How to use iPhone as a remote for a Xiaomi TV: all ways to connect

Why to turn iPhone into a remote for Xiaomi TV

Lost your native remote from Xiaomi TV or want to control it from the screen of your smartphone? Modern smart TVs support remote control via mobile devices, and your iPhone can be a complete replacement for a physical remote. It is not only convenient — you can use voice commands, gestures or even automate scripts through Apple HomeKit.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to connect your iPhone to your Xiaomi TV as a remote, from the standard Mi Remote app to integration with the Apple ecosystem. You’ll learn which models support a particular feature, how to set up a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or Infra-red Port (IR) connection, and what hidden opportunities are opened with such a connection, for example, you can stream your smartphone screen on TV or control your TV through Siri.

Importantly, not all methods are equally effective. For example, Xiaomi TV series Mi TV 4S/5 (2018-2020) do not support direct control through HomeKit, but work perfectly with the Mi Remote application. whereas new models on Google TV (for example, Xiaomi TV A Pro) may require additional settings, we took into account these nuances and prepared instructions for different scenarios.

Method 1: Mi Remote app is the official method from Xiaomi

The most reliable and easy way to use the Mi Remote app (formerly Mi TV Remote) supports all Xiaomi TV models released since 2016, and works via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (depending on the TV model).

To connect the iPhone as a remote:

1. Download Mi Remote from the App Store.
2. Connect your TV and smartphone to the same Wi-Fi network (a prerequisite!).
3. Launch the app and log in to your Mi Account (or sign up).
4. Click “Add Device” → select “Television” → Xiaomi.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen: the app will automatically find your TV on the local network.

If the TV is not detected:

• 🔄 Restart router and TV.
• 📶 Make sure the developer mode is turned on on on TV (in the About TV settings). → Press the version 7 times on the line with the version).
• 🔌 Check that the TV is allowed to control the network: Settings → Network → Remote control.

⚠️ Attention: On the TVs Xiaomi Mi TV 4A (2017–2018) may require manual input IP-You can find it in the settings of the network on the TV itself.

Connecting to a single Wi-Fi network|Sign in to Mi Account on both devices|Remote control permission in TV settings|Updating the TV to the latest version-->

Method 2: Manage via Apple HomeKit (for new models)

If you have a Xiaomi TV on Google TV (like the Xiaomi TV A2 2023 or later), it can be integrated into the Apple HomeKit ecosystem via the Google Home app, allowing you to control TV voice via Siri or automate scripts (like turning on the TV when you get home).

Instructions for setting:

1. Install the Google Home app on your iPhone.
2. Add your TV to Google Home (if not already added).
3. Open the app Home on iPhone → press + → Add Accessory.
4. Select "I don't see the code" or QR-code» → «Google».
5. Log in to the Google account to which the TV is linked.
6. Select your Xiaomi TV from the list of devices and complete the add-on.

After connecting the TV will appear in the app Home and you can:

• 🎤 Voice control: "Hey Siri, turn on Xiaomi" TV kitchen».
• 🔄 Automation (for example, turning off the TV on a schedule).
• 📱 Use the Home widget on the iPhone lock screen.

⚠️ Warning: To control the TV through HomeKit, you must be constantly connected to the Internet. If you turn off Wi-Fi, the commands from the iPhone will not work.

Method 3: Universal applications-controllers (AnyMote, Peel)

If the proprietary solutions don’t fit (for example, you have an old TV model without Mi Remote support), you can use universal remote applications. They work through the Infrared Port (IR) on the iPhone (if you have one) or over Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.

• AnyMote supports over 900,000 devices, including Xiaomi. There is a free version with limitations.
• Peel Smart Remote is a simple interface, but shows ads.
• Unified Remote – requires the installation of server software on TV (suitable for Android TV).

How to set up AnyMote:

1. Download AnyMote from the App Store.
2. Select “Add device” → “TV” → Xiaomi
3. If your iPhone has any IR-port (for example, iPhone) 6/7/8/X Apple-module IR Blaster, the app will suggest you test the signal. Point your smartphone to TV and check the reaction.
4. If IR is not available, select a Wi-Fi connection and enter IP-TV address.

Advantages of universal remotes:

• 🌍 It works with all Xiaomi models, even outdated ones.
• 🎛️ Supports button customization (you can add your own commands).
• 📱 No registration is required for Mi Account.

⚠️ Note: On iPhone 12 and newer IR-There is no port, so the universal remotes will only work on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Make sure the TV supports these protocols (check the instructions for the model).

💡

If the remote app doesn’t find the TV, try manually selecting the control protocol. NEC or RC5 is most often the best for Xiaomi (as indicated in the application settings).

Method 4: Control via AirPlay (for Google TV models)

Xiaomi TVs on the Google TV platform (such as the Xiaomi TV A2 2023) support AirPlay, Apple’s wireless broadcast technology, which allows not only to duplicate the iPhone screen on TV, but also to use the smartphone as a remote control for playback control.

How to set up:

1. Make sure that your TV and iPhone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. On the TV, open Settings → Devices and accessories → AirPlay and HomeKit.
3. Enable AirPlay and set access mode (e.g., “For All” or “Only for Devices on this Network”).
4. On iPhone, open Control Point (swipe down from the top right corner) → click Screen Duplication.
5. Choose your Xiaomi TV from the list.

After you connect, you can:

• 🎬 Manage video playback (pause, volume, rewinding).
• 🔊 Adjust the sound directly from the iPhone.
• 📱 Use your smartphone as a touchpad to navigate the TV menu.

Limitations:

• ❌ Not all Xiaomi models support full control via AirPlay (for example, you can not switch channels).
• ❌ Possible delay when duplicating the screen (depending on the speed of Wi-Fi).

Method 5: Voice control via Siri and Google Assistant

If your Xiaomi TV supports Google Assistant (most Android TV or Google TV models), you can control it via Siri on your iPhone.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Google Assistant on your iPhone.
2. Connect the TV to the same Google account as on your smartphone.
3. In the Google Assistant app, click on the profile icon → Settings → Devices → find your Xiaomi TV.
4. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone → create a new team.
5. Add the “Start App” action → select Google Assistant.
6. In the text box, type a command such as “Lun Xiaomi TV at volume 50.”
7. Save the shortcut and assign a voice command to Siri (e.g., “Put the TV on”).

Now you can say to Siri:

• 🎤 «Hey, Siri, turn on the TV» → TV's on.
• 🎤 «Hey, Siri, put Netflix on Xiaomi» → appendix.
• 🎤 «Hey, Siri, volume is 30» → change the sound level.

⚠️ Warning: To allow voice commands to work, the TV must be on or in Quick Start mode. If the TV is completely off, the voice commands will not work.

💡

Voice control via Siri works only with Xiaomi TVs on Android/Google TV. For PatchWall models (such as Mi TV 4A), this method is not suitable.

Solution: What to do if your iPhone doesn’t connect to Xiaomi TV

If none of these methods worked, check the following points:

Additional advice:

• 🔄 Reboot your TV and iPhone (sometimes network reset helps).
• 📱 Remove and re-add the TV in the Mi Remote or Google Home app.
• 🔧 Reset your network settings to TV: Settings → Network → Resetting network settings.

If the problem persists, check that your TV model is compatible with the connection method you choose. For example, Mi TV 3S (2016) TVs do not support Wi-Fi control - only via IR.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting iPhone to Xiaomi TV