Ever wondered why your Xiaomi smartphone has an app with the mysterious name Mi Remote?It's not just a useless icon taking up space on the screen, but a powerful tool for controlling smart appliances, which can turn your phone into a universal remote control for a TV, air conditioner, projector and even some household appliances - without having to buy individual remote control or search for them around the house.
Mi Remote (or Mi Remote in the international version) was introduced in Xiaomi smartphones in 2015, but many users are still unaware of its capabilities. In this article, we will discuss how the technology works, what devices are supported, how to set up the remote to suit your needs and what to do if something goes wrong, and also talk about hidden chips that are not written about even in the official instructions.
What is a Mi remote and how does it work?
Mi Remote is an integrated application in Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones that allows you to control household appliances via an infrared (IR) port. Yes, it is the same IR port that used to be in every phone, but now only found in some models. If your smartphone is equipped with an infrared transmitter (usually located at the top of the case), you can use it instead of traditional remote control.
It works like a database, and it has control codes for thousands of devices from different manufacturers, from Samsung and LG to Gree and Midea. When you choose a model of equipment in the Mi Remote, it sends infrared signals identical to those sent by the native remote, no Internet or Bluetooth to do this, everything works through an infrared beam, like in the good old days.
- 📱 Where to find: The app icon is usually called "Remote" or "Mi Remote" (in international firmware). If it's not on the home screen, check the Tools folder or search the system.
- 🔍 How to check for an IR port: light a flashlight to the top of the phone – if you see a small glass window (usually black), then the IR transmitter is.
- 🌍 Supported countries: In some regions (e.g. Europe), the feature may be disabled by default due to local regulations, in which case you will have to install the application separately from Google Play.
Importantly, not all Xiaomi models are equipped with an IR port, for example, in the POCO F-series line it is often cut down for savings, and in flagships (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra), it, on the contrary, is saved as a premium feature.
What devices can be controlled through the Mi remote
The list of supported equipment is impressive, from TVs and air conditioners to fans and even some smart lamps. Here are the main categories of devices Mi Remote is compatible with:
| Category | Examples of devices | Features of management |
|---|---|---|
| Televisions | Samsung, LG, Sony, Xiaomi TV, TCL | Channel switching, volume control, access to Smart TV (on some models) |
| Air conditioners | Gree, Midea, Daikin, Haier | Temperature setting, mode selection (cooling/heating), timer, airflow direction |
| Projectors | Xiaomi Projector, Epson, BenQ | On/off, picture correction, signal source switching |
| Audio systems | Yamaha, Sony, JBL, Xiaomi Soundbar | Volume adjustment, track switching, choice of sound source |
| Other | Fans, DVD-Players, surveillance cameras, some smart lamps | Limited functionality, depending on the model |
But there are nuances: not all of the native remote features can be accessed, such as Samsung TVs in recent years, which sometimes don’t have Smart Hub controls or voice search, and some air conditioners (such as Mitsubishi Electric’s inverter models) require manual code entry.
How to set up Mi Remote: step-by-step instructions
The app takes no more than 5 minutes to set up, if you know the procedure, and here is a universal guide for most Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO models:
- Open the Remote Controller app. If you don't have one, install it from Google Play (named Mi Remote Controller).
- Select the category of the device (for example, “TV” or “Air conditioning”).
- Specify the brand from the list. If your brand is not, select "Other" and try generic codes.
- Follow the instructions on the screen. You usually point your phone to the device and press the test button. If the equipment reacts (for example, the TV switched the channel), the setup is complete.
If the automatic search didn’t work, try manual mode:
- From the device menu, select “Add Manually”.
- Enter the code from the database (you can find on the Internet using the model of technology + "code for Mi Remote").
- Test the buttons. If nothing works, try another code.
Make sure your phone has an IR port.
Charge your phone at least 30%
Point the phone to the device's IR receiver (usually in front)
Make sure there are no obstacles between the phone and the appliances.-->
On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14), the application may reset after the update, in which case you will have to repeat the procedure for adding the device.
⚠️ Warning: If you use a case with metal inserts or a magnet, it may block the IR signal. remove the case before setting up.
