Connecting Bluetooth remote to Xiaomi Mi TV: the complete guide

Why Bluetooth remote does not connect to Xiaomi TV and how to fix it

Bluetooth wireless remotes have become the standard for modern Xiaomi Mi TVs, but their connection is not always smooth. Users often face problems: the TV does not see the device, the connection is interrupted after a few seconds or the remote is delayed, the reasons are rooted in incompatibility of protocols, outdated firmware of the TV or incorrect settings of the remote.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways of pairing – from standard connection via the Mi TV menu to manually adding a device through Settings → Bluetooth Devices. Separately, we will focus on the models of the Xiaomi Mi Remote (2021-2026), which require pre-activation through the Mi Home app, and explain how to circumvent the restrictions if the TV does not support Bluetooth 5.0.

If you've tried to connect the remote and you've got a "Device not found" or "Pair failed" error, don't be quick to blame the technique. 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved by resetting the remote or updating the TV software, and then step-by-step instructions for all scenarios.

What Bluetooth remotes are compatible with Xiaomi Mi TVs

Not all wireless remotes work equally well with Xiaomi Mi TV. Officially, the company supports only its own accessories and devices with Mi Eco certification. However, many universal remotes (for example, from Logitech or Xiaomi Yoee) are also suitable - provided they use Bluetooth 4.2+ protocols.

Here is a list of proven models that work with most Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV 4S/5/5X/Q1/Q2/A Pro series):

• 🔹 Xiaomi Mi TV Bluetooth Remote (original remote complete with TV 2020-2026.)
• 🔹 Xiaomi Mi Remote Bluetooth (model) LYWSD02MM, sold separately)
• 🔹 Xiaomi Yoee Bluetooth Voice Remote (with voice control, supports Google Assistant)
• 🔹 Logitech Harmony Elite (Universal, Requires Configuration via PC)
• 🔹 Redmi Smart Remote (budget alternative, works with Mi) TV Stick and TVs)

Before buying, check if your TV supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) – this is critical for voice-controlled remotes. You can find out the Bluetooth version from the Settings menu → About TV → Specifications. If it says Bluetooth 4.0, there is a high risk of incompatibility with the new remotes.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Mi Box remotes are not always compatible with Mi TVs TV, Even if they look the same, check the model in the official store before buying.

Preparation of the TV and remote for pairing

Before you connect the remote, make sure both devices are ready to connect. Xiaomi Mi TVs should have:

• 📶 Bluetooth enabled (check in Settings) → Connections → Bluetooth)
• 🔄 Updated software (updated version) MIUI TV — not less than 3.0)
• 🔋 Charged remote (the indicator must flash when pressing the buttons)
• 📱 No other connected devices (disable headphones, gamepads, etc.)

For the remote, follow the following steps:

1. Remove the batteries (if any) and insert back in 10 seconds – this will reset the cache of connections.
2. Press the Home + OK buttons for 5 seconds until the indicator flashes quickly (pairing mode).
3. If the remote has already been connected to another device, delete it from memory via the Bluetooth menu on that device.

If the TV doesn’t respond to connection attempts, try resetting the network settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset and Recovery.
2. Select Network Reset (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. After restarting, try again to pair.

Standard way to connect via Bluetooth menu

This is the most reliable method that works for most remotes.

1. Turn on the TV and go to Settings → Connections → Bluetooth.
2. Activate the Bluetooth slider (if it's gray).
3. Click Add Device - the TV will start scanning.
4. Transfer the remote to pairing mode (see section above).
5. In the list of found devices, select the name of your remote (for example, Mi Remote LYWSD02MM).
6. Confirm the connection on the TV and remote (if you need to enter the code, use 0000 or 1234).

If the remote does not appear on the list:

• 🔄 Restart the TV (hold the power button on the remote for 10 seconds).
• 📱 Try to connect the remote to the smartphone – if it is not detected there, the problem is in the remote itself.
• 🔌 Check if another device is blocking the connection (such as Mi Band or wireless headphones).

Once you’ve successfully connected, check all buttons. If some features (such as voice search or volume control) don’t work, update the remote’s firmware via the Mi Home app (see next section).

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If the TV can’t see the remote, try bringing it closer (at a distance of 10-20 cm) – sometimes a weak Bluetooth signal is not caught at a long distance.

Connect via Mi Home app (for Xiaomi remotes)

The original Xiaomi Mi Remote remotes (especially newer models) often require pre-activation through a proprietary app, which involves anti-counterfeiting and binding to a Mi Account.

1. Install the Mi Home app on your smartphone (available for Android and iOS).
2. Sign up for your Xiaomi account (if not, sign up).
3. Click Add Device (+) and select Remote Category.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen: turn on Bluetooth on your phone and put the remote into pairing mode.
5. Once successfully added, the app will have a tab with the remote settings, where you can update the firmware (if available) or link it to the TV.

To link the remote to the Mi TV:

1. In the Mi Home app, select your remote.
2. Go to Settings → Link to the device.
3. Select your TV from the list (it must be connected to the same Mi Account).
4. Confirm the pairing on the TV (a request will appear).

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Home app does not have a partition to link the remote to the TV, upgrade to the latest version. Older versions (up to 6.0) do not support this feature.

Once the remote is tied, it will automatically connect to the TV when it is turned on. If the connection breaks, check:

• 🔋 Battery level of the remote (below 20% - possible failures).
• 📶 Interference from other Bluetooth devices (e.g., a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi router).
• 🔄 TV firmware version (update to Settings) → On TV. → Updating the system).

Solving common connection problems

Even after successful pairing, users are faced with errors, and consider the most common of them and ways to fix:

If the remote stopped working after updating the TV, try rolling back the firmware:

1. Download the old version of the software from the official Xiaomi website (support section).
2. Copy the file to USB-storage device FAT32).
3. Connect the flash drive to the TV and go to Settings → About TV → Local Update.
4. Select the downloaded file and confirm the rollback.

Alternative ways to connect (if Bluetooth is not working)

If standard pairing fails, try alternative methods:

1. Connection through USB-Receiver (for universal remotes)

Some remotes (such as Logitech Harmony) come with USB-A receiver that connects to a TV:

1. Put the receiver in USB-television-port.
2. Follow the instructions for setting up in the remote manufacturer's application.
3. Select the model of your Xiaomi Mi TV in the application database.

2.Use of the IR port (for hybrid remotes)

Some Xiaomi remotes support both Bluetooth and IR control. If Bluetooth doesn't work, try:

1. Point the remote to the IR receiver of the TV (usually located on the bottom or side).
2. Press and hold the Power button for 5 seconds – the remote will switch to IR mode.
3. Check the buttons. If they work, the problem is the Bluetooth module of the TV.

3. Connect via Google TV (for new models)

Xiaomi Mi TV Q2 and newer are running on Google TV, where Bluetooth settings are slightly different:

1. Go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
2. Select Add a new device → DU remote.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen (you may need to enter) PIN-code).

If neither method worked, check the hardware health of the Bluetooth TV module, connect another device (for example, wireless headphones), and if they don’t work, the module could fail, in which case only the service center will help.

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Before you go to the service, try connecting the remote to another device (smartphone or tablet), and if it works there, the problem is with the TV, not the remote.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Bluetooth remote to Xiaomi Mi TV