How to turn on Bluetooth on your Xiaomi TV: 5 ways + problem solving

Xiaomi TVs have long since ceased to be just a device for watching movies โ€” they have become full-fledged multimedia centers with support for wireless technology. However, many users face a problem: Bluetooth on Xiaomi TV does not turn on or simply is not visible in the settings. The reasons can be different, from the banal disabling of the feature to the hardware limitations of a particular model.

In this article, weโ€™ll look at all the possible ways to activate Bluetooth on Mi TVs, Redmi Smart TVs, and other series, including hidden methods for old firmware. Youโ€™ll learn how to check for module support, where to look for settings, and what to do if Bluetooth doesnโ€™t detect devices after turning on. And for owners of budget models without a built-in module, weโ€™ll talk about the available workaround solutions.

1.How to check if there is Bluetooth in your Xiaomi TV

Before you try to turn on Bluetooth, make sure your Xiaomi TV is equipped with one at all. Not all models, especially the low-end Mi TV 4A or early-release Redmi Smart TV series, have a built-in module.

  • ๐Ÿ“„ Documentation: Find a TV box or instruction box โ€“ there should be a Wireless Interfaces section with Bluetooth mention (usually versions 4.2 or 5.0).
  • ๐Ÿ” Settings menu: Go to Settings โ†’ The device โ†’ About the programme โ†’ Specifications: If there is a line "Bluetooth" in the list, the module is present.
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Physical inspection: On the back of some models (e.g. Mi) TV Q2) There is a sticker with specifications, which may indicate Bluetooth support.

If your Xiaomi TV is released before 2019 and belongs to the Mi TV 3 or Mi TV 4 series (without the letter), you probably donโ€™t have Bluetooth, in which case you will need an external adapter (which we will discuss at the end of this article).

๐Ÿ“Š What kind of Xiaomi TV is you?
Mi TV Q2/Q1
Mi TV P1
Redmi Smart TV
Mi TV 4A/4S
Another model

2. Standard method: enable Bluetooth via menu

On most modern Xiaomi TVs (starting with the Mi TV 4S 2020 and later), Bluetooth activation takes less than a minute.

  1. Take the remote and press the Settings button.
  2. Go to Device โ†’ Bluetooth and Devices (on some firmware, the path may look like Settings โ†’ Connections โ†’ Bluetooth).
  3. Activate the switch at the top of the screen, and if it's gray and inactive, it means the module is off at the system level (the solution is in the next section).
  4. To connect the device (earphones, keyboard, gamepad) click Add device and select it from the list.

On TVs with MIUI TV 3.0 firmware and higher (e.g. Mi TV Q2 2023), the interface may be slightly different: instead of "Device" look for the "Connections" or "Network and Accessories" tab. If you don't have any devices after you turn on Bluetooth, try restarting the TV (Settings โ†’ About Program โ†’ Reboot).

Make sure the device (earphones, keyboard) is on and in pairing mode

Charge accessory at least 30%

Distance between devices not more than 10 meters

The "Do Not Disturb" mode is off on the TV"-->

3. Hidden ways to turn Bluetooth on older models

If the menu doesnโ€™t have a โ€œBluetoothโ€ option but youโ€™re sure there is one (e.g., on Mi TV 4X or Redmi Smart TV X50), try these methods:

Method 1: Through the Engineering Menu

This method works on firmware up to MIUI TV 2.5:

  1. On the remote, press sequentially: Menu โ†’ Settings โ†’ All Settings โ†’ General.
  2. Scroll down and select About โ†’ Version.
  3. Quickly press 5 times on the string with the firmware version - the engineering menu will open.
  4. Go to Connectivity โ†’ Bluetooth and activate the module.
What happens if you change the settings in the engineering menu incorrectly?
Some options in the engineering menu can cause a TV to fail, including sound loss, Wi-Fi issues, or even a โ€œbrickโ€ (not being able to turn on), for example, changing the regional settings (Region Code) can block access to certain features. If after the changes the TV stopped working, you will need to reset to factory settings (Settings) โ†’ About the programme โ†’ Reset).

