Xiaomi’s smart TVs are not just devices for watching terrestrial TV, but full-fledged nodes of the Smart Home ecosystem. Integrating TV into a single network with other gadgets opens up wide possibilities for automation and convenient management for the user. Many owners of new equipment face difficulties in initial settings, not understanding how to connect the large screen with a mobile application.
Adding a TV to the Mi Home system can be confusing, with multiple firmware versions and regional server features, but following a clear algorithm can quickly connect your smartphone to your TV, allowing you to use your phone as a remote, stream content and control the device remotely.
In this article, we will take a look at all the stages of connection, from hardware preparation to fine-tuning Mi Remote, and learn how to avoid common errors related to the choice of region and Wi-Fi version, which often block successful device synchronization.
Preparation for device synchronization
Before starting the procedure, you need to make sure that all the components of the system are ready to work. The fundamental condition is a stable connection to the Internet. The TV and smartphone must be connected to the same wireless Wi-Fi network. If the router supports dual-band operation, make sure that both gadgets are in the same frequency, preferably 2.4 GHz, since the IoT module in some TV models may not see the 5 GHz network.
The second important aspect is the Mi Account. To work properly, the ecosystem needs to use the same account on both devices. Check whether you are logged in to the Mi Home app on your phone and in the TV system settings. Different accounts or login through different services (e.g. Mi Account vs. Google) can lead to devices simply not seeing each other on the local network.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your smartphone is enabled with geolocation and Bluetooth. In modern versions of Android and iOS, these permissions are critical to discovering new devices in the Mi Home app, even if control is going to go through Wi-Fi.
Check for updates. On your TV, go to Settings → About System → System Update and make sure you have the latest version of MIUI for TV installed. Outdated software may contain bugs that prevent you from shaking your hands properly with your mobile app. Sometimes a simple firmware update solves a problem when other methods are powerless.
Installation and configuration of the Mi Home application
The main management tool is the Mi Home app (in some regions it is called Xiaomi Home), which should be downloaded exclusively from official sources: Google Play Store, App Store or from the official website of the manufacturer. Using modified versions can lead to unstable work and lack of support for new devices.
Once installed, launch the app and log in to your Mi Account. The key here is to choose the right region. The application settings (profile → Settings → Region) should select the country corresponding to the region of your Mi Account. If you created an account for Russia and the app is China, the TV may not be determined or work with restrictions.
To add the device, click the + button in the upper right corner of the main screen. The application will start a network scan. If the automatic search did not give results, you can use the manual addition:
- 📱 Select the TV and Media category or type the model name into the search box.
- 🔌 Follow the instructions on the screen, confirming the pairing.
- 📶 Enter your Wi-Fi password if the system requests it again for TV transmission.
As you set up, the app can request permission to access the local network, which is a requirement for you to control devices inside your home, and without that permission, your smartphone won't be able to physically send commands to your TV even in the same room.
Setting up the Mi Remote remote
One of the main features of the integration is to turn the smartphone into a universal remote control. Mi Remote feature is built into the shell of MIUI and HyperOS, and is also available as a separate application for other Android smartphones. For Xiaomi and Redmi TVs, this process is as smooth as possible thanks to native support for protocols.
To activate the remote, open the Mi Remote app and click Add Device. Select the TV device type and the Xiaomi (or Mi) brand. The system will offer several interface options. You will need to choose the one that visually matches your TV and check the buttons by following the on-screen prompts.
☑️ Checking the remote
Unlike infrared remotes, which require direct-of-sight, digital control via Mi Remote works over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, allowing you to control your TV even if the smartphone is in another room or behind obstacles, and a virtual keyboard on your phone screen significantly speeds up text input when you search for video or login services.
⚠️ Warning: If the standard remote code doesn't work, try switching the connection method in the remote settings from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth (if the TV model supports) or vice versa.
Once you've successfully set up, you have full control of the media content, you can take screenshots, run apps, and even use voice input through your smartphone microphone to broadcast a command to your TV, which is especially useful when the main remote is lost or dead.
Solving Connection Problems
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users often face a situation where the TV is not added to the list of devices.The most common reason is the isolation of customers in the router settings or working on a guest Wi-Fi network. Make sure that both devices are on the main network with the ability to exchange data between LAN clients.
Another common scenario is the conflict of versions of the app: in China, the Mi Home version is used with servers in Beijing, and for the rest of the world, with servers in Singapore or Europe. If your account is tied to one region and the application is configured to another, synchronization is not possible. Check the region settings in the application profile.
You can use a hidden engineer menu or log file to diagnose, but most often, a simple reset of network settings helps.
- Go to Settings. → Network and Internet.
- Select your Wi-Fi network and click “Forget Network”.
- Restart the TV and re-enter the password.
Hidden ADB commands for advanced users
Sometimes the problem lies in the antivirus software on the router or in the firewall, which blocks the ports used by the DLNA or MiOT protocol. Try temporarily disabling the router's protection to test the hypothesis. If after that the TV appears in the application, you need to add exceptions to the router's security rules.
Functionality after connection
Once a TV is successfully added to the Mi Home ecosystem, the user has access to advanced functionality, and the main advantage is creating automation scenarios, for example, when the Movie mode is activated, the light in the room can go out, and the TV automatically turns on and launches the desired application.
Screen Translation (Cast) is also available. You can instantly display an image from your smartphone to the big screen by simply selecting the appropriate option in the gallery or browser. Chromecast built-in technology allows you to stream content from YouTube, Netflix and others apps directly without straining the phone's processor.
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Use the Mi Home widget on your smartphone desktop to quickly turn on your TV without having to open the full app.This saves time and adds convenience to daily use.
Remote control is another powerful feature: You can download a movie from your home to your TV to watch it when you return, or check if you turned off the app before you leave. Use statistics are also available in the app, showing the time you're up and the apps you're running.
Compatibility and requirements table
To work properly, all functions must be technically specific, and the following table shows the dependencies between OS versions and supported features.
| Function | Required version of Android TV | Required version of Mi Home | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic management | Android 8.0+ | Any relevant | It works over Wi-Fi. |
| Voice input | Android 9.0+ | 6.0+ | Requires a microphone on TV |
| Smart home scenarios | Android 8.0+ | 7.0+ | We need a stable internet. |
| Screen broadcast (Cast) | Android 6.0+ | Built-in OS | Depends on the router. |
It is important to understand that older Xiaomi TVs with a Linux-based version of PatchWall may have limited integration functionality compared to pure Android TV or Google TV models. Owners of such devices may need to use additional adapters, such as the Mi TV Stick, to get the full range of features.
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Feature compatibility is not only app-specific, but also hardware-based, and Android TV models have the greatest potential for integration.