How an Infrared Port Works on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Setup and Use

Infrared (IR) port in Xiaomi devices is one of those “hidden chips” that turn a regular smartphone into a universal remote control. Despite the proliferation of smart homes and Wi-Fi devices, IR port remains relevant for managing traditional equipment: TVs, air conditioners, audio systems and even some household appliances. In this article, we will analyze how the infrared port works on Xiaomi, what models support it, how to set up control of equipment and solve typical problems.

You will be surprised, but even in 2026, the IR port remains in demand: according to studies, about 40% of Xiaomi users actively use it to control equipment older than 5 years old, which does not support modern protocols like Bluetooth Low Energy or Wi-Fi Direct.

Which Xiaomi devices are equipped with an IR port?

Not all Xiaomi smartphones and gadgets have an integrated IR port, which depends on the model and year of release. Here are the key series in which this feature is most common:

• 📱 Mi series smartphones: Mi 5/6/8/9/10/11, Mi MIX 2/3, Mi Note 10, with the exception of the Mi A (Android One) models and most devices after 2021 years.
• 📱 Redmi: Redmi Note 5/7/8/9/10 Pro, Redmi K20/K30 Pro. In budget models (e.g., Redmi 9A), the IR port is usually absent.
• 🖥️ Tablets: Mi Pad 4/5, Redmi Pad (not all modifications).
• 💡 Smart devices: Some models of smart lamps (Yeelight) and remotes (Mi Remote Controller) also support IR protocols.

To find out if there is an IR port in your device, check:

1. The presence of a physical hole in the upper part of the body (usually next to the front camera or speaker).
2. Settings: Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Infrared Port.
3. Technical specifications on the official Xiaomi website or in the documentation.

Important: Starting in 2022, Xiaomi is gradually abandoning infrared ports in new smartphone models, replacing them with support for Mi Home and Google Home for smart devices. However, in China and some Asian countries, the infrared port is still in demand, so it can be found in local versions of gadgets.

The principle of the IR port: how the technique “communicates” through infrared light

The infrared port transmits data using modulated infrared radiation, a light invisible to the human eye with a wavelength of ~940 nm, which can be divided into several stages:

1. Encoding commands: When you press a button on your smartphone screen (like “Enable TV”), the app converts it into a digital signal.
2. Modulation: The signal is converted into a series of pulses (on/off the IR LED) at a certain frequency (usually 38 kHz for most household devices).
3. Transmission: The IR LED on a smartphone flashes these pulses towards a receiver (e.g., a TV).
4. Decoding: The receiver recognizes the blinking pattern and executes the command (turns on the TV, changes the channel, etc.).

Features of IR protocols:

• 🔄 Unilateral communication: An IR port only transmits commands, but cannot receive a response from a device (unlike Bluetooth or Wi-Fi).
• 🎯 Direction: For successful transmission, the smartphone must be within the receiver’s range of sight (usually up to 5–7 meters without obstacles).
• 🔋 Low power consumption: IR transmission consumes minimal battery power compared to Bluetooth.

Interestingly, IR control protocols are not fully standardized, for example, Samsung and LG TVs can use different encodings for the same command (e.g., increase volume), so applications like Mi Remote require a database of codes for each model of equipment.

Set up an IR port on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

To start managing equipment through an IR port, follow the following steps:

1. Install Mi Remote. Download it from Google Play or AppGallery (for devices without Google services). On some Xiaomi models, the app is preinstalled (look for Tools or Utilities in the folder).

Permission.

When you first start, allow access to the Camera (to scan the QR- codes of devices) and the Warehouse (to save settings).

Add the device.

Click + Add Device → Select a category (e.g. TV) → specify brand and model. If your model is not listed, select Universal Remote and follow the instructions on the screen.

Test the commands.

After adding, check the main buttons (On/Off, Volume, Channels) if something doesn't work, try a different device profile in the settings.

Tip: If your appliances support HDMI-CEC (such as Anynet+ or Bravia Sync TVs), you can combine IR control with other protocols to make it more stable.

⚠️ Warning: Some firmware (e.g. custom LineageOS) may not have an IR port due to lack of drivers, requiring the original software or kernel to run the IR module.

Compatibility with technology: what devices can be controlled?

