How to control a Xiaomi TV without a remote: from buttons to voice assistant

Why remote control is not a problem for Xiaomi TV

Loss or breakage of the remote from the Xiaomi Mi TV TV, Redmi Smart TV Xiaomi TV A Pro seems like a disaster until you learn about the hidden power of control, and today’s smart TVs are designed with backup interactions in mind, from physical buttons on the body to integration with the Mi Home ecosystem and voice assistants. Even if the remote is lost, turned off or broken, you will not be left without access to your favorite shows.

The main advantage of Xiaomi TV — Support for alternative control methods out of the box. The manufacturer has provided at least 3 hardware methods (buttons, HDMI-CEC, USB-Keyboard and 4 software (applications, voice, Mi Remote, AirMouse) and most methods work even on budget models like Redmi. TV 32 or Mi TV 4A. This article provides proven instructions for all scenarios, from emergency onset to full control without buying a new remote.

Method 1: Control through physical buttons on the TV

The most reliable method that will work even if the remote is completely discharged or there is no Internet connection. TV Q1) There are hidden touch buttons or mechanical buttons, and their location depends on the series:

• 📺 Classical models (Mi) TV 4S/4X, Redmi Smart TV): The buttons are on the bottom frame under the logo or on the right side (behind the matte panel). ±, Channels ± Menu.
• 🖥️ Award Series (Mi) TV Q2, Xiaomi TV A Pro: one Joystick button on the right under the screen, which combines the functions of on, navigation and confirmation.
• 🔍 Budget models (Redmi) TV 32/43): buttons can be on the back panel near the connectors (covered with a rubber plug).

To turn on the TV with buttons:

1. Find the Power button (usually marked with a symbol) ⊙ or I/O).
2. Press it for 3-5 seconds until the indicator lights up (on some models you need to press 1 time with pause).
3. To navigate the menu, use the Volume button (up/down) and Channels (left/right).

⚠️ Note: On models with a joystick (Mi) TV Q2, Xiaomi TV A Pro) don't press the button forcefully, the mechanism is fragile. Easy enough to scroll through the menu.

Find the power button (usually under the logo)

Make sure the TV is connected to the network 220V

Check the indicator (should flash in standby mode)

Use dry fingers for touch buttons-->

Method 2: Controlling through HDMI-CEC (single-cable)

Technology HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control allows you to control your TV through a remote from connected devices such as Xiaomi Mi Box, gaming console or Blu-ray player. TV, Released after 2018, but requires activation of the feature in the settings.

How to turn on HDMI-CEC:

1. Connect your device (such as the Mi Box S) to your TV via HDMI-port.
2. On the remote of the connected device, find the button TV Control or CEC (Mi Box is a button with a TV icon).
3. In the TV menu go to Settings → System system → HDMI-CEC and enable the control option through HDMI.

If HDMI-CEC is not working:

• 🔌 Check that the cable HDMI supportive CEC (Usually all cables version 1.4 and above).
• 🔄 Restart the TV and connected device.
• 📋 The TV menu may have an alternative function name: Anynet+ (Samsung, Bravia Sync (Sony) or SimpLink (LG).

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If you don’t have a Mi Box but have an Android console (like the Nvidia Shield), install the app. CEC Remote from Google Play – it emulates the remote control HDMI-CEC.

Method 3: Mi Remote application (official solution)

Xiaomi’s official Mi Remote app turns the smartphone into a full-fledged remote control.It supports all models of the brand’s TVs, including Redmi Smart. TV mi TV QLED, It also allows you to control other Xiaomi devices (air conditioners, projectors). The application is available for Android and iOS, but there are nuances of customization.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Remote for Android or iOS.
2. Turn on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on your TV (depending on the model). You can use buttons on the case (see Method 1).
3. In the app, click + → Television → Xiaomi and choose your own model.
4. Follow the instructions on the interface screen. Some models will need to type in PIN-code (default 0000 or 1234).

If the TV is not available:

• 📶 Make sure your smartphone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (for Mi Home-enabled models).
• 🔄 Restart the app and TV.
• 🔍 For older models (Mi) TV 3) connection via Infrared port may be required (IR). In this case, point the smartphone to the signal receiver (usually at the bottom of the screen).

⚠️ Attention: On Android TVs TV 10+ (Like Mi. TV Q1 75) to work Mi Remote must enable the option Settings → The device → Bluetooth pairing.

Through the original remote

Mi Remote appendix

Voice assistant (Alice)/Google)

Physical buttons on the device

In other ways.-->

Method 4: Voice control (Alice, Google Assistant, Siri)

Xiaomi TVs with Android TV (Like Mi. TV P1, Xiaomi TV A Pro) supports voice control through the built-in Google Assistant, and you can connect external speakers with Alice (from Yandex) or use Siri via Apple HomeKit. This method is convenient for quickly turning on, switching channels or launching applications.

Setting up Google Assistant:

1. Make sure that the TV is connected to the Internet (activate Wi-Fi through the buttons on the case).
2. Say to the microphone of your smartphone: OK, Google, turn on Xiaomi TV" (The TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network).
3. To control from the TV screen: press the Microphone button on the remote (or activate via Settings) → Voice search).

