The modern smartphone has long since ceased to be a mere means of communication, becoming a central hub for managing the digital ecosystem. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices have a unique advantage: an integrated infrared port (IR Blaster), which allows you to use the gadget as a full-fledged remote control, this solution eliminates the need to search for a lost controller or buy a universal counterpart if the original one fails.
The integrated infrared transmitter is located on the top end of the case, next to the noise-cancelling microphone. With this hardware module and the pre-installed Mi Remote app, the phone is able to emulate the signals of thousands of models of technology. You can control TVs, air conditioners, projectors, cameras and even receivers just by taking your smartphone out of your pocket.
In this article, we will take a closer look at how to adjust, calibrate and optimize your infrared port, how to add new devices, what to do if the signal fails, and what alternatives exist for models without an integrated IR emitter. Turning your Xiaomi into a remote control takes just a few minutes, but will greatly improve the comfort of using home appliances.
The principle of the IR port on Xiaomi smartphones
Infrared technology is based on encoded light pulses that are invisible to the human eye. At the top of the smartphone case, there's a special diode lamp that flashes at a certain frequency, creating a signal that the receiver of the TV or air conditioner understands. The Mi Remote app acts as a decoder, translating your touches of the screen into a sequence of flashes.
The main advantage of the built-in solution from Xiaomi is its autonomy. Unlike Bluetooth remotes or Wi-Fi solutions, the IR port does not require pairing, password entry or router. The signal is transmitted directly from phone to device, which provides high reliability and instant response. The range is usually up to 10 meters, and the angle of coverage allows you to control the equipment even when you move in a room.
⚠️ Attention: To work properly, there were no physical barriers between the IR port on the phone and the receiver on the equipment. A transparent case usually does not interfere with the signal, but a thick silicone or metal edging can significantly reduce the range of action.
The flagship and mid-budget Xiaomi and Redmi lineups (especially the Note series) most often have an integrated IR port, while some budget or ultra-thin models may not have one. You can check the presence of the module visually by inspecting the upper end of the device, or through the specifications on the official website.
Basic configuration of the Mi Remote application
You don't need to download third-party software to get started, as MIUI or HyperOS already contains the tool you need. Find an icon called Mi Remote (or "Mi Remote") on your desktop or in the Tools folder. If the application has been removed, it can be downloaded free of charge from GetApps or Google Play.
When you first start up, it will ask for permission to access the network and geolocate, Internet access is required to download code databases for different brands, and geolocation helps to offer the most relevant devices popular in your region. Once you accept the license agreement, you will see the main screen with the add button for a new device.
- 📺 Press the button"+" or "Add device" in the application interface.
- 🏷️ Select the category of equipment from the list: TV, air conditioning, projector, console or camera.
- 🏭 Indicate the manufacturer of your device from the proposed list of brands.
Then the testing process will begin. The phone will have a button that you press, pointing the top of the smartphone at the equipment, the application will consistently go through the codebase until the device reacts (for example, the TV will not turn off or change the volume).
☑️ Checking before setting up
Step-by-step: Adding a TV
The TV control setting is the most popular feature, the process is standardized, but requires carefulness in choosing the working set of commands. After selecting the TV category and the brand (for example, Samsung, LG, Sony), the system will offer several configuration options.
The screen will ask, "Does the TV react?" If you press the test button, select "No" and the system will suggest the following set of codes: If the TV blinks or turns off, press "Yes." This stage may require several attempts, since one brand may use different communication protocols in different years of release.
| Action. | Description of reaction | Your answer. |
|---|---|---|
| Test 1 | The TV's not responding. | No. |
| Test 2 | The volume changed. | Yes. |
| Test 3 | There's a settings menu. | Yes. |
| Test 4 | Nothing happened. | No. |
After successful code selection, you need to save a profile. You can rename the remote to, for example, "TV in the living room" or "Kitchen TV" to avoid getting confused in the list of devices, and it is also recommended to check the operation of all the main buttons: navigation, input, volume and power to ensure full functionality.
What to do if the brand is not on the list?
Air conditioning and climate management
Using a smartphone as an air conditioner remote is especially convenient when the original controller is lost or its buttons have worn off.The application interface is adapted to climate engineering, displaying the current temperature, operating mode (cooling, heating, dehumidification) and fan speed.
When you add air conditioning, it is important to correctly define the model, because it depends on the availability of specific features, such as changing the position of the blinds or quiet night mode. The testing process is similar to setting up a TV: the application will send signals to turn on or change the temperature, waiting for your reaction.
The thing about climate control through an infrared port is that it doesn't have any feedback, it doesn't know what the temperature is in the room right now, or if the air conditioner is on if you haven't seen it, it just sends a command, so the Mi Remote interface will always show the state you asked last, not the actual state of the device.
⚠️ Warning: When operating air conditioning, keep your phone facing the display of the inner unit. The IR signal is bad for walls, so direct contact "forehead" is critical for changing modes.
For smart home owners, this feature can become a backup: If the Wi-Fi module in the air conditioner is disrupted or the Internet is lost, the infrared signal from the phone is guaranteed to work, because it does not depend on the state of the local network, which makes the smartphone a reliable backup remote for any case.
Alternatives for models without an IR port
If your Xiaomi smartphone doesn't have a built-in transmitter, you shouldn't despair. There are several ways to implement the remote functionality. The most affordable option is to buy an external IR adapter that connects through a Type-C or Micro-USB connector. These gadgets are inexpensive and turn any Android into a universal controller.
The second option is for smart TV and Wi-Fi. In this case, you don't need an infrared port at all. You can use proprietary applications from manufacturers (e.g. LG ThinQ, Samsung SmartThings) or universal utilities like Google Home. In this case, you can control the local network, which is even more convenient than IR, because you don't need to aim at the TV.
- 📡 Wi-Fi remotes: Work through a router, allow you to control equipment even from another room or via the Internet.
- 🔌 USB-Adapters: Requires drivers or a special application to be installed, and works as an integrated port.
- 🏠 Smart hubs: Devices like Aqara Hub or Yandex Stations with an IR port can broadcast commands from a smartphone to equipment.
The third way is to use a translator, and if you have a smart speaker with an IR port, or a special IR blaster connected to a smart home, you can send commands to them through the home app or voice, and they'll be running the old technology, and that creates a bridge between a modern smartphone and a stupid infrared appliance.
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When buying an external IR adapter, make sure it is compatible with OTG and your version of Android.Cheap Chinese adapters without a brand may not have the necessary drivers in the system.
Decision and calibration of the signal
Sometimes the remote is unstable, with some buttons not pressed or only a half-metre radius, and calibration helps. The Mi Remote app settings (usually on a profile or by clicking three dots) have a function to test and calibrate the signal frequency.
A common problem is application conflict. If you have multiple remote control software installed, they may conflict over access to the hardware. Leave only Mi Remote, and others uninstall or disable. Also make sure that the battery settings for the application select "No restrictions" so that the system does not "kill" the process in the background.
If none of the codes are suitable for your device, try to find the exact model on the Internet. Often users post working code sets on forums. In the application, you can manually enter the code if this option is available for the selected brand, bypassing automatic brute force.
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The stability of the IR remote is 90% dependent on direct visual contact between the phone port and the receiver, remove obstacles and wipe the top end of the smartphone from fat and dirt.