Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have features that often exceed users’ expectations by allowing them to replace many individual gadgets. One of the most useful hidden tools is the ability to turn the phone into a universal remote control for household appliances, especially when the regular remote control from the TV is lost, broken or just lying on the other side of the room.
This function depends on your device’s hardware: having an infrared port (IR Blaster) or supporting control over a Wi-Fi network. Owners of Xiaomi’s flagship and many mid-budget models can control equipment even without an Internet connection using an integrated transmitter. Older or budget models that lack an infrared port will also not be ignored, since modern Smart TVs allow you to control them over a local network.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at both of these customization methods, look at the nuances of the Mi Remote app, and answer frequent questions that arise when pairing devices, learn how to calibrate buttons, add new appliances, and use the additional features of the system for maximum comfort.
Checking the presence of infrared port on the smartphone
The first and most critical step is to determine the hardware capabilities of your gadget, and it's the presence of an infrared transmitter (IR Blaster) on the top end of the case that determines whether you can control "stupid" TVs or air conditioners of older models, usually the sensor hole is located next to the headphone jack or noise reduction microphone.
If you can't visually detect the port, you can use software-based verification methods to run the standard Mi Remote app (or download it from the app store if it's been removed), and when you first start it will automatically diagnose and either suggest setting up the remote or report the lack of necessary hardware.
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If your phone doesn’t have an IR port, it does. NFC, You can try using special ones. NFC-Tags programmed to emulate commands, although this does not work with all TV models.
It is worth noting that some global versions of Xiaomi smartphones may lose this module for the sake of other components, so you can not rely only on the model of the device.
- 📱 Look at the top of your smartphone for a small black circle.
- 📡 Launch the Mi Remote app for automatic diagnostics.
- 🔍 Check the specifications of your model on the official website of the manufacturer.
Configure the remote via the IR port (Mi Remote)
For owners of devices with built-in transmitter, the setup process is as simple as possible and does not require connecting the TV to the Internet. You only need to start the Mi Remote application, which is system for the MIUI and HyperOS shell. After opening, click the Add Remote button (plus in the corner of the screen).
In the list that appears, select a category of device — in this case, it is “TV”. Next, the system will ask you to choose the manufacturer of your TV from a wide list of brands, including Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips and others. If your brand is not on the list, you can search or select a universal code.
☑️ Setting up the IR panel
The most important step is calibration. There will be virtual buttons on the screen that have to match the actual functions. You'll have to press the on button, and if the TV responds, confirm the action. Signal encoding can vary even within the same brand, so sometimes you have to go through several options before you find a workman.
⚠️ Warning: During testing, keep the top of the smartphone pointed directly at the TV receiver no more than a distance away. 3-5 The IR signal is line-of-sight and doesn't go through walls.
After successfully testing all the major features (volume, channels, menus), remember to save the profile you created by giving it a clear name, for example, “Living room TV”, which will allow you to quickly switch between different devices in the future if you add air conditioning or a console to the application.
Controlling TV over Wi-Fi network
If your smartphone doesn't have an infrared port, but your TV supports Smart TV and is connected to the same Wi-Fi network, you can still use your phone as a remote, and in this case, the commands are transmitted via a local protocol, which even expands the possibilities: voice input is supported and the ability to display on the smartphone screen an image from the camera or photo.
To implement this method, make sure that both devices are on the same subnet. Open the Mi Remote app or use the built-in Cast feature in the notification curtain. The system will automatically start searching for available devices on the network. If the automatic search does not yield results, you can use third-party applications such as Google's Android TV Remote Control.
The advantage of Wi-Fi control is that you don't have to point your phone to the TV, and it goes through the router, so you can control playback even when you're in the kitchen while the TV is in the room, but the latency can be slightly higher than when you use an IR port.
- 📶 Make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same router.
- 🔗 Allow device pairing if code appears on the TV screen.
- 🎮 Use your smartphone touchpad to navigate the Smart menu TV.
Some TVs require pre-activation of the network control mode in the settings of the receiver itself, usually in the "Network" or "General settings" section and is called "Mobile TV Settings" or "Management from a smartphone".
Working with universal codes and manual setting
Sometimes the Mi Remote application database doesn't exactly match your TV model, especially if it's a rare brand or a very old device. In these cases, manual code matching or universal profiles come to the rescue. This takes a little longer, but often allows you to "revive" the control.
When choosing a brand, look for options marked "All" or "Universal." These contain a set of the most common commands. You will have to consistently test each button of the virtual remote, checking what function it performs on your screen, for example, the "Menu" button in one code can open settings, and in another - a list of channels.
Secret Codes for Rare TVs
You can also create a fully customized remote, so you can assign a specific action to each button by creating macros, for example, a single button can turn on the TV and switch the signal source to HDMI 1 at the same time.
| Type of connection | Range of action | We need the Internet. | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR port (IR) | 10 meters | No. | Any TV. |
| Wi-Fi Direct | 30 meters | No (locally) | Smart TV |
| Cloud (Mi Account) | From anywhere. | Yes. | Android TV / Mi Box |
When manually adjusting, it is important to be careful not to miss the testing steps, and an error in the calibration stage can lead to the remote not working properly, for example, changing channels instead of adjusting the volume.
Use of voice control and widgets
Xiaomi's ecosystem offers advanced ways to interact with technology that go beyond just clicking buttons. If you set up a remote in an app, you can put the most important buttons on your desktop or widgets, which is especially convenient for older people or children who have trouble understanding the interface of the app.
The Google Assistant or AliSense (in Chinese versions) can be integrated with Mi Remote. You can say, "OK, Google, turn on the TV," and the phone will send the corresponding IR signal or command over the network.
⚠️ Attention: Voice control via the IR port works only when the smartphone screen is unlocked and the application has the necessary permissions. Via Wi-Fi, commands can be executed even from a locked screen, if allowed in the system settings.
Also worth mentioning is the “Scene” feature in the Mi Home app. You can create a “Cinema” script that, on one command (or voice), turns off the lights in the room (if there are smart lamps), closes the curtains and turns on the TV, switching it to the desired entrance.
- 🗣️ Set up voice commands through Google Assistant.
- 🏠 Create automation scenarios in the Mi Home app.
- 📱 Add a quick access widget to the main screen.
Using widgets allows you to create an interface that resembles a real remote, but with personalized buttons. You can remove rarely used features and leave only the volume and switching channels.
Troubleshooting and troubleshooting
Despite the ease of setting up, users may experience problems: the TV does not respond, the remote is late or commands are executed incorrectly, most often due to a software conflict or a dead battery (if an external IR adapter is used, although this is not relevant for the built-in one).
If Mi Remote has stopped finding devices, try clearing the app's cache through your Android settings. Go to Settings → Apps → Mi Remote → Memory → Clear the cache. This won't delete saved remotes, but will correct possible errors in the service.
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In 90 percent of cases, the IR remote problem is solved by rebooting your smartphone or recalibrating your brand code.
For Wi-Fi connectivity, a frequent problem is changing the IP-If the remote is no longer working, check if the DHCP-leases on the router have been updated. IP-Address for TV in router settings will help avoid connection breaks in the future.
In some cases, antivirus programs or aggressive MIUI power saving settings may block the remote's background processes. Add the Mi Remote app to the exclusion list ("No restrictions") under Battery and Performance.