The connection of Yandex Alice:

• 🎤 Buy a column with Alice (e.g. Yandex Station 2) and connect it to the same Wi-Fi network as the TV.
• 🔗 In the Yandex app go to Devices → Add → TV and choose Xiaomi.
• 🗣️ After pairing, use the commands: "Alice, turn on Netflix on the TV" or "Alice, set the volume 50%".

List of supported voice commands for Xiaomi TV:

- Turn on the TV.


"Open YouTube on Xiaomi TV"




- "Grow volume by 20%."




- "Switch to HDMI 1"




- "Switch off the TV in 30 minutes."

Method 5: USB-Keyboard or mouse (for advanced users)

Few people know, but Xiaomi TVs on Android TV support the connection USB-keyboards and mice through port USB-A or USB-C (This allows you to control the interface as you would on a computer: open applications, type text in search, and even play games (for example, through Google Stadia), a method that is especially useful if you want to enter a password from Wi-Fi or configure network settings.

How to connect:

1. Buy a wired or wireless (with a USB-Keyboard. For Xiaomi. TV Suitable models from Logitech, Razer or even inexpensive Chinese versions.
2. Connect the keyboard to USB-If you have multiple ports, choose the port. USB 3.0 (usually blue) for stable operation.
3. You'll see a cursor (if you have a mouse attached) or a virtual keyboard. Use arrow keys for navigation, Enter for confirmation, Esc for return.

Hot keys for control:

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi models TV firmware MIUI TV 2.0 may not work wireless mouse. In this case, use a wired or connect Bluetooth adapter through the USB.

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USB-Keyboard is the only way to enter a complex Wi-Fi password without a remote, which is true if you moved or reset your TV settings.

Method 6: Remote control via Mi Home (for smart home)

If your Xiaomi TV is integrated into the Mi Home ecosystem (e.g., Mi models) TV P1 Xiaomi TV A Pro, you can control it through the Mi Home app even without direct access to the remote, and it requires pre-configuration, but it opens up additional possibilities: schedule management, geolocation activation, or automation scenarios.

Instructions for setting:

1. Install the Mi Home (Android) or Mi Home (iOS) app.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (must match your TV account).
3. In the main menu of the application click + → Add the device → Television.
4. Choose your model and follow the instructions on the screen. The TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the smartphone.

What can you do with Mi Home:

• 📱 Turn the TV on/off remotely (even outside the home if Remote Access is configured).
• 🔊 Adjust volume and switch signal sources (HDMI, TV, AV).
• 🎬 Run applications (Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video) by voice command or via a widget.
• ⏰ Set up automatic shutdown by timer.

Important: To manage off-local network, you need to enable the option "Cloud Management" in the settings of the TV (Settings) → Account and security → Without this, the TV will only be available on your home Wi-Fi network.

Method 7: Alternative applications (for older models)

If your Xiaomi TV is released before 2019 (e.g. Mi) TV 4A or Mi TV 4C), The official Mi Remote app may not support all the features, and in this case, universal applications for controlling equipment over Wi-Fi or infrared port will help:

How to set up Unified Remote (recommended for most models):

1. Download and install the application on your smartphone.
2. On the TV, turn on the Settings option. → Network and access → Remote management (or ADB debugging for older models).
3. In the app, select Add Device → Android TV → Xiaomi.
4. Follow the pairing instructions. You may need to enter. IP-TV address (you can find it in Settings) → Network).

⚠️ Note: IR-capable apps (such as AnyMote) require an infrared transmitter in your smartphone, check if your model has one, through the manufacturer's website specifications.

Frequent problems and solutions

Even with alternative management, there can be challenges, and we've collected common mistakes and solutions.

• 🔴 The TV is not turned on by buttons Check that the power cable is tightly inserted into the socket and connector DC-IN On models with an external power supply (e.g. Redmi). TV 32) Try another adapter with similar characteristics (12V/1.5A).
• 🔍 Mi Remote does not find the TV Make sure the TV is on Bluetooth (Settings) → Devices → If you use Wi-Fi, turn off the Bluetooth. VPN On a smartphone, it can block a local connection.
• 🎤 Voice Assistant does not respond For Google Assistant, check that settings on your TV are enabled → Voice search → Google Assistant. For Alice, reconnect the speaker to the Wi-Fi network.
• 🖱️ USB-The keyboard doesn't work, try another one. USB-port or connect the keyboard via externally powered USB-hub (relevant for low-current TVs on ports, such as Mi TV 4A 32).

If neither of these methods worked, it might be the firmware of the TV, and then the factory reset would help.

1. On the TV turned off, press the Power button on the case and the Volume button. − simultaneously.
2. Hold for 10-15 seconds until the recovery mode appears.
3. With the volume buttons, select Wipe Data/Factory Reset and confirm the choice of the power button.

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Resetting will remove all installed apps and accounts. Once rebooted, the TV will be like new, requiring resetting Wi-Fi and logging into Mi-account.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions