What remote control at the Xiaomi TV: types, functions and management

Owners of modern technology often face the question of what kind of remote control will get them when buying a new TV from Xiaomi. Depending on the year of release of the model, the price segment and the specific series, the equipment can vary significantly. Early versions of devices often equipped with classic infrared (IR) remotes that required direct vision with a receiver, while modern flagship models are equipped with advanced Bluetooth manipulators with voice control.

Understanding your control device is critical to operating all of your Smart TV features properly. If you’re used to standard buttons, the new model may seem redundant, but it’s the one that opens up access to voice search and smart home management. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the differences between remote generations, their technical features, and how to solve typical connectivity problems.

It is worth noting that the Xiaomi ecosystem is constantly evolving, and even within the same model range, there may be different versions of components. For example, in some regions, the Mi TV P1 can come with a remote with a Netflix button, and in others, with a universal Google Assistant button.

The main types of Xiaomi TV remotes

There are two main types of remote controls available in the market and in users' devices today: the first is the classic IR remotes, which are light pulsed, reliable, do not require complex pairing, but have a limited range and require direct direct direct guidance to the TV receiver.

The second, more modern type is Bluetooth remotes, often called "smart" or "airo remotes," which allow you to control your TV even if the remote is not directed at the screen, and also support audio transmission (for headphones) and voice commands, and it is the presence of a Bluetooth module that makes it possible to use the Google Assistant or XiaoAI function directly through the microphone in the remote.

• 📡 Infrared remotes: standard equipment for budget models, require line of sight, run from batteries AAA, no need to conjugate.
• 🔵 Bluetooth remotes: found in the Mi series TV 4S, P1, Q1, support voice input, have an extended set of buttons, can control the volume of external audio systems.
• 🎮 Gamers: Cloud-specific accessories, rarely included, but compatible with Android TV.

Visually, it’s quite simple to distinguish these models. Bluetooth remotes are often more ergonomic in shape, can be made in white (as opposed to classic black), and have additional buttons such as a microphone or quick access keys to streaming services. IR models are usually flat, minimalistic and devoid of unnecessary controls.

Functional features and buttons

Ergonomics and button layout are what the user interacts with every day, so it is important to understand the purpose of each element. In modern Xiaomi Bluetooth remotes, the navigation unit and media buttons are central. Particular attention should be paid to the button with the image of the microphone, which activates voice search.

Voice control activation usually requires a short tap, and after the signal, the system goes into command standby mode, and voice search allows you not only to find movies and apps, but also to control the settings of the TV, for example, change the brightness or launch a specific application without using the keyboard on the screen.

The quick access buttons deserve special attention, and on some models they can be programmed to run Netflix, Prime Video or YouTube, and if you don't use these services, you can ignore them, but in some firmware, you can reassign these keys through third-party apps.

⚠️ Note: Voice search buttons for the international market can only work with Google Assistant on remotes. Buttons with streaming service logos may be inactive in regions where these services are not officially introduced or blocked.

Also on the case is often a status indicator. Blinking with an LED can signal a low battery charge or pairing process. At the bottom of the device is usually a battery compartment and, in rare cases, a forced reconnect button (Reset) that needs to be pinched when synchronization failures.

The process of pairing a Bluetooth remote

If your remote control has stopped responding to commands or you have purchased a new accessory, it must be tucked properly into the TV. Unlike infrared remotes, Bluetooth devices require a mating procedure, which usually occurs automatically when you first turn on the TV, but sometimes requires manual intervention.

To start the process, make sure that the remote has fresh batteries inserted. Then turn on the TV. If the automatic connection does not occur, you need to go to the settings menu. Navigation is carried out using any working control method, for example, through an application on a smartphone or connected USB-mouse.

The standard manual pairing procedure is as follows: approach the TV at a distance of no more than 30 centimeters. simultaneously press and hold for 3-5 seconds two buttons. The combination may differ depending on the model of the remote, but most often these are the buttons Back (arrow left) and Home (house icon).

Combination of buttons for pairing:


Option A: [Back] + [Home]




Option B: [Menu] + [OK] (for some older models)

When holding the buttons, the LED indicator on the remote (usually located next to the power or microphone button) should flash frequently. The TV screen should display a message at this point about the discovery of a new device or a successful connection.

Comparison of Xiaomi remote models

To better navigate the variety of accessories, consider a comparative table of characteristics of different generations of remotes, which will help you understand what your current control device is missing and whether it is worth buying a replacement.

As you can see from the table, switching to Bluetooth is a significant improvement in usability, but for basic viewing of terrestrial television or YouTube, a standard IR model is enough, and pro-versions with a microphone are justified for those who actively use voice search and the smart home ecosystem.

Smartphone management as an alternative

If you lose your remote or lose your battery, you can use a smartphone. Xiaomi, like many Android TV manufacturers, supports control over a Wi-Fi network, and you need your phone and TV to be on the same local network.

The most versatile solution is the official Google Home or Google TV app, which allows you to emulate the work of any Bluetooth remote, including voice input (via the phone’s microphone) and a typing keyboard, which is especially useful when entering passwords from Wi-Fi or searching on YouTube.

• 📱 Mi Remote: the official Xiaomi app, supports IR port (if there is in the phone) and Wi-Fi control.
• 🏠 Google Home: Deep integration with Android TV, Allows you to broadcast content and manage media.
• ⌨️ Keyboard: the ability to use a full-fledged smartphone keyboard to enter text in search.

There are also third-party apps that offer advanced functionality, such as creating macros or using a phone gyroscope to control a cursor (aero-mouse mode), but be careful when installing unverified software, as it may contain advertising or collect data.

⚠️ Attention: When operating over Wi-Fi, there may be a slight delay (latency) between pressing a button on the phone screen and the response of the TV. For games or quick menus, this can be critical, so it is better to have a physical remote for everyday use.

Typical problems and their solution

Despite the reliability of the equipment, users can face problems with remote control, the most common of them is desynchronization. If the remote stops responding, first check the batteries. Even if the LED lights up, the voltage may not be enough to transmit a stable Bluetooth signal.

The second common problem is sticking buttons or crashing TV software, and in this case, a complete reboot helps, which requires turning the TV off the socket, waiting 1-2 minutes and turning it on again, which resets the temporary errors in the Bluetooth module.

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If the remote is running late, try turning off unused Bluetooth devices (earphones, gamepads) in your TV settings. Overloading the communication channel can cause lags.

In rare cases, you need to reset the remote to the factory settings, and this can be done through the accessory settings menu in the Settings → Remotes and Accessories section. Removing the device from the list and re-pairing often solves the problem of malfunctioning individual buttons.

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90% of the problems with the Xiaomi remote are solved by replacing batteries with high-quality alkaline or re-pairing through the pressing of the Back and Home buttons.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)