How to use Xiaomi smartphone as a remote for a TV: from setup to advanced features

Tired of looking for a remote control all over the apartment? Xiaomi smartphone can become a complete replacement for traditional TVs – not only for TVs of its own brand (Mi TV, Redmi TV), but also for devices of other manufacturers. In this article, we will analyze all the ways of connecting, from the standard Mi Remote application to alternative solutions for Android TV and Smart TV on other platforms.

The main advantage of this approach is to always have a remote at hand, but there are nuances: not all TV models are supported out of the box, and some functions (such as voice input or gestures) can work unstable. We tested all methods on current MIUI 14/15 firmware and collected honest feedback on each method, if your TV is released after 2018, the chances of successful synchronization are close to 100%.

Note: Most solutions will require an infrared port (IR-It can be checked in the specifications of the model or visually - look for a small glass window at the top of the body (usually next to the front camera). IR-The port is available in most budget and mid-budget lines (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 etc.).

What Xiaomi smartphones support the remote function

Not every Xiaomi device is capable of controlling a TV, and the key criterion is the presence of an infrared transmitter (IR-Here's the actual list of models with IR-port (as of 2026):

• 📱 Redmi Note 12/12 Pro/12 Pro+ — Budgetary decisions with full range of functions
• 📱 POCO X5/X5 Pro – the best choice for gamers and multimedia lovers
• 📱 Xiaomi 13T/13T Pro - flagships with IR-port (rare in the 2026 year!)
• 📱 Redmi 12C/12R — The most affordable options with remote support
• 📱 Mi 11 Lite 5G NE — compact IR-blaster

If your model is not on the list, check the specifications on the official Xiaomi website or use the application. CPU-Z (sensors → IR An alternative way to try installing Mi Remote and start searching for devices is if the smartphone doesn’t find the TV, IR-There's probably no port.

Important: Even if not IR-The port can be controlled by the TV through Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, But the functionality will be limited. For example, for Android. TV (including Mi TV) Google app will do TV, Samsung's SmartThings, and you can find out more about this in the alternatives section.

Set up the standard Mi Remote application

The main tool for controlling the TV is the Mi Remote app (formerly Mi Remote Controller), which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones with a high-end phone. IR-If you don't have one, download it from Google Play. Redmi/POCO) AppGallery (for HarmonyOS devices).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Mi Remote and allow access to the camera (to hover over the TV).
2. Click "Add device" → select the TV category.
3. Specify your TV brand. If it's not on the list, select Universal.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen: point your smartphone at the TV (distance - up to 5 meters) and wait for synchronization.
5. Test the buttons. If some don't work, go back to the settings menu and select another model from the list.

If the TV doesn't respond:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📶 Check if there is any interference between the smartphone and TV (glass, mirrors, direct sunlight can block the light). IR-signal).
• 🔋 Make sure your smartphone battery is over 20% charged – with a low charge IR-port may be off.

Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV/Redmi TV) with Mi Home

For owners of Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV A2, Redmi Smart TV X, etc.), there is a more convenient way - the Mi Home application. It allows not only to duplicate the functions of the remote, but also:

• 🎤 Use voice input through Alice or Google Assistant.
• 📱 Manage multimedia (pause, rewind, content selection).
• 🔄 Sync settings with other Xiaomi devices (e.g. Yeelight lamps or robot vacuum cleaner).

Instructions for connection:

1. Install Mi Home from Google Play.
2. Sign up or sign in to your Xiaomi account (required! no account functionality is limited).
3. Press + → Add the device → TV.
4. Select your model from the list or scan it. QR-back-code.
5. Connect your smartphone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network (a prerequisite!).

Important: for Mi Home to work properly, the TV must be connected to the Internet, without the network, only basic functions (on/off, volume control) are available.

Alternative applications for TV control

If Mi Remote is not suitable (for example, due to lack of a IR-Port, try one of these solutions:

• 📺 Google TV (Android TV Remote – the official application for Android TV Google TV. Supports voice input, keyboard and gestures.
• 📺 Samsung SmartThings for Samsung TVs (including Tizen models) allows you to control not only TV, but also other equipment of the brand.
• 📺 LG ThinQ – analogue for TVs LG There's a "Magic Remote" feature that supports a gyroscope.
• 📺 Unified Remote – a universal solution with support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and IR. Suitable for older TV models.

To work, the TV and smartphone must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Some features (such as voice search on Google TV) require a Google or Samsung account.

💡

If the TV is not in the list of supported devices, try connecting via Screen Mirroring mode. → Miracast/Wi-Fi Direct and connect your smartphone as a second screen.

Advanced functions: voice, gestures, automation

Xiaomi's smartphone can be more than just a remote control, it can be a full-fledged TV control center.

• 🎤 Voice control: via Alice (in Mi Home) or Google Assistant (in Google) TV). Examples of commands: "Alice, turn on Netflix on TV" OK Google, set the volume to 50%"
• 🤌 Gestures: Mi Remote has Air Mouse mode - you can control the cursor by tilting your smartphone (like a gamepad.
• ⚙️ Automation: You can create scripts with Mi Home or Google Home, like, "Evening Theater" -- turns off the lights, turns on the TV, and launches Disney.+. "Good night – turns off the TV and activates the “Do Not Disturb” mode on the smartphone.

To set up the automation:

1. Open Mi Home → Automation → Create.
2. Select a trigger (such as Time or Voice command).
3. Add the action – Control the TV.
4. Save the script and test it.

💡

Voice commands only work when you're connected to the Internet, and if Wi-Fi goes down, voice control will be unavailable, but the basic functions of the remote (via IR) will remain.

Problem Solving: What to Do When Nothing Works

If your smartphone doesn’t control your TV, check out these points:

⚠️ Note: On Samsung TV series QLED 2022+ by default, the protocol is off IP Control, which is required to control Wi-Fi. To enable it, go to Settings. → General. → External devices → Device parameters → IP Control and activate the option.

If the problem is not resolved:

1. Reinstall the remote application.
2. Update the TV firmware (in the Settings menu → Support → Software update).
3. Reset your network settings to TV (Settings → Network → Network Reset).

Comparison with a physical remote: pros and cons

Using a smartphone as a remote is convenient, but there are also disadvantages.

The bottom line is that the smartphone is a win-winner in functionality, but it is a loser in reliability, and the best option is to use both methods: a physical remote for daily viewing, and a smartphone for advanced functions (voice, automation).

FAQ: Frequent questions