Lost the remote from the Xiaomi TV? all ways to control without it

Losing or breaking the remote control of a Xiaomi Mi TV is a bad situation, but it is not a hopeless one. Today’s smart TVs of this brand support several alternative ways of controlling, which many users do not even know about. In this article, we will collect all working methods from official solutions to life hacks from profile forums, including hidden hardware buttons, mobile applications and even voice control.

It is important to understand that the effectiveness of each method depends on the model of your TV (for example, Mi TV 4S, Mi TV Q1 or Mi TV A2), the firmware version and the available connections. We will analyze the solutions for different scenarios: when the TV is turned on, off, connected to Wi-Fi or offline, you will also find step-by-step instructions with pictures (links to screenshots from the official documentation) and a table of compatibility of methods with popular models.

If you’ve tried standard methods before and they haven’t worked, don’t rush to buy a new remote. At the end of this article, we’ll reveal a little-known method of activating debugging mode via USB-OTG, which works even on locked TVs, a technique often discussed in foreign forums, but rarely mentioned in Russian sources.

1. Hidden hardware buttons on the TV body

All Xiaomi TVs (except some Mi TV Lux models) have physical control buttons hidden under the bottom bezel or on the back, and their location depends on the year of release and series:

• 🔘 Power button: usually on the right side on the back (near the connectors) HDMI). On some models - under the logo in front.
• 📺 Control buttons: often touch areas under the screen (lower left corner) or mini-joystick near-remote connector.
• 🔄 Reset button: in the hole on the back (clip required) Used for hard reset if the TV is not responding.

How to use them:

1. Find the power button (usually marked with a dot or symbol O). Hold it for 5-10 seconds to turn on the TV.
2. To navigate the menu, use touch buttons or joystick: short clicks - selecting an item, long click - confirmation.
3. To open Settings, find the combination: press Menu (if any) or hold OK for 3 seconds.

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ On some models (e.g., Mi). TV Q2) The buttons only work for on/off, not for navigation.
• ⚠️ After resetting your settings (hard reset), you may need to reset Wi-Fi and Mi Account.

2.Management through the Mi Remote mobile application

The official Mi Remote app (formerly Mi TV Remote) is the easiest solution if you have an Android or iOS smartphone, and it converts your phone into a full-fledged remote with voice control and gestures.

How to connect:

1. Download the app from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Turn on the TV (via the power button or Wake-on-LAN if supported).
3. In the app, select Add Device → Television → Xiaomi.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen: TV and phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Challenges and solutions:

• 🔌 Make sure the TV and phone are on the same network. On some models, you first need to turn on the option of Network remote in the settings (Settings) → The device → DU remote).
• 📶 No Wi-Fi? Use an infrared port (if you have one on your phone) or connect via Mi Home via Bluetooth (works on Mi). TV Q-series).

3. Voice assistants: Google Assistant and Alice

If your Xiaomi TV runs on Android TV (models from 2020), you can control it with your voice via Google Assistant or Yandex’s Alice, a method that is particularly handy for finding content, adjusting volume or running apps.

Setting up Google Assistant:

1. Make sure your TV is connected to the same Google account as your smartphone.
2. Say in your voice, “OK Google, turn on Mi TV” or “OK Google, pause on your TV.”
3. To control volume: "Increase the volume on the TV to 50%."

Alice's setting:

• 🎤 Say, Alice, find the movie "Lord of the Rings" on TV"».
• 🔊 Or, "Alice, turn on Netflix on Mi." TV».

Limitations:

• ⚠️ Voice commands only work for basic functions (on, volume, application launch) and are not suitable for navigating menus.
• ⚠️ On models up to 2020 (Mi) TV 4A) Voice control may require manual adjustment to Settings → Voice search.

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If the voice assistant can’t find your TV, check if the Remote Control option is enabled in Google’s TV settings. Path: Settings → Accounts and Logins → Google → Remote Device Management.

4. Connect the keyboard or mouse via USB/Bluetooth

Few people know, but Xiaomi TVs on Android TV support USB keyboard, mouse or gamepad connection via USB-A or Bluetooth port. This allows you to fully control the interface, as on a computer.

How to connect:

• 🖱️ Wired mouse/keyboard: just insert in USB-The cursor will appear on the screen in 5-10 seconds.
• 📶 Bluetooth devices: go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and perform pairing.
• 🎮 Gamepad: Xbox or PlayStation controller suitable (Bluetooth required).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Full control of the interface (you can even enter text from the keyboard).
• ✅ It works without the internet.
• ✅ Suitable for installing applications through APK (if debugging is on USB).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ On models without Android TV (Like Mi. TV 4A 32") USB-port may not support HID-device.
• ⚠️ Some features (such as Netflix) can block keyboard control.

Make sure the TV is on | Check for a USB port (not USB-C!)| Use a keyboard with a USB-A| USB-A jack when connecting Bluetooth, charge the device

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Control via HDMI-CEC (if another remote is connected)

HDMI-CEC technology allows you to control your TV from another HDMI connected device (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Box, NVIDIA Shield or ISP set-top boxes), and if you have one, you can use its remote for basic control.

How to turn on HDMI-CEC:

1. Go to Settings → Display and Sound → HDMI-CEC.
2. Enable the option to Manage HDMI or Anynet+ (name depends on the model).
3. Connect the device to the TV via HDMI and try using its remote.

What functions will be available:

• 📺 Turning the TV on/off.
• 🔊 Volume control.
• 🔄 Switching signal sources (HDMI, TV etc.).

Limitations:

• ⚠️ Not all models support all models. HDMI-CEC. On Mi. TV 4A This function can be disabled by default.
• ⚠️ The console will not be able to open the settings of the TV - only basic commands.

6. Reset and restore via USB-OTG (expert method)

If none of the above methods worked, and the TV is locked or does not respond to commands, you can use the recovery mode via USB-OTG. This method is often discussed on the 4PDA and XDA-Developers forums, but requires caution.

What you need:

• 🔌 USB-OTG cable USB-A on Micro-USB/Type-C).
• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB.
• 📁 Firmware file for your model (download from xiaomifirmware.com).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the TV and connect it to your computer via USB-OTG (in the USB port on the TV).
2. Hold the power button on the TV and simultaneously enter in the command line of the computer: adb devices If the device is determined, proceed to the next step.
3. To reset the settings, enter: adb shell recovery --wipe_data
4. To install firmware: adb sideload firmware.zip

⚠️ Warning: Continuous update or reset via ADB It can cause a blink if you interrupt the process. Don't take the cable out or turn off the TV until the operation is complete. TV P1 And newer before firmware be sure to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.

7. Purchase of a new remote: original vs alternative

If all the temporary solutions don't suit you, you'll have to buy a new remote.

Where to buy the original remote:

• 🛒 Xiaomi official website (guarantee but long delivery).
• 🏬 Electronics stores: M. Video, Eldorado, Connected.
• 🌍 AliExpress (see model TV, for example, "MiExpress") TV Q1 remote»).

⚠️ Note: When buying a clone, check if it supports infrared (IR) And Bluetooth protocols. Some cheap remotes only work on the Internet. IR They don't control voice search or smart functions. MTK6226 — They are compatible with Xiaomi as much as possible. TV.

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Before buying a new remote, check that it is compatible with your TV model. For example, the remote from the Mi TV 4S will not be suitable for the Mi TV Q2 due to different communication protocols.

FAQ: Frequent questions from forums