Connecting the remote to the Xiaomi TV via Bluetooth: instructions and nuances

Connecting the remote to a Xiaomi TV via Bluetooth is a procedure that seems simple only at first glance. In practice, users face problems from lack of response to buttons to pairing errors. This is especially relevant for owners of the Mi TV 4/5 Pro, Mi TV Q1/Q2 and other models with support for wireless accessories. Unlike traditional IR remotes, Bluetooth devices require the correct setting in the Android TV system, where it is not always intuitive to find the right menus.

In this article, we will not only discuss the standard procedure for connecting the original Xiaomi Mi Remote remotes, but also consider the nuances of working with gamepads (for example, Xiaomi Game Controller), universal remotes and even smartphones in remote mode. Special attention will be paid to the hidden Bluetooth settings in the MIUI TV firmware, which are often ignored in official instructions. If your TV does not see the remote or the connection is constantly reset, here you will find solutions.

What remotes can be connected to Xiaomi TV via Bluetooth

Xiaomi Android TVs support a wide range of Bluetooth devices, but not all of them will work correctly.

• 📺 The original Xiaomi remotes are: Mi Remote Control (models with Bluetooth LE), Mi TV Stick Remote. These devices are optimized for firmware MIUI TV and usually connect automatically.
• 🎮 Game controllers: Xiaomi Game Controller, DualShock 4, Xbox Wireless Controller. Require manual pairing and sometimes additional settings in Settings → Devices → Game controllers.
• 📱 Universal remotes: Logitech Harmony, BroadLink RM4. Can work over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, but need to set up a profile for Android TV.
• 🖱️ Keyboards and mice: Any Bluetooth keyboard (e.g., Xiaomi Bluetooth Keyboard) or mouse. Connect in the standard way, but may conflict with remotes.

Important: not all Xiaomi TV models support Bluetooth 5.0. For example, the Mi TV 4A (2018) is equipped with a Bluetooth 4.2 module, which may limit compatibility with modern gamepads. Check the characteristics of your model on the official website or in the Settings menu → About TV.

Preparing Xiaomi TV for Connection

Before pairing the device, you need to make sure that the TV is ready to receive the signal.

Pay special attention to firmware updates. Older versions of MIUI TV (below 1.6.0) often have a bug where the Bluetooth module "falls asleep" after 5 minutes of inactivity. Update the software through Settings → About TV → System Update. If the update is not available, try resetting the network settings:

1. Go to Settings. → Network and Internet.
2. Select Network Resetting.
3. Confirm the action and restart the TV.

Also check if the power saving mode is activated, which can turn off Bluetooth to save charge (relevant for models with a battery, such as the Mi TV Lux Transparent Edition). Turn it off in Settings → Screen and Sound → Power saving mode.

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If the TV doesn't respond to the remote buttons after you've connected, try rebooting it by holding the power button on the case for 10 seconds.

Step-by-step: connecting the original Xiaomi Mi Remote remote

Xiaomi’s original remotes (such as Mi Remote Control 2) are usually automatically connected when the TV is turned on for the first time. If this does not happen or the remote was reset, perform manual pairing:

1. Activate the pairing mode on the remote: press the Menu + OK (or Back + Home buttons for new models) for 5 seconds until the indicator flashes blue.
2. Turn on Bluetooth on your TV: go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
3. Start your device search: select Add Device and wait for Mi Remote to appear in the list (may appear as Xiaomi RC-...).
4. Confirm pairing: press OK on the TV and wait for the message "Connected".

If the remote is not displayed in the list, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (the indicator must be green when pressing any button).
• 📶 Distance to the TV (no more than 1 meter during pairing).
• 🔄 Reboot the remote, retract and insert the battery back.

For Mi TV P1/P1E models with Mi Remote Pro remotes (with voice control), additional microphone settings may be required. Go to Settings → Voice Assistant → Microphone settings and follow the on-screen instructions.

Connecting the gamepad to Xiaomi TV

Game controllers (such as the Xiaomi Game Controller or DualShock 4) are connected differently than standard remotes, the main difficulty is that the TV may not recognize them as input devices.

1. Put the gamepad into pairing mode: For Xiaomi Game Controller: press Home + Share for 3 seconds. For DualShock 4: press PS + Share until the LED flashes. For Xbox Controller: press the pairing button on the top panel.

