Modern climate systems have long ceased to be just cooling devices, becoming complex gadgets that can be controlled remotely. Owner of Xiaomi equipment often wonders: how to turn a regular split system or mobile air conditioner into part of a smart home? The answer lies in the correct configuration of the Mi Home ecosystem and the use of additional accessories such as IR hubs.
Integrating air conditioning into a single network allows not only cooling on the way home, but also complex automation scenarios, such as raising the temperature when you open a window, or shutting down when you activate No One, but the initial setup process can cause difficulties for inexperienced users due to the nature of regional servers and communication protocols.
In this guide, we will discuss all the nuances of connecting different models of climate technology, including the use of universal remotes and specialized controllers. You will learn how to avoid typical errors when pairing devices and what hidden functions are available through the Mi Home application. Competent setting will provide a comfortable microclimate and will significantly save energy due to accurate control of equipment.
Choosing a control method: built-in Wi-Fi against IR remote
Before you start setting up, you need to determine the type of equipment. Air conditioners released under the brand Xiaomi or Mijia, often have a built-in Wi-Fi module that allows you to connect them directly to the router. At the same time, conventional split systems of third-party manufacturers (LG, Samsung, Daikin) require the use of an additional gateway – an IR remote or a smart socket with IR function.
Direct Wi-Fi connectivity provides the most comprehensive functionality, with access to complete power statistics, precise temperature control in 0.5 degrees increments, and the ability to update the device’s firmware over the air, and usually responds more quickly to commands from a smartphone, as it does not require a signal to pass through an intermediate IR transmitter.
If you already have a high-quality air conditioner and don’t want to change it, the best solution is the Xiaomi Universal Remote Controller, a compact device that emulates the signals of thousands of remote control models. It allows you to “train” your smartphone to the commands of your air conditioner, turning any IR device into a smart gadget.
- 📡 Direct Wi-Fi connectivity provides two-way communication and accurate real-time status of the device.
- 📺 The IR hub is compatible with 99% of air conditioners on the market, but only works one way (sending commands).
- 🔋 Smart sockets with IR function allow not only to control the temperature, but also to completely shut down the device.
⚠️ Attention: IR remotes only work within line of sight. Make sure there are no obstacles between the hub and the air conditioner receiver, otherwise the control from the smartphone will not be available.
It is important to consider that in order to operate an IR remote, it must be constantly on the network and be in the same room with the air conditioner. Unlike Wi-Fi modules, the IR signal does not pass through walls, so to control the air conditioner in the bedroom, the hub must be located there or in the corridor with the open door.
Preparation of the infrastructure of a smart home
Successful integration of climate technology is impossible without a stable network. Xiaomi ecosystem has certain requirements for the router: it is mandatory to support the frequency of 2.4 GHz. Many modern routers by default combine 2.4 and 5 GHz networks under one name, which can cause problems when connecting old or specific smart home devices.
It is recommended to create a separate guest network in advance or allocate the 2.4 GHz band in the router settings. This will not only simplify the process of pairing gadgets, but also increase the overall work network stable, since IoT devices will not compete for a channel with heavy traffic (streaming, games).
Also make sure that the smartphone has the Mi Home app installed. For users from Russia and CIS countries, it is critical to choose the right region when you first launch. Most devices shipped officially run on the Russia server, while the Chinese versions (CN) require a selection of the China region.
Remember to update the app to the latest version. Developers regularly add support for new air conditioners and improve scripting algorithms. The older version of the software may simply “don’t see” a newly released device or work incorrectly with new encryption protocols.
Instructions: Connecting air conditioner with Wi-Fi
The process of setting up devices with native Wi-Fi module usually takes no more than 5 minutes. First, turn the air conditioner on the network and wait for the display or LED ring to appear. If the device is new, it will automatically go into pairing mode.
Open the Mi Home app and press the + button in the top right corner. The system will automatically start scanning nearby devices. If air conditioning is found, click Connect. If the automatic search fails, select the device manually from the directory or search by model name.
