Xiaomi TVs today are not just content viewers, but full-fledged elements of the smart home ecosystem. One of the key advantages of these TVs is the ability to remotely control from the phone, including remotely activating. This is especially convenient if the remote is lost, broken or just lying in another room. But how exactly to activate the TV through a smartphone? The methods depend on the TV model, the firmware version and the available features.
In this article, we’ll look at all the working methods for turning a Xiaomi TV on from your phone, from the standard Mi Home app to alternative solutions via Google Assistant, IR- in your smartphone, and even the local network. You’ll also learn which models support remote activation and which require additional settings. If your TV doesn’t respond to commands from your smartphone, there’s a problem solving section at the end of this article.
Before you start, make sure your TV and phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (for most methods, this is a must). Also check that the Network Management feature is activated on the TV (for how to turn it on, read below).
1. Enable via the Mi Home app (official way)
The Mi Home app (renamed Xiaomi Home in some regions) is the primary tool for managing Xiaomi smart devices. To turn on the TV through it, follow the following steps:
First, make sure that the TV is already added to the app. If not, click + → Add device → TV and follow the instructions on the screen. The binding process takes 1-ZXXZ0001QXZ minutes and requires scanning the QR- code from the TV screen.
After addition:
Importantly, not all Xiaomi models support remote activation via Mi Home, for example, the budget Redmi Smart TV series may require pre-tuning in the TV menu.
Turn on the TV manually (button on the case)
Connect to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone
Update the TV to the latest version
Activate the "Network Management" option in the settings-->
2. Use of Google Assistant (voice control)
If your Xiaomi TV supports Google Assistant (most models starting with the Mi TV 4S and later), you can turn it on with a voice command.
1. Make sure that the Google Assistant is activated on the TV:
Go to Settings → Smart Home and Devices → Google Assistant
- Turn on the switch and sign in to your Google account (if required).
2. Download the Google Home app on your phone (if not already installed) and add the TV to your device list:
- Open Google Home → click + → Set up your device → Set up new devices.
Follow the instructions for connecting Xiaomi TV.
3. You can now use voice commands:
“OK Google, turn on Mi TV” (you can change the name of the TV in Google Home settings).
“OK Google, turn on the TV in the living room” (if the location of the device is indicated).
Xiaomi TVs with Google Chromecast support (e.g. Mi TV Q1/Q2) can be turned on automatically when sending content from your phone (e.g. YouTube videos).
💡
If Google Assistant doesn’t recognize the command, try reinstalling the Google Home app on your phone or resetting the smart assistant settings on your TV.
3. Control via IR-remote in the smartphone
If your phone has an IR-blaster, you can use it as a replacement for the standard remote, which works even if the TV is not connected to Wi-Fi or off the socket (assuming it gets power).
For this:
1. Download the remote application, for example:
Mi Remote Controller (officially from Xiaomi)
ZaZa Remote or AnyMote (Universal)
2. Select the Xiaomi brand and model of your TV in the app.
3. Press the Power button - the TV should turn on.
List of Xiaomi smartphones with IR-port:
- 📱 Xiaomi Mi 10/11 (except Lite versions)
- 📱 Redmi Note 10/11 Pro and older
- 📱 POCO F3/F4 GT
- 📱 Mi Mix series 2S/3
Limit: IR- is only available within the line of sight of the TV (maximum 5-7 meters). If the signal does not pass, check if the IR port on the phone is closed with a case.
4. Including via local area network (Wake-on-LAN)
Wake-on-LAN (WoL) technology allows the TV to wake up over the network, even if it is in standby mode, and for this, the TV must support the function, and the phone and TV must be on the same local network.
Instructions:
1. Make sure that the TV is on WoL:
Go to Settings → Network → Additional → Wake-on-LAN and activate the option.
2. Install an application to send Magic Packet on your phone, for example:
- Wake On Lan (Android)
- Mocha WOL (iOS)
3. Enter MAC- TV address (you can find it in Settings → About TV → Network Status).
4 Send a packet - the TV should turn on within 5-10 seconds.
This method doesn’t work on all Xiaomi models, for example, budget Redmi Smart TVs often lack WoL support.
How to find MAC- TV address if it is not turned on?
5. Alternative methods: smart sockets and automation
If none of the above methods worked, you can go a detour, using a smart control outlet via Mi Home or Google Home.
1. Connect the TV to a smart outlet (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Smart Plug).
2. Add the socket to the Mi Home or Google Home app.
3. Turn on the socket through the application - the TV will receive power and start.
The downside is that the TV will turn on in cold mode (as when you press a button on the case), rather than through software control. Also, not all models retain the previous signal source (for example, a TV- application can open instead of a HDMI).
To automate the process, you can configure the script in Mi Home:
- 🔌 Condition: Voice command "Turn on the TV."
- ⚡ Action 1: Turn on the smart socket.
- 📺 Action 2: Send an on command to the TV (via Mi Home or Google Assistant).
💡
Smart outlets are a universal solution, but they are not a substitute for full network management. Use them only if other ways are not available.
Comparison of methods of switching on Xiaomi TV from your phone
| Method | Conditions required | Supported models | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Home | One Wi-Fi network, network management activated | Mi TV 4/5, Q1/Q2, Redmi Smart TV X | Official way, stable work | Does not work on old or budget models |
| Google Assistant | Google Cast Support, Google Account | Mi TV 4S and newer, Redmi X | Voice control, integration with other devices | Requires settings, possible recognition errors |
| IR- Reception in the phone | Smartphone with IR- transmitter | Any Xiaomi models | It works without Wi-Fi, reliably | Limited range, not all phones support |
| Wake-on-LAN | Support for WoL on TV, one network | Mi TV Q-series, some models of the 5th series | Quick turn on the network | Complicated setup, not on all models |
| Smart socket | Additional device (outlet) | Any model you want. | Universality, it always works | The TV is turned on “cold”, there may be failures of signal sources |
What to do if the TV is not turned on from the phone?
If none of these methods worked, check the following points:
⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi TVs with firmware older than 2021, the default Network Management feature may be disabled. To activate it, go to Settings → General → Network Management and turn on the switch.
Typical problems and solutions:
- 🔌 TV does not respond to Mi Home: - Check that the phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not via VPN or mobile data). - Reboot the router and TV (with a button on the case). - Remove the TV from Mi Home and add again.
- 🗣️ Google Assistant does not include TV: - Update your TV firmware to the latest version. - Check that the TV shows as "On the Net" on Google Home. - Re-link your Google account on your TV.
- 📶 Wake-on-LAN does not work: - Make sure WoL is enabled in TV settings. - Check that MAC- address is entered correctly (without dash or colon). - Try sending Magic Packet from another device (PC or second phone).
⚠️ Warning: Some Redmi Smart TV models have the network management blocked after resetting, and to unlock it, you need to manually turn on the TV, connect to Wi-Fi, and confirm access to Mi Home via QR- code.
If the problem persists, try resetting the TV settings to factory:
1. Press the remote (or buttons on the case) Menu → Settings → General → Reset settings.
2. After the reboot, re-connect to Mi Home or Google Home.