The situation when the remote control of the TV suddenly loses charge, hides under the couch or simply fails, is familiar to many owners of smart equipment. Fortunately, modern smartphones offer an effective solution to this problem, becoming a full-fledged universal controller. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem are in a particularly advantageous position, because the integration between their gadgets is implemented at a deep system level. Using the phone as a remote allows not only to control volume and channels, but also opens up access to advanced functions that are not available on a standard physical device.
There are several proven methods to implement this idea, depending on the technical equipment of your smartphone and TV model. The main options are using the built-in infrared port (IR Blaster), which is present in many Xiaomi and Redmi models, or connecting via a local Wi-Fi network. The first method simulates the signal of a conventional remote, working even without the Internet, while the second requires a stable connection, but provides a richer interface. The choice of the particular method depends on whether there is a characteristic black IR window on the end of your phone.
Before you start setting up, make sure that both your smartphone and your TV are in working order. If you plan to use Wi-Fi, it is critical that your gadgets are connected to the same wireless network. In the case of an IR port, it is enough to simply run the appropriate application and point the phone to the TV screen. Below we will discuss in detail each of the ways that you can choose the most suitable for your situation.
Preparation of equipment and compatibility check
The first step before you start setting up is to carefully check the specifications of your smartphone. Not all models, even from the Xiaomi brand, are equipped with an infrared transmitter. It is usually located on the top end of the device next to the noise reduction microphone. If you don't see a dark glass eye there, then your phone does not support control of equipment through infrared signals, and you will have to rely solely on a Wi-Fi connection. This is an important difference, because it determines the choice of software.
For users whose phones are not IP-enabled, having a shared router is a must. Mi TV and Android TV must be connected to the same network as your smartphone. Check the connection status in your TV settings by going to Settings → Network and Internet. Make sure that the IP addresses of the devices are on the same subnet, which ensures their visibility to each other. Without this step, finding the device in the app can take an unnecessarily long time or not be successful at all.
☑️ Checking before setting up
It is also worth mentioning the versions of operating systems. For the correct operation of modern remote applications, it is recommended to use Android 8.0 or higher on a smartphone. On the TV side, you should have the current PatchWall or Android TV firmware. If your TV has not been updated for a long time, there may be problems with the compatibility of data protocols, which will lead to delays when switching channels.
What to do if the IR port is contaminated?
Configure with the built-in Mi Remote app
The most obvious and often the most effective way for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners to use the Mi Remote app preinstalled.This tool is already integrated into the MIUI and HyperOS shell, providing deep system integration and minimal power consumption. To get started, look for the app icon on your desktop or in the Tools folder and run it.
Once the application is launched, you need permissions. The system will request access to the location (you need to scan Wi-Fi networks) and, when using the IR port, access the corresponding module. Next, click the add-on button, usually indicated by the plus icon in the corner of the screen. From the category list, select TV, and then find the manufacturer of your TV - Xiaomi or Mi.
The pairing process involves testing signals. On the screen of the smartphone, buttons will appear that must be pressed to confirm or deny the TV's response. For example, the app will ask, "Did the TV turn off?" If yes, you continue setting up. If not, try another code. This step can take a few minutes, but it ensures that the infrared signal will be decoded correctly. Once the test is completed, you can rename the remote and add it to the desktop for quick access.
⚠️ Note: When using an IR port to control the TV, you need to direct the upper end of the smartphone directly towards the TV receiver. Unlike Bluetooth, the IR signal does not pass through walls and has a limited angle of dispersion.
Use of Google TV and Android Remote
If your TV is running Android TV (which is typical of the global Mi TV Stick and many new TV models), you can use Google’s official app, Google TV (formerly known as Google Home), and is available in the Play Market for all Android and iOS devices, a method that is especially relevant for those using smartphones from other brands that do not have an IR port.
The setup process is as automated as possible. Once you install the app and log in to the same Google account as you do on your TV (optional, but preferably), go to the Devices tab. The system automatically scans the network and finds your Mi TV. Click on the TV icon and a virtual remote will appear on your smartphone screen. It supports not only basic functions, but also cursor control, which is extremely convenient for navigating the PatchWall interface.
