Integration of household appliances into a single ecosystem of a smart home has ceased to be the lot of geeks and has become a standard for the modern user. Xiaomi TVs, running on the operating system Android TV or proprietary PatchWall, have a wide functionality that can be significantly expanded with the help of voice assistant Marusya from VK. This allows you to control playback, adjust volume and switch signal sources without getting up from the sofa and not looking for the remote.
The process of pairing devices from different manufacturers often raises questions among owners, but the architecture of the IoT (Internet of Things) provides several interaction scenarios. Virtual assistant can work both through direct integration of accounts and through emulation of the remote control if the TV supports infrared technology or is on the same local network.
In this article, we will take a look at all the synchronization methods available, from official integrations to advanced settings through third-party apps. You will learn how to configure automation scenarios to turn off the screen when the alarm goes off, or how to run your favorite series with one voice command. The key to successful configuration is having an account in the VK ecosystem and a tied Mi Account in the Mi Home app.
Technical requirements and equipment preparation
Before you start software setup, you need to make sure that your equipment meets the minimum technical requirements. Xiaomi smart TVs should be connected to the Wi-Fi network, and it is desirable that the signal frequency is 2.4 GHz for better compatibility with smart home protocols, although modern routers with a 5 GHz band are also supported. Marusya Assistant can be both in the application on the smartphone and in the VK Capsule column, but for TV management it is most convenient to use a mobile application.
Make sure the software of both devices is updated to the latest version. In Xiaomi TVs, you can check this through the settings menu, and in a smartphone, through the app store. It is also critical that your router does not block the connection between devices on the local network (AP Isolation function must be disabled), otherwise the commands from the phone will simply not reach the screen.
- 📺 Xiaomi TV with Android support TV 9.0+ PatchWall 3.0 patch+
- 📱 Smartphone with installed Mi Home apps, VK and Marousia
- 🌐 Stable Internet connection at a speed of at least 10 Mbps
- 🔐 Registered account VK ID Mi Account.
⚠️ Note: If your TV and smartphone are on different subnets (like a guest Wi-Fi network), device detection may not be possible.
Not all Xiaomi TVs have built-in infrared port or Chromecast built-in support, which may limit voice control functionality. In some cases, for full work will require the use of an external console Android. TV Box or Chromecast connected to HDMI-television-port.
Method 1: Official integration through VK services
The most reliable and functional way is to use the official link through the services of VK, which is actively developing partnerships with electronics manufacturers. First, you need to log in to the Marusya application under the same account that is used in the smart speaker or mobile application.
Find Xiaomi or Mi Home on the list of available manufacturers. The system will offer you to log in to your Mi Account. Once you successfully log in, all compatible devices associated with your Xiaomi account will appear in the list of available to manage. This allows you to transfer commands directly through cloud servers, which ensures work even if the smartphone is away from home and the TV is connected to the same network.
Once synchronized, you can rename the device for convenience, like "Living Room TV," which allows you to give commands like "Marusya, turn on the TV in the living room." The voice assistant recognizes the command and sends the signal to run through the cloud. It's important to note that for this method, the TV must be in standby mode with the Wi-Fi module on, not completely de-energized.
- 🔗 Open the Marousia app and go to profile
- 🏠 Select the Smart Home section and click Add Device»
- 🔍 Find the Xiaomi/Mi Home brand in the list
- ✅ Sign in and confirm access to the devices
☑️ Integration verification
Method 2: Control via IR port and remote emulation
If cloud integration is not available for some reason or your TV model is not officially supported, you can use the method of emulating an infrared remote. Many Xiaomi smartphones and some models from other manufacturers are equipped with an integrated infrared port (Infrared Blaster). The Mi Remote application or the standard remote in the MIUI shell allows you to configure control of the equipment, and Marusya can execute scripts that run these commands.
However, a more versatile solution for non-IR-port TVs on a smartphone is to use USB-IC receivers that connect to smart speakers that support such modules, or to configure scripts through intermediate hubs. In the context of the Xiaomi ecosystem, the Xiaomi Universal Remote is often used, which connects to the Mi Home application. Marusya, having access to the Mi Home, can control this virtual remote.
The good thing about this technique is that it simulates the pressing of physical buttons. You can set up a "Marusya, turn down" command that will emulate the pressing of the volume button on the remote, and the disadvantage is that there is no feedback: the assistant "does not know" whether the volume has actually changed, it just sends a signal. Infrared control requires direct visibility between the emitter and the receiver of the TV.
⚠️ Note: When using an IR emulation, the TV must be plugged in and in the line of sight of the transmitter. Walls and furniture can block the infrared signal.
To configure this method, you need to add a Universal Remote (or a device built into your phone) to the Mi Home app. Once the codes for your TV are set up, they will be available to create automations. You can create a Cinema scene that turns off lights through smart lamps and turns the TV on via an IR signal at the command of the voice assistant.
Setup of automation scenarios in Mi Home
The power of the smart home ecosystem is unlocked when you create complex scenarios that go beyond just turning on and off. In the Mi Home app, go to the Auto or Scripts tab, where you can create a condition (trigger) and an action, for example, the trigger can be a Marusse voice command, and the action can be the launch of an app on a TV.
Consider an example of a Good Morning script, where you can set the Xiaomi TV to turn on and launch a news channel or a YouTube playlist with morning music when you turn off the alarm clock on your smartphone. To do this, select Device -> Television -> Enable and Launch App in your script settings.
| Type of trigger | Operation of the device | Conditions required | Status of implementation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voice command | Turning on TV + Netflix | Wi-Fi is active | Completed. |
| Geolocation (come home) | Turning on TV (news) | Smartphone on Wi-Fi | Waiting. |
| Time (20:00) | Reduce brightness to 30% | TV included | |
| Opening of the door (sensor) | Turn off the TV. | Night (23:00-06:00) | Completed. |
What to do if the script does not start?
There are also scenarios that can be used that depend on the time of day or the state of other sensors, for example, if the door opener shows that everyone has closed the door for the night, the TV can automatically turn off, and automation allows you to turn ordinary movie watching into a comfortable ritual, where the equipment itself adjusts to your needs.
Solving Common Connection Problems
Users may encounter a number of common problems during the setup process, one of the most common being “Device not found” which is often due to the fact that Mi Cloud servers and VK servers are located in different regions. In the Mi Account settings, try changing the region to “Russia” or “China” (depending on the version of the TV firmware), as this affects the list of available integrations.
Another problem is the delay in response to voice commands. If 5-10 seconds pass between the words "Marusya, turn off the TV" and check the Internet speed and the loading of the Wi-Fi channel. The signal of interference from microwave ovens or neighbor routers on the 2.4 GHz channel can significantly reduce the response speed of IoT devices.
- 🔄 Restart your router and TV (plug out the socket for 30 seconds)
- 🌐 Check if the ad blocker is worth the router (it can block the servers of the smart home)
- 🔑 Re-link your Mi Home account in Marusya's app
- 📡 Make sure that the TV and phone are in the same subnet (not included guest mode)
⚠️ Warning: If the TV stopped responding to commands after updating the firmware, security protocols may have changed, in which case a full uncoupling of the device and re-authorization with cleaning the application cache are required.
Sometimes it helps to reset the network settings on the TV. → Network and Internet and forget your current Wi-Fi network, then reconnect. IP-address and resets possible addressing conflicts in the local network.
Alternative methods and use of Chromecast
Xiaomi TVs with built-in Chromecast (or connected external dongle) open another powerful control channel. Marusya is great at working with the protocols of Google Cast. In this case, you do not control the TV itself as a device on / off, but broadcast content from your phone or from the Internet to the screen.
To use this method, say, "Marusya, play YouTube videos on your TV about space," and the assistant will find the video and send it to a compatible device on the network, which is ideal for watching video content, but it will not allow, for example, to switch the input to HDMI or change the settings of the image.
💡
Use the Translate command in the YouTube or Movie Search app on your smartphone, choosing your Xiaomi TV as your device. Marusya can start this process with voice if the services are connected.
The advantage of Cast is that it is independent of the TV's operating system. Even if PatchWall is slow or limited in your area, streaming video will be stable, as the phone or the service cloud decodes, and the TV is only a monitor.
💡
Using Chromecast via Marusya is the best choice for watching video content, while direct Mi Home integration is essential for managing the TV’s system functions (volume, inputs, power).