☑️ Checklist of connection
During the setup process, the app will ask you to confirm the pairing mode. For most Xiaomi and Mijia models, you need to simultaneously press the temperature change buttons (up and down) or the power button and mode for 5-7 seconds until the Wi-Fi indicator starts flashing.
Once you enter your Wi-Fi password, you start the configuration process, which is when the phone transmits network data to the air conditioner. If it's 99 percent down, try moving your phone away from the router or closer to the air conditioner. Sometimes it helps to turn off mobile Internet (3G/4G) during the setup period so that the phone only uses Wi-Fi.
| Model of the device | Indication of the interface regime | Method of resetting Wi-Fi | Server region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mijia AC | Blinking Wi-Fi indicator | Clamp 2 buttons 5 seconds | China/Russia |
| Smartmi AC Partner | Orange indicator | Reset button 7sec | China |
| Viomi AC | Blinking the screen | Button combination | Russia |
| Dc-Inverter | LED on the case | Power outage | Europe |
Once successfully connected, the device can be given a name (e.g., “Living room air conditioning”) and assigned a room, allowing the AliExpress voice assistant (through skill) or Google Assistant to correctly identify the command.
Setting up an IR panel for a conventional air conditioner
If your air conditioner doesn't have Smart features, a Xiaomi IR remote will come to the rescue. Connect it to the outlet next to the air conditioner. In the Mi Home app, select the device add and find "Mi Universal Remote Controller."
Once you have the remote, click Add Device -> Air Conditioner. The app will suggest you select your air conditioner manufacturer from the list. If the brand is not on the list, you can try to manually select the code or use the Auto Search feature.
In auto-search mode, the app will send out test signals, and your job is to press "Yes" when the air conditioner makes an audible signal or changes mode. 10-15 years ago.
What if the remote does not see the air conditioner?
After successful button testing (on/off, temperature, mode), save the profile. Now you can control the air conditioner from your smartphone. It's worth noting that in this mode, the app doesn't know the actual condition of the air conditioner. If you turn it off with a conventional remote control, it can continue to appear as "on" in the application.
⚠️ Note: When using an IR remote, voice control functions may be delayed or incorrectly display status because the communication is one-way.
Scenario-building and climate automation
The main value of a smart air conditioner is the ability to automate. In the Mi Home app, go to the Scenarios tab and create a new one. The simplest and most useful scenario is "High Temperature above Normal."
To implement this, you will need a Xiaomi or Aqara temperature and humidity sensor, setting the condition: "If the temperature is > 26 ° C", the action: "Enable air conditioning at 23 ° C." This will maintain indoor comfort without your participation, saving electricity when the room is cool.
💡
Use geolocation to automatically turn on the air conditioner 20 minutes before you arrive home so you don’t wait for the air to cool.
You can also create a "Leave the Home" scenario, where if all of the users' smartphones have left the Home geozone, the air conditioner shuts down, which eliminates the situation where you forgot to turn off the appliances before you went to work.
For advanced users, integration with Home Assistant or HomeKit (via gateways) is available, which allows you to combine Xiaomi air conditioning with devices from other brands, for example, open the curtains when you turn on the cooler or start the air purifier.
Typical problems and ways to solve them
Despite the reliability of the system, users can encounter errors, most often the problem is "Device is not on the network." This means that the air conditioner has lost communication with the router. Check the stability of the Wi-Fi signal at the installation site of the device.
Another common problem is time desynchronization: if the air conditioner is running out of time, schedule timers and scripts won't work, usually the time is automatically pulled up from the network, but sometimes you need to manually set the time zone in the application settings.
If the air conditioner has stopped responding to commands, try resetting the Wi-Fi module completely. This often requires turning off the air conditioner from the remote and then clamping a certain combination of buttons on the inner unit body.
💡
Rebooting the router and the air conditioner itself (shutting off the socket for 10 seconds) solves 80% of connection and freeze problems.
In rare cases, the problem is that the router or antivirus locks the ports, and make sure that the necessary ports are open for IoT devices and that the Wi-Fi client isolation (AP Isolation) is not enabled, which prevents devices within the network from communicating with each other.