Connecting Wireless Devices to Xiaomi S1: Why You Need Bluetooth?
Xiaomi Mi TV S1 supports Bluetooth 5.0 technology, which opens up wide possibilities for connecting peripherals, with its help you can synchronize wireless headphones, game controllers (for example, DualSense or Xbox Wireless Controller), keyboards, mice, and fitness bracelets to display notifications on the large screen. However, many users face difficulties when you first turn on the module β especially if you previously used only HDMI or Wi-Fi Direct.
Unlike smartphones where Bluetooth is activated with a single tap, the Xiaomi S1 process may vary depending on the version of the MIUI TV firmware. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to turn Bluetooth on a 2023-2026 TV, including hidden settings for lightweight models. You will also learn how to diagnose typical errors (for example, βDevice not foundβ or βconnection failureβ) and restore the module without contacting the service.
Before you start setting up, make sure your Xiaomi is yours. S1 Updated to the latest version of the software. Go to Settings for this β On TV. β Update: Up-to-date firmware not only adds support for new devices, but also fixes bugs with Bluetooth connectivity LE (Low Energy).
Method 1: Enable Bluetooth through the settings menu
The most reliable and versatile method is activating the module through system settings, which works on all versions of the Mi TV S1, including models with a Google TV shell (for international markets).
- Open the main menu of the TV by pressing the Home button on the remote.
- Go to Settings (the pin pin pin icon in the upper right corner).
- Select Devices and Connections (or Bluetooth and Networks in older versions of the software).
- Activate the Bluetooth slider β it should turn blue.
- Wait for the βReady to Connectβ label to appear and start searching for devices.
If the Bluetooth option is not in the main menu, check the Additional or Network and Internet section. On some firmware, the option is hidden under the Wireless Networks tab. Also note that the interface may differ on the Xiaomi S1 with a diagonal of 55" and 65" 2023 - use the search by settings (magnifying icon) to quickly find the desired partition.
Make sure the device is charged (at least 30%)
Turn on the pairing mode on the headphones / controller
Place the device at a distance of up to 1 meter from the TV
Disable other Bluetooth devices that may interfere
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β οΈ Warning: If the TV doesn't find the device after activating Bluetooth, try restarting the module. To do this, turn it off in the settings, wait 10 seconds and turn it on again. This will reset the cache of connections and often solves the problem of "invisibility" of gadgets.
Method 2: Quick activation via the control panel
On Xiaomi S1 TVs with MIUI TV 3.0 firmware and later, a quick access panel is available, similar to the notification curtain on smartphones. This method saves time if you need to quickly connect the device without deep immersion in settings. Here's how to do it:
- Press the Menu (or Settings) button on the remote and hold it for 2 seconds.
- In the window that appears, select the Bluetooth icon (stylized letter βBβ).
- If the icon is illuminated in gray, click on it to activate.
- To search for devices, click Add Device or Search.
On some remotes from Xiaomi, the Quick Access Bar button is labeled as Shortcut or Quick Settings. If you have a universal remote (for example, from a cable TV provider), use the original remote from Mi TV S1, as third-party devices may not support this feature.
Note that the quick access panel may not be available on lightweight firmware TVs (e.g., Asian markets), in which case use Method 1 or Method 3.
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If the Quick Access Bar doesn't open, check if Child Control is disabled in the settings. It blocks access to certain features, including Bluetooth.
Method 3: Voice Activation with Alice or Google Assistant
Xiaomi Mi TV S1 supports voice assistants - Alice (for Russian models) and Google Assistant (for international versions), with their help you can turn on Bluetooth without using the remote, which is convenient if it is lost or discharged.
For Alice (Russian firmware):
- Say the voice command, βOK, Alice, turn on Bluetooth.β
- If the TV doesnβt respond, press the microphone button on the remote and repeat the command.
- Confirm the action by saying βYesβ or βConnectβ.
For Google Assistant (International Firmware):
- Say, "Hey Google, turn on Bluetooth."
