Technology has made it possible to turn your smartphone into a universal control center for all media in the home. Owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem often wonder how to use a phone instead of a lost or damaged TV remote, a solution that is especially relevant when the standard remote suddenly stopped responding to commands or is too far to reach it.
There are several proven ways to implement this function, depending on your smartphone model and the type of TV connection you have, you can use the built-in infrared port to emulate a classic IR signal, or use a Wi-Fi network connection for more advanced control, and the choice of method directly affects the response rate and available functionality.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of the setup, from checking the technical characteristics of your gadget to fine-tuning the applications. We will look at the work of the regular Mi Remote application, third-party analogues and possible compatibility problems. Competent setting will ensure you comfortable use of the TV without having to look for the original remote.
Verification of technical connectivity
The first step before setting up should be to thoroughly check the hardware capabilities of your smartphone. Not all Xiaomi and Redmi models have an integrated infrared emitter, which is necessary for operation in the mode of the classic remote.
If your model doesn't have an infrared port, don't worry, so you'll be able to control your TV exclusively through Wi-Fi, which is an even more modern method that allows you to not only switch channels, but also type in text from your smartphone keyboard, which is especially useful when searching for videos on YouTube or Netflix.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your TV and smartphone are on the same Wi-Fi network if you plan to use a network connection.Different frequencies (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) can sometimes create visibility problems for devices on the LAN.
To check for an IR emitter, you can visually view the top of the phone or consult the model specification on the manufacturer's official website. There are also special test apps on the Google Play store that can confirm the presence of a hardware module. Without this module, you can not work in the "universal remote" mode without a router.
💡
If you are not sure if there is an IR port, try running the Mi Remote app – if there is no module, the app will prompt you to use Wi-Fi control or report incompatibility.
Configure with the built-in Mi Remote app
The most effective and stable way to manage is to use the regular application Mi Remote (or Remote), which is preinstalled on most Xiaomi smartphones. This tool is designed specifically for IR port and supports a huge code base for thousands of TV models from various brands, including Mi. TV, Android TV common LED-panel.
The setup process starts with launching the app and selecting the device type, and you have to click the plus in the corner of the screen and select the TV category. Then the system will suggest choosing the manufacturer of your TV from a large list, and if the brand is not on the list, you can use the search function or select Generic to select the code manually.
Then there's the calibration step, and you'll have a series of buttons on your smartphone screen that you'll press to see how the TV reacts, and you'll be asked questions like, "Has the image changed?" or "Is the volume adjustment working?" And honestly, you're helping the system find the right numerical code for your model.
☑️ Setup Mi Remote
After a successful code selection, be sure to give the remote a clear name, such as "Remote in the living room" or "Xiaomi TV", which is especially useful if you plan to control multiple TVs in different rooms or use different profiles for different family members.
Controlling TV over Wi-Fi network
Modern Smart TVs from Xiaomi and other Android TV manufacturers allow you to control the device without using infrared radiation, which is based on the transmission of commands over the local network, the main advantage of this approach is two-way communication: you see what is played on the screen, and you can use voice input.
To implement this method, both devices must be connected to the same router. If your phone is running over 4G/5G mobile Internet and your TV is running over Wi-Fi, the connection will not be established. Also make sure that the TV has enabled the network debugging or remote control function, which is often hidden in the depths of the settings menu.
In the Mi Remote app or in the Control Center menu, select adding your device over Wi-Fi. The system will automatically scan the network and find available TVs. If the automatic search fails, you can enter IP-The address of the TV manually, which can be found in the network settings of the TV itself.