Mi Remote is a stock application in MIUI firmware on Xiaomi smartphones, which allows you to control smart appliances in your home using your phone. It is worth noting here that your smartphone must have an IR port; it is usually located on the top edge and is present in models such as Redmi 3/4, Xiaomi Mi5, Redmi Note 3/4.
Instructions: how to use Mi Remote
First of all, make sure that your phone has an infrared port, and also turn on the Internet on the device (this will allow more brands of equipment to be available). Now go to the folder with system applications and find a blue shortcut with an image of a round white remote control - this is Mi Remote.
Launch this application and click on the “+” icon in the right corner of the screen. Here you will be asked to select the brand of the equipment you are going to operate. Choose, for example, Philips, Supra or some other brand. Now you will be asked to select the type of device: TV, air conditioner, DVD player, etc.
An on/off key will appear on the main screen of the application; you need to point your smartphone at the equipment and press the button. Press until the device turns on/off, this will mean that you have selected the correct settings. Do the same with the other proposed buttons.
That's all, now the compatible equipment in your home is completely controlled using your smartphone. This is such a useful and simple function in MIUI.
Which Xiaomi smartphones have an IR port and support Mi Remote
- Xiaomi Mi Note 2
- Xiaomi Mi 5s Plus
- Xiaomi Mi 5/Pro
- Xiaomi Mi Max/Prime
- Xiaomi Mi 4S
- Xiaomi Mi 4c
- Xiaomi Mi 4
- Redmi Pro
- Redmi Note 4X
- Redmi Note 4 (MTK & SD)
- Redmi Note 3 (MTK & SD)
- Redmi Note 2
- Redmi 4/Prime
- Redmi 4A
- Redmi 3S/Prime/3X
- Redmi 3/Prime
Questions and answers
Question: Can Mi Remote control all devices in the house?
Answer: It can control most devices that use infrared remote control, such as TVs, air conditioners, air fans and projectors. If the device is controlled via wireless or Bluetooth remote control, it will not be supported in Mi Remote App.
Question: Can I use Mi Remote App on my phone and where can I download it?
Answer: For every smartphone that supports infrared, you will be able to use the Mi Remote App. Typically, Xiaomi phones that have an IR blaster will have the Mi Remote app pre-installed. You can download the application directly from the Google Play store, the link is below.
Question: Why can't I control my TV using Mi Remote App?
Answer: First, check if your TV uses an infrared remote control. If this is not the case, then you will not be able to use the app to control your TV. If everything is ok, then carefully select the right brand of your TV. And also test each key to make sure that the Mi Remote works. Make sure you point your phone directly at your TV's IR port. Some TVs are slow to respond, so give it some time to think when testing the buttons.
Question: Does Mi Remote require a permanent internet connection?
Answer: An Internet connection is required only when we want to connect to a new device. After saving the device, we can use this application offline.
Question: Do I need to log into my Mi Account to use the Mi Remote app?
Answer: You don't need to create/login to a Xiaomi account to use the Mi Remote app, it's completely free (no registrations or SMS).
Question: Why does my phone keep searching for a Wi-Fi device?
Answer: Most likely, your phone does not have an IR port. Mi Remote Remote App supports control over Mi Box, Mi TV and other Android devices or Smart TV via Wi-Fi.
Question: Why can't I use it on Mi TV 3?
Answer: Mi TV 3 does not have an infrared remote control. But you can connect the same Wi-Fi connection as Mi TV 3 and when you turn on Mi TV 3, Mi Remote App will automatically detect and connect to Mi TV 3.
Question: Can we use Mi Remote App to control the lamp?
Answer: Most lamps do not have an infrared remote control, and the Mi Remote App does not yet support this device.
Modern Xiaomi smartphones use an infrared port (IRDA). Previously, the port was used to transfer files; many will remember the Siemens C65. Nowadays, the infrared port is used to control household appliances. As part of the article, we will figure out how to enable the infrared port on Xiaomi and configure the remote control.
Xiaomi models with IR port
Early smartphone models were not equipped with an infrared port and it will not be possible to use the remote control. Some Xiaomi equipment requires control via Wi-Fi and third-party applications.
List of popular Xiaomi models with IR port at the time of writing:
Mi4, Mi4C, Mi5, Mi6, Redmi Note 2, Redmi Note 3 (Pro), Redmi 3 (S), Redmi 4A, Redmi 4X, Redmi 5 (Pro, Note).
Mi Remote
The MIUI shell has a pre-installed Mi Remote application. The application allows you to control almost any home equipment: TVs, stereos, air conditioners, satellite receivers and much more.
If you cannot find the application in the shell, use the search in Google Market.
How to add a remote control to Mi Remote
In the main view of the application window, click on the top left “ + ” and select the equipment for which we will configure the remote control.
It is worth considering that some TVs can be turned on by “setting up” the remote control from another company. Didn't find a company? Try one of the popular ones.