Add the device to the TV

• Go to Settings → Devices → Game controllers.
• Select Add Controller and wait for the device to appear in the list.
• Customize buttons (if necessary): Some games (like Google Stadia or NVIDIA GeForce NOW) require a controller calibration in their settings.

An important nuance: Xiaomi TVs based on Android TV 9 and below may not support gamepads with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol.

• 🔄 Update to Android TV 10/11.
• 🔌 Use USB- debugging and applications like Sixaxis Controller (requires root rights).

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If the gamepad is connected but the buttons are not working correctly, check the input mode in the game settings. Some applications (for example, emulators) require you to choose the profile "XInput" or "DInput" manually.

Solving Common Bluetooth Connection Problems

Even after successful pairing, users are faced with errors: the remote is turned off after a few minutes, buttons are late or the TV does not see the device. Consider typical scenarios and how to fix them.

If none of these methods worked, reset your Bluetooth settings:

1. Go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
2. Select Three Points (⋮) → Reset.
3. Confirm the action and restart the TV.

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To diagnose Bluetooth problems on Xiaomi TV, you can use a hidden menu of engineering settings. Enter the code ##3646633## on the remote (does not work on all models) and select Bluetooth Test.

Using a Smartphone as a Bluetooth Remote for Xiaomi TV

If the original remote is lost or broken, it can be replaced with an Android or iOS smartphone, with the official Mi Remote app or universal solutions like Unified Remote.

1. Install the app: For Android: Mi Remote (official) or Unified Remote. For iOS: Mi Remote (requires Bluetooth 4.0+).
2. Connect your smartphone to your TV: Turn on Bluetooth on your TV and smartphone. In the app, select Add Device → TV → Xiaomi. Follow the on-screen instructions (you may need to enter PIN- code from your TV).

Set up control.

• Mi Remote has templates for different models (Mi TV 4/5/Pro).
• In Unified Remote, you can create custom buttons to launch applications.

Limitations:

• 📱 Delay in input can reach 0.5-1 seconds (depending on the model of the smartphone).
• 🔋 Battery discharge: Continuous use of Bluetooth increases power consumption by 15-20%.
• 🎮 No tactile feedback (no physical buttons).

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To minimize delays when managing your smartphone, turn off background optimization of the Mi Remote app in the Android battery settings.

Alternative ways to control without Bluetooth

If Bluetooth on your TV doesn’t work or the remote doesn’t support this protocol, consider alternatives:

• 📡 IR port: Most Xiaomi remotes are IR-compatible. Check if the TV has an IR receiver (usually located to the right or bottom of the screen).
• 🌐 Wi-Fi Management: Google Home or Mi Home apps (for models with Mi Ecosystem support). Web interface at IP- TV address (e.g., http://[IP_TV]:8080).
• 🖱️ USB- mouse/keyboard: connect via USB- port (some models require a OTG- adapter).
• 🎤 Voice control: activate Google Assistant or Alice (for Russian firmware) through a microphone on the remote or external device.

To use an IR remote from another device (e.g., an air conditioner) you will need a universal learning-enabled remote (e.g., BroadLink RM4 Pro).

1. Download the BroadLink or eControl app.
2. Add a Xiaomi TV to your list of devices.
3. Direct the original remote to BroadLink and record the signals for each button.

Resetting Bluetooth settings on Xiaomi TV: when it’s needed

If all attempts to connect the remote control fail, the last option is a complete reset of the Bluetooth module, which will remove all the associated devices and return the settings to the factory.

1. Go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
2. Select Three Dots (⋮) → Reset Bluetooth settings.
3. Confirm the action by entering PIN-code (default 0000 or 1234).
4. Reboot the TV.

After discharge:

• 🔄 All devices will be disabled and will have to be reconnected.
• 📱 Voice control settings (if the microphone on the remote was used) will also reset.
• 🔧 In some cases, you will need to reconfigure the Wi-Fi network.

If the reset didn't work, the problem could be a hardware malfunction of the Bluetooth module, which is true for TVs that have been repaired or crashed.

• Contact Xiaomi Service Center (the warranty covers module defects for 12 months).
• Use an external Bluetooth adapter (e.g., TP-Link UB400) via the USB-port (not all models).

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Before resetting Bluetooth, take screenshots of the list of connected devices – this will make it easier to re-pair.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting remotes to Xiaomi TV