How to use a smartphone as a remote for a Xiaomi TV: all the ways

Modern Xiaomi TVs support smartphone control, but not all users know how to configure this feature correctly. If you lost the original remote or want to use additional features (such as voice input or gestures), the smartphone will be a great alternative. In this article, we will discuss all working methods, from the standard Mi Remote application to alternative solutions for different TV models.

It is important to understand that the method of connection depends on the firmware version of the TV, the smartphone model and even the region of sale. For example, Mi TV 4S and Mi TV Q1 support different communication protocols, and some functions may be limited in European versions of the software.

What Xiaomi TVs support control from a smartphone

Before setting up, check your model's compatibility. Most Xiaomi TVs since Mi TV 3 (2016) support smartphone control, but there are exceptions:

  • ๐Ÿ“บ Mi TV 4/4A/4C/4S โ€” Full support via Mi Remote and Google Home for Android models TV).
  • ๐Ÿ“บ Mi TV Q1/Q2/Q2Q โ€” Extended features (voice search, gestures) via Mi Home.
  • ๐Ÿ“บ Redmi Smart TV โ€” Limited support (basic teams only).
  • ๐Ÿšซ Mi TV 2/2S โ€” Outdated models without Mi Remote protocol support.

To determine compatibility accurately, check the TV firmware version in the Settings menu. โ†’ About TV. If the Android version TV below 9.0, some features may not work.Also consider that TVs are for the Chinese market (CN-versions often have advanced settings compared to global ones (Global).

๐Ÿ“Š What kind of Xiaomi TV is you?
Mi TV 4/4S
Mi TV Q1/Q2
Redmi Smart TV
Another Xiaomi
Not Xiaomi.

Method 1: Official Mi Remote app

Mi Remote is Xiaomiโ€™s primary app for managing the brandโ€™s technology, and it supports not only TVs, but also air conditioners, projectors, smart lamps, and is available for free from Google Play or AppGallery (for Huawei devices).

Instructions for setting:

  1. Install Mi Remote on your smartphone and open the app.
  2. Click Add Device โ†’ Select Television Category.
  3. In the list of brands, find Xiaomi and select your TV model (if not, try Mi TV (Universal)).
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen: the app will prompt you to check the connection and sync your devices.

If the TV is not automatically detected, check:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Is Network Management enabled in TV settings (Settings) โ†’ The device โ†’ Network management).
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ TV and smartphone connected to the same Wi-Fi network (mandatory condition!).
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ The charge level of the smartphone is above 20% (at low charge, some functions are turned off).

โ˜‘๏ธ Preparing for connection via Mi Remote

Done: 0 / 4

Important: Mi Remote does not support Xiaomi PatchWall TVs (Indian versions). โ„–3 (Google Home).

Method 2: Control via Mi Home (for smart devices)

If your TV is part of the Xiaomi Smart Home ecosystem (such as Mi TV Q1 or Mi TV Lux), it can be connected via the Mi Home app, which gives you access to advanced features such as voice control, scenario automation, and integration with other smart devices (such as Yeelight lamps).

Step-by-step:

  1. Set up Mi Home and sign up (use the same account as you do on your TV).
  2. Click + โ†’ Add device โ†’ select TV.
  3. Follow the setup wizard: the app will prompt you to connect to the TV network and confirm pairing.
  4. Once connected, the TV will appear on the device list, and tap it to open the control panel.

Advantages of this method:

  • ๐ŸŽค Voice control via Alice or Google Assistant (if supported by a model).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Automation: for example, turning on TV when you start a movie on a smartphone.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Remote control over the Internet (if the TV is connected to the Mi Account).

๐Ÿ’ก

If the TV doesnโ€™t show up in Mi Home, try resetting it to factory settings (Settings โ†’ About TV โ†’ Reset) and reconnecting.

Method 3: Google Home for Android TVs

Xiaomi Android TVs (such as Mi TV 4S or Mi TV Q2) support control via Google Home, a method that is handy if you use other Google devices (such as Nest speakers or smart displays).

How to set up:

  1. Set Google Home on your smartphone and log in to the Google account that is linked to your TV.
  2. Click + โ†’ Set up the device โ†’ Set up new devices.
  3. The app will automatically find the TV on the local network. Confirm the connection.
  4. Once added, the TV will appear on the main screen. Slap it on to open the control panel.

