You can turn on a Xiaomi TV from your phone in a number of ways, from the standard IR remote in the Mi Remote app to advanced features via Wi-Fi Direct or Google Assistant. But not all methods work the same: some require pre-tuning, others are limited to the TV model or firmware version. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remotely turn on Xiaomi TVs (including Mi TV 4/5, Redmi Smart TV and Mi TV Q1/Q2) from Android and iOS phones, and also tell you how to avoid typical errors, for example, when the TV does not respond to commands from the phone.
It's important to understand that most modern Xiaomi TVs only support standby remote control, not completely off, which means that if you physically disconnect the TV from the socket or use the power button on the case, you won't be able to turn it on via your phone, but there are workarounds - read about them in the section on Wake-on-LAN.
1. Method: Mi Remote application (IR port)
The most versatile method is the official Mi Remote app, which works via the infrared port (IR) that most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones have, and the advantage of this is that it doesn’t require a connection to the same Wi-Fi network with the TV.
The app supports not only Xiaomi TVs, but also other brands (Samsung, LG, Sony), but they may require manual code adjustment.
- 📱 Step 1: Install Mi Remote for Android or iOS.
- 🔍 Step 2. Open the app and select the TV category, then the Xiaomi brand.
- 📶 Step 3: Point the phone’s IR port to the TV (usually located at the top of the case) and press Enable the button.
- ⚙️ Step 4: If the TV is not responding, try the alternative codes in the application settings (Other Codes section).
⚠️ Note: On phones without an IR port (such as an iPhone or some Samsung models), this will not work.
The phone has an IR port on (if any)
The TV is in standby mode (not disconnected from the outlet)
The distance between TV and telephone is no more than 5 meters.
There is no barrier between an IR transmitter and a TV receiver-->
2. Method: Manage Wi-Fi (Mi Home or Google Home)
If your Xiaomi TV is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone, you can use Mi Home or Google Home apps for remote activation, which works even without an IR port, but requires pre-setting.
Unlike IR, here the command is transmitted over the network, so the phone and TV must be on the same local network. If you use a Xiaomi router, the setup process is simplified by integrating with the Mi Ecosystem ecosystem.
- 🌐 Step 1 Connect your TV and phone to the same Wi-Fi network.
- 🏠 Step 2. Open the Mi Home app, go to Devices section and select your TV.
- ⚡ Step 3. On the main screen of the device, press the Enable button (or Power button).
- 🔄 Step 4: If the TV is not responding, check if Network Management is enabled in the settings of the TV (Settings) → General. → Network management).
| Annex | Supported TV models | Whether an IR port is required | It works with iOS. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Remote | All models of Xiaomi/Redmi | Yes. | Yes. |
| Mi Home | Mi TV 4/5, Redmi Smart TV (2020+) | No. | Yes. |
| Google Home | Mi TV with Android TV 9.0+ | No. | Yes. |
| Yandex Alice | Mi TV 5 Pro, Mi TV Q1/Q2 | No. | No. |
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi TV firmware has the default network management function disabled. If the Mi Home power button is inactive, check the TV settings: Settings → Network → Remote control → Turn it on.
Appendix Mi Remote (IR)
Mi Home / Google Home (Wi-Fi)
Voice Assistant (Alice, Google Assistant)
Physical remote control
Another option-->
3. Method: Voice assistants (Alice, Google Assistant, Siri)
If your Xiaomi TV supports Google Assistant or is integrated with Alice, you can turn it on with a voice command, which is convenient when the phone and TV are in separate rooms, but both are connected to the Internet.
To work with Alice, the TV must be linked to the Yandex account through the Yandex app (Smart Home section). For Google Assistant, it is enough for the TV to run on Android TV and be connected to the same Google account as the phone.
- 🎤 For Yandex Alice: Open the Yandex app on your phone. Go to a Smart Home → Devices → Add a device. Select a Xiaomi TV and do the binding. Tell Alice, Alice, turn on the TV in the living room.
- 🤖 For Google Assistant: Make sure you have the same Google account on your TV and phone. Say, OK, Google, turn on Mi. TV. If the TV is not responsive, check the permissions in Google Settings. → Devices → Managing home devices.
Why doesn't Alice see my Xiaomi TV?
Voice control does not work on all models, for example, budget Redmi Smart TVs may not support Google Assistant, and Alice requires firmware at least MIUI TV 3.0. A full list of compatible devices can be found on the official Xiaomi website.
4. Method: Wake-on-LAN (WOL) for advanced users
If your Xiaomi TV is connected to the network via Ethernet (cable), it can be turned on from your phone via Wake-on-LAN (WOL) technology, a technique rarely used for TV, but suitable for models with a network port, such as the Mi TV 5 Pro or Mi TV Q2.
For WOL to work, it is necessary:
- The TV is connected to the router via an Ethernet cable (Wi-Fi does not support WOL).
- The router settings include Wake-on-LAN (usually in the Local Network → WOL section).
- The phone has an app to send Magic Packet (like Wake On Lan for Android).
Example of a command to send a WOL- packet (root or ADB required):
adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.WOL -e mac_address "00:11:22:33:44:55" -e ip_address "192.168.1.100"⚠️ Warning: Wake-on-LAN only works if the TV is not disconnected from the outlet and is in standby sleep mode. WOL will become unavailable.
💡
To find out MAC-TV address WOL, Go to Settings. → On TV. → Network status. Write down the address or take a picture of the screen, and you'll need it to set up the app on your phone.
Method: Bypasses for non-standard situations
Sometimes, Xiaomi TVs don’t turn on from your phone due to hardware or software limitations.
- 🔌 If the TV is completely off, plug it in through a smart socket (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Smart Plug) and you can turn on the power from the phone, the TV will start automatically (if it was turned on before the switch is off).
- 📡 HDMI-CEC. If a device with support is connected to the TV HDMI-CEC (For example, the Xiaomi Mi Box, which can automatically start the TV, and you can control it through the Google app. TV.
- ⚡ Automatic timer activation. Some Xiaomi models have an on-timer feature (Settings) → System system → Set it up for the right time, and the TV will turn on on on itself.
For owners of Mi TV Q1/Q2 with Android TV 11+, the Quick Start feature (Settings → Screen and Sound → Quick Start) is available. When activated, the TV will consume a minimum amount of power when turned off, allowing it to be turned on over the network.
💡
A smart outlet is the only reliable way to turn on a Xiaomi TV if it is completely off power (not in standby mode).
6. Frequent errors and their solutions
Even with the right setup, Xiaomi TVs may not respond to commands from the phone.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The TV is not turned on via Mi Remote | IR code mismatch | In the app, select Other Codes and try alternatives. |
| The Mi Home button is inactive | Network management down. | Turn on Settings → Network → Remote control on TV |
| Voice assistant can't find TV | The device is not tied to the account | Reconnect TV to Mi Home or Google Home |
| Wake-on-LAN is not working. | TV's off the socket. | Use a smart socket to supply power |
If none of these methods worked, check:
- 🔄 Update the TV firmware (Settings) → On TV. → Updating the system).
- 📶 Make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (for IR-free methods).
- 🔋 Check if the remote control is dead – sometimes the problem lies in it, not in the phone.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs with firmware older than 2021 may not support network management, in which case only the IR remote or physical button on the case remains.