Modern appliance management technologies eliminate bulky physical remotes that are forever lost at the most inopportune moment. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem can turn their smartphone into a universal control center using the built-in capabilities of the Android operating system and proprietary software. Connecting the phone to a TV opens up access to advanced functionality, including voice input, mouse control and even screen broadcasting.
The setup process can vary depending on the specific model of your Mi TV, Redmi TV or Smart TV with PatchWall firmware, and the presence of an infrared port in the smartphone itself. It is important to understand that there are two main ways of connecting: via a local Wi-Fi network and through infrared radiation. The first option is more modern and functional, the second is universal, but requires a special module in the phone.
In this article, we will take a look at all the steps of connection, look at common errors, and offer solutions for different use cases. You will learn how to activate hidden remote functions and why a standard application may not see your TV in the list of available devices.
Choosing a control method: IR port or Wi-Fi
Before you start setting up, you need to decide what type of connection you want to use to send commands. Infrared port (IR Blaster) is a classic method that mimics the operation of a conventional remote control. It requires a line of sight between the phone and the TV receiver, because the signal does not pass through walls or furniture. This is ideal if the router is not available or the TV is not connected to the Internet.
On the other hand, Wi-Fi control provides more stable communication and advanced capabilities. In this mode, the phone and TV must be on the same local network. Mi Remote in Wi-Fi mode allows you not only to switch channels, but also to use the smartphone screen as a touchpad, enter text from the keyboard and control sound systemically, without the delays characteristic of an infrared signal.
⚠️ Note: If you use the IR method, make sure that the top of your smartphone (where the transmitter is located) is directed directly at the logo or bottom of the TV screen. 5-7 Meters and any obstacles can interrupt the signal.
For most modern Xiaomi smart TVs with Android TV or Google TV, it is recommended that the network connection is less energy-consuming for the phone battery, since the IR module consumes significant current when it is actively working. In addition, the Wi-Fi connection allows you to control the TV even from another room, which is impossible with the use of infrared spectrum.
Preparation of the smartphone and installation of applications
To do this, you will need to install the software on your mobile device, and Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are the luckydest owners: Mi Remote is already built into the system partition and does not require additional downloads, and you can find it in the Tools folder or search the system.
Users of other brands, such as Samsung, Honor or Realme, will have to use the Google Play store. However, there is a caveat: a standard application from Xiaomi may not work correctly on third-party devices due to the lack of infrared port drivers or system limitations, in which case it is worth considering alternatives such as Google Home or specialized applications from third-party developers.
If your phone doesn't have an integrated IR port, the choice is narrowed down to apps that work exclusively over the network. In this case, it's critical that both devices are logged in to the same network. Check your router settings: sometimes AP Isolation can block interaction between gadgets, even if they're connected to the same router.
Also, make sure that the phone has the necessary permissions on it, and when it first starts, it will request geolocation access (which is needed to scan Wi-Fi networks in new versions of Android) and access to the local network, and without these permissions, the search for a TV can end in error.
Setting up the remote via Wi-Fi network
The most reliable way to integrate is to create a pair over a local network. Make sure your TV is on and connected to the router. On your smartphone, go to the Mi Remote app and click the add-on button for a new device, usually denoted by the plus (+) symbol in the upper right corner of the interface.
In the category list, select "TV" or "TV" and then search for a Xiaomi or Mi brand. The system will suggest you choose the connection method. Select the Wi-Fi option. The app will start scanning the network. If the search does not give results immediately, check if your router uses a guest network for one of the devices - they must be on the main network.
☑️ Checklist of Wi-Fi connection
When the TV appears on the list of found devices, click on it. You may see a request on the TV screen for confirmation of pairing. Use a physical remote (if any) or buttons on the TV body to confirm the action. Once you successfully connect, you will see a virtual interface with navigation, volume and menu buttons.
For advanced users, touchpad emulation mode is available. In the Mi Remote settings, you can activate a feature that turns the phone screen into a touchpad. This is especially convenient for navigating through the PatchWall interface, where the cursor is controlled faster than the direction buttons.
Using an IR port for management
If network connectivity is not possible, or if your TV is an older model without Smart features, an infrared port will come to the rescue. This method does not require complex network configuration, but needs to select the device model accurately from the database. Run Mi Remote, press Add and select TV.
Unlike Wi-Fi, you don't have to search for a device on the network here. The app will ask you to point your phone to the TV and press the "Test" button. The TV has to react (e.g., the volume will change or the screen will turn off). If there's no reaction, click "No" and try the next code from the database.
⚠️ Note: The codebase in the app may not contain an exact model of your TV, especially if it’s a new Redmi series. TV. Try to choose a code for the Mi brand or Xiaomi_generic, Because protocols often coincide.
After successfully testing multiple features (on, volume, channels), save the profile. You can rename the remote, for example, to "Jimia Living Room", so as not to be confused if you have multiple profiles for different rooms. IR control works even when the phone is in sleep mode, if the application has the appropriate permissions in the background.
Solving Connection Problems
It is not uncommon for users to experience a phone that doesn’t see the TV. One common reason is that it uses different Wi-Fi frequency bands. If the router is broadcasting two networks (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), make sure that both devices are connected to the same frequency, although modern routers often combine them into a single network with a common name (SSID).
Another problem is a firewall or antivirus on a router that blocks device discovery protocols (like UPnP or mDNS). Try temporarily disabling protection or adding devices to a trusted list, and a simple reboot of the router and both gadgets also helps.
What to do if the remote is running with a delay?
If the app crashes or freezes constantly, try clearing its cache. Go to Settings → Applications → Mi Remote → Memory and click Clear Cache. Don't confuse it with Clear Data, as this will delete all saved remote profiles.
Comparison of the functionality of connection methods
To better understand which one is right for you, let's compare the capabilities of the two technologies in a spreadsheet, which will help you make an informed decision, especially if you plan to use your phone as your primary remote.
| Function | Wi-Fi connection | IR port (Infrared) |
|---|---|---|
| Radio of action | Up to 30 metres (through walls) | Up to 7 metres (direct visibility) |
| Input of text | Full keyboard | Unavailable. |
| Voice search | Supported | Depends on the TV model. |
| Touchpad mode | Available. | Unavailable. |
| Working without a network | No. | Yes. |
As you can see from the comparison, Wi-Fi benefits in functionality by turning the phone into a powerful controller, but the IR port remains an indispensable backup option, the ideal strategy is to configure both methods, so you can control the TV in any environment, regardless of the state of the home network.
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Use the remote widget on your Android desktop for quick access to volume control without opening the full app.
Additional opportunities and advice
Controlling your TV from your phone isn't just a button replacement; it's access to features that aren't on your standard remote, for example, you can stream photos and videos from your phone's gallery to the big screen using Cast or Mi Drop. Just click the appropriate icon in the app or in the notification curtain.
Also worth mentioning is the ability to manage through external services like Google Home.If your TV supports Chromecast built-in, you can add it to Google’s smart home, which will allow you to control the power on and basic functions even by voice through the Google Assistant on your phone while you’re away from home (if you have customized scripts).
⚠️ Note: When using third-party management applications (not from Xiaomi), the functionality may be limited to basic commands. For full access to image and sound settings, use only the official Mi Remote app.
Remember to update Mi Remote regularly through the app store. Developers are constantly improving the code base and optimizing work with new versions of the Android operating system. An outdated version may not work correctly with new models of Mi TV P1 or Q1 series.
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The combination of an IR port for basic control and Wi-Fi for multimedia provides maximum flexibility and reliability of using a smartphone as a remote.