Losing a remote is a classic problem faced by modern electronics owners, including the popular Xiaomi Mi model. TV 4S. When you need to switch a channel or start an application, the absence of a physical controller causes irritation and a sense of helplessness. TV, The operating system of the TV provides several alternative ways of navigation.
Modern Xiaomi TVs are equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules, which allows you to use the smartphone as a full replacement for the standard remote. USB-It's important to understand that finding a lost physical device requires a systematic approach, from checking obvious locations to using location technology if the remote is voice-controlled.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods to regain control of your Smart TV. We will look at software solutions, ways to search through paired devices and options for purchasing an original replacement if the old remote can not be found.
Search for a physical remote: tactics and places of inspection
Before you go digital, you need to do a physical search, because remotes often end up in the most unexpected places. Statistics show that most of the things you lost are within three meters of where you last saw them.
Notice surfaces that might have been covered by other objects. The remote could have slipped behind the nightstand, fallen between the wall and the TV, or gotten lost in a stack of magazines. If you have pets or young children, they could have moved the object into their "playing area." Visual inspection in good light often yields better results than chaotic searches in the dark.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to use metal objects to search for the remote behind the furniture, so as not to damage the case of the device or break the TV screen when carelessly moving.
If you have batteries in your remote, try to remember if you've changed them recently. Often, the remotes are lost when you're changing the batteries, when you're distracted by a phone call or other chores, and it's worth checking where you normally store other remotes or electronics, even if they seem counterintuitive to this model.
Using a smartphone as a remote for Xiaomi Mi TV 4S
The fastest way to regain control of your TV is to turn your smartphone into a remote control. Since the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S runs on Android TV, it supports control over a local Wi-Fi network, and to do so, your phone and TV must be connected to the same wireless network.
To implement this method, you will need to install a special application. The official Google Home app or third-party solutions like Android TV Remote Control allow you to fully emulate the functionality of the physical remote. Once you install the application on your smartphone, start a network scan. If the TV is on and connected to the router, it will appear in the list of available devices.
- 📱 Install the Google Home app from the Play Market or App Store.
- 📡 Make sure your smartphone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- 🔗 Click on the TV icon in the app and select the option “Remote».
- ✅ Enter the confirmation code on the smartphone that appears on the TV screen.
Once successfully paired, a virtual keyboard and touchpad will appear on the phone’s screen, allowing not only channel switching, but also text input to search on YouTube or the browser, which is much more convenient than doing it using standard buttons. If the Wi-Fi router is not available, some models of Xiaomi phones with an IR port (Mi Remote) can control the TV directly, without the need to connect to the network.
Connecting alternative input devices
If the smartphone is not suitable or the Wi-Fi network is temporarily unavailable, you can use USB ports located on the back or side panel of the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S. Android TV supports standard HID (Human Interface Device) input protocols, which allows you to connect conventional computer peripherals.
The easiest way to connect wireless USB-A mouse or keyboard with its own receiver. USB-So you can whistle to the TV port, and in a few seconds, you can have a cursor on the screen, and that will allow you to navigate through the menu, open the apps, and even search the remote through the settings, if that's available in your version of the firmware.
Wired keyboards and mice also work in most cases, but they may be less convenient because of the limited length of the cable. However, for emergency TV turn on and network setup, this method is an excellent solution.
☑️ Preparation for connection USB-device
Search via Bluetooth and voice control
The original Xiaomi Mi TV 4S remote is often equipped with Bluetooth for voice control and pointer mode. If the remote is lost but previously paired with a TV, you could theoretically try to find it using TV feedback, although this does not work in all versions of the software.
In some scenarios, if the remote is in range and has a charge, trying to activate device search in the Settings menu → Remotes and accessories can show signal strength or connection status. However, a more effective method is using the Find Device feature in the Mi Home ecosystem if the remote is supported as a standalone smart home device, which is rare but possible in newer models.
| Method of searching | Equipment required | Efficiency | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smartphone app | Smartphone, Wi-Fi | Tall. | Low. |
| USB-mouse/keyboard | USB peripherals | Tall. | Low. |
| IR port of the phone | Smartphone Xiaomi with IR | Medium | Low. |
| Searching for Bluetooth | Charged remote control | Low. | Medium |
It's worth noting that constantly searching for a remote via Bluetooth scanning can drain the battery of the remote itself if it's found and in active mode. So if you're planning on using this method, do it quickly.
Where to order the original remote for Xiaomi
If the search is unsuccessful, there is still the option of purchasing a new device. For the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S model, it is important to find a compatible remote, since not all IR codes can match. The original remote often has a special button to call the app menu and voice search.
Ordering is best done through official channels or trusted electronics vendors. Popular marketplaces offer both original models and quality products. When choosing, consider having a Bluetooth module if you care about voice input.
- 🛒 Official Xiaomi Store or Authorized Partners.
- 🌐 Large online sites with a rating of sellers.
- 🔧 Specialized spare parts stores for TV equipment.
- 📦 Billboards (with caution, checking status).
⚠️ Note: When buying a used remote, make sure it pairs with your TV, as some remotes may be tightly tied to a particular device.
The price of the original remote can vary, but it is usually justified by the stability of the work and the presence of all the features, including voice search. Cheap counterparts may not support some commands or require complex customization.
How to hide a new Bluetooth remote?
Set-up of universal management
To prevent the loss of the remote from happening again, it is recommended to set up alternative control methods in advance. In the Settings menu → Device → Remotes and accessories, you can see a list of connected devices and, if necessary, add a new remote or remove old ones.
It's also useful to install a remote app on the smartphone of all family members, which will provide backup access to control in any situation, and many modern smartphones support control via IR port, making them a universal tool for any home appliances in the house.
Remember that to operate Wi-Fi control, the TV must be turned on. If the TV is turned off completely (not in standby mode), it can only be started with physical buttons on the case or IR remote, so having at least one IR remote or smartphone with an IR port in the house is a necessity.
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Save it. QR-code of the application for control of TV in the gallery of the phone or send yourself to the messenger - this will allow you to quickly download the remote to the new smartphone if the old one is lost or breaks down.
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The most reliable way to always have access to control TV is a bundle: the original remote control + app on the smartphone + knowing the location of the physical buttons on the case.