How to control a Xiaomi TV without a remote: full instructions on buttons and hidden functions

Lost or broken remote from Xiaomi Mi TV? Don't rush to buy a new one - modern TVs of this brand are equipped with built-in controls, which are not known to all users. Even without the remote, you can not only turn on the device, but also switch channels, adjust volume, and in some cases even go to the settings and update the firmware.

In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to control Xiaomi TV without a remote, from the obvious (buttons on the case) to the hidden (commands via ADB and voice assistant). Particular attention will be paid to the models of Mi TV 4A/4S/4X/5X, Redmi Smart TV and Mi TV Q1/Q2, because their interfaces have key differences. If your TV does not respond to buttons or freezes, at the end of the article you will find instructions for emergency reset without a remote.

Warning: some methods require pre-configuration (e.g., connecting to the same network with a phone to control via an app). If the TV is completely discharged or the display is broken, these methods will not work, in which case only maintenance repairs or the purchase of the original / universal remote are left.

The buttons on the TV body: where they are hidden and what they do

All Xiaomi TVs (except for the most budget models) have physical control buttons on the case.

• 📺 Mi TV 4A/4S/4X: The buttons are on the right sidebar (when you watch the TV in the front) or on the bottom frame under the logo. These are usually three buttons: Power, Volume. +/- and Confirmation (OK).
• 🖥️ Mi TV Q1/Q2, Redmi Smart TV X: buttons moved to the back (closer to the lower right corner) can be a touchpad or mechanical keys.
• 🔍 Mi TV ES/Pro: buttons are hidden under the retractable cover on the back panel (near the connectors) HDMI).

To find the buttons, look at the TV in good light — these are often indicated by small pictograms (a power circle, plus/minus for volume) — on some models, the buttons are touch-sensitive and only work when you touch, not press.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi TVs with Android TV 10+ (Like Mi. TV Q2 2023) buttons on the case can be switched off software in the security settings. If they do not respond, check the Settings section. → The device → Button parameters.

Critical feature: On the Mi TV P1 and newer models, the OK button is also a joystick, which can be tilted to the sides to navigate the menu (like on the remote), which allows you to select items without additional keys.

2. How to turn on the TV without remote control: step-by-step instructions

If the TV is turned off, the first thing you need to do is to start it.

1. Find the power button on the case (see section above).
2. Press and hold it for 3-5 seconds until the indicator lights up (usually a white or red LED).
3. If the indicator flashes but the TV doesn’t turn on, disconnect it from the network for 30 seconds, then try again.

On models with touch buttons (such as the Redmi X50), you may need to double-task the power button. If the TV does not respond, check if the Power Saving mode is activated in the settings (it blocks the switch on from the button).

Check the power (cable, socket)

Hold the power button for 10+ seconds to reset

Shut off the network for 1 minute.

Try to enable it via the Mi Remote app (if previously connected)-->

If the power button is broken or missing (for example, on some OEM-European market models, there are two options:

• 🔌 Connect the TV to HDMI-CEC-to the device (e.g., Xiaomi Mi Box) and enable it via the signal source menu.
• 📱 Use the Mi Remote app (if the TV was previously connected to a Wi-Fi network and Mi Account).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall firmware (India, global models), the power button can only work with a connected cable. HDMI port ARC. This is a firmware bug fixed in post-2022 updates.

3. Volume and channel control without remote control

After turning on the TV, you can adjust the main parameters through the buttons on the case:

• 🔊 Volume: buttons +/– (On most models. On Mi. TV Q2 You have to hold the button for that. OK and tilt it left/right.
• 📺 Channel switching: press OK, Then use volume buttons to select the channel (on PatchWall you need to confirm the selection by re-pressing the channel). OK).
• 🔄 Signal source: on models with a Source button (e.g. Mi) TV 4X) Hold it for 3 seconds to cycle between HDMI, AV and TV.

