Use the "Menu" button to open the main menu (similar to clicking Home on the remote).
- Move to the points using the buttons "Up / Down", confirm the choice with the "OK" button.
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models TV Q2 And newer buttons can be touch-sensitive (without physically pressing) if they don't respond, try to hold your finger closer to the indicator or clear the panel of dust.
Check the power grid | Clear the dust/mud buttons |Try to press with effort (but no fanaticism)|Reboot the TV with 30 seconds off-->
Method 2: Mi Remote Application (official solution)
If you have an Android or iOS smartphone, the easiest way is Xiaomi's Mi Remote app, which emulates the remote control and supports all the models of the brand's TVs.
- 🤖 Google Play (Android)
- 🍎 App Store (iPhone)
Step-by-step:
- Install the application and open it.
- Select the TV category → Xiaomi brand.
- Follow the instructions on the screen: the application will prompt you to choose a model or automatically determine it.
- Click Connect and wait for synchronization (TV must be turned on).
⚠️ Warning: To work Mi Remote TV and smartphone must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If TV uses cable (Ethernet), and phone is mobile Internet, the connection will not work.
Method 3: Voice control (Alice, Google Assistant, Siri)
Modern Xiaomi TVs support voice control through built-in assistants or external speakers, which is convenient if the remote is lost and the smartphone is at hand.
| Method | The device | Teams examples | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Alice. | TVs with MIUI TV 3.0+ | "Alice, turn on Netflix," "Show Channel One" | Microphone on remote or TV |
| Google Assistant | Smartphone or Google Nest | “OK Google, Turn on Xiaomi TV,” “Grow Volume on TV” | Telephone and TV on the same Wi-Fi network |
| Siri (iPhone) | iPhone/iPad | "Hi Siri, turn on the Xiaomi TV." | Configured management through HomeKit |
How to set up voice control through Google Assistant:
- Open the Google app on your smartphone (or download it).
- Go to Settings → Google Assistant → Home Management.
- Click Add Device → Select Television → Xiaomi.
- Follow the instructions on the screen for bundling accounts.
💡 If the built-in microphone on the TV is weak in voice recognition, connect an external smart speaker (for example, Xiaomi Mi). AI Speaker – it will send commands more accurately.
Method 4: Mouse or keyboard via USB/Bluetooth
Few people know, but Xiaomi TVs support connectivity USB-A mouse, a keyboard, or a gamepad is a complete remote replacement, and any wired or wireless mouse (even from a PC) is fine. How does it work:
- 🖱️ Wired mouse - connect to any free USB-The port is on the TV. The cursor will appear automatically.
- 📶 Wireless mouse/keyboard – connect a Bluetooth adapter (if not in TV) or sync your device through Settings → Bluetooth.
- 🎮 Gamepad – suitable for navigation in the menu (for example, Xiaomi Game Controller).
What can you do with a mouse:
- Open applications (analogue of the Home button).
- Move to the menu (replace the buttons "Up / Down").
- Click on the elements (analogue of the OK button).
- Scrolling lists (mouse wheel).
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Smart) TV X50) When you first connect your mouse, you may receive a confirmation request via the remote control. If you don't, use the buttons on the TV body to confirm (usually just click on the button). OK).
Which mice don't fit?
Method 5: Control over HDMI-CEC (if another device is connected)
Technology HDMI-CEC allows you to control the TV through the remote from connected devices – for example, the Xiaomi Mi Box, PlayStation or DVD-If you have a device connected to your TV, you can do it:
- 📦 Turn on/off the TV with the console.
- 🔊 Adjust volume.
- 🔀 Switch signal sources (HDMI-port).
How to turn HDMI-CEC on Xiaomi TV:
- Go to Settings → System → HDMI-CEC.
- Activate Control via HDMI (or Anynet+/Bravia Sync, depending on the model).
- Connect the device to HDMI-Port and try to use its remote control.
Important: If the TV does not respond to commands via HDMI-CEC, update the firmware - in older versions of MIUI TV this function worked unstable.
Method 6: Alternative management applications
If Mi Remote doesn't fit (for example, it doesn't find a TV), you can use third-party apps. They often offer advanced features like gestures or macros.
| Annex | Platform | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unified Remote | Android/iOS | Supports gestures, keyboard, voice | Paid version for full functionality |
| AnyMote | Android | Works with IR-port (if any) | A complex setup for beginners |
| TV Remote Control | Android | Simple interface, free of charge | Advertising, limited functions |
How to set up Unified Remote:
- Download the application and install the server part on the PC (if you need to manage through a computer).
- Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Select Add Device → Television → Xiaomi.
- Follow the instructions for synchronization.
💡 If the TV is not detected, try manually entering it. IP-You can find it through the router (in the list of connected devices) or in the TV menu: Settings → Network → Connection status.
Method 7: Reset settings (if the TV is blocked)
If the TV requires confirmation of actions through the remote (for example, when resetting or updating), and the remote does not, a hardware reset can help. This is an extreme measure, since all settings and applications will be deleted.
Method 1: Through buttons on the body
- Turn off the TV with the power button.
- Press the menu button (or OK, depending on the model) and, without letting it go, press the power button.
- Hold both buttons for 10-15 seconds until the recovery menu appears.
- From the menu, select Wipe Data/Factory Reset (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
Method 2: Service menu (for advanced)
If the standard reset didn't work, you can try logging into the service menu.
- Turn on the TV.
- On the remote (or via Mi Remote) quickly tap the sequence: Settings → Support → About TV → Press 5 times on Model
- In the menu, select Factory Reset.
⚠️ Warning: After the reset, the TV will require reconfiguration, including Wi-Fi connection and Xiaomi account login. Prepare login details in advance or skip this step if you haven't linked your account.
💡
Resetting is the last option if other methods fail, and then all data will be deleted, including the apps installed and the passwords saved.