Modern Xiaomi TVs often come with advanced remote controls that work not only through an infrared port but also via a Bluetooth connection.This allows you to control a smart TV without having to point the remote directly to the screen, which is especially convenient for hidden installation of equipment. However, out of the box the device may not be activated, requiring the user to perform a simple but important procedure of primary pairing.
If you’ve just unpacked a new Mi TV or lost touch with an existing controller, you’ll need to know the exact algorithm to restore functionality. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the ways to connect a Mi remote to a TV, including the methods for different versions of the Android TV and PatchWall operating system.
Don't panic if the device doesn't respond to the taps immediately after the batteries are installed. Often the problem is that the Bluetooth protocol is not initialized between the accessory and the main unit of the TV, which is solved in a few seconds by a combination of special buttons. Below are proven methods for successful synchronization.
Preparation of equipment and inspection of power supplies
Before the pairing process begins, you need to make sure that the remote is in good working order and that the batteries are charged. Even new batteries can be defective or discharged during long-term storage, so checking them is a priority. Put the batteries in the compartment, observing the polarity indicated on the diagram inside the battery compartment.
Pay attention to the status indicator, if it is provided by the design of your remote model. When you press any button, the LED should light up briefly, signaling the power supply. If there is no glow, try replacing the batteries with knownly good batteries or wipe the contacts in the compartment with dry cloth.
⚠️ Note: Use of old batteries together with new ones is not recommended, as this can lead to leakage of the electrolyte and damage to the electronics of the remote control.
It's also worth examining the remote itself for physical damage, and the drops could have caused the contacts inside the case to detach or damaged the Bluetooth module, and if the device looks whole and the light lights up, you can switch to the procedure of connecting directly to the TV.
Automatic connection at the first turn on of the TV
The easiest way to activate the remote is to use the standard procedure for initial settings of the TV. When you first turn on the Xiaomi TV or after resetting to factory settings, the system automatically goes into the peripheral search mode, and the corresponding message appears on the screen asking you to press certain buttons.
At this point, you need to simultaneously press two buttons on the remote: usually OK (center select button) and Back (left shooter or house) Hold them for 3-5 seconds, pointing the remote to the side of the TV, the system must recognize the signal and terminate the pairing automatically.
If you see a message on the screen that you have a successful connection, check all the keys. Pay special attention to the voice search button, as it requires a stable Bluetooth connection to transmit audio data. If you fail, repeat the procedure by coming closer to the TV.
☑️ Checking before connection
Manual activation via the Android TV settings menu
If the automatic connection did not occur, or you connect an additional remote to an already configured TV, you need to use the system menu. TV You can control the periphery through the accessory settings section. You can temporarily use the remote app on your smartphone or connected device to navigate the menu. USB-mouse.
Go to Settings (cog in the upper right corner), then select Remotes and Accessories. In the list that opens, find the option Add Accessory or Add Remote. The TV will go to search for available devices for pairing.
Once the search mode is activated on the screen, follow the following steps:
- 🔘 Press and hold the buttons at the same time. OK And back on the remote.
- 📶 Watch the TV screen: the list of available devices should appear the name Mi Remote or similar.
- ✅ Select the device found using a mouse or third-party remote to complete the pairing.
Once the connection is successfully installed, the system will issue a notification, and now your Mi remote is fully functional and ready to use all the features, including voice input.
Using an IR port to manage basic functions
Many Xiaomi remotes have dual communication modules: Bluetooth for smart functions and infrared port (IR) for basic control. the IR signal does not require pairing and operates on the principle of "point and press", but it has range and angle limitations.
If the Bluetooth connection is temporarily unavailable, you can still control the TV by pointing the remote strictly at the bottom of the TV case, where the infrared receiver is located. This is useful in situations where the system is getting stuck and does not respond to Bluetooth commands, but the IR signal interrupt power or turn on is still processed.
Difference between IR and Bluetooth remotes
You can use your smartphone camera to check the IR port, you can point the top of the remote over the camera lens and press any button, and if you see a flash of purple or white light on your phone screen, the infrared diode is good and transmits a signal.
Solving Connection Problems and Resetting Settings
In some cases, the remote may stop responding or lose communication with the TV, which may be caused by a software failure in the Bluetooth module or a conflict of device addresses, the first step is always to completely reset the remote and try to pair again.
To reset the Xiaomi remote settings, a combination of three buttons is often used. Try to pinch Home (house icon), Menu (three stripes) and Back at the same time. Hold them for about 10-15 seconds. The LED on the remote can often blink, which will signal a reset of the device's internal memory.
⚠️ Note: After resetting the remote, it must be re-registered in the TV system through the menu "Caps and accessories", as all previous encryption keys will be deleted.
It’s also worth checking if the list of paired devices in the TV itself is overloaded. If your Mi TV has a lot of gamepads, keyboards or other remotes connected to it before, remove unused devices from the list to free up the resources of the Bluetooth module.
Below are the table problems and ways to solve them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The remote is off. | Batteries discharged. | Replace the food with new ones |
| Voice input is not working. | No Bluetooth. | Perform re-conjugation through the menu |
| TV reacts with delay | Wi-Fi interference | Switch the router to 5 GHz |
| It only works close to you. | Weak charge or IR mode | Check the batteries or reconnect the BT |
Alternative ways to control through a smartphone
If the physical remote is lost, broken, or unable to connect, you can use your smartphone as a full replacement. Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers the official Mi Remote app (for IR-ported phones) or Google Home and Android TV Remote for Wi-Fi management.
To connect via Wi-Fi, make sure your smartphone and TV are on the same network. Download the Google Home or Android TV Remote Control app from the app store. Once launched, the app will automatically find your TV on the local network.
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Use the control widget on your smartphone lock screen (Android) to quickly access the TV remote without opening the app.
This method is particularly convenient because it allows you to use your phone's keyboard to type text when searching for movies, which is much faster than typing letters with the remote buttons, and you can always return control to the physical Mi remote by simply doing the pairing procedure again.
⚠️ Note: When managing over Wi-Fi, it is critical that both devices are on the same subnet; using a guest Wi-Fi network for one of the devices will make the connection impossible.