On Android TVs (such as Mi TV 5X), you need to switch between apps:

1. Press OK to open the main menu.
2. Use volume buttons to navigate through the list of applications.
3. Click OK again to launch the selected app (e.g. YouTube or Netflix).

Problem: On some firmware (e.g. MIUI TV 3.0), the volume buttons don't work in the app menu, in which case only resetting or updating the software will help.

💡

If the volume buttons don’t respond, try pressing and holding them simultaneously for 5 seconds – this will reset the sound settings to the factory.

4. How to go to the settings of Xiaomi TV without remote control

To open the settings menu without the remote, follow the following steps (relevant to Android TV and PatchWall):

1. Turn on the TV with the power button.
2. On the home screen, press OK (or hold it if it’s a joystick).
3. Use volume buttons to navigate the menu: On Android TV: select the icon ⚙ Settings (usually in the upper right corner) on PatchWall: go to All Apps → Settings.

OK

Inside the menu, the navigation is done in the same way: volume buttons for moving, OK for selecting. To go back, most models need to hold the OK 2 second button (analogue of the Back button on the remote).

If you need to reset to factory settings (for example, when hanging), find the Warehouse and Reset section in the menu → Data reset. Some firmwares have this item hidden, and you have to type it in to display it. PIN-code (default 0000 or 1234).

5. Control via Mi Remote app (if TV is online)

If your Xiaomi TV is connected to Wi-Fi and linked to your Mi Account, you can manage it through the official Mi Remote app (available for Android and iOS).

1. Download the app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Sign in with the same Mi Account as you do on your TV.
3. In the list of devices, select your TV (e.g. Mi TV 4X-55).
4. Use a virtual remote in the control application.

If the TV is not displayed in the list of devices:

1. Make sure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. On your TV, go to Settings → Device → Connection & Sharing → Mi Remote and turn on the option to Allow Remote Control.
3. Reboot the TV and phone.

⚠️ Note: On PatchWall TVs (India) you may need to enable Developer Options to work with Mi Remote → Network Debugging. To activate Developer Options, click on the Build Number 7 times in About TV.

6.Alternative methods: voice assistant, HDMI-CEC and ADB

If the buttons on the case are broken and the remote is not at hand, try these methods:

🎤 Google Assistant (XiaoAI or Google Assistant)

On models with a microphone (e.g., Mi TV Q2 2023), you can use voice commands:

1. Say OK, Google or press the microphone button on the case (if any).
2. Say the command, for example: Turn on YouTube Turn up volume by 50% Switch to HDMI 1

🖥️ HDMI-CEC (control over other devices)

If you have a console (Xiaomi Mi Box, NVIDIA Shield) or a game console (PS5, Xbox) connected to your TV, you can control it through their remotes:

1. Turn on the device connected to HDMI.
2. On his remote, press the Home or Input button.
3. Select the TV as the control source (in HDMI-CEC settings on the console).

💻 ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

If the TV is connected to the same network as the computer, you can send commands via ADB:

adb connect [IP- address television]:5555


adb shell input keyevent 3 # Home button




adb shell input keyevent 24 # Increase volume




adb shell input keyevent 25 #Loud down

To find out IP-TV address, go to Settings → Network (if you have access to the menu).

💡

Voice assistant and HDMI-CEC only work if these features were enabled in the settings before the remote was lost, and if they weren't set up in advance, these methods won't work.

7 Emergency discharge and recovery without remote control

If the TV is getting stuck or does not respond to buttons, perform an emergency reset:

🔄 Soft reset

1. Turn off the TV.
2. Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds (even if the TV is turned off).
3. Connect the power back and turn on the TV.

⚙ Hard reset (deletes all data)

For a complete reset to factory settings:

1. Turn off the TV.
2. Press and hold the Power + Volume buttons – 10 seconds at the same time until the recovery menu appears.
3. From the menu, select Wipe data/factory reset (use volume buttons for navigation, OK for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.