Hold down the volume up key until the TV responds. As soon as the Xiaomi remote control responds, release the key and agree to add. If this does not happen, try a similar brand, but there is a possibility that your equipment is not supported by the application.
Problems with Mi Remote (Mi remote)
If the application does not display anything, you need to turn on mobile Internet or wi-fi.
On some forums there was information that the infrared port may not work if wi-fi is turned on.
The Chinese company Xiaomi continues to occupy a leading position in many criteria and constantly pleases the public with interesting innovations, one of which is a built-in infrared port. Controlling household appliances using a smartphone is very simple and convenient, so many people wonder how to turn on the IR port on a Xiaomi phone and where is it located?
Navigation
What is IR port
The IR port (infrared port) is a kind of remote control that can be used by almost all modern devices. At the same time, there are no wires, no need to change batteries, and no individual charging is required.
With IrDA you can:
- Turn on/off the TV, change channels, adjust the volume, record programs.
- Change the intensity of the air conditioner and the jet flow.
- Work with a DVD player, camera, portable speakers and even kitchen appliances.
You can forever forget about a bunch of extra remote controls, about the fear of losing them, about faulty or worn-out buttons. Most popular electronics brands are supported, starting fromSamsung and endingAsus. Thus, remote control will only bring pleasure and comfort.
Where is the infrared port on the phone?
It should be noted right away that IrDA is not present on all Xiaomi smartphones, which we will discuss below. In addition to the official characteristics and settings, you can simply visually determine the presence of a given port, which is much faster.
It is usually located near the headphone output (always at the top of the phone) and looks like a medium-sized black circle. Larger than the headphone compartment, but smaller than the main compartment.
Xiaomi smartphones with IR port
List updated 08/17/19
IrDA is not present in all models, but the list is still extensive and includes both budget and flagship models:
- Redmi Note 2;
- The entire Redmi 3 line;
- The entire Redmi 4 line;
- The entire Redmi 5 line;
- The entire Redmi 6 line;
- Redmi 7, Redmi Note 7;
- Redmi S2;
- Mi 4;
- The entire Mi 5 line;
- Mi 6;
- Mi 9, Mi 9 SE;
- Mi A1, Mi A2, Mi A2 Lite, Mi A3.
- Mi Max 2, Mi Max 3;
- Mi Note 3;
- Pocophone F1;
If your model is not on the list, then it can act as a remote control via a Wi-Fi connection, but it will only be effective in relation to TVs from Mi TV and Mi Box set-top boxes.
Setting up the IR port for the first time
Now let’s get down to the most important and basic thing – how exactly to use the “mobile remote control”. To do this you will need a special application - Mi Remote, which we partially discussed in the article “”.
The application is freely available for download on Google Play. Its main advantages:
- Simple and intuitive interface;
- Russian language support.
- Support for a large number of brands.
Let's now start working with the infrared port:
- We go into the application and immediately see a white screen with an orange or blue highlight.
- The software first asks you to select a remote control. This is the device you want to control. Click on the plus.
- A list of available electronics is displayed: TVs, players, fans, set-top boxes, etc. Select what you need.
- Next step: determine the manufacturer. For example, if you need to manage TV from LG, we find this company in the list. The choice is wide: there are both modern titans of the world market, and slightly forgotten companies of yesteryear, which have faded into the background in popularity and sales.
- When all the data is specified, point the port at the projector and first test the buttons, as indicated in the on-screen prompts. If everything was configured correctly, reading the information is successful.
- Now you can use your smartphone as a remote control. All the necessary function buttons are displayed on the phone screen.
- Didn't work out? Then we re-enter the data about the equipment in a special window and check it carefully.
Unfortunately, it may be that your electronics simply do not support the ability to be controlled using a Xiaomi device.
The infrared port was lost somewhere in the 2000s. With the advent of Bluetooth technology on the world market, the need for an IR port has been reduced to a minimum. It is still used to remotely control equipment via a remote control, which is why it is needed in some phones.
Xiaomi is one of the few that still produces gadgets with this sensor. This is definitely very convenient for controlling some components in the house. A unique Mi Remote program was developed to operate the IR port. It is exclusive to the MIUI shell.
Page navigation:
What equipment can you control?
Mi Remote, which is installed by default in almost every smartphone from Xiaomi, is designed for remote control of home appliances. With this utility, you can use your smartphone as a remote control for a TV, air conditioner, music device, refrigerator, and so on.
The program is capable of controlling such types of equipment as:
How does Mi Remote work?
It works using an infrared (IR) port. Even the cheapest Xiaomi smartphones, such as Redmi 4A, are equipped with this sensor, so Mi Remote is available to everyone.
Who can use Mi Remote?
To use the application, you first need to make sure that your smartphone has an infrared port.
Typically, Xiaomi smartphones with an infrared port have the software already preinstalled. If suddenly not, then you can download it completely free from the Play Market or on any other resource in the form of an apk file.