Hidden functions of the Mi Remote, which few people know
Most users are limited to basic functions like channel switching and temperature control, and there are some useful features hidden in the Mi Remote:
- 🔄 Universal remotes: You can create a single remote control for multiple devices, for example, combine a TV and a sound bar into one interface.
- 📱 Widget to the home screen: Add control buttons directly to the desktop. To do this, hold your finger in the free space of the screen. → «Widgets» → «remote».
- 🔧 Button editing: In device settings, you can drag and drop buttons, remove unnecessary ones, or add frequently used ones (for example, “Netflix” for TV).
- 🌐 Cloud code search: If your model is not in the database, the application can download codes from the Internet (you need to enable this option in the settings).
- 🔋 Charge saving: in the application settings there is an “Energy saving” mode, which turns off the background activity of the IR port.
Another little-known feature is voice control, and if you have Google Assistant or Alice set up from Yandex, you can say, "OK, Google, turn on the TV via Mi Remote," and the tech will respond (assuming the voice assistant has access to the app).
How to add your own commands to the Mi Remote
Mi Remote Problems and How to Solve Them
Even a simple application like this sometimes fails, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The remote doesn't find the device. | Incorrectly selected brand or model | Try universal codes or manual input |
| The buttons are not working properly. | Code conflict (e.g., volume button controls channels) | Remove the device and add again by selecting another code |
| IR port not responding | Port pollution or cover locking | Wipe the port with an alcohol napkin, remove the case |
| App flies out | Outdated version or conflict with firmware | Update your Mi Remote via Google Play or clear the cache |
If nothing helps, try resetting the app settings:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Remote.
- Click on “Clear Data” and “Clear Cache”.
- Reboot your phone and add the device again.
⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) may not have an IR port due to lack of drivers, and only returning to the official IR will help. MIUI.
Mi Remote vs Specialized Remotes: Which is Better
With specialized solutions like Logitech Harmony or BroadLink RM Pro, the built-in Mi Remote may seem like a toy, but it has some undeniable advantages:
- ✅ Always at hand: no need to carry a separate remote control or look for it around the house.
- ✅ Free: No need to purchase additional devices.
- ✅ Integration with the ecosystem: works with other Xiaomi services, such as Mi Home.
- ✅ Updated Base: Codes for New Devices Added Through App Updates.
There are, however, downsides:
- ❌ Limited functionality: no support RF (radio frequency control, which is in some smart remotes.
- ❌ Dependence on the phone: if the smartphone is discharged, you will not manage the equipment.
- ❌ Not all brands are supported: some premium devices (e.g. Bang & Olufsen) may not be recognized.
If you need to control equipment outside the home (for example, turn on the air conditioner on the way from work), it is better to consider smart solutions like Xiaomi Mi Smart IR Remote – an external IR blaster that connects to Wi-Fi and works through the Mi Home application.
💡
Mi Remote is a great solution for basic control of equipment within the same room. For advanced scenarios (automation, schedule control, Internet work), it is better to use specialized devices.
The future of the Mi Remote: what to expect in new versions
With each update to MIUI, the Mi Remote app gets smarter, and the latest versions have included:
- 🤖 Integration with Xiaomi HyperOS: in the new operating system from Xiaomi, the remote became part of a single ecosystem of a smart home.
- 📊 Usage Analytics: The app tells you which buttons you use more often and offers to optimize the interface.
- 🔄 Sync between devices: if you have multiple Xiaomi smartphones, the remote settings can be transferred through your Mi Account.
In the future, it is expected that:
- Support more brands through cloud learning (users can upload their codes to the database).
- Integration with voice assistants (Alice, Google Assistant) to control without manually getting stuck the phone.
- Adding support for Matter, a new standard for smart homes that will allow you to manage appliances from different brands through one interface.
There were also rumors that Xiaomi was planning to release a separate device, the Mi Smart IR Hub, which would work as a bridge between IR devices and the smart home.Until this is officially confirmed, but such a novelty could solve the main problem of the Mi Remote – dependence on the phone.