How to connect the Xiaomi RC remote to the TV: a universal instruction with error solutions

Xiaomi Remote Control (or Mi RC) has become a popular accessory for controlling not only Xiaomi TVs, but also other brands’ devices, supporting infrared (IR) and Bluetooth control, and integrating into the Mi Home ecosystem. However, many users face difficulties when connecting first: the remote does not find the TV, the buttons are not working correctly or synchronization is broken. In this article, we will analyze all the ways of connecting, from automatic setting through the application to manual addition of code, and also solve typical problems.

The Xiaomi RC remotes often require a pre-link to your Mi Account and firmware update, and without that, some features (such as voice search or Android TV management) may not be available. We take these nuances into account and give step-by-step instructions for different scenarios: connecting to Mi TV, Samsung/LG TVs, and setting up via Mi Home and Google Home.

If you just bought a Xiaomi Mi Remote Controller (LYWSD02MMC, LYWSD03MMC or newer models), first check the kit: the box should have the remote itself, a USB-C cable for charging and a brief instruction. Without charging, the remote will not turn on - even if the indicator flashes, this does not mean that the battery is charged enough for synchronization.

Important: If your TV is released before 2018, you may need to update its firmware.Old models (such as the Samsung Series 5/6 or LG WebOS 2.0) may not support modern Xiaomi RC protocols. Check compatibility on the manufacturer's website or in the Mi Home app.

1. Preparation of the Xiaomi RC remote for the first connection

Before syncing the remote with the TV, it must be activated and linked to the Mi Account account, a step that is mandatory for all but the earliest models (for example, Mi Remote 1 without Bluetooth).

First, charge the remote with a USB-C cable (included). The front display should be red during charging and green after finishing. Minimum charge level for synchronization is 20%. If the indicator flashes orange, it means that the battery is discharged critically, and the remote will not respond to the buttons.

Download the official appendix:

• 📱 Mi Home – to link the remote to the account and control through a smart home.
• 📺 Mi Remote – Alternative software for manual configuration IR-codes (unless the TV is automatically detected).

Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your smartphone, then launch Mi Home.Click Add Device (+) and select the category "Pulse and switches" → "Xiaomi Remote Control. The remote should appear in the list of available devices. If this does not happen, press the Pairing button on the remote (usually it is hidden under the battery compartment cover or combined with a battery pack). OK) and re-search.

2. Automatic connection to Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV, Redmi TV)

If you have a Xiaomi Mi TV TV 4/5, Redmi TV A2/X Or a newer model, the remote can connect to Bluetooth without any further manipulation. 30 seconds:

1. Turn on the TV and go to Settings → Remote → Add remote.
2. On the Xiaomi RC remote, press the Menu + OK buttons for 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing blue.
3. On your TV, select "Xiaomi Remote Control" from the list of available devices.
4. Confirm the pairing on both devices.

Once successfully connected, the remote will control all the functions of the TV, including voice search (Microphone button), application launch (Netflix, YouTube) and volume control. If the buttons are not working correctly (for example, Volume+ does not increase sound), update the remote's firmware via Mi Home.

Make sure the indicator on the remote is green.|Check the reaction to the buttons. Volume/Channel|Start voice search (button with microphone)|Update the remote firmware in Mi Home-->

Important! On Xiaomi TVs older than 2020 (Mi TV 4A/4C), you may need to reset the remote before connecting. To do this, press Back + Home for 10 seconds until the indicator goes out.

3. Manual connection to TVs of other brands (Samsung, LG, Sony)

Samsung, LG, Sony or Philips TVs use an infrared port (IR) in which case the Xiaomi RC remote must be manually configured via the Mi Remote or Mi Home app.

1. Open the Mi Remote app and click Add Device.

2. Select the device type – “Television” → specify the brand (e.g. Samsung).

3. Point the remote to the TV (distance not more than 3 meters) and follow the instructions on the screen.

4. If the automatic search didn’t work, select Manual Code Entering and try the standard combinations for your model:

If none of the codes fit, try updating the codebase in the Mi Remote app (Settings section). → Update IR-For Samsung TVs QLED 2022+ and LG OLED C2/G2 additional may be required IR-transmitters, as they use proprietary protocols.

