How to connect the remote in your phone to a Xiaomi TV: the complete guide

Smartphones are no longer just call devices, becoming universal remote controls for the entire digital ecosystem. Xiaomi owners often face a situation where the regular remote control from the TV is lost, sits down or just lies in another room, and switch the channel or launch YouTube right now. Fortunately, the company has provided built-in software and third-party solutions that allow you to use the smartphone screen as a full replacement for the physical controller.

The synchronization process depends on several factors: your phone model, the version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, and the type of connection of the TV itself. There are two main methods of transmitting commands: through an infrared port (IR), which simulates the operation of a conventional remote, and through a Wi-Fi network that requires the installation of a special application. In this article, we will discuss both options in detail, paying attention to the nuances of settings for Mi TVs and Redmi TVs.

Before you start setting up, make sure your smartphone and TV are in the same room to check for an IR signal or connected to the same Wi-Fi network for wireless control. This is a basic requirement, ignoring which makes further actions meaningless. We will consider both standard system tools and third-party utilities that can come in handy if the standard methods do not work for some technical reasons.

Preparation of the device and compatibility check

The first step is to determine the technical capabilities of your smartphone. Not all Xiaomi and Redmi models have the built-in infrared transmitter that you need to control your hardware without an Internet connection. Usually the IR port is located on the top end of the device and looks like a small black glass. If you are not sure about this feature, the easiest way to look at the model specification on the official website or try to find the Mi Remote application in the system folders.

If there is no IR port, don’t be upset, as the Wi-Fi control method works even more efficiently, transmitting not only channel switching commands, but also allowing you to type in text from the phone’s keyboard. It is critical for this method that both devices are on the same local network. Make sure your router distributes the network at 2.4 GHz, as many budget Xiaomi TV models do not support the 5 GHz standard. This is a common reason why the phone “does not see” the TV in the list of available devices.

It is also worth checking the operating system version. On older versions of Android or MIUI, some system applications may not work correctly or missing. Before setting up, it is recommended to update the smartphone firmware to the current version to exclude software conflicts. In some regions (for example, the global version vs. the Chinese version), the set of preinstalled software may differ, which will require manual installation of the necessary components.

⚠️ Note: If you use a guest Wi-Fi network or a client isolation feature on a router, devices will not be able to communicate with each other even when on the same network.

Use of the built-in Mi Remote application

For users of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones with an infrared port, the Mi Remote app (Mi Remote) is the main tool, pre-installed on the system and does not require an Internet connection to work, because it uses direct infrared signal transmission. Launch the application and click the Add Remote button or plus in the corner of the screen. The system will suggest choosing a category of device - in our case, it is TV.

Next, choose the manufacturer of your TV. If you have a Xiaomi or Mi TV, choose the appropriate logpipe. If you want to control a third-party TV (such as Samsung or LG) via a Xiaomi phone, choose the right manufacturer from the list. The app will offer several options for codes to test, you will be shown the button on the screen to press and asked if the TV responds.

The code selection process can take a few minutes if the first option does not work. Infrared port requires direct visibility between the phone and the TV receiver, so during the setup, keep the top of the smartphone pointed directly at the logo or bottom of the TV. After successfully testing all the features (volume, power, menu), save the profile and give it a name, for example, "Living room".

And it's important to note that the IR remote only works within line of sight, and if you hide your phone behind the couch or move to another room, the control will stop, but it's also a security advantage, because neighbors can't accidentally switch your channel, even if they have the same phone and app.

Configuring control over a Wi-Fi network

A more modern and functional way is to use Wi-Fi, which does not require an IR port and allows you to control the TV from another room while there is a network signal. Mi TVs and Redmi TVs often use built-in support for the Google Cast protocol or the proprietary Mi Remote app in Wi-Fi mode. Make sure the TV has Network Control or similar option on the settings.

Run the Mi Remote app on your phone and go to the "Mi TV" tab or select adding a device over Wi-Fi. The app automatically scans the network and finds available TVs. If the device is found, a pairing confirmation request may appear on the TV screen. Use the buttons on the phone screen to accept the request. After that, the phone will turn into a full touchpad with voice input.

