Xiaomi remote: how to use, configure and manage smart appliances

Xiaomi’s remotes have become an integral part of the brand’s smart home ecosystem, combining ease of use, versatility and stylish minimalist design. However, even experienced users sometimes have questions about how to connect the remote to a new device, what hidden features are embedded in it, or why it suddenly stopped responding to commands. This article will help you understand everything from basic configuration to advanced features.

Feature of Xiaomi remotes (for example, models Mi Remote Controller, Xiaomi Smart Remote or Mi) TV Stick Remote is all about being versatile, and one gadget can control a TV, air conditioner, fan, and even some other brands' appliances, but to unlock the full potential, you need to know a few key things: From synchronizing with Mi Home to manually configuring the infrared port, we'll go through each step in as much detail as possible, taking into account the latest firmware updates from 2026.

Xiaomi Remote Types: What Do You Have?

Before you start setting up, it’s important to determine which model of remote you’re holding, which is what the functions and connectivity are, and Xiaomi makes several types of remotes:

• 📺 Television remotes (Mi) TV Remote, Mi TV Stick Remote – comes with Mi TV They're either sold separately, they support voice control, they have a touchpad.
• 🌡️ Universal IR controllers (Mi Remote Controller, Xiaomi Smart Remote) N1) — control air conditioners, fans, projectors and other equipment through an infrared port.
• 🏠 Smart Home Remotes – integrate with the Mi Home ecosystem and can control lighting, sockets and sensors.
• 🎮 Game Controller – designed for Mi Box or Android TV, have additional buttons for games.

To find out the exact model, look at the back of the remote – there is a marking (for example, the marking, MDZ-22-AB You can also check the model in the Mi Home app in the Devices section. → Settings → On the remote.

⚠️ Attention: Remotes for Mi TV (Like Mi. TV Remote 2) is not compatible with universal IR devices from other brands without additional settings via Mi Home. LG, First check the device support in the Xiaomi database.

Connecting the remote to a TV or smart device

The connection process depends on the type of remote and the device you are going to control. Consider two main scenarios: synchronization with a Xiaomi TV and setting up a universal IR remote for other brands.

Method 1: Connect to Mi TV Mi Box

If you have a remote from a Xiaomi TV (e.g. Mi) TV 4S or Mi TV Q1), It should be paired with the device out of the box by now, but if the remote is new or you reset the settings, follow these steps:

1. Turn on the TV and wait for the main screen to load.
2. Press and hold the Menu buttons. + Volume+ on the remote for 5 seconds until the indicator starts to flash.
3. You'll see a notification on the TV that you're looking for the remote. OK.
4. If the remote is not found, go to Settings → Devices → Bluetooth and remotes → Add the remote.

The Mi Box is similar, but instead of Menu, use the Home button. If the remote doesn't respond, check the battery (the new models use a built-in battery that charges through the battery). USB-C).

Method 2: Configure a universal IR remote

Xiaomi’s universal remotes (such as Mi Remote Controller) require pre-configuration through the Mi Home app.

1. Install the Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS).
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account.
3. Click Add Device (+) and select Remote Category.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions: The app will prompt you to choose the type of device (TV, air conditioning, etc.) and brand.
5. Point the remote to the device and press the Test – if everything is set up correctly, the technique will respond to the command.

⚠️ Note: If your brand is not on the Mi Home list, try selecting Another and manually adjusting the frequency of the IR signal. → Add the device manually and follow the tips.Some older Daikin or Mitsubishi air conditioners models may require a remote database update via Settings → Firmware update.

Key Features and buttons: What does each mean?

Xiaomi’s remote interface is intuitive, but some buttons have hidden functions, and let’s look at the purpose of each button using Mi Remote Controller and Mi. TV Remote 2.

Common buttons (for all models)

• 🔘 Power - on/off the device. On universal remotes, it may require long pressing to switch between modes (TV/AC/Fan).
• 📺 Home - Returns to the main screen of the Mi TV Or Mi Box. On the IR panels, it can open the device selection menu.
• 🔍 Search – activates voice search (on remotes with a microphone) or opens the search bar on the TV.
• ↩️ Back — returns to the previous screen. In some firmware, holding that button opens up a list of recent apps.
• ⚙️ Settings – Quick access to device settings.

Specific buttons

• 🎤 Microphone – activates the voice assistant Xiao AI (It works only on remotes with a microphone and when connected to the Mi TV Mi Box).
• 📱 Mi Button – opens the Mi Home smart home menu on the TV (not available on all models).
• 🔄 Mode – switches modes on universal remotes (for example, from TV to air conditioning).
• 🔋 Battery – charge indicator (blinks red at low battery level).

On the remotes for Mi TV There's a touchpad that replaces the traditional volume and rewind buttons. Swipe up/down to adjust volume, left/right to rewind video. Double tap on the panel opens the Quick Settings menu.

Make sure the battery is charged (or replace the batteries)

Check the absence of obstacles between the remote and the device (maximum distance - 8 meters)

Restart your TV or smart device

Update the remote firmware via Mi Home

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Voice control and Xiao AI: tune in?

