IR port in the phone Xiaomi: what it is, why you need and how to use it

Have you ever noticed a small black window on the top of your Xiaomi smartphone that looks like an extra speaker or sensor? It's not a camera or a microphone -- it's very likely an infrared port that makes your phone a universal remote control. In the age of smart homes and voice assistants, it may seem like this technology is outdated, but in practice, IR port remains one of the most reliable ways to control household appliances without the Internet.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what an IR port is for in Xiaomi phones, what devices can be controlled with it, and why some models (such as the Redmi Note 12 or the POCO X5 Pro) still have this module, despite the trend towards wireless technologies, and how to set up an IR port, which applications to use, and what hidden opportunities it opens up for automating home tasks.

What is an IR port and how does it work

An infrared port (or IR transmitter) is a module that sends signals in infrared (~940 nm wavelength) that is invisible to the human eye. These signals encode commands that are recognized by household appliances: televisions, air conditioners, music centers, and even some toys. Unlike Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, IR communication does not require device pairing and operates at distances of up to 5-10 meters in line of sight.

Example: When you press the "Enable" button on the TV remote, the IR transmitter sends a series of pulses that are decoded by the TV as a command to turn on. Xiaomi's IR-ported smartphone does the same thing, but instead of a physical remote, it uses a software interface.

• 📺 Televisions (Samsung, LG, Sony, Xiaomi TV etc.)
• ❄️ Air conditioning (Daikin, Mitsubishi, Gree)
• 🔊 Audio systems (receivers, soundbars, music centers)
• 💡 Smart lamps (some models with IR control)
• 🎮 Game consoles (for example, Sony) PS3/PS4 mediaplayer)

⚠️ Attention: the infrared port only works in line of sight between the smartphone and the device being controlled. Obstacles (walls, furniture) or bright sunlight can block the signal.

What Xiaomi models are equipped with an IR port

Not all Xiaomi smartphones have an IR port, which depends on the series and year of release. As a rule, the port is saved in flagship and mid-budget models, while the cheapest devices (for example, the Redmi A2 or POCO C50) are often deprived of this feature to save space and cost.

Here is the current list of Xiaomi series, where the IR port is most common:

To check if your phone has an IR port, check the top of the case: the port looks like a small black or gray window (sometimes with a reddish tint when illuminated with a flashlight).

How to use the IR port: step-by-step instructions

Control of equipment through the IR port in Xiaomi is carried out using the proprietary application Mi Remote (pre-installed on most devices). If it is not, download from Google Play or AppGallery.

1. Open Mi Remote and allow access to the camera (required for remote scanning).
2. Click "Add device" and select a category (e.g. "TV").
3. Select a brand from the list (Samsung, LG, etc.) If your brand is not, use Universal Remote mode.
4. Hover your smartphone over the TV remote and follow the button scanning instructions.
5. Check the work: click on the virtual buttons in the app – the TV should respond.

For air conditioners and other devices, the process is similar, but additional adjustments to temperature, blowing modes, and timers may be required.

Make sure your phone has an IR port on (usually activated automatically)

Battery charge of at least 30% (long scanning drains the phone)

The remote control should be in good working order (check the batteries)

Place the smartphone and remote at a distance of 5-10 cm from each other

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⚠️ Note: If Mi Remote doesn’t recognize your device, try third-party apps like ZaZa Remote or AnyMote, which support more brands and allow you to create custom teams.

Hidden opportunities of IR port: automation and smart home

The IR port in Xiaomi smartphones can be used not only as a replacement for the remote, but also to automate routine tasks. For example, using the MacroDroid or Tasker application, you can configure the following scenarios:

• 🌡️ Auto-turning on the air conditioner when returning home (by geolocation).
• 📱 Sending a command to turn off the TV when connecting headphones to the phone.
• ⏰ Timer for heater: turn on 30 minutes before you wake up.
• 🔋 Energy savings: Automatically shutting down all IR devices when leaving home.

Such scenarios will require:

1. Install MacroDroid or Tasker.
2. Add an IR plugin (e.g., Tasker IR Plugin).
3. Create a macro with a trigger (e.g., Connect to Home Wi-Fi) and an action (Send IR Command).

You can also integrate the IR port with Google Assistant or Yandex’s Alice if you use Home Assistant or BroadLink RM Pro as a bridge, and you can control voice technology, like, “OK, Google, turn on your TV on HDMI 1.”

Problems with the IR port and their solutions

Despite the simplicity of the technology, users sometimes have difficulty with the IR port, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If none of the methods did not help, check the work of the IR port using the test:

1. Open the camera on another smartphone.
2. Point the IR port of a working Xiaomi phone to the camera.
3. Run any command in Mi Remote.
4. If you see a purple flicker on the camera screen, the port is in good shape. If you don't, there's a hardware malfunction.

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If the IR port stopped working after the phone fell, the module will likely break down mechanically, in which case contact the service center - self-repair can damage other components.

IR port vs. Bluetooth/Wi-Fi: which is better for the control of equipment

With the advent of smart devices that support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, many users are wondering whether the infrared port is outdated.

• 🔄 Compatibility: IR port works with any older equipment 10–15 years, whereas Wi-Fi/Bluetooth They need modern “smart” devices.
• 📶 Range and interference: IR only works in line of sight (up to the end of the day). 10 m) Wi-Fi/Bluetooth — through the walls 30–50 ).
• ⚡ Energy consumption: IR port uses almost no battery charge, unlike a permanent Bluetooth connection.
• 🔒 Security: IR communication cannot be intercepted remotely (unlike Wi-Fi), but it will not be possible to control equipment from another room.
• 💰 Cost: An IR port does not require the purchase of additional hubs (unlike smart home systems on Zigbee or Z-Wave).

Bottom Line: IR port is ideal for managing old appliances or in cases where autonomy is important (for example, in a country house without Internet), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are suitable for modern smart devices with support for mobile applications.

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The infrared port in Xiaomi smartphones is not a relic of the past, but a universal tool for managing equipment without being tied to the Internet or cloud services.

The future of the IR port in smartphones: will it disappear?

Recently, some manufacturers (such as Apple or Google) are abandoning infrared ports in their smartphones, betting on Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi 6. However, Xiaomi continues to equip them even flagship models – for good reason:

1. Asia Market: In China, India and other countries, technology without smart features is still widespread, and infrared port remains in demand.
2. Low cost: Adding an IR module to a smartphone is cheaper than developing alternative solutions to manage older devices.
3. Xiaomi Ecosystem: The company produces not only smartphones, but also household appliances (such as Mijia air conditioners), which are often controlled via IR.
4. Competitive advantage: The presence of an IR port makes Xiaomi stand out among brands that have abandoned this feature.

Perhaps in 5-10 years, the IR port will really disappear from smartphones, but for now it remains a useful tool – especially for users who do not want to spend money on buying new smart devices or additional hubs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the IR port in Xiaomi