Method 2: Through ADB-Teams (for advanced teams)

If you have experience with ADB, you can enable Bluetooth forcefully:

  1. Connect your TV and computer to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
  3. Enter in the command line: adb connect [IP-address TV] adb shell settings put global bluetooth_on 1 adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.bluetooth.BluetoothSettings

After you execute the commands, Bluetooth should appear in the settings menu, and if not, check if your model supports this feature at the hardware level.

๐Ÿ’ก

If so, ADB-Bluetooth commands never came, try updating the TV firmware to the latest version. Sometimes the manufacturer adds support for functions software even for older models.

4 Why Bluetooth is not turned on: common problems

Even if your Xiaomi TV supports Bluetooth, you may encounter errors. Here are the most common reasons and solutions:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
Bluetooth button is inactive (grey)The module is disabled at the firmware level or hardware failureUpdate the software or reset the settings
Devices are not in place.Conflict with other wireless devices (Wi-Fi, remote)Turn off Wi-Fi for 10 seconds or restart the TV
Bluetooth is turned on but immediately switched offAntenna malfunction or module overheatingCheck the TV vents, contact the service if necessary
No sound in the connected headphonesIncorrectly selected source of audioGo to Settings โ†’ Sound โ†’ Out audio and select your headphones

Important for Mi TV 5 Pro and newer owners: On these models, Bluetooth can automatically shut down when connected to the audio bar via HDMI ARC. To avoid this, turn off the AutoSwitch Audio feature in the audio settings.

๐Ÿ’ก

If Bluetooth stopped working after the firmware update, try to roll back to the previous version via the recovery mode (Hold Power + Menu on the remote when turned on).

5. How to connect devices to a Xiaomi TV over Bluetooth

Turn on Bluetooth, half the way. Now you need to connect the accessories correctly.

Connecting headphones or speakers

  1. Turn the headphones on in pairing mode (usually hold the power button for 5-7 seconds until the indicator blinks).
  2. On the TV, go to Settings โ†’ Bluetooth and Devices โ†’ Add the device.
  3. Select your headphones from the list. If they don't exist, update the list with the Update button.
  4. Confirm the connection on both devices (entry may be required) PIN-code, usually 0000 or 1234).

Connecting a gamepad or keyboard

For gamepads (such as Xiaomi Game Controller) or keyboards, the process is similar, but there are nuances:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ For gamepads, press and hold the Sync (or Home) button first. + Start) until the indicator starts flashing.
  • โŒจ๏ธ Keyboards (such as Xiaomi Bluetooth Keyboard) often require input PIN-Code - check it in the instructions.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Make sure the accessory is charged enough โ€“ some devices donโ€™t show up when the battery is low.

Once connected, check the device. For example, for headphones, go to Settings โ†’ Sound โ†’ Audio output and select them as your primary source. If the sound is coming from the TV and headphones at the same time, turn off the TV speakers in the same menu.

6.What to do if Bluetooth is missing: workarounds

If your Xiaomi TV doesnโ€™t support Bluetooth (like the Mi TV 4A 32โ€ or Redmi Smart TV X43), there are a few ways to add this feature:

Method 1: Bluetooth adapter for TV

The easiest solution is to buy an external adapter that connects to a USB port or 3.5 mm audio.

  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Xiaomi Bluetooth Audio Receiver (connects to audio input, supports AptX).
  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ TP-Link UB400 (USB-Adapter, which works with most people TV Android TV).
  • ๐ŸŽง 1Mii B06 Plus (advanced adapter with Bluetooth 5.0 support and low latency).

After connecting the adapter to USB-It's going to be defined as a new audio device on the TV port. โ†’ Sound. โ†’ Out the audio and select it.

Method 2: Using emulator applications

Some apps from Google Play (available on Mi TV) allow you to emulate Bluetooth over Wi-Fi.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ SoundWire โ€“ transfers audio from the TV to the smartphone over the local network, and then to Bluetooth headphones.
  • ๐ŸŽต LocalCast โ€“ allows you to stream audio to devices with Chromecast support or DLNA.

The disadvantage of this method is the delay of sound up to 1-2 seconds, which is critical for movies or games.

Method 3: Connecting through Smart Home

If you have a smart speaker (e.g. Xiaomi Mi AI Speaker), you can use it as a middleman:

  1. Connect the headphones to the Bluetooth speaker.
  2. In the Mi Home app, link the TV and column via Mi AIoT.
  3. In the TV sound settings, select the column as the audio output.

๐Ÿ’ก

Before buying a Bluetooth adapter, check if your Xiaomi TV supports the USB Audio Out feature. On some models (for example, the Mi TV P1), it is disabled by default and requires activation via an engineering menu.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you use Bluetooth on Xiaomi TVs, users often make the same mistakes. Here's what you can't do, and what you can do right:

โš ๏ธ Warning: Never update your TV firmware through third-party sources (e.g. forums) 4PDA), If you're not sure if they're reliable, informal firmware can turn off Bluetooth or cause other crashes. Use only official updates through Settings. โ†’ About the programme โ†’ Updating the system.

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reboot while connected: If you reboot the TV when the device pairs, Bluetooth can "hang" and stop turning on. Solution: turn off the power for 30 seconds (remove the plug from the socket), then reconnect.
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Ignoring interference: Bluetooth operates at 2.4 GHz, just like Wi-Fi. If the router is next to the TV, interference may occur. Solution: switch router to channel 1, 6 or 11 in settings.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Discharge of the remote: On some models (Mi) TV Q1) Low-powered remote controls block Bluetooth, so you can either replace the batteries or connect the remote to charge.

Another common problem is that the TV forgets the devices after it's turned off, so to avoid that, before it's turned off. TV Turn off Bluetooth headphones or gamepads through the Settings menu โ†’ Bluetooth and devices โ†’ [Your device] โ†’ Turn them off (donโ€™t just turn them off with the power button).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

My Xiaomi TV doesn't see Bluetooth headphones. What do I do?
First, check: The headphones are in pairing mode (blinking blue/red light). The TV is Bluetooth enabled and there are no active connections to other devices. The distance between the devices is no more than 5 meters (walls and furniture can block the signal). If it doesn't help, try: Reboot the TV and headphones. Remove the headphones from the list of associated devices and reconnect. Update the TV firmware.
Can I connect to Xiaomi TV AirPods or other Apple headphones?
Yes, but with reservations: AirPods (all models) are supported, but there may be problems with automatic reconnection. Sound can be transmitted with a delay of up to 200-300 ms (notably in games or movies with quick dialogue). For stable operation, turn off the low-latency audio function on the TV (Settings โ†’ Sound โ†’ Additional). If AirPods do not connect, reset them (press the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the indicator blinks orange).
How to reset Bluetooth settings on Xiaomi TV?
There are two ways: Partial Reset: Go to Settings โ†’ Bluetooth and devices, select an unnecessary device and click Forget. Complete Reset: Reset Network Settings โ†’ About โ†’ Reset โ†’ Network Reset. This will delete all stored Bluetooth devices and Wi-Fi passwords. After the reset, you may need to re-update the device list (Update button in the Bluetooth menu).
Why does Bluetooth work with headphones on Mi TV 5 Pro, but not with gamepads?
This is a firmware restriction on some models. Solutions: Upgrade your TV to the latest software (new firmware has expanded support for gamepads); use your gamepad via a USB-OTG adapter (if the model supports USB Host); connect your gamepad to your smartphone and your Miracast smartphone to your TV (lag is higher).
Can I turn on Bluetooth on Xiaomi TV without a remote?
Yes, there are several ways: Through the Mi Remote app: Install the official Mi Remote app on your smartphone, connect to your TV over Wi-Fi and use a virtual remote. via buttons on TV: On some models (Mi TV Q2), holding the Volume button - on the TV body opens a menu where you can find Bluetooth settings. Through HDMI-CEC: If the TV is connected to a receiver or console, you can control it through their remotes (the function must be enabled in Settings โ†’ HDMI-CEC).