How to turn a Xiaomi smartphone into a remote for a TV: 3 proven ways

Why do you need a phone instead of a remote?

Lost native remote from the TV Xiaomi Mi TV? Or just want to control TV from your smartphone without getting up from the couch?Modern Xiaomi phones (and others) easily turn into full-fledged remote controls – not only for TVs of the same brand, but also for devices of other brands. The main thing is to know which method is suitable for your model.

In this article, we’ll break down three working ways to turn your phone into a remote for Xiaomi. TV: Through an infrared port (for older TV models), Wi-Fi (for smart TVs with Mi Home), and universal apps for any TV, you will also learn which smartphone models support this feature, and how to avoid typical setup errors.

Spoiler: if you have Xiaomi Mi TV 4S/5X Or, more recently, you don't even need an IR port, you'll be running it over a local network. 13/14 or Redmi Note 12 It is enough to install one application to get a remote with advanced functions.

Method 1: Control via IR port (for TVs without Wi-Fi)

If your Xiaomi TV is released before 2019 (e.g. Mi) TV 3S or Mi TV 4A The first revisions, most likely, it does not support control over Wi-Fi. In this case, the infrared port (IR), which is in many Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, will help.

Check if there is an IR port in your phone: List of models with IR (relevant for firmware) MIUI 12+): Xiaomi Mi 10/11/12/13, Redmi Note 8/9/10/11 Pro, POCO F3/F4, Redmi K40/K50 etc.

To make sure, look at the settings. → Connected devices → Infrared port. If you don't have a point, your phone doesn't support IR.

Check if the IR port is on your phone.

Update your firmware to MIUI 12 or later

Install the application "Mi Remote"

Allow access to the location (necessary for the IR)

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Step-by-step:

1. Download the official Mi Remote app from Google Play or the App Store (iPhone does not require IR, only Wi-Fi).
2. Launch the app and allow access to the Camera (for scanning) QR-TV code) and Location (required for IR!).
3. Click Add Add the device → Television → Xiaomi.If your model isn't on the list, choose Universal TV.
4. Hover the phone's IR port (usually located at the top of the case) over the TV receiver (front, next to the power indicator) and press Test. If the TV has responded, save the settings.

⚠️ Attention: IR port only works in line of sight and up to 5 meters away: 🔋 Is the phone discharged (the IC port is turned off at low charge). 📱 Is there a case on the phone that blocks the IR port. 📺 Is the phone directly directed to the TV receiver (angle not more than 30)°).

If the IR port doesn’t work even after all the checks, try alternative apps:

• 📱 ZaZa Remote – supports rare TV models.
• 🎛️ AnyMote – a universal remote with the ability to create custom commands.
• 🔄 IR Universal Remote – works with the IR ports of most Android smartphones.

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If the IR port is not in the phone, but there is a 3.5 mm connector, you can use an external IR blaster (connects like headphones). ~300₽ It works with any phone.

Method 2: Wi-Fi management (for Mi) TV 4S/5/6 series and newer)

Xiaomi's modern TVs (starting with Mi) TV 4S 2019 and later) support local area Wi-Fi management, which means you don’t need an IR port – just enough to have your phone and TV connected to the same network.

Advantages of this method:

• 📶 It works at any distance (mainly stable Wi-Fi).
• 🎮 Supports gestures, voice control, and advanced features (e.g., launching apps).
• 🔄 Synchronizes with the Mi Home ecosystem (you can control your TV through Xiaomi smart speakers).

Instructions for setting:

1. Make sure that the TV and phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (guest networks won’t work!).
2. On the TV, go to Settings. → Devices and connections → DU remote and pairing → Add the remote.
3. Download the app "Mi" TV Remote (also known as Mi Home in some regions) and log in to the same Xiaomi account as you do on your TV.
4. In the app, click Add Device → So, you pick your own model, and the TV will appear on the list, and you can tap it to pair it.
5. After a successful connection, the application will display all the functions of the remote, including Volume, Channels, Voice Search and Application Launch (Netflix, YouTube, etc.).

⚠️ Note: If the TV is not on the local network (for example, connected to the router via cable, and the phone – over Wi-Fi), try it: 🔄 Reboot the router and TV. 📱 Enable the Developer Mode on the phone → Local network (debugging over Wi-Fi). 🔒 Shut down. VPN or a proxy on the phone.

Method 3: Universal applications for any TV

If you don't have a Xiaomi TV, or you want to control multiple devices from the same phone, use universal remote applications. They work both on IR (if there is a port) and on the Internet. Wi-Fi/Bluetooth smart-TV.

