Losing a TV remote is a familiar situation for every second Xiaomi TV owner. It’s especially frustrating when it’s lying between sofa cushions or hiding in a wire drawer and you’ve already managed to dig half of your apartment. Fortunately, your Xiaomi smartphone (or any other Android phone) can become a real detector for missing people — and it’s not just about a flashlight.
In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to find a TV remote from your phone, from standard MIUI features to little-known features of the Mi Home app. You’ll learn how to make the remote beep even with a discharged battery, use the infrared port of a smartphone to check health, and why a simple call to a lost device sometimes helps. All methods are tested on Mi TV 4S/5 Pro models, Redmi Smart TVs and Xiaomi Mi Remote remotes (including versions with voice control).
1.Use the application "Mi Remote" for the audible signal
The fastest way to find a remote is to make it sound, so you don't have to connect to a TV, just enough to have the remote in Bluetooth range (usually up to 10 meters).
- Download the Mi Remote app from Google Play (if it isn’t already on your Xiaomi) and the Mi Home is a good alternative for iPhone owners.
- Open the app and select the Device tab (the TV icon at the bottom of the screen).
- Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Find Remote (or Find Remote in English).
- Confirm the action – the remote will emit a loud sound signal (even if the battery is almost dead).
⚠️ Note: The feature only works for Xiaomi Mi Remote Control (models with Bluetooth 4.0)+). If you have an old IR remote (for example, from Mi). TV 3), this method will not work - move on to the next section.
Check if Bluetooth is on on your phone |
Make sure the remote is not in a metal box (shields the signal)|
Try rebooting the Mi Remote| app
Update the remote firmware via Mi Home (if available)-->
If the sound is too quiet, try amplifying it by bringing the phone closer to the intended location of the remote (for example, to the sofa) and pressing the search button again. In some models (for example, Mi TV Stick Remote), the signal repeats 3 times in a row.
2. Turning the smartphone into an IR remote: checking the performance
If your remote doesn't respond to the audio signal, there may be a battery problem or mechanical damage, and to check that, you can emulate the remote commands from your smartphone -- if the TV responds, the original remote is really lost or broken.
Instructions for Xiaomi with built-in IR port (models Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO X3, Mi 10 and newer):
- Open the Mi Remote app and select Add Device.
- In the manufacturer list, find Xiaomi, then select your TV model (e.g. Mi TV 4A 55).
- Point the smartphone’s IR port (usually at the top of the case) to the TV and click Connection Test.
- If the TV reacts (changes channels, adjusts volume), then your original remote is faulty or discharged.
Which Xiaomi smartphones support IR port?
💡 Useful advice: If the IR port on the smartphone is missing, buy USB-C IR adapter (stands) ~300₽). It connects to a phone and it works like a full-fledged remote. USB-C IR Blaster is compatible with most models.
3. Search through the “Smart Home” (Mi Home/Eco System)
If your TV and remote are connected to the Xiaomi ecosystem (via the Mi Home app), you can use the device geolocation feature, which works even if the remote is in another room.
How to find the remote control via Mi Home:
- 📱 Open the Mi Home app and go to the Devices tab.
- 🔍 Find your TV on the list (e.g. Mi). TV 5 Pro) and tap it.
- ⚙️ In the device menu, select Related Devices → DU remote.
- 🔔 Press Find the remote – it will begin to vibrate and make sound (if it supports this function).
| Model remote control | Support for sound signal | Geolocation support | Required SOUTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Remote Control (Bluetooth) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yeah, at Mi Home) | Mi Home 6.0+ |
| Mi TV Stick Remote | ✅ Yes (3 signals) | ❌ No. | Mi Remote 5.0+ |
| Redmi Smart TV Remote | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (only in China) | Mi Home CN-version |
| Old IR panels (until 2019) | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | — |
⚠️ Note: Geolocation in Mi Home only works for Bluetooth remotes LE (If your remote is older, the app will show its last known location (e.g., “Near the TV”), but will not be able to activate the sound.
4. Alternative methods: from flashlight to bell
If the technology has failed, try out-of-the-box approaches that don't require special applications and often help you find the remote in unexpected places.
- 🔦 Lantern + Mirror: Turn on the flashlight on your smartphone and light it under the sofa/bed. Hold the mirror (or screen of another phone) at an angle, this will help you see the reflection of the remote in hard-to-reach places.
- 📞 Call to the remote: Some Xiaomi Mi Remote models (for example, for Mi) TV Q1) They have a hidden function: if you dial ##3646633## from your phone and hold it to the remote, it will emit a vibration. It will only work when Bluetooth is on.
- 🧲 Magnetic search: Attach a small magnet (like a case) to your phone and slowly drive it over surfaces. Xiaomi remotes contain metallic elements that are attracted to the magnet.
- 🎥 Night camera: Turn on your smartphone camera in Night Mode mode and illuminate dark corners. Infrared sensors can reflect light, making it visible.
Application Mi Remote|
IR port of the smartphone |
Geolocation at Mi Home|
Lantern/mirror |
Another method-->
🔧 Key Conclusion: If the remote is not found after all the manipulations, check Settings → Bluetooth on your phone: sometimes devices show up as Unknown Device (especially after resetting settings.
5 What to do if the remote is lost irretrievably
If the search is unsuccessful, don’t despair: Xiaomi has several ways to control your TV without a physical remote.
Replacement options:
- 📱 Remote app: Install Mi Remote or Google TV (Android-based TV). The functionality is identical to the original remote, including voice search.
- 🎮 Gaming controller: Connect Xiaomi Game Controller or DualShock 4 over Bluetooth – they can be controlled by the TV menu.
- 🖱️ Mouse/keyboard: Any USB-The mouse or keyboard (even from PC) will work with Mi. TV port-connected USB-A.
- 🛒 Buying a duplicate: Xiaomi’s original remotes cost from 500₽ (model: LYWSD02MMC for Mi TV 4S, DMWGQ02LM for Redmi TV). Check compatibility with the TV serial number.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party remotes (such as universal from Huayu), the XiaoAI voice assistant and the Mi Button button may not work for quick access to content.
💡
If you lose a remote often, attach a Bluetooth tracker (such as the Xiaomi Mi Smart Tag) to it, which will be displayed on the map in the Mi Home app and sound a beep on command.
6. Prevention: how not to lose the remote in the future
To avoid wasting time on searching, use the tips on organizing space:
- 🏠 Permanent place: Make a rule to put the remote on a special stand (for example, Xiaomi Mi). TV Stand) or in a box next to the TV.
- 🔗 Wall fastening: Use a double-sided tape or magnetic holder (such as Mi Magnetic Sticker) to fix the remote on the side TV panel.
- 📲 Backup remote in your phone: Set up the Mi Remote widget on your smartphone’s home screen for quick access.
- 🔋 Charge control: Once a month check the battery level of the remote in Mi Home → Devices → DU remote → Discharged remote does not respond to search signals.
💡 Useful Lifehack: If there are children or pets in the house, attach to the remote control LED-keychain (for example, Xiaomi Mi) LED Keychain.It flashes when you press a button on your phone, making it easier to search in the dark.