The IR port on Xiaomi supports most of the household devices Released through 2010-2015, as well as some modern models with IR receivers. Here is a compatibility table by category:

For modern devices (such as Samsung QLED 2023 TVs or Daikin air conditioners with Wi-Fi), the IR port may not be the main way to control, in which case it is better to use the official applications of the manufacturer or integration through Mi Home.

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If your device is not automatically recognized, try manually entering the code from the manual to the technician, usually on the sticker at the back or in the "Remote Control" section.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even with the right setup, the IR port can be unstable, and here are the typical problems and ways to fix them:

• 🔴 Commands don't go: Check if the IR port is covered with a cover or protective film. Also make sure that the Mi Remote app has access to the Camera (required for calibration).
• 🔄 Device responds with a delay: Reduce the distance to the receiver (optimally 1-3 meters). If the problem persists, try another profile in the Mi Remote settings.
• ⚡ The IR port stopped working after the update: This may be due to a driver change.Try rolling back the Mi Remote version or resetting the app settings.
• 📱 Some firmware (e.g., MIUI 14) does not have an IR port in the menu: Enable it via the engineering menu: dial in the phone app ##3646633## → Hardware Testing → Infrared.

⚠️ Warning: If you use Xiaomi.eu or other custom firmware, the IR port can be disabled at the kernel level, in which case only flashing to the official MIUI or IR-enabled firmware (e.g., MIUI by xiaomi.eu with patches) will help.

Third-party applications like IR Universal Remote or Sure Universal Remote can be used to diagnose malfunctions, often better at recognizing rare devices and allowing manual transmission frequencies to be adjusted.

Alternatives to IR port: when it is not suitable

If your technology does not support IR control or you are faced with protocol limitations, consider alternative ways to:

• 📶 Wi-Fi and cloud services: Smart devices (Xiaomi Mi TV, Redmi Smart TV, Midea air conditioners with Wi-Fi) can be managed via Mi Home or Google Home without an IR port.
• 🔵 Bluetooth: Some soundbars (JBL, Sony) and wireless headphones support Bluetooth control. Use the standard Bluetooth app on your smartphone to do this.
• 🌐 Universal remotes with RF (radio frequency): If your appliances are running on radio frequencies (such as some garage gates or roller shutters), the IR port is useless, and BroadLink RM4 Pro or Xiaomi Mi Smart Home Gateway will do that.
• 🤖 Voice assistants: With Alice (Yandex), Google Assistant or Siri, you can control compatible technology through the cloud, but this requires connecting the device to the same Wi-Fi network.

Comparison of IR and alternative protocols:

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The IR port is ideal for managing old appliances without smart features, but for modern devices it is better to use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth – they have more features (for example, voice control or automation on a schedule).

Advanced Features: Automation and Integration with a Smart Home

Xiaomi’s IR port can be used not only for manual control, but also for automating scenarios in a smart home.

• 🏠 Automatically turn on air conditioner by geolocation: With Tasker or Automate, you can configure sending an IR command to turn on the air conditioner when you drive up to the house.
• 🌙 Night mode for TV: Create a script in Mi Home that will turn off the TV and dim the lights at a certain time.
• 🔥 Temperature Control: Connect a temperature sensor (e.g., Xiaomi Temperature & Humidity Sensor) and set the rules: If the temperature is below 20°C, send a command to turn on the heater.

Such scenarios will require:

1. Install Mi Home or Google Home (for integration with other devices)
2. Set up IFTTT (Automation Service) or use the built-in MIUI (Automation in Settings) tools.
3. For complex scenarios, you may need a Home Assistant (an open smart home platform) with an IR plugin.

Example of code for automation through Tasker:

Profile: "Enable TV when Netflix launches"




Condition: Launch the application (Netflix)




Action:




1.Plugin → AutoInput → Press the On/Off button in Mi Remote




2. Delay 2 seconds




3.Plugin → AutoInput → Select the source of “HDMI 1”

⚠️ Warning: When setting up automation via an infrared port, keep in mind that the smartphone must be within range of the receiver. If you leave the house, the scenario will not work. Remote control will require you to leave another device with an infrared port on (for example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro in Smart Home mode).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions