How to control Xiaomi TV with iPhone: all the ways from Mi Remote to voice control

Xiaomi TVs can be controlled with iPhones, not only through the standard remote, but modern technology offers at least 5 alternative ways. From classic IR control to integration into the Apple HomeKit ecosystem, each method has its own nuances. In this article, we will analyze all options with step-by-step instructions, compare their pros and cons, and reveal hidden features that the manufacturer does not advertise (for example, gesture control through the iPhone camera).

Feature of Xiaomi TVs (series Mi) TV A2, P1, Q2 Support for Mi Home, which conflicts with Apple’s closed ecosystem, but workarounds exist, from third-party apps to built-in iOS features, to properly configure device connectivity and sync. If you have already tried to connect, but encountered errors such as “Device not found” or “failed to connect”, the article has a section with the solution of such problems.

1. Manage via Mi Remote (official method)

Xiaomi's Mi Remote app is the most reliable way to remotely control, but with reservations. It works on an infrared port (IR), This is only suitable for iPhones with physical IR transmitters (models up to iPhones). 11 New iPhones, including 12/13/14/15 This module is not available, so owners will have to use alternative methods (see sections below).

To set up Mi Remote:

1. Download the app from the App Store (free, weighs) ~50MB).
2. Run it and allow access to Bluetooth and Local Area Network.
3. Click “Add Device” → select “Television” → Xiaomi.
4. Point your iPhone to TV and hold the Power button in the app for 3-5 seconds to sync.

If the TV doesn't respond:

• 🔋 Check if the IR port is on TV (in the Settings menu) → Connections → Infrared port).
• 📱 Reboot your iPhone and try again.
• 🔄 Update the TV firmware (relevant for models older than 2020).

Make sure the iPhone supports IR (iPhone 11 models)

Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both devices

Place iPhone at a distance of up to 5 meters from TV

Charge your iPhone at least 30%-->

⚠️ Attention: On the TVs Xiaomi Mi TV 4S mi TV 4A (2018–2019 release) may require manual input of the device code. Code list for Xiaomi: 0011, 0022, 0033, 0044, 0055 Code entered in the Mi Remote menu → Add it manually. → Enter the code.

2. Control via Apple HomeKit (for new TV models)

Xiaomi TVs with Mi Home support (e.g. Mi) TV Q2 2023 or Redmi Smart TV X Pro) can be integrated into Apple HomeKit, but only through a workaround, such as Home Assistant or HomeBridge. LG Samsung, no due to the closed protocols Xiaomi.

Step-by-step instructions for HomeBridge:

1. Install HomeBridge on your computer or Raspberry Pi (instructions on the official website).
2. Add homebridge-mi-tv plugin via the terminal: npm install -g homebridge-mi-tv
3. In the file config.json HomeBridge: {"platforms": [{"platform": "MiTV", "name": "MiTV", "ip": "192.168.x.x", // IP your TV token": "YOUR_TOKEN", // Token from Mi Home "pollingInterval": 5 }] }
4. Scanner. QR-Add a new device to Apple Home.

After setting up, you will be able to:

• 🔅 Turn on/off TV with a voice over Siri (Hey Siri, turn on the TV in the living room»).
• 🎚️ Adjust volume and switch channels through the app Home.
• 🔄 Automation (for example, turning off TV on a timer).

Official Xiaomi remote

Mi Remote app on your smartphone

Voice commands (Siri/Afox)

Universal remote (e.g. BroadLink)

I can't control it from my smartphone.-->

3. Alternative iPhone apps (without any available) IR-blaster)

If your iPhone does not support IR (models) 12/13/14/15), Use applications that run on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth:

For Mi Home:

1. Download the app and sign up (use Chinese or international region).
2. Add the TV through the devices → Add → Television.
3. Connect to the same Wi-Fi network as TV.

⚠️ Note: Some features in Mi Home (e.g. switching) HDMI-Ports may be blocked for non-Chinese regions, and to unlock them, change your account region to China in your profile settings.

4.Voice control via Siri and Alice

You can control Xiaomi TV with your iPhone in two ways:

1. Through Siri + HomeKit (requires settings from Section 2):

• 🗣️ «Hey, Siri, turn on the TV in the kitchen».
• 🔊 «Set the volume to 50%».
• 📺 «Switch to HDMI 1».

2. Through Alice (Yandex) + Mi Home:

1. Connect the TV to Mi Home.
2. In the Alice app, add a smart device through Settings → Smart home. → Xiaomi.
3. Say, "Alice, turn on the TV in the room."

Limitations of voice control:

• ❌ No channel switching by number (only "next/previous»).
• ❌ No support for running specific apps (such as Netflix or YouTube).
• ✅ Volume adjustment, on/off, signal source selection.

💡

If Siri doesn’t recognize the TV’s name, rename it in the Home app to a simple word (e.g., Living room instead of Mi). TV Q2 55»).

5. Management through IR-Hubs (for iPhone without an IR port)

If your iPhone doesn’t have an IR transmitter, but you want to control your TV using infrared protocol, use the IR transmitter. IR-Hubs are intermediary devices that receive commands over Wi-Fi and transmit their TV through IR:

• 📶 BroadLink RM4 Pro (~2 500 ₽) — Supports up to 50 devices, works with HomeKit.
• 🔄 Xiaomi Mi IR Blaster (~1 800 ₽) — Optimized for the Xiaomi ecosystem.
• 🌐 Logitech Harmony Hub (~8 000 ₽) — premium-supported solution RF (radiofrequency).

Setting up BroadLink RM4 Pro:

1. Connect the hub to the outlet and the same Wi-Fi network as the iPhone.
2. Download the BroadLink or e-Control app.
3. Add the TV through Add the device → Television → Xiaomi.
4. Direct the original remote to the hub and “train” it with buttons (recording IR signals).

Advantages IR-hub:

• ✅ Works with any TV, even older models without Wi-Fi.
• ✅ You can control several devices (air conditioner, receiver, projector).
• ✅ Integration with HomeKit and Google Assistant.

6. Gesture control via iPhone camera (hidden feature)

Little-known fact: Xiaomi TVs on Android TV 10+ (Models 2021 and later) support gesture control through the front camera of the iPhone:

1. Install the Mi Remote app (even if you don't have one) IR).
2. Activate Air Gesture mode in TV settings: Settings → Smart functions → Gesture management.
3. Place your iPhone 1-2 meters away from TV and use gestures: 👆 Swipe up - increase the volume. 👇 Swipe down - reduce the volume. ☝️ Stop gesture (palm forward) – pause/playback.

Limitations:

• It only works in good lighting (the camera should be able to see your hand clearly).
• It does not support channel switching or application launch.
• It can conflict with the Face function. ID iPhone.

💡

Gesture control is the most unstable feature, but the only one that works without additional devices on the iPhone without any other devices. IR.

Problem Solving: Frequent Errors and Corrections

If the TV doesn’t respond to commands from the iPhone, check:

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware MIUI TV 3.0 (2023) can be blocked from accessing the local network. To unlock, go to Settings → Network → Local area network and enable the option to allow management.

FAQ: Frequent questions