How to connect your phone to the robot vacuum cleaner Xiaomi Mi: instructions for all models

Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum cleaners have long been an integral part of smart homes, but their full functionality is revealed only after you connect to a smartphone. Without synchronization, you lose the ability to remotely control, create cleaning maps, adjust your schedule and receive notifications about the status of the device. However, the connection process often raises questions: the application does not see the vacuum cleaner, there are authentication errors, and the device is “hung” during the interface stage.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of connecting (via Mi Home, Mi Robot, and alternative methods for older models), consider typical problems and their solutions, and give recommendations for customization for maximum convenience. Instructions are universal for most models - from the first generation Mi Robot Vacuum to the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Lite and the flagship S/P series.

If you’ve tried to connect but have encountered an error, skip the basic steps and go straight to Troubleshooting, which has solutions for 90% of typical problems.

What you need to connect

Before you start, make sure you have everything you need, and missing at least one of the items can cause the procedure to fail:

• 📱 Smartphone on Android 5.0+ or iOS 10.0+ (New models of vacuum cleaners require iOS 12+).
• 🤖 Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum cleaner with a battery charge of at least 20% (at low charge, the device may not respond to commands).
• 📶 Stable Wi-Fi connection 2.4 GHz (Xiaomi vacuum cleaners do not support 5 GHz networks!).
• 🔌 Charging station (vacuum cleaner must be on the base during connection).
• 📲 Mi Home or Mi Robot (download the latest version from Google Play or App Store).

Note that if your router only works in the 5GHz band, you will have to temporarily switch to 2.4GHz or use a guest network. Some router models (for example, TP-Link Archer C6) allow you to divide networks into bands, in which case connect to a network with a postfix 2.4G.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi vacuum cleaners do not support connection via mobile Internet (3G/4G/5G) or public Wi-Fi networks (in hotels, cafes) Use only the home network.

Connection via the Mi Home app

The main way to sync is through the official Mi Home app (formerly MiJia), which works for all but the newest models (e.g. Xiaomi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Ultra, which requires Mi Robot).

1. Install the Mi Home app and sign up (or sign in via your Xiaomi, Google, Facebook account).
2. Click Add the device (+) in the upper right corner.
3. Choose the category Smart home → Vacuum cleaners.
4. Find your model in the list (if not, choose Another Xiaomi vacuum cleaner).
5. Follow the on-screen hints: the app will suggest connecting to the vacuum cleaner’s temporary Wi-Fi network (the name will start with mirobot- or rockrobo-).
6. Once connected, go back to Mi Home and select your 2.4GHz home network.
7. Enter the Wi-Fi password and wait until the setup is completed (it will take 1-3 minutes).

If the vacuum cleaner is successfully connected, the app will display its icon with the current status (for example, Charging or Ready to Clean), and you can now configure the schedule, cleaning areas and other settings.

Connection via Mi Robot (for new models)

For flagship models (Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Ultra, Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P and newer), Xiaomi has released a separate application - Mi Robot. It offers advanced features such as:

• 🗺️ 3D-room maps with editing capability;
• 🔄 Automatic recognition of carpets and change of suction force;
• 📊 Cleaning statistics with 30 days history;
• 🎤 Voice control via Alice, Google Assistant or Siri.

The connection process is similar to Mi Home, but with some nuances:

1. Download Mi Robot (not to be confused with Mi Home!)
2. Click Add the device and scan. QR-code on the vacuum cleaner body (usually located under the lid or on the bottom).
3. Connect to the temporary vacuum cleaner network (like in Mi Home).
4. Select your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network and enter your password.
5. Wait for firmware updates (if required) New models often receive "over-the-air" updates immediately after first connecting.

If QR-The code is deleted or missing, try entering it. S/N The number (serial number) of the device by hand, which can be found on the sticker under the vacuum cleaner cover or in the documentation.

Alternative ways of connecting

If standard methods don’t work, try one of the alternatives:

Chinese firmware vacuum cleaners (the CN postfixed models in the name) may require a region change in the app.

1. Go to Profile → Settings → Region.
2. Choose China.
3. Restart the application and reconnect.
4. After successful synchronization, return the region back to Russia.

⚠️ Attention: If you change region, all the devices you've added will disappear from the list. You'll have to reconnect them!

Troubleshooting when connecting

If the vacuum cleaner does not connect, check the following points:

• 🔄 Reboot the vacuum cleaner and router. Turn the vacuum cleaner off the base, turn it off with a button on the case, wait 30 seconds and turn it on again.
• 📶 Check your Wi-Fi settings. Make sure the network is running in mode. 802.11 b/g/n (not ac/ax), Turn off the function of Band Styring (unification) 2.4 and 5 GHz) in router settings.
• 🔒 Turn off the firewall or antivirus. They can block the connection to Xiaomi servers. Try temporarily disabling the protection or add Mi Home to exceptions.
• 📱 Reset your network settings on your smartphone. Go to Settings. → System system → Reset → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.

If the vacuum cleaner connects but shuts down immediately, the problem may be:

• Unstable Wi-Fi (check the signal near the vacuum cleaner base).
• Outdated firmware (update the vacuum cleaner through the application).
• Conflict IP-Addresses (assign a static vacuum cleaner) IP router-setting).

💡

If the vacuum cleaner emits an audible signal and flashes red when connected, it means an authentication error. Try resetting it to factory settings: press the Reset button (usually under the lid) for 10 seconds until the long signal sounds.

Setup of the vacuum cleaner after connection

After successful synchronization, we recommend to perform basic settings for comfortable work:

1. Update your firmware. Go to Device Settings → Software Update and install the latest version.
2. Set up a schedule. In the Scheduled Cleaning section, add days and times for automatic cleaning. To save battery power, choose when you're not home.
3. Create a map of the room. Run the first manual cleaning, so the vacuum cleaner will make a map, and then you can divide it into rooms and set up cleaning areas.
4. Activate voice control. In the device settings, connect the vacuum cleaner to Alice, Google Assistant or Siri (via Yandex.Smart Home or Apple HomeKit).

For models with floor washing function (Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop 2 Pro and later), configure:

• 💧 Water supply level (from Low for laminate to High for tile).
• 🧹 Cleaning procedure (first vacuum cleaner, then mop, or simultaneously).
• 🚫 Areas without washing (e.g. carpets).

💡

After the first cleaning, be sure to check the map for blind spots, areas that the vacuum cleaner has not covered, and add virtual walls or manual cleaning areas if necessary.

For experienced users: manual control

If you want to gain full control of your vacuum cleaner (for example, for integration into Home Assistant or automation through Node-RED), you can use informal protocols.

1. Receive a device token (a unique access key) This can be done through: Modified Mi Home application (for example, Mi Home Bind); Script for Python (miio). extract_tokens); Tracking traffic via Fiddler or Charles Proxy.
2. Use the token to connect via: Miio Protocol (documentation: Home Assistant); Python-miio Library for own scripts; Valetudo plugin (alternative firmware with open API).

Example of a team to control a vacuum cleaner through Python-miio:

from miio import Vacuum


vacuum = Vacuum(ip="192.168.1.100", token="YOUR_TOKEN_HERE")




vacuum.start # Start cleaning




vacuum.pause #Suspend




vacuum.home #Go back to base

⚠️ Note: Using unofficial methods may result in a loss of warranty or locking of the device (if Xiaomi detects suspicious activity!

Frequent questions