Here is a list of all smartphones from Xiaomi that are equipped with this sensor (press Ctrl + R on your computer to quickly find your smartphone or use the search function in your browser):
- Xiaomi Mi Note 2
- Xiaomi Mi 5s Plus
- Xiaomi Mi 5/Pro
- Xiaomi Mi Max/Prime
- Xiaomi Mi 4S
- Xiaomi Mi 4c
- Xiaomi Mi 4
- Redmi Pro
- Redmi Note 4X
- Redmi Note 4 (MTK & SD)
- Redmi Note 3 (MTK & SD)
- Redmi Note 2
- Redmi 4/Prime
- Redmi 4A
- Redmi 3S/Prime/3X
- Redmi 3/Prime
Conditions for controlling home appliances
If we’ve figured out the smartphone, then let’s move directly to the equipment. Please note that not all devices receive this signal.
Before using the program, check whether the control equipment uses a remote control with an IR signal. Many manufacturers make wireless remote control via Bluetooth or even Wi-Fi. If your home devices are not equipped with an infrared receiver, then, alas, Mi Remote is useless.
Also, the control problem may be caused by inaccurate program settings. Carefully review all the points and choose the right brand of device you want to control. Make sure that the smartphone is looking directly at the receiver, because the IR port works on a flat beam, it cannot spread over all 360 degrees, like Wi-Fi. If nothing works, press all the buttons; sometimes the device simply cannot recognize the command from the smartphone.
How to set up the application?
Setting up the Mi Remote app is very simple and straightforward.
- Find it on your smartphone through the launcher or Remote application manager and run it.
- Before selecting a device, enable Internet access, then the utility will find more brands on the Internet that are supported by it. Once selected, an Internet connection will no longer be required and the program will go offline.
- After launch, click on the plus sign at the top or “add...”. We see a list of equipment in English. For a clearer choice, use the list above, which contains the entire list with a brief description. Select a type and move on.
- Depending on your selection, Remote will ask you a couple of questions. We answer them.
- Then, after selecting the device, we find the brand. The application supports the most popular and not so popular brands, such as LG, Sony, Samsung, TCL and so on. We answer simple questions to check the functionality and that’s it, the setup is complete.
What else can Mi Remote please you with?
Mi Remote doesn't end with simple controls. Among its capabilities is also the addition of quick access to the selected remote control via the main screen. A shortcut is created, clicking on which immediately opens the control, without any settings or anything else.
After some settings, the utility will help you check whether it works correctly. This will look like a small survey. An IR signal will be sent to the equipment, after which a window will appear on the smartphone asking whether it worked or not. This way you can check which nodes can be controlled by Mi Remote.
Mi Remote can also work via Wi-Fi, but only with proprietary equipment from Xiaomi: Mi Box, Mi TV. If the smartphone does not have an IR port, the application will endlessly search for the native device via Wi-Fi.
The application has an editing function. The point is to make it more convenient to use. Here you can rename the remote control, set the location (by default, living room, bedroom, study, dining room, office) and create a shortcut on the desktop, which was discussed above.
Mi Remote is available now for free and without registration to all Xiaomi owners. There is no need to connect to a Mi account and register in the program itself.
Mi Remote is an application that is used to control video equipment through a mobile device on Android OS. Using this “tool”, you create synchronization between devices and control household appliances instead of a stationary control panel.
Through this software you control your TV or player. Mi Remote is a universal tool that remotely controls modern technology.
Purpose
Use Mi Remote in cases where the remote control is broken or lost. You can control your TV or air conditioner, including these devices through this software. The program is suitable for lazy people who do not want to get up from the couch to take a regular remote control to control a TV or other device.Features and usage
Mi Remote works on set-top boxes, televisions and other devices that fall into the category of home appliances. By logging into the application, you will read a list of devices that are supported by the software. The program is suitable for TVs of famous brands, as well as Chinese developers.After launching the application, go to the “Add remote control” section and establish a “network” between MiRemote and the equipment. To do this, indicate the type of device, and then move to the list of models, selecting the desired TV or set-top box.
After this, point your mobile device at the equipment, and then click on the button that appears on the smartphone screen. The purpose and appearance of the button depends on the connected device. If you control a TV, this is a button that controls the volume, and an air conditioner controls the temperature.
When creating a network between devices, you need to specify a name, and then create a profile to work with. After synchronization, control the equipment that works through Mi Remote.
Key Features
- quick access and full control of household appliances;
- support for different types of devices;
- For this software to work, the smartphone must have an IR port;
- The utility works on many models of equipment from well-known brands, as well as from Chinese manufacturers;
- creating a “wireless network” with equipment and activating it through a profile;
- the application is localized into Russian;
- The software has a convenient graphical environment with a minimalist shell;
- there is a function for changing the layout of the keys;
- runs on OS Android 4.0 and higher;
- The application is available free of charge.