- If the assistant requests confirmation, answer βYes.β
- To find devices, use the command βHey Google, pair new device.β
Voice activation only works when you connect your TV to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet). If the Xiaomi S1 is offline, assistants will not be able to execute the command. Also make sure that the microphone on the remote or in the TV is not silenced - check the privacy settings in the Voice Input section.
β οΈ Note: On TVs with firmware for China, voice commands may not support Russian, in which case switch the system language to English (Settings). β Language β English) and use commands in English.
Table: Compatibility of Bluetooth devices on Xiaomi S1
Not all gadgets work equally well with the Mi TV S1. Below is a table of compatibility of popular devices, as well as possible limitations:
| Type of device | Examples of models | Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless headphones | AirPods Pro, Sony WH-1000XM5, Xiaomi Buds 4 | β Complete. | Codecs: SBC, AAC. aptX is not supported. |
| Game controllers | DualSense (PS5), Xbox Series X Controller, 8BitDo Pro 2 | β Complete. | Pair mode is required (hold Share + PS on DualSense). |
| Keyboards and mice | Logitech K400, Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse | β Partial | Delay input ~50 ms. Not recommended for games. |
| Fitness bracelets | Xiaomi Mi Band 8, Huawei Band 7 | β οΈ Limited. | Only display notifications. Data synchronization is impossible. |
| Audio systems | JBL Charge 5, Marshall Emberton | β Complete. | The maximum volume is limited to 80%. |
If your device is not connected, check its compatibility with Bluetooth 5.0. Outdated Bluetooth 2.1/3.0 gadgets (such as some 2015β2017 JBL models) may not be recognized by the TV. In this case, use a Bluetooth adapter that supports backward compatibility.
Solving Bluetooth problems on Xiaomi S1
Even after activating the module correctly, users experience connection errors. Consider typical scenarios and ways to fix them:
1.The TV does not find the device
- π Reboot Bluetooth module: Disable and turn it on again in settings.
- π± Reset network settings: Go to Settings β Network and Internet β Resetting the network.
- π Check the device charge: Discharged headphones or controllers may not appear in the list.
- π« Remove old connections: In the Bluetooth menu, click Forget the device for all saved gadgets.
2. Connection is interrupted or sound is lost
- π΅ Change the audio codec: In Bluetooth settings, select SBC instead AAC (less).
- πΆ Eliminate interference: Disable other wireless devices (2.4GHz routers, microwaves).
- π Update your headphone firmware: For example, for AirPods, use your iPhone to update.
3. Bluetooth is turned on but the microphone is not working
- π€ Check the permissions: In the privacy settings β Microphone Allow Access for Bluetooth.
- π§ Reset the sound settings: Go to Settings β Sound. β Resetting settings.
- π± Use an external microphone: Connect it through USB or 3.5 mm connector.
What to do if Bluetooth is not in the settings?
If none of these methods worked, try connecting the device via a USB Bluetooth adapter (such as the TP-Link UB400) that bypasses the TV's built-in module and provides a stable connection.
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Before resetting your TV settings, write down your Mi Account details and a list of installed apps β they will be deleted.
Additional Bluetooth settings on Xiaomi S1
Once you've successfully connected your device, you can customize its behavior for optimal use.
1. Connection priority
If multiple devices are connected to the TV (e.g. headphones and a controller), you can prioritize:
- Go to Settings β Bluetooth.
- Click on the device name and select Priority Connection.
- Set a tick for the device that must connect automatically.
2. Low Delay Mode (for games)
For game controllers, activate Low Latency mode:
- In the Bluetooth menu, select the connected controller.
- Activate the Low Latency (or Game Mode) option.
- Restart the TV to apply the changes.
3. Automatic shutdown
To save battery power connected devices, set up a timeout:
- Go to Settings. β Energy conservation.
- Select Bluetooth devices.
- Set a time of inactivity (e.g. 15 minutes).
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To connect multiple headphones, use the Dual Audio feature at the same time (available on the firmware of the newer MIUI TV 4.0).