The modern smartphone has long ceased to be just a means of communication, becoming a universal tool for managing the digital environment around us. Owners of Xiaomi devices have a unique advantage: most of their gadgets are equipped with a built-in infrared emitter, which allows you to instantly turn the device into a full-fledged remote control. You no longer need to look for a lost plastic “native” remote or buy a new one when the old one breaks.
The functionality of the standard Mi Remote app goes far beyond just switching channels, allowing you to control volume, change signal sources, run apps on a Smart TV, and even copy buttons from physical remotes, a solution ideal for those who value minimalism and want to control all household appliances from one screen.
In this article, we will cover all aspects of configuration, from automatic code search to manual calibration, how to configure Wi-Fi control for Android TVs and how to use an IR port for older devices, and how to fix them, so that your experience with technology is as comfortable as possible.
Checking the presence of an IR port and basic setting
The first step before using a smartphone as a remote is to physically check the device. Not all Xiaomi models are equipped with an IR emitter, although the vast majority of them. Carefully inspect the upper end of the case: there should be a small round window of black color, often hidden under a protective glass next to the noise reduction microphone.
If you can't visually detect the port, you can use software to check it, type "Mi Remote" or "Remote" in your search. If the application is found and opened, your smartphone is equipped with the necessary hardware, otherwise, control will only be possible through a Wi-Fi network, which imposes restrictions on compatibility with TV models.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to pierce or seal the IR port hole with protective films or tight side covers.This may block the signal, making control impossible or requiring direct contact with the TV receiver.
To properly operate the IR signal, you need to have direct visibility between the top of the phone and the receiver on the TV. Infrared radiation does not pass through obstacles and has a limited angle of dispersion. When you press the buttons on the smartphone screen, you may not feel the tactile recoil, so visually focus on the change in the state of the TV.
📊 What kind of TV are you?
Old kinescope/LED without Smart TV
Smart TV on Android
Smart TV on Tizen/WebOS
Projector
Customization of universal remote Mi Remote
The standard Mi Remote app is preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI or HyperOS shell. If you accidentally delete it, you can restore the program through the GetApps store or Google Play. After you launch the application, you need to add a new device by selecting the category "TV" and the manufacturer of your TV from the list offered.
The pairing process takes place in several steps. The system will give you a series of test signals that you need to confirm, for example, the phone can send a command to turn on or change the volume. Your task is to press "Yes" if the TV responded, or "No" if there was no reaction. This method allows you to find the right numerical code for your model.
In some cases, automatic search may not work, especially for rare or very old models, so you should use manual input mode or try to choose a brand analogue. Often, TVs assembled in the same factories in China have identical control codes, even if sold under different names.
What to do if the brand is not on the list?
If your manufacturer is not listed, try to choose a universal code or brand under which the TV matrix was released (for example, Philips or Vestel). You can also try codes from similar models of the same year. Often codes from the "A" series are suitable for the "B" series of the same manufacturer.> Smart TV management via Wi-Fi network For modern TVs running on Android TV operating systems, Google TV or having built-in Wi-Fi module, a more advanced method of management is available. In this case, an infrared port is not required, and communication is carried over a local network. This allows you not only to switch channels, but also to control the course of the Smart TV over the phone, to transfer the screen to the network, and the phone to broadcast the same device to the device to the device to the Wi-based network. If the router distributes the network at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, make sure that both devices are connected to the same band, although modern routers often combine them into a single network. Once connected, run the Mi Remote app or use the built-in Translation function. The advantage of Wi-Fi control is that you do not need to aim at the TV. The signal passes through walls and obstacles, which allows you to use the phone as a touchpad even when you are in another part of the room. However, if the router is turned off or the network is overloaded, control can operate with a delay. Connection type Functional Stability IR port (InfraRed) The presence of an IR port in the phone, direct visibility Basic commands (on/off, volume, channels) High, does not depend on the Wi-Fi network (Smart TV) General Wi-Fi network, Smart TV functions Full control, keyboard, cursor, voice Depends on the quality of the Bluetooth router Support BT