Features available through Google Home:

FunctionDescriptionRequired.
Voice controlCommands like "OK Google, turn Mi TV on Channel 1"Microphone on a smartphone or Google column
Remote activationOnline TV (if supported by the model)Connecting to a Google account
Switching inputsQuick switching between HDMI, TV and other sourcesAndroid TV 9.0+
Sound tuningVolume control, selection of sound profilesAny model on Android TV

Limitations:

  • โŒ Does not work with PatchWall TVs (Indian versions).
  • โŒ Some models require manual pairing code input (displayed on the TV screen).

Method 4: Alternative management applications

If standard methods don't work, try third-party apps. They often support more features but may require manual adjustment.

Top.-3 management applications for Xiaomi TV:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Yatse: Remote for Android TV โ€” It supports gestures, voice input and button customization. It's paid, but there's a free version with restrictions.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Unified Remote โ€“ a universal remote with support IR Blaster (if it is in your smartphone).
  • ๐Ÿ”ง TV Remote Control for Android TV โ€” Simple app with support for Xiaomi and other brands.

How to set up Yatse (by example):

  1. Install the application and open it.
  2. Select Add the device โ†’ Android TV.
  3. Enter. IP-TV address (can be found in Settings) โ†’ Network on TV).
  4. Confirm the pairing on the TV screen.

Advantages of third-party applications:

  • ๐ŸŽ›๏ธ Flexible button setting (you can add missing ones in the standard remote control).
  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Support for mouse and keyboard (convenient for text input).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Working over the Internet (if you configure remote access).
How to find out IP-Xiaomi TV address?
Go to Settings. โ†’ Network โ†’ Network status "IP-address" will be the current address (e.g. 192.168.1.100).

The solution to the problems: why the smartphone does not connect to the TV

If the control from the smartphone does not work, check these points:

โš ๏ธ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall firmware (Indian versions), the network management function is often disabled by default. โ†’ The device โ†’ Network management โ†’ Turn it on.

Common errors and ways to correct them:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
TV undetectableNetwork management down.Include in Settings โ†’ Device โ†’ Network Management
The app is not connected.Different Wi-Fi networksConnect your phone and TV to the same network
Delay in pressing buttonsWeak Wi-Fi signalReconnect to 5GHz network or bring the router closer
No sound when adjusting volumeFirmware restrictionsUpdate the TV to the latest version

If nothing helps, try resetting the network settings on your TV:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Network โ†’ Reset network settings.
  2. Connect to Wi-Fi again.
  3. Repeat the procedure of pairing with the smartphone.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the TV is connected to the network via a cable (Ethernet), the network control from the smartphone will not work. Use Wi-Fi.

Additional features: voice control and gestures

Modern Xiaomi TVs support advanced ways of controlling from a smartphone:

  • ๐ŸŽค Voice commands via Google Assistant or Alice (if the TV is connected to Mi Home) Example commands: OK Google, turn on Netflix on Mi TV" "Alice, set the volume to 50%"
  • ๐Ÿ‘† Gesture control (in Mi Remote): swipe up/down to adjust volume or left/right to switch channels.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Screen control: Some apps (e.g. Yatse) allow you to use your smartphone as a touchpad to navigate your TV menu.

To activate voice control:

  1. Connect your TV to Google Home or Mi Home.
  2. In the application settings, enable the voice input option.
  3. Say a command (for example, "Turn on the TV").

Limitations:

  • Voice commands are only in English or Chinese (depending on the firmware region).
  • Gestures are not supported on all models (check your TV's specifications).

FAQ: Frequent questions about managing Xiaomi TV from a smartphone

Can you use a smartphone as a remote for Xiaomi TV without Wi-Fi?
Yes, but only if there is a smartphone. IR-Install the Mi Remote app and select mode IR-No control. IR-Port and Wi-Fi management is not possible.
Why is my model of TV not in Mi Remote?
If your model is not on the list, choose Mi. TV (If that doesn't work, try Unified Remote or Yatse apps where you can manually specify the IP-TV address.
How to manage Xiaomi TV with iPhone?
The same methods are available for iPhone, but instead of Mi Remote, use Mi Home (available on the App Store) or Google Home. TV Remote App for Xiaomi.
Can I turn on a Xiaomi TV from a smartphone if itโ€™s turned off?
It depends on the model. Wake-on-LAN TVs (such as Mi TV Q2) can be turned on via a smartphone if they are connected to the socket and network, and the Remote Control option must be enabled in Mi Home.
How to reset the control settings on Xiaomi TV?
Go to Settings โ†’ Device โ†’ Network Management โ†’ Reset pairings. After that, all connected devices (including your smartphone) will be disabled and you need to reconfigure them.