The advantage of Wi-Fi is that it's fast and you don't have to aim your phone at your TV. You can lie on the couch holding your phone in any position, and commands will be executed instantly. In addition, Wi-Fi often provides screen or media streaming, which expands the possibilities of using your smartphone as a remote.

In some cases, especially on global firmware, a standard app may not see the TV, so it's worth checking the router's settings. Some antivirus programs on routers or parental controls can block local device detection (UPnP or Multicast), and by temporarily disabling these features, you can diagnose the problem.

Alternative management applications

If your regular Mi Remote app doesn’t work or isn’t available in your firmware version for some reason (often on global versions without Google services), third-party developers come to the rescue. There are a variety of utilities available in the Google Play store or GetApps, such as Universal TV Remote, Peel Smart Remote or TV Remote Control. These apps often have more flexible settings and support more brands.

Most alternative applications work on two principles: via an infrared port (if you have one on your phone) or via Wi-Fi, using standard smart home management protocols. When choosing an app, pay attention to the amount of advertising and the availability of paid subscriptions. Often free versions limit the number of remotes saved or voice search functionality.

For Xiaomi TVs running on Android TV, the official Google Home or Android TV Remote Control app is a great alternative.They provide deep integration with the system, allowing you not only to switch channels, but also to manage files, run specific applications and even use the phone as a keyboard to enter text in YouTube or Netflix searches, which is much more convenient than poking buttons on the screen.

And there's also aggregator apps that control not only the TV, but also air conditioners, projectors and other appliances. If you have a full-fledged smart home built on the Xiaomi ecosystem, it makes sense to use a single Mi Home app, adding a TV as a device, which will allow you to create scenarios like "Switch off the lights and turn on the TV" with a single button.

Specifics of settings for Android TV and PatchWall

Xiaomi TVs can run a variety of shells: proprietary PatchWall (based on Linux) or pure Android TV. The type of operating system depends on the choice of management protocol. For Android TV, the ideal solution is to use the ADB protocol or standard Google tools, whereas PatchWall often requires an emulation of infrared signals or specific Wi-Fi commands.

If you have an Android TV, you can enable USB debugging in the Developer Menu, although it's redundant for the average user. It's much easier to use the Android TV Remote feature in the Google Home app. This method provides the least latency when you type in text and navigate through the menu. The remote interface will have a full keyboard and touchpad that replaces the direction buttons.

PatchWall, popular in India and some other regions, has its own device detection protocol. If standard methods don't work, try looking for "Mobile App" or "Add Device" in your TV settings where you can display it. QR-A code or numeric code to pair, and entering that code in an app on your phone guarantees a connection even in complex network conditions.

Solving Connection Problems and Errors

Despite the ease of setting up, users often encounter errors, the most common of which is "Device not found." 90% of the time, this is solved by rebooting the router. Network TVs, working for days without turning off, can accumulate DNS cache errors, causing them to "disappear" from the local network. Pull the TV power cord out of the socket for 30 seconds, this will perform a complete restart of the system.

Another problem is that you can de-synchronize the buttons, you press Volume, and the TV changes channel, which means that the wrong remote code is selected in the app, and you can try out all the codes you've proposed, even if the first one seems to work, and sometimes the basic buttons work, and the specific ones (like calling Netflix) don't.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone stopped controlling the TV after updating the phone's firmware, try clearing the cache of the Mi Remote app. → Annexes → Mi Remote → Memory. → Clear the cache. Don't delete the data unless you want to reconfigure all the remotes.

Also worth checking is antivirus software. Built-in defenders in MIUI or third-party antivirus can block the application from accessing network ports. When you first start, always allow access to the local network if the system requests permission. Without this right, the application will only see the IR port, but will not be able to scan the Wi-Fi network.

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For quick diagnosis, turn on the display on the TV IP-Addresses in network settings: if the phone and TV have addresses on different subnets (e.g, 192.168.1.x and 192.168.0.x), So you have guest mode enabled or the second router is running in the repeater mode incorrectly.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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The most stable way to manage is a combination of methods: an infrared port for turning on TV and basic commands, and Wi-Fi for navigating menus and typing, which ensures maximum system fault tolerance.