How to Connect and Control a Xiaomi TV Without a Remote: The Complete Guide to 2026

Losing or breaking a remote from a Xiaomi TV is a bad situation, but not a critical one. The brand’s modern smart TVs (Mi TV 4/5, Redmi Smart TV, Xiaomi TV A/Q) support several alternative controls that are not widely known to users. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for connecting to a TV without the original remote, from standard buttons on the body to advanced features like HDMI-CEC and control through Google Assistant.

It's important to understand that not all of these things are equally convenient, for example, the hardware buttons on the TV body will only allow you to turn the device on and switch the signal sources, whereas the mobile app will give you full control over the settings, we will describe each option in detail, specify their limitations and nuances for specific Xiaomi models, and also warn against typical errors that can lead to a lockdown of the TV.

If your Xiaomi TV doesn’t respond to any of the suggested methods, at the end of the article you’ll find an emergency settings reset instruction, a last resort that will bring the TV back to factory settings (but remove all installed apps and accounts).

1. Control through hardware buttons on the TV body

All Xiaomi TVs (except some ultra-slim models) are equipped with physical buttons on the bottom or side panel, their number and functionality depend on the series:

• 🔘 Power button - turns the TV on/off. On some models (Mi TV 4A), holding that button for 10 seconds performs a hard reset.
• 📺 Source button (Source/Input) - switches between HDMI, USB, TV- antenna. On Redmi Smart TV can be paired with the Menu button.
• 🔽 Joystick or touch keys — found on Mi TV 5 Pro models and later, allowing navigation on the menu (up/down/input).
• 🔄 Reset button -- hidden in the hole on the back (requires a paper clip) used for emergency reset.

How to use:

1. Press Power to turn on the TV.
2. With the Source button, select the desired input (for example, HDMI 1 for a connected console).
3. If you have a joystick, go to Settings → Network and connect to Wi-Fi (required for other management methods).

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi TV A2 2023 and later, the hardware buttons can be switched off software after a firmware update, and you'll have to connect to them first via the Mi Remote App to activate them.

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If the buttons on the case do not respond, check the power supply: disconnect the TV from the socket for 1 minute, then turn it on again. This will reset the temporary controller errors.

2.Management through the Mi Remote mobile application

The official Xiaomi app is the most convenient way to replace the remote.It supports all models of the brand’s TVs, including Mi TV, Redmi Smart TV and Xiaomi TV QLED. The app is available for Android and iOS, but there are nuances:

• 📱 Android: The app is called Mi Remote Controller (download to Google Play).
• 🍎 iOS: Called Mi Home (includes the remote function in Devices → TVs).
• 🔗 Condition: The TV and smartphone must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (or use Mi Home Mesh for Mi Mesh-enabled models).

Step-by-step:

1. Install and open the app. Select Add Device → TV.
2. On your TV, go to Settings → Device → Connect and Sharing → Mi Remote and activate the option.
3. In the app, click Connect and select your model from the list.
4. Confirm the pairing on the TV screen (if required).

If the TV doesn't find the app:

Television and phone in the same Wi-Fi network|The TV has Mi Remote mode enabled in the settings|The app has access to location (for Bluetooth)|TV firmware updated to the latest version-->

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware older than MIUI TV 2.5, the Mi Remote app may not work smoothly. Update the software via Settings → About TV → System Update.

3.Using HDMI-CEC (Contacted Devices Management)

HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) is a standard that allows you to control your TV through connected devices, for example:

• 🎮 Game consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch)
• 📦 Xiaomi Mi Box, NVIDIA Shield, Apple TV
• 💻 Laptops/PCs with output HDMI (support required) CEC video card

How to turn HDMI-CEC on Xiaomi TV:

1. Go to Settings → Device → HDMI-CEC.
2. Activate the HDMI Control option (some models call it Anyview Cast or Simplink).
3. Connect the device via HDMI and select the appropriate source on the TV.

Examples of management:

• On PlayStation 5: Hold the PS button on the gamepad → select Control HDMI- device.
• On Xiaomi Mi Box: In the remote settings, activate Control TV.
• On PC: Use programs like Pulse-Eight's CEC Adapter (CEC- compatible HDMI-port is required).

Limitations of the method:

• Not all commands are available (for example, you can’t open your TV settings via PlayStation).
• On some models (Xiaomi TV A2) HDMI-CEC conflicts with the Mi Remote App.

4. Connect via Google Assistant or Alice (voice control)

If your Xiaomi TV runs on Android TV (all models except Redmi Smart TV 2018), you can control it via:

• 🎤 Google Assistant (built into your TV or smartphone)
• 🗣️ Alice from Yandex (connection is required via Yandex Station or Yandex application).
• 📱 Siri Shortcuts (for iPhone owners, but with limitations)

Setting up Google Assistant:

1. On TV: Settings → Accounts and Login → Google → Sign in to your account.
2. Activate Google Assistant in your voice settings.
3. Say, “OK Google, turn on Mi TV” or “OK Google, set the volume to 50 on the TV.”

Alice's setting:

1. Install the Yandex application on your smartphone.
2. Connect the TV to your Xiaomi account in Mi Home.
3. In the Yandex app add the device: Smart home → Add → Xiaomi → TV.
4. Now you can say, "Alice, turn on the TV in the living room."

⚠️ Warning: Voice control via Alice only works for basic commands (on/off, volume, channel switching).

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Voice assistants are the fastest way to turn on the TV or change the volume, but they won’t replace a full remote to adjust settings.

5. Emergency methods: resetting settings and USB connection

If none of the above methods worked, then extreme measures remain:

• 🔄 Reset button – returns the TV to factory settings (deletes all accounts and apps).
• 🖥️ Connecting the keyboard/mouse to USB will allow you to manage the menu as on a PC.
• 🔌 Update the firmware via USB – if the TV is stuck on the logo.

How to reset:

1. Turn the TV off the socket.
2. Find the Reset button on the back (usually next to HDMI ports).
3. Insert the paperclip and hold the button for 10-15 seconds until the indicator lights up.
4. Connect the TV to the socket and the reset will begin.

Connection of USB- keyboard:

• Any keyboard with a USB-A or USB-C port (via an adapter) is suitable.
• Keys: Esc – back; Enter – choice; Arrows – navigation; F1 – F12 – fast actions (for example, F3 – signal source).

⚠️ Warning: After a reset, Xiaomi TV may require a link to the Mi Account that was used earlier.If you don't remember the data, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

6. Alternative solutions: universal remotes and IR- blasters

If you need a permanent solution rather than a temporary replacement, consider:

• 📟 Xiaomi Mi Universal Remote, Logitech Harmony.
• 📱 IR- smartphone blasters (e.g., BroadLink RM4 Pro).
• 🖥️ Programmable remotes (Xiaomi Chuangmi IR Remote – supports up to 50,000 devices).

How to set up a universal remote:

1. Buy a remote with support for Xiaomi TV (check compatibility by model).
2. Turn on the training mode: on the original remote, press the button, then on the universal one - hold the corresponding key for 3-5 seconds.
3. Repeat for all the buttons you need (Power, Volume, Menu, etc.).

IR- blaster BroadLink RM4 Pro:

• Connect the blaster to the Wi-Fi network.
• In the BroadLink app, select Add Device → TV → Xiaomi.
• Point the original remote to the blaster and record commands.
• You can now control your TV via smartphone or voice (integration with Google Home).

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Before buying a universal remote, check whether it supports the NEC or RC5 protocol – these are used by Xiaomi TVs of recent years.

FAQ: Frequent questions