Lost the remote from Xiaomi Mi TV or it suddenly stopped working? Don't panic - you can control the TV without it! In this article, we will examine all possible ways, including hidden features that are not written in the official instructions, you will learn how to turn on TV, change channels, adjust volume and even adjust the parameters of the system without a physical remote.
Modern Xiaomi Mi TVs (Mi TV 4S, Mi TV 5, Mi TV Q1, and others) support several alternative management methods, some of which require pre-tuning, others work out of the box. We will look at options for different situations, from basic inclusion to full control via a smartphone or PC. Particular attention will be paid to hidden buttons on the case, which many users do not even know!
1. Control through buttons on the TV body
All Xiaomi Mi TVs have hardware buttons that duplicate the basic functions of the remote, and their location varies depending on the TV series, but the general principle of operation is the same.
- 🔘 Power button – usually located on the bottom or sidebar (sometimes under the Mi logo) can be touch or mechanical.
- 🔽 Joystick/navigation buttons – found on Mi models TV 4A, 4S (55" and 65"), allowing you to navigate the menu.
- 🔊 Volume buttons – often combined with a joystick or made separately (for example, on Mi). TV 5 Pro).
- 📺 Signal source button – to switch between HDMI, USB and TV (Not all models are available).
To activate the menu without the remote:
- Press and hold the power button for 3-5 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- After downloading, use a joystick (or a combination of volume buttons) to navigate:
- Press the joystick down (or volume) to select the menu item.
- Press the joystick in the center (or hold the volume +) for confirmation.
Where to look for buttons on popular models?
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Mi) TV 4A 32) hardware buttons are locked after 3 failed input attempts PIN-If the TV requests a password and the remote doesn't, you'll have to reset the settings through the service menu (more on that below).
2.Use of the smartphone as a remote control
The most convenient way to control it is to use a remote control app on a smartphone. Xiaomi offers an official solution, but there are universal alternatives. Let's consider both options.
Official Mi Remote app:
- 📱 Download Mi Remote for Android or iOS.
- 🔗 Connect your smartphone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network (required!).
- 🎯 Point your smartphone camera on the TV screen for automatic synchronization (Mi required) TV 4S newer).
Universal applications (if Mi Remote does not work):
- 🌐 Google TV (pre-Android TV Remote – supports Xiaomi Mi TV Android TV 9+.
- 🔄 Unified Remote – works on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, there are advanced features (for example, keyboard).
- 🖥️ TeamViewer QuickSupport – for remote control via PC (required) USB-OTG adapter).
| Annex | Support for Xiaomi Mi TV | Wi-Fi required | Additional functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Remote | ✅ All models. | ✅ Yes. | Voice search, gestures. |
| Google TV | ✅ Android TV 9+ | ✅ Yes. | Keyboard, mouse. |
| Unified Remote | ✅ Most of the time. | ❌ No (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) | Macros, customization |
| Yatse | ⚠️ Partially. | ✅ Yes. | Widgets, automation |
⚠️ Note: If the TV is connected to Wi-Fi but the app doesn’t find it, check Settings → Network → Connected devices on TV. It's possible that Hide from the LAN mode is on (turn it off!).
3. Voice control via Alice, Google Assistant or Siri
If your Xiaomi Mi TV supports voice assistants (Mi TV 5, Q1/Q2, P1), you can control it without a remote or even a smartphone.
Through Alice (Yandex):
- 🎤 Tell your Alice speaker or smartphone: Alice, turn on Xiaomi TV".
- 📺 Make sure your TV and speaker are connected to the same Xiaomi account (via Settings) → Account).
- 🔊 Supported commands: "Set volume 50%", "Open Netflix", "Switch to volume" HDMI 1".
Through Google Assistant:
- Open Google Home on your smartphone.
- Add the device: Setup → Add → Device for managing the house.
- Choose Xiaomi and log in.
- Voice commands: "Okay, Google, turn on the TV in the living room."
Through Siri (for iPhone):
- 🍎 Set up Shortcuts with commands for Mi Home.
- 🔗 Connect your TV to Apple HomeKit via Mi Home (Mi required) TV 5 Pro and newer).
- 🗣️ Example: “Hey Siri, turn Xiaomi on in the kitchen".
💡
If the voice assistant can't find the TV, check in Settings → Voice control on TV to see if the "Allow Remote Control" option is enabled. On some models, it's turned off by default.
4. Connect the keyboard or mouse via USB/Bluetooth
Few people know, but Xiaomi Mi TV supportive USB-peripherals: keyboards, mice and even gamepads! This is a complete replacement for the remote, especially convenient for text input or navigation on Android. TV.
Connection methods:
- 🖱️ Wired mouse/keyboard: connect to the port USB-A Most models support Plug & Play.
- 📶 Bluetooth devices: Go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth. Enable keyboard/mouse search mode. Select the device from the list and confirm pairing.
gamepad
Xiaomi Game Controller
DualShock 4
Hot keys for control:
- Esc – return to the previous menu (analogue of the button Back on the remote).
- Space or Enter – Selection of the item.
- F1–F12 – Quick access to signal sources (configured in Settings → Devices → Keyboard).
- Win + Str – screenshot (save to Memory → Screenshots).
What features are available:
- 📺 Turning on / off the TV with the power button on the console.
- 🔊 Volume control (if supported by an audible device).
- 🔄 Switching between HDMI-port.
Limitations:
- ❌ Not working with HDMI-ARC (conventionally HDMI-port).
- ❌ Not all Xiaomi Mi models TV support CEC (check in the instructions).
- ❌ Features are limited – you can not open the menu settings TV.