One of the key features of this method is voice input, so by tapping the microphone in the app, you can dictate search queries that will instantly appear on the TV screen, which eliminates the need to type text using a virtual keyboard on the TV screen, which is often inconvenient, and the app allows you to stream content from your phone to your TV with one touch through the Cast feature.
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Use the Google TV widget on your Android desktop to access the remote instantly without having to open the full app every time.
Third-party universal remote applications
When the standard solutions don’t work properly or are not suitable for some reason, third-party solutions come to the rescue. Google Play offers a variety of alternatives, such as Peel Smart Remote, Universal TV Remote or AnyMote. These applications often have more flexible settings and support a huge number of brands, including rare TV models that may not be available in the Mi Remote database.
Most of these applications are hybrid. They try to connect first via Wi-Fi to get advanced functionality, and if this is not possible, switch to an infrared port (if there is one in the phone). When you first run, you will need to give the application access to the local network. Some advanced utilities even allow you to create macros - configure scenarios where one click performs a sequence of actions, for example, "Enable TV → Launch YouTube → Lower Brightness".
However, be careful when choosing third-party software. Many free versions are overloaded with ads that can block the remote interface at the most inopportune time. In addition, some applications request excessive permissions that are not related to their functionality. It is recommended to read reviews carefully and check developer rating before installing. Reliable applications usually have ratings above 4.5 and millions of downloads.
| Annex | Type of connection | Advertising | Support for IC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Remote | Wi-Fi/IK | No. | Yes (on Xiaomi devices) |
| Google TV | Wi-Fi | No. | No. |
| Universal TV Remote | Wi-Fi/IK | Available (in the free version) | Yes (hardware required) |
| AnyMote | Wi-Fi/IK | There is. | Yes. |
Solving Connection Problems
Despite the ease of setting up, users may encounter technical difficulties, and one of the most common problems is that the phone does not see the TV in the list of available devices, most often due to router settings that isolate client devices from each other (AP Isolation function), in which case you need to log into the router settings and disable this feature to allow data exchange between gadgets within the local network.
Another common problem is control delays or button desynchronization. If you're using an IR port, try shortening the distance between your phone and your TV or changing the angle of inclination. If you're having a Wi-Fi problem, check the load on the channel. An overloaded 2.4GHz network can cause lags, and switching to a 5GHz network will help if your router and TV support this standard.
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If the remote stops responding, try restarting the router – 80% of the time, this solves problems with Wi-Fi management.
It’s also worth checking your smartphone’s power saving settings. Aggressive charge saving algorithms can kill the application’s background process, causing it to stop sending commands. Go to Settings → Battery → Activity Control and select No Limits mode for your remote application. This will ensure stable operation even when the phone screen is off.
⚠️ Note: When using public Wi-Fi networks (in cafes, hotels), the control of the TV through Wi-Fi will not work, since the devices are in different isolated segments of the network.
Comparison of management methods: what to choose?
The choice between an IR port and a Wi-Fi management depends on your priorities. Infrared port provides maximum compatibility and does not depend on the quality of the Internet, but requires direct visibility and the presence of a specific hardware in the phone. Wi-Fi method provides a rich interface, voice input and cursor control, but depends entirely on the stability of the home network.
For everyday use in an apartment, a combination of both methods is the best option. Main management can be left to the Wi-Fi application for comfort, and the IR port can be kept in reserve in case of problems with the network or router. Owners of older models of phones without an IR port can rely on third-party applications or the purchase of an external IR transmitter connected via a USB Type-C or 3.5 mm jack connector.
Technology is moving forward, and more TVs are starting to support Bluetooth control. That's the middle ground: you don't need direct visibility like IR, and the latency is minimal. Watch out for firmware updates on your Mi TV, as support for new protocols is often added with them. In the future, smartphone management will become even more subtle and intuitive.