Every YouTube app I've used on streaming box had an option to allow the use of a TV code to run videos to the YouTube app. Except for this one and it's official android.
Am I doing something wrong here? Does android tv YouTube app really not have support for "tv code" pairing?
Just use Chromecast. The code based pairing is for devices that only support DIAL, like the roku or smart tvs.
There's only one work around I can think of, and it's less than ideal.
You can install Google Chrome on the TV from the Play Store's web interface (not the store within Android TV). From there you can access "youtube.com/tv", which has the older interface that allows the use of codes to pair a TV with your phone. Not ideal, but a solution nonetheless.
I haven't been required to enter a code for YT since I ditched Roku..?
I've never heard of this "TV code" that you speak of. What's it for? Sounds like a workaround for those hacked together Android boxes.
With the Android TV operating system, you have Google Cast built in, so any device on the same network as your Mi Box should be able to cast content to your TV. You don't really need to "pair" anything, it should just work.