One of the key features of Xiaomi remotes is the built-in voice assistant Xiao. AI. It allows you to control your TV, search for content, and even operate your smart home without manual input:

1. Make sure your remote supports voice control (the case should have a button with a microphone on it). 🎤).
2. Connect the remote to your TV or Mi Box via Bluetooth (see section above).
3. Activate Xiao. AI In the settings of the TV: go to Settings → Smart assistant. → Xiao AI and turn on the option.
4. Update your remote and TV firmware to the latest version (in Mi Home or Settings) → System system → Update of the PO).

Once set up, you can use voice commands in Chinese or English, for example:

• Open YouTube – launches the YouTube app.
• "Turn on the air conditioner" - includes air conditioner (if connected to Mi Home).
• Set volume to 50% sets volume to 50%.
• “What’s the weather today?” the weather forecast shows.

If Xiao AI Not responding to commands, check:

• 🔊 Microphone not silenced (some remotes have a physical switch).
• 🌐 TV connected to the Internet (voice commands are processed in the cloud).
• 📱 Mi Home Settings Enables Access to Microphone for the Application.

Problems and Solutions: The Remote Is Not Working

Even the most reliable devices sometimes fail. If your Xiaomi remote is no longer responsive to commands, don't rush to buy a new one, because in 90% of cases, the problem can be solved by yourself.

The remote does not include the TV or device

• 🔋 Discharged battery: Replace the batteries (if the remote is battery-powered) or charge through USB-C (On some models, the charge indicator does not flash even when the battery is discharged.
• 📶 Lost pairing: Reconnect the remote via Settings → Bluetooth on your TV. For IR remotes, check if the settings in Mi Home are wrong.
• 🚫 IR barrier: Make sure there are no obstacles between the remote and the device (glass, mirrors, or direct sunlight can block the signal).
• 🔄 Firmware failure: Update the remote via Mi Home or reset it to factory settings (click Power) + Home for 10 seconds).

The buttons are not working correctly or are crashing.

If the remote is responding to late presses or some buttons are not working:

• Clean the contacts of the buttons with alcohol (for this, carefully remove the back cover).
• Check if the touch panel is stuck (wipe it with a dry napkin).
• Update the firmware of the TV - sometimes bugs in the software cause conflicts with the remote.

Voice control is down.

If Xiao AI answer:

• Check your internet connection (voice commands require cloud processing).
• Make sure the microphone is not silenced in the settings of the TV (Settings) → Confidentiality → Microphone).
• Switch your Mi Home region to India or Singapore to activate your English.

💡

If the remote stopped working after a fall, check the integrity of the IR transmitter. To do this, point the remote to the smartphone camera and press any button - if the IR signal is working, the phone screen will see blinking (through the front camera).

Hidden functions and life hacks

Xiaomi remotes hide some useful features that few people know about.

• 🔄 Quick switching of inputs: On remotes for Mi TV Holding the Home button opens the signal source selection menu (HDMI, AV, TV etc.).
• 🎮 Game mode: Mi Game Controller combination Menu + A activates low delay mode (useful for shooters).
• 🔍 Search for lost remote: If Bluetooth remote is connected to Mi TV,say "Hey Xiao AI, Find my remote – the TV will beep.
• 📱 Smartphone management: In Mi Home, you can configure the remote so that it duplicates commands from the smartphone (for example, includes music on Mi Speaker).
• 🔋 Savings of charge: On battery panels, Power retention + Volume- disables the backlight of the buttons, which prolongs the running time.

For universal IR remotes, there's another life hack: if your device isn't supported by Mi Home, you can manually record commands from the original remote.

1. In Mi Home, select Add Device → Add it manually.
2. Point the original Xiaomi remote and remote control at each other (IK ports).
3. Follow the instructions on the screen by pressing the buttons on the original remote to record commands.

💡

Xiaomi’s Universal Remotes can control other brands’ hardware, but this requires manual setup in Mi Home or database updates via Settings. → Firmware update.

Update firmware and reset settings

Regular firmware updates solve many problems: add support for new devices, fix bugs and improve stability.

Method 1: Through the Mi Home app

1. Open Mi Home and find your remote in the list of devices.
2. Slip it and select the settings (⚙️) → Firmware update.
3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait for the process to complete (don’t disconnect the remote from the network!).

Method 2: Through a Xiaomi TV

If the remote is connected to the Mi TV:

1. Go to Settings. → About the programme → Update of the PO.
2. Select Update Remote (if option is available).
3. Confirm the update and wait for the remote to restart.

If after the update the remote began to work incorrectly, reset to factory settings:

1. Press the Power + Home buttons for 10 seconds.


2. The indicator on the remote will blink 3 times - release the buttons.




3. Connect the remote again via Mi Home or Bluetooth.

⚠️ Attention: Resetting removes all stored devices from the remote memory, after the procedure you will have to reconfigure the control of the air conditioner, TV and other gadgets through Mi Home.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi remotes