Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have long since ceased to be just callers, becoming universal control panels for all your electronics. The built-in Mi Remote app allows you to get rid of dozens of plastic buttons, combining control of your TV, air conditioner, console and audio system in one interface. Users often wonder how to activate this feature, especially if at first glance it seems that the phone does not see household appliances.
The setup process depends on two key factors: the presence of an infrared port (IR Blaster) in your smartphone and the type of device you connect. If your phone has an infrared port, it can emulate signals from a conventional remote even without the Internet. Otherwise, you can only control it via a Wi-Fi network for compatible Smart TVs and media consoles. Let's take all the details of the connection in detail so that you can control the equipment with a single touch.
It is important to determine the capabilities of your gadget right away, as it depends on the choice of synchronization method. Old Xiaomi models often featured a physical emitter at the top of the case, while new flagships can rely solely on network protocols. Understanding this difference will save you time and nerves when trying to set up control.
Verification of the IR port and preparation of equipment
The first step is to take a close look at your smartphone’s body. The infrared port usually looks like a small black glass on the top of the device, next to the noise reduction microphone or speaker. If you don’t see the feature, it doesn’t mean that the feature is unavailable, but the method of connecting will change from IR to Wi-Fi. The exact specifications of your model can always be found in the official description on the manufacturer’s website or in the Settings → About Phone app.
To make Mi Remote work, you need to make sure that the device has all the necessary permissions. Android can block access to the microphone or geolocation that is required to find devices on the local network. It is also worth checking that the phone and the controlled equipment are in the same space, especially if you plan to use infrared signals that have a limited range and require direct visibility.
If you plan to control your TV over Wi-Fi, make sure that the router distributes the network at 2.4 GHz, since many household appliances do not work well with the 5 GHz band. A stable connection is the key to an instant response of commands. If you use an infrared port, you will not need Internet at all, which makes this method ideal for summer cottages or places with unstable network coverage.
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Before setting up, wipe the top of the smartphone with a soft cloth - contamination can block the signal of the infrared emitter.
The hardware also includes checking the batteries in the original TV remote, and although we're setting up the phone, you may need an original remote to confirm pairing or code entry during calibration, and don't put it away until you've fully configured all the features.
Installation and initial configuration of the Mi Remote application
On most Xiaomi and Redmi devices, the Mi Remote app (called the Remote in some regions) is pre-installed in the Tools folder. If you didn't find the red circle icon on your desktop, it may have been removed or hidden, so you should go to the GetApps store or Google Play store and download the official Xiaomi app. Third-party counterparts may not work stable or have access to hidden IR port drivers.
When you first run, the system will ask for permission to use geolocation and local area network, which is a requirement for detecting devices on a Wi-Fi network. Without these permissions, the application will not be able to scan the airwaves and offer you a list of available TVs. Follow the on-screen prompts, agreeing to the terms of the user agreement.
- 📱 Open the app and click the "Add device" button or the plus icon in the corner.
- 📺 Select the category of equipment: TV, set-top box, air conditioning or projector.
- 🔍 Wait for the scan to finish or select a brand manually from the list offered.
- ⚙️ Follow the on-screen instructions for testing control buttons.
The interface is intuitive, but you should pay attention to the choice of region. In the application settings (usually in the profile or through a three-point menu), you can change the region, which sometimes helps if your brand of equipment does not appear in the default list. For example, for Samsung or LG equipment, choosing the right region can expand the database of available codes.
Connection through the IR port: step-by-step instructions
The infrared port method is the most versatile, because it allows you to control even old technology that does not support Smart functions. The process of setting up is to find the right code from the application database. You do not need to know the technical details, the system will offer you to test several options.
Point the top of the phone at the TV receiver, the distance should be 1 to 3 meters. Press the power or volume button on the screen. If the TV responds, press Yes. If there is no response, No, and the system will suggest the next code. This process can take a few minutes, but the result is worth it.
Sequence of action:
1.Run Mi Remote
2. Select "TV"
3.Indicate the brand
4. Press the test button
5. Keep the configurationThe thing about the IR signal is that it doesn't require feedback from the device. It just fires signals, mimicking a conventional remote, so if you set the volume but the TV doesn't respond, you may have picked the wrong code or taken the phone too far, and in some cases, changing the angle of the smartphone helps.
⚠️ Attention: Infrared port requires line of sight, if there is a vase or a person between the phone and the TV, the signal may not pass, and the IR port does not work through the glass of the cabinet if it has special spraying.
Once you've successfully selected the code, remember to give the saved remote a clear name, such as "Living room TV" or "Bedroom Air Conditioning." This allows you to quickly switch between remotes if you have multiple devices set up. The app allows you to create scenes where one button can perform several actions, but the basic IR setting is limited to button emulation.
☑️ IR connection check
Configuring control over a Wi-Fi network
For today’s Smart TVs and Android set-top boxes, Wi-Fi connectivity is far more than a simple IR port, which allows you to switch channels, but also type text from your phone’s keyboard, transfer images to your screen, and use voice search, and the main condition is that the phone and TV must be connected to the same wireless network.
When you choose a Wi-Fi or Android TV connection, the app will automatically search for devices on the local network, you may see a request on the TV screen for confirmation of pairing, use the original remote or buttons on the TV body to press "Allow", and then the phone will receive full permission to control the TV interface.
The advantage of Wi-Fi is that you don't have to point your phone towards the screen, you can control video playback from the couch and hold your phone in any position, and you can also use Wi-Fi to access the Cast feature, which is not available in IR mode.
| Parameter | IR port (Infrared) | Wi-Fi connection | Bluetooth (for Box) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radio of action | Up to 7-10 meters | Up to 20 metres (through walls) | Up to 10 meters. |
| Direct visibility required | Yes, I will. | No. | No, but preferably. |
| Input of text | Impossible. | Full keyboard | Possible (depending on the software) |
| Working without the Internet | Yes. | Only the local area network. | Yeah (after mating) |
If the automatic search does not give results, try adding the device manually. IP-Find out the address. IP-You can use the TV address in its network settings. In the Mi Remote app, select "Add manually" and enter the numbers displayed on the TV screen. This will help bypass detection problems in complex networks with multiple routers.
What if your phone doesn’t see TV over Wi-Fi?
Use with Android TV Box and consoles
Owners of TVs without Smart features often use external consoles such as the Mi Box S, Chromecast or devices based on pure Android. Connecting the phone to such devices turns them into full-fledged multimedia centers. For Xiaomi consoles, the process is as simple as possible due to the deep integration of the ecosystem.
When selecting a device in the application, it is often suggested to scan QR-The code that appears on the TV screen when you run an app or in the network settings, and that's the fastest way to pair up. Alternatively, you can use Bluetooth search if the console supports this protocol for remotes.
The console's functionality includes touchpad emulation. You can swipe across your smartphone screen as you move your cursor on your TV. This is especially convenient for browsing or apps that aren't adapted to control from the remote. Voice input is also available, where the phone acts as a microphone.
- 🎮 Gamepad mode: in some games, the phone can be used as a controller.
- 📷 Camera: the ability to display images from the camera of the phone to the large screen.
- 📂 File Manager: access to files on the console and transfer of documents.
It is worth noting that for some third-party consoles (not Xiaomi), the functionality may be limited to basic commands, in such cases, it is recommended to install an application server on the console itself (for example, Server for Mi Remote), which will expand the interaction possibilities.
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For Android TV consoles, the best performance and full functionality is provided by combined Bluetooth (for buttons) and Wi-Fi (for data transfer).
Troubleshooting and troubleshooting
Even when set up correctly, there may be situations where the remote controls stop responding or are not operating smoothly, most often the problem lies in updating the phone's software or the TV itself, which resets the network settings, and conflicts with energy-saving modes that "sleep" the background processes of the application.
If the IR port is out of service, check to see if it's covered with a protective case. Some massive cases completely block the emitter. If you have a Wi-Fi problem, try rebooting the router. Changing the router's broadcast channel to a less loaded one can also improve the responsiveness of the remote.
⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI The application stopped finding devices, try to clear the cache of the Mi Remote application through the "Applications" menu" →"All applications" →"remote" →"Clear. Don't delete data unless you want to reconfigure all remotes.
In rare cases, the database of remotes in the app can be outdated. Check for updates for the Mi Remote app itself through the GetApps store. Developers regularly add codes for new TV and air conditioner models. If your device is not listed, you can try to choose a similar model of the same brand - the codes often match.
For advanced users, debugging mode is available, where you can see the logs of the signal sending, which helps you understand whether the phone is sending a signal at all, but for most users, standard diagnostic methods built into the application interface are enough.