on TV (rarely) Media management, volume Medium, small radius When you first connect through Wi-Fi TV can request confirmation of the TV, the screen is automatically connected or the user will be connected to the device. If the standard Mi Remote app seems to you not functional enough or does not support your TV model, you should pay attention to alternative solutions. Google Play offers a variety of programs that can emulate the remote using both an IR port and a network connection. Popular options include Universal TV Remote and AnyMote. Some apps specialize in specific brands. For example, for Samsung TVs, there's a SmartThings app. LG — LG They provide deeper integration with the TV system, allowing you to see a list of running applications, manage notifications and even display an image from your phone to the screen (Screen Mirroring). ⚠️ Warning: When downloading third-party remote applications, carefully study the permissions requested. Many of them require access to contacts, geolocation and microphone, which are not necessary for their main function. Give preference to programs with high ratings and a lot of reviews. TV, Open possibilities of using the protocol ADB (Android Debug Bridge allows you to send system commands directly, run hidden menus, and manage processes at the operating system level. USB Typical problems and solutions Despite the simplicity of the technology, users may face a number of difficulties, most often the phone stops "seeing" the TV or commands are executed with a long delay. In the case of an IR port, this is often due to a software failure of the remote management service. Rebooting a smartphone usually solves this problem. If the IR port is working but the TV is not responding to certain commands, you may have chosen the wrong profile of the device. Try removing the added remote and re-create it by carefully passing the tests. Sometimes it helps to choose a profile from another manufacturer using a similar control board. 📱 Application crash: Clear the Mi Remote app cache in the application settings. Go to Settings → Annexes → All applications → Mi Remote → Memory. → Clean up. 📡 Wi-Fi problems: Make sure your router doesn't turn on customer isolation (AP Isolation, which prevents devices from seeing each other on a local network. 🔋 Energy saving: Aggressive energy saving settings MIUI They can kill the remote process in the background. Add the app to boot and eliminate the battery from optimization. In rare cases, you may need to reset your network settings. → Connection and sharing → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.This action will remove stored Wi-Fi passwords, but often resolves deep conflicts of network protocols that interfere with communication with Smart. TV. The functionality of the phone as a remote can be extended with the help of automation scenarios. In the application "Mi Remote" or through third-party launchers, you can configure macros. For example, one button on the screen can sequentially send signals to turn on the TV, switch to the TV. HDMI-So if you use a voice assistant like Google Assistant or Siri in conjunction with the remote, you can say, "OK, Google, turn off the TV," and the phone sends the corresponding IR signal or command over the network. This is especially convenient when hands are busy or the remote is physically lost in the bowels of the sofa. How to use the phone as a laser pointer? Some Xiaomi models allow you to use the IR port in laser pointer mode for presentations, but you don't need to control TV. However, there are applications that use the IR port for calibration, which can be useful when you install a bracket for a TV to align it perfectly over the horizon. Can you control the air conditioner and the projector? Yes, the Mi Remote application supports many other devices. You can add an air conditioner remote, a projector, a communication device, a phone can store dozens of different types of cameras, and even the phone is a single port. The phone sends a signal, but it doesn't get confirmation that the command is done. So if the TV is turned off, the app won't be able to show you the current volume or channel number. To get feedback, you need to use Smart functions over Wi-Fi. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Does the remote work if the phone's screen is turned off? No, in standard mode, the IR signal is sent only when the application is active. However, some models allow you to display the lock widget or use special proximity sensors to activate the remote mode when you bring it to the ear, but this requires additional energy during the operation of the phone, and the process of the operation of the device, and the phone is not using the power, and the power is not required at the same time as the power supply. Check the Task Manager. Can you copy the remote from a neighbor or friend? The Remote Copy feature in Mi Remote allows you to read the signal from the physical remote. You press a button on the real remote, directing it to the IR port of the phone, and the phone remembers the code. This is useful if your brand is not on the list, but there is an original remote. Does the Redmi Note remote support? Most Redmi Note models (starting with the Note 4 and later) are equipped with an IR port. However, in some budget series or regional versions, this component may not remember the code.