Xiaomi TV remote: what to do and how to manage TV without it

Losing the remote from a Xiaomi TV is a difficult situation, but it is not a hopeless one. Modern smart TVs of this brand support several alternative ways of controlling, which many users do not even know. In this article, we will analyze all possible options, from finding the original remote to using a smartphone, voice assistants and universal devices.

It's important to understand that even without a physical remote, you can't be left without a TV, because the manufacturer has backup mechanisms, and the Mi Home ecosystem allows you to integrate TV into a smart home, and the key is not to panic and follow proven instructions.

If you lost the remote from the Mi model TV 4S, Mi TV Q1 or any other series, our recommendations are suitable for most Android devices TV Google TV. Next – a detailed guide with step-by-step actions, compatibility tables and answers to frequent questions.

1. Search for the original remote: where to look and what to do if you did not find

Before you buy a new remote or adjust alternative controls, you should search your apartment thoroughly, and statistics show that 60 percent of lost remotes are within 5 meters of the TV, under the couch, between pillows or in the drawers of the cabinet.

Typical places where users find missed remotes:

• 🛋️ Between the sofa cushions or in the gaps between the back and the seat
• 📚 Under the stacks of books/magazines on the coffee table
• 🧦 In a basket with laundry (if the remote is small and light, it is easy to confuse it with a sock)
• 🐕 Pet toys (cats and dogs often hide small objects)
• 🚗 In the glove compartment or under the car seat (if you took a remote for watching movies in the garage)

If the search fails, check the TV box — sometimes the remote is in a separate compartment under the foam. Also check the chargers: many Xiaomi models (such as the Mi). TV Stick or Mi Box) comes with remotes that are attached to the USB-cable.

⚠️ Warning: If there are children in the house, check their toys with battery compartments. Xiaomi remotes are often disassembled for small details that may interest the child.

If you don't find the remote, you can move on to the following ways, but before you do that, make sure you check if it's in a case from another gadget (like a tablet or a game console), which is one of the most common causes of loss.

2. Control of the Xiaomi TV from a smartphone: step-by-step instructions

The fastest way to regain control of TV is to use a smartphone on Android or iOS. This does not require additional devices, only the Mi Remote app (for older models) or Google. TV (new).

Instructions for Android:

1. Download the Mi Remote app from Google Play.
2. Open the app and click Add Device → TV.
3. Choose the Xiaomi brand and your TV model (if it’s not on the list, choose Android) TV).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to pair over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Instructions for iPhone:

• Install the Google app TV App Store.
• Make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• In the app, select your TV from the list of available devices.
• Confirm the pairing on the TV screen (if necessary).

After connecting on the smartphone screen, a virtual remote with volume control buttons, channels and OK/Select. In some models (e.g., Mi). TV Q2) Voice control is also available via the phone microphone.

If the TV doesn’t appear in the list of devices, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the router and TV.
• 📶 Connect to a 2.4 GHz network (some models don’t support 5 GHz for management).
• 🔧 Reset your network settings on TV: Settings → Network and Internet → Forget the net.

3.Using voice assistants: Alice, Google Assistant, Siri

If your Xiaomi TV supports voice control (most models after 2019), you can use built-in assistants for core commands, which works even without a remote if the TV is connected to the Internet.

Methods of activation:

To set up voice control:

1. Connect your TV to your Google or Mi Account.
2. In the TV settings, activate the Voice Search or Google Assistant option.
3. Make sure the microphone on your TV (if any) or smartphone is on.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not all commands are supported (for example, you can’t open a specific application).
• ❌ A stable connection to the Internet is required.
• ❌ Works only with basic functions (on/off, volume, channels).

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If the voice assistant doesn’t recognize the name of your TV, add it manually in the Google Home or Yandex app as “Smart Device.”

4. Universal remotes: how to choose and configure

If the original remote is lost irrevocably, the universal device will become a full replacement, the main thing is to choose a model that is compatible with the Xiaomi protocol (usually an infrared port or Bluetooth).

Top.-3 Universal remote for Xiaomi TV:

How to set up a universal remote:

1. Put the batteries in the remote.
2. Press and hold the Setup (or Set) button until the indicator flashes.
3. Enter the code for Xiaomi (usually 0178, 0138 or 0031).
4. Check the power, volume and power buttons OK.

If the remote doesn't respond:

• 🔍 Check if the IR port is closed on the TV (it is usually located on the bottom or side).
• 🔋 Replace the batteries in the remote.
• 📡 Reconnect the remote by following the instructions for your model.

⚠️ Attention: Cheap universal remotes (cost up to 500) ₽) Often do not support voice search and application launch buttons (Netflix, YouTube.

5. Control through buttons on TV: Hidden functions

All Xiaomi TVs have hardware buttons on the body that duplicate the basic functions of the remote.They are located on the bottom or side panel and can be almost invisible.

Where to look for buttons:

• 📺 Lower right (models Mi) TV 4A/4S) — power button and joystick.
• 📺 Lower left (models Mi) TV Q1/Q2) — Volume and Source touch buttons.
• 📺 On the back (rarely) - Reset button.

How to use:

1. The Power button is on/off.
2. Joystick (or buttons) ←→↑↓) — menu-navigation.
3. Button OK (usually in the center of the joystick - the choice of the item.
4. Source button – switching signal sources (HDMI, TV etc.).

These buttons can:

• 🔧 Go to Settings and connect a new remote or Wi-Fi.
• 🔄 Reboot the TV (hold the power for 10 seconds).
• 📶 Switch to the right source (for example, HDMI 1 for the console).

On some models (e.g., Mi) TV Lux) has a hidden menu that opens by holding the Source button for 5 seconds, where you can reset your network settings or activate Hotel Mode mode for easy management.

6. Connecting the keyboard or mouse by Bluetooth/USB

Few people know, but Xiaomi TVs on Android TV support the connection USB-Keyboards, mice, even gamepads, that allow you to have complete control of the TV without the remote control.

How to connect:

1. Insert a Bluetooth adapter or connect the device to USB.
2. On the TV, go to Settings. → Input devices → Add an accessory.
3. Select your device from the list and confirm pairing.

What can you do with the keyboard:

• 🖱️ Control cursor (like on PC) to navigate the menu.
• ⌨️ Quickly enter text in a search or browser.
• 🎮 Use the hot keys: Esc – back; Enter – choice; F1-F12 — rapid action, for example, F3 — home).

For gamers, if you plug in an Xbox or PlayStation controller, you can control your TV like a console, which is convenient for running games from Google Play or from the Internet. NVIDIA GeForce NOW.

⚠️ Attention: Not all USB-Keyboards are compatible with Android TV. The best option is wireless devices with support HID-profile (e.g. Logitech) K400 or Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard).

7. Buying the original remote: where to order and how not to run into a fake

If none of the alternatives are good enough, you have to buy the original remote, and the main thing is to choose a trusted seller and make sure that it is compatible with your Xiaomi model.

Where to buy:

How to distinguish the original from the fake:

• 🏷️ On the original remote there is a hologram with the logo Xiaomi.
• 🔋 The battery compartment should open with a characteristic click (for fakes, often backlashes).
• 📦 Included is the instruction in Chinese/English with the manufacturer's seal.
• 🔍 Check the serial number on the box and remote – they must match.

Before you buy, check the exact model of your TV (written on the sticker at the back) and check it against remote compatibility. TV 4S Not good for Mi. TV Q2 due to different communication protocols.

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When buying on AliExpress, choose sellers with a rating above 98% and orders over 1000. Pay attention to photos of real buyers (not stock pictures).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions