How to turn on and configure the IR port on Xiaomi devices: from smartphones to smart lamps

The infrared port in Xiaomi devices is a subtle but highly useful module that turns your smartphone or smart speaker into a universal remote control, which can control TVs, air conditioners, fans and even some household appliances released 10-15 years ago. However, many users face the problem: the infrared port is in the characteristics of the device, but how to activate it and where to find the settings is unclear.

In this article, we will not only explore the standard way to turn on through the Mi Remote app, but also alternative methods for devices where the IR module is hidden in the system settings. Particular attention will be paid to the diagnosis of malfunctions: why the port can not work even after turning on, how to check its physical condition and what to do if the smartphone does not recognize your equipment. And for owners of Xiaomi smart devices (for example, Yeelight lamps or Mi Smart Speaker speakers), we will give separate instructions – their IR ports are often configured differently from smartphones.

Before you go into settings, make sure your device is actually equipped with an IR transmitter. For example, in the Redmi Note line, the port is only present in Note models. 5/7/8/9 Pro and Note 10 Pro, and in Redmi Note. 11 You can check this in the specifications on the official website or using the application. AIDA64 (If the IR port is not physically available, no manual will help to "enable it".

1. Check for an IR port on your Xiaomi device

The first step is to confirm that your gadget is equipped with an infrared transmitter, and even if it is specified in the specifications, some regional versions of devices (for example, for the European market) can be shipped without this module.

✅ Method 1: Visual inspection: The IR port is usually located at the top of the smartphone (near the front camera or speaker) and looks like a small black glass or a hole with a diameter of 2-3 mm.

✅ Method 2: Software validation. Install the application AIDA64 From Google Play, go to Sensors, and the list should show an IrDA or Infrared Port, and if it's not, there's no physical port.

✅ Method 3: Camera test. Turn on the front camera of another smartphone and point the top of your Xiaomi to it. Press any button on the Mi Remote app screen (even if the port is not configured). If the IR transmitter is working, the camera will detect a faint flicker of violet light (invisible to the human eye).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with AMOLED-Infrastructure port can be turned off at the firmware level due to conflict with the light sensor, in which case only flashing the flashing will help.

• 📱 Models with 100% Support for IR: Redmi Note 5/7/8/9 Pro, Mi 5/6/8/9/10/11, POCO F1/F2 Pro, Mi Mix 2/3.
• ❌ Models without IR: Redmi Note 11/12, POCO X3/X4, Mi 11 Lite, all devices after 2022 (except for special editions for China).
• ⚠️ Exceptions: Some Redmis K20/K30 port only in Chinese versions (model designation ends with the port port port). CN).

2. Standard way to enable the IR port via Mi Remote

If your device supports IR, the easiest way to activate is through the Mi Remote app (pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones with IR port).

1. Open the Mi Remote app (remote icon with red background).

2.Push Add Add the device → Select a category (for example, TV or Air Conditioning).

3. In the list of brands, find the manufacturer of your equipment. If there is one, choose Universal.

4. Follow the instructions on the screen: the application will prompt you to point the smartphone at the device and press the power button on the original remote.

If it's successful, the IR port will activate automatically, so you can control the hardware through your smartphone, but there are times when the app doesn't recognize the device or it gives you an error, and then try alternative methods.

Make sure the IR port is not covered with a cover or film

Enable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (need to download the codebase)

Update the Mi Remote app to the latest version

Reboot your smartphone before setting up-->

3. Alternative ways to activate the IR port

If Mi Remote doesn’t work or your device model isn’t supported, try one of these methods:

🔹 Method 1: Engineering menu (for advanced users)

Some Xiaomi models allow you to enable the IR port through hidden settings.

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##36446337###.
2. In the Engineering Menu, select Hardware Testing. → Infrared Test.
3. Press Turn On. IR and reboot the device.

Warning: Do not change other options in the engineering menu – this can cause malfunctions in the smartphone.

🔹 Method 2: Using third-party applications

If Mi Remote is not suitable, install alternative programs:

• 🎛️ AnyMote Universal Remote – supports more than 900,000 devices, there is manual learning of buttons.
• 📺 ZaZa Remote – specializes in TVs and media devices.
• ❄️ Clima – optimized for air conditioning control (including inverter models).

Check reviews before installing – some apps may contain ads or charge for advanced features.

🔹 Method 3: Update the firmware

On older devices (e.g. Redmi Note 5), the IR port may be disabled due to firmware errors.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If a new version of MIUI is available, install it.
3. After the update, restart your smartphone and re-start Mi Remote.

⚠️ Note: On devices with an unlocked bootloader, the IR port may not work due to custom firmware. MIUI.

4. IR port setting on Xiaomi smart devices (lamps, speakers, remotes)

IR transmitters are installed not only in smartphones, but also in Xiaomi smart gadgets, such as Yeelight lamps, Mi Smart Speaker speakers or Mi Universal Remote remotes.

💡 Yeelight smart lamps with IR control

Some models (e.g. Yeelight Smart) LED Bulb M2) They support control through the IR remote to activate it:

1. Install the Mi Home app and add the lamp to the system.
2. Go to the lamp settings → Management → Setting up the IR panel.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen to bind the remote.

If the lamp does not respond, check that the remote is at a distance of no more than 5 meters and there are no obstacles (glass, mirrors).

🔊 Mi Smart Speaker with IR port

Smart speakers (such as Mi Smart Speaker) IR) They can control the technology over an infrared channel:

1. Open Mi Home → select a column → Settings of the device.
2. Activate the IR control option and add devices (TV, air conditioning).
3. For fine-tuning, use the button learning function – direct the original remote to the column and press the desired buttons.

📟 Xiaomi Mi Universal Remote Remote

It's a separate device that connects to the Mi Home and controls the hardware through IR and Wi-Fi, to set it up:

1. Connect the remote to the Mi Home app via Bluetooth.
2. In the remote settings, select Add the device and follow the instructions.
3. For complex devices (such as split systems with an inverter), use Manual Code Entry.

5. Diagnostics of problems: why the IR port is not working

If you've done all the steps, but the IR port is still down, the reasons may be software or hardware, and we'll look at the typical scenarios and how to fix them.

🔧 Problem 1: The app doesn't see the IR port

If Mi Remote does not detect an IR port error, check:

• 🛡️ Does the port block the case or the protective glass (especially relevant for the Redmi Note 8 Pro, where the port is located next to the camera).
• 🔄 Restart your smartphone – sometimes the port will “hang” after the update.
• 📱 Make sure that the security settings (Settings) → Annexes → Permissions) Mi Remote has access to Sensors and Camera.

🔧 Problem 2: The device does not respond to commands

If the smartphone sends a signal (seen by the flicker in the camera), but the technique does not respond:

• 📏 Check the distance - maximum range of the IR port: 5-7 meters (no obstacles).
• 🔦 Make sure there are no obstacles between the smartphone and the device (glass, mirrors, direct sunlight).
• 🔄 Restart the controlled device (for example, a TV) – sometimes its IR receiver “gluts".

🔧 Problem 3: The IR port was working but stopped

If the port suddenly ceases to function:

• 📲 Check if it is turned off in the battery saving settings (Settings) → Battery → Energy saving regime).
• 🛠️ Update the firmware - in older versions MIUI There were bugs with the IR port (especially in the MIUI 11 and below).
• 🧹 Clear the cache of the Mi Remote application (Settings) → Annexes → Mi Remote → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

Advanced Opportunities: Scheduled and Voice Management

The infrared port on Xiaomi devices can be integrated into a smart home system to automate routine tasks, such as turning on the air conditioner 30 minutes before you return home or turning off the TV on a timer.

🕒 Scheduled management

To set up automatic execution of commands:

1. Open Mi Home and select an IR port device (e.g., Mi Smart Speaker). IR).
2. Go to Automation. → Add → Schedule.
3. Specify the time and action (e.g., Enable air conditioning at 24)°C).

For smartphones, the MacroDroid application performs a similar function (a premium version is required to work with IR).

🎤 Voice control via Alice or Google Assistant

If your IR port is connected to a smart speaker (such as Mi Smart Speaker), you can control the technique with your voice:

• 🗣️ For Alice (Yandex): tell Alice, turn on the TV through Xiaomi (pre-attach the column to the account of Yandex).
• 🗣️ For Google Assistant: OK, Google, turn on air conditioning at 22 degrees (you need to configure integration via Mi Home and Google Home).

🤖 Integration with Home Assistant

For advanced users: the IR port can be connected to the Home Assistant system through the Xiaomi Miio plugin. This will allow you to manage equipment through a web interface or create complex scenarios with triggers.

1. Install Home Assistant on a Raspberry Pi or server.
2. Add Xiaomi Miio integration and log in through your Xiaomi account.
3. In the configuration file, specify ID your device with an IR port.

💡

If your smartphone doesn’t support IR, but you need to manage old tech, buy an external IR blaster (e.g. BroadLink). RM4 It connects to Wi-Fi and works with Mi Home via the cloud.

7.Security: risks of using an IR port

Although infrared port is considered obsolete, it is still used in millions of devices, but there are a few nuances to keep in mind:

🔐 Vulnerabilities of IR protocols

Some older devices (especially cheap Chinese air conditioners or TVs) use unprotected IR codes, which means that in theory, an attacker can intercept the signal and repeat it to control your equipment, to minimize the risks:

• 🔒 Do not use the IR port in public places (such as cafes or coworking spaces).
• 🛡️ For smart devices (Yeelight, Mi Smart Speaker) enable two-factor authentication in Mi Home.
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware in new versions MIUI IR-stack vulnerabilities are eliminated.

📡 Interference with other techniques

IR signals can conflict with neighboring devices if they use the same codes, for example, if you and your neighbor are simultaneously operating air conditioners of the same model, commands can get lost.

• 🎯 Configure unique codes for each device in Mi Remote (button learning feature).
• 📶 Use directional transmission – keep your smartphone closer to the receiver.

🔋 Impact on the battery

The infrared port consumes minimal energy, but if you use it actively (e.g., turn on the air conditioner every 30 minutes), it can increase battery consumption.

• 🔋 Turn off the IR port when it is not needed (there is no separate button in Mi Remote, but you can remove all attached devices).
• ⚡ Use Power Saving Mode for Background Applications.

💡

The IR port doesn't transmit personal data or connect to the Internet, so the main risk is physical interception, and you just need to make sure that outsiders don't have access to your smartphone or smart speaker.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the IR port on Xiaomi