4 Connection via Mi Home and Smart Home Integration

One of the key advantages of the Xiaomi RC remotes is the ability to control through the Mi Home ecosystem and voice assistants (Alice, Google Assistant, Siri).

1. Open Mi Home and go to the Smart Home → Automation section.

2. Click Add Automation → “If...” → Select the Xiaomi RC remote.

3. Specify a condition (e.g., "Netflix button pressed") and an action ("On TV").

4. Save the script and test it.

For voice control, link your Mi Account to Google Home or Alice Yandex:

• 🎤 In Google Home: Go to Settings → Smart home. → Add the service and select Mi Home.
• 🗣️ In Alice: Say, “Alice, plug Mi Home” and follow the instructions.

Note: Apple HomeKit will require an additional hub, such as the Xiaomi Mi Home Hub or HomePod. Xiaomi RC remotes do not support HomeKit directly.

💡

If the remote does not appear in Mi Home, try changing your account region to Mainland China in the app settings, and then the device will appear in the list, and you can return the region back.

5. Solving Connection Problems

Even with the right setup, users are faced with errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If the Xiaomi remote RC It doesn't respond to presses, but the indicator is on, try resetting it to factory settings. + Home + OK And then you're going to have to reset the connection for 15 seconds.

If the remote is connected but shuts down after a few minutes, check the power saving settings on the TV. On Xiaomi Mi TV 5 and later, go to Settings → System → Energy Saving and turn off the option “Switch off Bluetooth in standby mode”.

⚠️ Note: Samsung TVs with Anynet feature+ (HDMI-CEC) Xiaomi remote RC It might be in conflict with your remote.+ in the TV menu (Settings) → General. → External devices).

6. Alternative ways of connecting (without Mi Home)

If you do not have access to Mi Home or Mi Remote apps (for example, on your iPhone without the ability to change region), you can use the side of the program:

• 📲 Peel Smart Remote – Supports the majority IR-codes for Xiaomi RC.
• 🖥️ Button Mapper – allows you to reassign the remote buttons to other functions (requires root on the TV).
• 🔧 Tasker + AutoInput – to create custom scripts (for example, turning on the TV on a schedule).

To connect via Peel Smart Remote:

1. Download the app and allow access to Bluetooth and IR-transmitter.
2. Select "Add device" → "TV" → specify the brand.
3. Point the remote to the TV and follow the button testing instructions.

If your TV doesn’t support you IR-management (e.g. some models) TCL Roku TV), The only way is to use a Bluetooth adapter, such as the Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Audio Receiver, connected to the port. USB or 3.5 mm on a TV.

💡

For TVs without TVs IR-port (for example, Apple) TV Or Nvidia Shield, you can only connect via Bluetooth, and then you can pair it with Menu. + OK 5 seconds.

7. Update firmware and reset settings

If the Xiaomi RC remote is unstable (hangs, incorrect reaction to buttons), most likely, a firmware update is required.

1. Open Mi Home and find your remote in the list of devices.

2. Go to Device Settings → Software Update.

3. If a new version is available, click Update and wait until it is completed (don't turn off the power!).

It takes 2-5 minutes. After the update, the remote will restart and the indicator will flash green. If the update freezes during the Preparation stage, reset:

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


2. Connect the remote to the charger.




3. Repeat the update attempt.

For a complete reset to factory settings:

1. Hold on to Menu. + Volume+ + Volume- within 15 seconds.
2. The indicator will go out and flash red - release the buttons.
3. Repeat the connection procedure from scratch.

⚠️ Attention: On the remotes Xiaomi RC with firmware older than 2021, reset via Menu + Volume may not work. In this case, use the Back combination. + Home + Power (hold 20 seconds).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi RC connection