Top.-3 annex Android/iOS:

• 📺 Google TV (Android TV Remote – Google’s official Android TV app TV (including Xiaomi Mi TV). Supports voice search and gestures.
• 🎮 Yatse: Remote for Android is an advanced remote with support for Kodi, Plex and other media centers. TV.
• 🔄 Unified Remote is a universal remote with support for IR, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It works even with PCs and game consoles.

How to set up Google TV Remote:

1. Download Google. TV (Android or Google TV (iOS).
2. Make sure that your TV and phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. On the TV, go to Settings. → Devices and connections → DU remote → Add the remote. → Google TV Remote.
4. In the application on the phone, click Set up the remote → Find your devices. Select your TV from the list.
5. After pairing, you will get access to basic features (volume, channels, navigation) and additional ones (voice search, YouTube launch).

Important: for Google to work TV Remote on the TV should be installed firmware not lower MIUI TV 3.0 (check in Settings) → If the version is older, update the software through Settings. → Updating the system.

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Universal apps are convenient for managing multiple devices, but may not support all the features of the native remote (for example, special buttons for Xiaomi).

Problems and Solutions: Why doesn't the phone control the TV?

Even after you set it up properly, you can have a failure, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

1.The TV doesn't respond to Wi-Fi commands

• 🔌 Check that both devices are connected to the same network (not to different routers or ranges) 2.4/5 GHz).
• 🔄 Restart your router and TV (hold the power button on the TV for 10 seconds to shut down completely).
• 📱 In your phone settings, turn off Adaptive Wi-Fi or Smart Switch (may break the connection).

2. The IR port is down

• 🔦 Check if the port is closed with a cover or film.
• 📱 Turn on Developer Mode on your phone and activate IR debugging (if there is such a item).
• 🔋 Charge the phone to 30%+ — At low charge, the IR port is turned off.

3 The app does not find the TV

• 🔒 Turn it off. VPN/proxy on the phone.
• 📺 On the TV, turn on the pairing mode (Settings) → DU remote).
• 🔄 Reset the TV network settings (Settings) → Network → Reset).

4. Management delays

• 📶 Check the speed of Wi-Fi (should be at least 5 Mbps).
• 📱 Close the background apps on your phone (especially instant messengers and streaming services).
• 🔄 Reconnect the TV to the router at 2.4 GHz (5 GHz can cause delays).

⚠️ Warning: If after updating the TV firmware, Wi-Fi control stopped working, reset the network: → Network → Resetting network settings → Confirm Next, re-couple your phone via Mi Home or Google TV Remote.

Additional features: voice, gestures and automation

Modern Xiaomi TVs support not only basic control, but also advanced functions via a smartphone:

Voice control

• 🎤 In the Mi Home app, click on the microphone icon and say a command (such as “Turn on Netflix on TV” or “Current Volume to 50%").
• 📱 On Xiaomi phones you can use the Voice Assistant XiaoAI (activated by long hold of the Home button).
• 🔊 For iPhone, Siri will fit with the command "Hey Siri, turn on Xiaomi" TV" (You need to set up the settings → Siri and search).

2.Gestural control

• 👆 In the Mi Remote app, enable Sign Mode (Settings) → Gesture control. Now you can:

3 Automation through Mi Home

• 🔄 Create a script: When I get home → Turn on the TV and start YouTube".
• 🌓 Set up a schedule: “Every day at 22:00 → Reduce the brightness of the TV to 30%".
• 🔌 Connect to other devices: "If the motion sensor is triggered → Turn on the TV and smart lamp".

4.Use as a second screen

• 📺 Install Miracast or Google Cast on your TV.
• 📱 On the phone, turn on the screen broadcast (Settings) → Connected devices → Screen broadcasting).
• 🎮 Now you can play mobile games on a large screen or watch photos / videos from your phone.

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If you have a Xiaomi Mi TV TV Q1/Q2 supportive HDMI-CEC, You can manage it through the app. HDMI Control without Wi-Fi! To do this, connect your TV device with a Wi-Fi connection. HDMI (For example, the console) and activate CEC TV settings.

Comparison of methods: which way to choose?

Which control method is right for you? It depends on the model of the TV and the phone. Here's a quick comparison:

Selection recommendations:

• 📺 If you have a Xiaomi Mi TV 4S/5/6 → Use Wi-Fi (Mi Home) (maximum functions).
• 📱 If the phone is without an IR port → Choose universal applications (Google) TV Remote, Unified Remote).
• 🔄 If the TV is the old model (until 2019) → IR port or external IR blaster only.
• 🍎 If you have an iPhone → Wi-Fi or universal applications (PC on the iPhone does not work).

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For maximum convenience, combine methods: for example, use Wi-Fi for primary control and IR port as a backup option (if the Internet goes off).

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up