Modern Xiaomi TVs, powered by Android TV or PatchWall, often come with advanced voice-controlled Bluetooth remotes. However, their compact size and lack of visible infrared head on the front often cause the device to get lost in the bowels of the couch or get confused with other gadgets. Unlike older infrared models, which could be groped by a characteristic light bulb, Bluetooth models require a more careful approach to search and identification.
If you’re wondering how to find a Xiaomi remote, it’s important to understand that it’s not just about physical search, but also about software-based device detection in the TV menu. The interface and visibility of the remote in the system are key points to confirm whether the accessory is in range or indeed lost. In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to detect, adjust and replace this important control.
Physical search and model identification
The first step in the search is to carefully check the physical locations where the accessory may have been lost. Xiaomi Mi Remote remotes, especially the voice-controlled versions, often have a smooth surface and can slip discreetly between sofa cushions, under the carpet or behind the nightstand. Unlike bulky universal remotes, the original Xiaomi models have a minimalist design, which makes them less noticeable in the interior.
Notice the specific design features. Many models have a microphone that can make a subtle static noise when the TV is turned on if the remote is very close and discharged, or has an active indicator. The search should begin by checking the pockets of clothes that were lying on the couch and the space under the coffee table, since this is where most lost gadgets are found.
To successfully identify, it is important to know what your model looks like.
- 📱 Classic Bluetooth remote with round navigation button and quick access buttons.
- 🎙️ Improved version with dedicated microphone button for voice search.
- 🔋 Model with additional multimedia control buttons and key highlighting.
If visual search didn't work, go to software detection methods. The TV remembers the last connected device, and that could be the key.
Software Detection through the TV Menu
If you can't physically find the remote, you can try to detect the signal through the TV interface. Android TV or PatchWall displays the status of the connected devices. Go to Settings → Remote and Accessories (or Bluetooth), which displays all previously paired devices.
If the remote is within range (usually up to 10 meters) and has a battery charge, the TV can show "Connected" status or try to automatically restore the connection when you press any button, in which case the pairing is an indicator of proximity: if the system responds to your attempts to reconnect, then the remote is somewhere nearby.
In some cases, the Bluetooth device search feature helps: Start scanning new devices:
- Open the TV settings menu.
- Select the section "Pulses and accessories".
- Click "Add Accessory."
- Press the “Back” and “Home” buttons on the remote control at the same time (if found).
If the TV sees the remote on the list of available to connect, it means that it is active and is in the receiving zone, which narrows the search to the limits of the room.
⚠️ Note: Do not leave the Bluetooth search menu open for long periods unless you plan to connect new devices, as this could pose a security risk and allow outsiders to try to connect to your TV.
Using a smartphone as an alternative remote
When the remote is lost, the quickest solution is to use a smartphone. Most Xiaomi TVs support Wi-Fi or IR port control. First, determine if your phone has an infrared port (usually Xiaomi, Huawei, some Samsung models). If you have an IR port, you can use the standard "Mi Remote" app.
If there is no IR port, don’t despair. Xiaomi TVs are perfectly managed over Wi-Fi. To do this, both devices must be connected to the same network. Download the official Android TV Remote Control app (for Android) or use the built-in features in iOS (Control Point → Apple TV, if HomeKit is configured, or third-party apps).
The process of setting up via Wi-Fi looks like this:
- 📲 Download the Google Home or Android app TV Remote Control.
- 📡 Make sure your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- 🔍 Start searching for devices in the application.
- 🔢 Enter the confirmation code that appeared on the TV screen.
This solution allows not only to switch channels, but also to type text for search, which is often more convenient than using the on-screen keyboard of a TV. Google Home also allows you to stream content directly to the screen.
☑️ Setting up the remote on a smartphone
Connecting a new remote or reconnecting
If you find a remote control, but it's stopped responding, or you buy a new one, you need to tuck it in properly, and often the problem is not the loss, but the desynchronization. To force pairing, hold the remote control at a distance of no more than 20 cm to the Mi logo on the TV or to the IR receiver.
Press and hold the back button (arrow left) and home button (house icon) for 5-10 seconds. The device search message should appear on the screen, at which point the LED indicator signaling the mode (conjugation) may light up on the remote.
The table below will help determine the status of the indicator on various remote models:
| Model remote control | Color of indicator | Mode of work | Action. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Bluetooth | Blue (blinks) | Searching device | Wait for the connection. |
| Xiaomi Bluetooth | Blue (burns) | Connected. | We can use it. |
| Xiaomi IR (Infrared) | Absent. | Permanent. | Bring in TV. |
| Xiaomi Voice | Orange | Low charge. | Replace the battery |
If pairing doesn't happen the first time, try removing the batteries, wait a minute and insert them back, then repeat the procedure, sometimes helping to completely reset the list of Bluetooth devices in the TV settings before a new attempt.
What to do if the remote does not mate?
Configuring universal control and IR adapters
For older TV owners or those who prefer classic control, the use of infrared adapters is a pressing issue. Some Xiaomi remotes are hybrid: they transmit the main commands over Bluetooth, and the volume and on buttons over the infrared channel so that you can control the TV when the menu is not yet loaded.
If you lose the original remote, you can buy a universal IR remote or use an IR blaster on your smartphone. Setup the universal remote requires you to choose the right manufacturer's code. In the database of most universal remotes, Xiaomi appears under the codes 0035, 0205 or 0380.
The process of automatic code setting:
- 🔌 Turn on the TV with a button on the body.
- 🔘 On the universal remote, press the button «TV».
- 📡 Press Power and hold until the TV is turned off.
- ✅ Save the code by clicking «OK» or "Save».
Using IR adapters for smartphones (inserted into the headphone jack or USB) is also a viable option, although it requires the availability of an appropriate application such as ZaZa Remote or Anyan. This turns the phone into a full-fledged remote control, independent of the Wi-Fi network.
⚠️ Note: When using universal IR remotes, voice search and navigation functions on the Android menu TV The IR protocol does not support the transmission of such complex data, unlike Bluetooth.
Purchase of replacement and model compatibility
If the search fails, there is still the option of buying a new remote.The market offers a variety of alternatives, but it's important to make sure compatibility.The original Xiaomi Mi Remote remotes are often versatile across the entire TV lineup released after 2016.
When choosing a replacement, pay attention to the type of connection. If your TV requires Bluetooth to work the menu, a conventional IR remote will only allow you to turn the TV on/off and change the volume, but will not give access to the settings. There are also Bluetooth adapters that connect to the mains. USB-TV port and allow you to use almost any Bluetooth remote from Xiaomi.
Key factors in choosing:
- Bluetooth module in the remote (required for Xiaomi Smart TV).
- Voice control (requires a microphone in the remote).
- Compatible with Android TV/PatchWall version.
When buying a used remote, make sure it’s not locked away on another TV. While most Xiaomi remotes allow you to repurpose them, some enterprise versions may have limitations.
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When buying a new remote, choose a model with backlit buttons - this will greatly simplify their search in the dark and prevent future losses.
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The original Bluetooth remote provides full functionality of the Smart TV, while the IR analogues are limited to basic control of the media player.