A program for a smartphone to switch the TV. Universal IR remote control from a smartphone. We control the TV using infrared radiation

Setting up the remote control via your phone is easy. We have selected for you several simple applications for controlling home appliances via IR port"

Today, with the help of even the most ordinary smartphone, you can perform dozens of tasks for which ten years ago you needed a separate device. It no longer even occurs to anyone to talk about a mobile device as a replacement for an audio and video player, a digital camera, or a portable game console, since these functions naturally transferred to smartphones and became part of everyday life.

In a short time, new features will be added to this ever-expanding natural arsenal of smartphones. For example, today, to pay for purchases in supermarkets, you just need to bring an Android smartphone with a built-in NFC chip to the terminal, or increasingly, automakers are equipping their new models with the ability to remotely control from a smartphone, albeit for now only to start the engine or drive the car from the parking lot to driver, but this is just the beginning. Therefore, a remote control via a phone is unlikely to surprise anyone.

So IR port control in our lives becomes not only a reasonable, but also an absolutely natural choice. After all, sometimes, sitting comfortably on the sofa with a phone, you may want, for example, if you don’t check the contents of the refrigerator without getting out from under a cozy blanket, then at least turn on the TV and watch your favorite show after a long working day, without searching all the surroundings in search of an unknown remote control.

The capabilities of Android today allow use almost any phone as a TV remote control. To connect, you can use different interfaces, the most common being an infrared port or a Bluetooth module. Let's look at how to set up a remote control on an Android phone using various paid and free applications. Smart TVs usually also support Wi-Fi connectivity, and many major manufacturers release their own Android remote apps with advanced features, such as LG TV Remote, Samsung Smart View, Video & TV SideView: Remote from Sony.

To set up a remote control via your phone to control different TV models, there are many paid and free universal programs, the most popular of which we will consider.

How to set up a remote control via your phone: TOP applications

TV remote control

To use, you need to install the remote control on your phone, after which three modes will be available:

  • control via infrared port;
  • advanced mode;
  • universal mode.

The program interface is quite simple and intuitive. The application is compatible with most models of modern and old TVs, so it can be used both for older models that support IR port control, and for new smart TVs.

To control the device's IR port, you need to have a corresponding module in your smartphone; other modes work via Wi-Fi, then the program can connect to the TV on your home network automatically.

TV Remote Control

A program that allows you to use your phone as a TV remote control. The application does not have a Russian-language version, but understanding the simple interface and how to configure the remote control via your phone will not be difficult anyway. You just need to select the operating mode (infrared port or Wi-Fi connection) and the TV model. You can install the remote control on your phone for free, but in this case you will have to come to terms with the fact that it sometimes displays advertising on the control screen.

The program supports standard TV switch functions: power control, volume adjustment, number keys and channel switching.

The application is compatible with TVs from Panasonic, Samsung, LG, Sharp, Akai, JVC and other manufacturers.

Galaxy universal remote control

A paid program that allows you to control your equipment through the infrared module of your smartphone. Using this application, you can set up a remote control via your phone for a TV, receiver or tuner, audio system, media players, air conditioner, projector, digital camera, game console and other types of equipment.

Among the main functions of the program:

  • creating bookmarks for individual devices and saving settings;
  • control of the IR port for several devices using the universal customizable remote control function, where, for example, you can set the channel switching button from the TV, and the volume setting from the audio system;
  • the ability to customize the appearance of the remote control (choice of color, button size, and much more);
  • absence of annoying advertising and banners;
  • saving a sequence of actions (for example, turning on several devices by pressing one button);
  • backing up program data and restoring it on another smartphone;
  • using widgets to control devices directly from the main phone screen.

Easy Universal TV Remote

Another simple application that allows you to use your Android tablet or phone as a TV remote control. The program is similar in functionality, differing mainly in the interface; the ability to turn on/off the TV, adjust the volume, change channels, etc. is available.

To configure the remote control via your phone, you just need to select the connection type from the three available and the TV model; declared support for most brands of TVs: Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic and others.

SURE Universal Remote

Simple IR port control for household and digital appliances. It uses an infrared port and WiFi to control Smart TVs and media players, and play media content from a smartphone to Smart TV.

Using the application, you can configure a “device system” for which one configured “remote control” will be used, so that they turn on and off by pressing one button.

Almost any smartphone can be used as a remote control, even if it doesn't have an IR sensor. To do this, you need to purchase such a sensor (for pennies) or make it yourself (even cheaper).

The sensor is an audio jack to which diodes are soldered that emit waves in the infrared range. It can be purchased ready-made on AliExpress for 50-60 rubles or made from several components. The sensor is sold from various sellers (for example, this one), and for self-assembly you will need the following parts:

Two IR diodes
- Audio cable with jack or separately 3.5 mm jack
- Electrical tape or hot glue
- Heat-shrink tubing
- Tools (knife, wire cutters, soldering iron with solder and lighter or hair dryer)

Connect the anode (long leg) of one diode to the cathode (short leg) of the second diode and vice versa - cathode to anode. Solder one connection to the left channel (red wire), and the second to the right channel (wire in white or other color insulation). The common contact (“ground”) is not used. Insulate the contacts with electrical tape or hot glue so that there is no short circuit. Heat the heat shrink tube with a hairdryer or lighter and use it to secure the diodes so that they do not fall off.

Download and install the ZaZaRemote application. Insert the IR sensor you assembled into the audio jack of your smartphone and launch ZaZaRemote. This application will use the audio output and will send electrical signals to it, which will be converted into IR waves of the desired frequency. Configure the application so that through it you can control devices in your home (TV, stereo system, fan, DVD player, air conditioner, etc.)

Keep in mind that this sensor will not work on all smartphones. Some devices use their own audio signal technology, which prevents the diodes from operating at the desired frequency.

Modern TV models have more and more useful and user-friendly features. One of them is to control the TV from a mobile phone instead of a regular TV remote control.

Different manufacturers implement this function differently, so in this article we will only talk about how to use a mobile phone as a remote control for an LG TV.

First, you should make sure that your TV supports this feature, since most older TVs do not have it. We will not consider the option of switching channels through the phone’s infrared port, because most modern smartphones do not have it. We will look at using official applications from TV manufacturers, specifically the application for LG TVs.

In order for this function to work, your TV must at least have access to the Internet, via cable or Wi-Fi. Also, your TV and phone must be connected to the same home network (that is, to the same router in your home).

So, in order to connect your phone as a remote control to your TV, follow these steps.

Download the application to your smartphone

First of all, you need to download an application to control your TV using your smartphone. Download the LG TV Remote app. The application is free and has a version for both (click on the name of your phone's operating system to go to the Apple Store or Google Play).

It’s worth adding here that if you have a TV 2011 release, then you need to download another application - LG TV Remote 2011. If your TV 2014 or newer - find and download the app LG TV Remote-webOS.

Launch the application and turn on the TV

The second step is to turn on the TV and make sure that it is connected to the same network as your mobile phone (or tablet). Launch the application on your phone and click on the button "Device Scan" to search for nearby TVs.

Choose your TV

As a result of the search, all found TVs connected to your home network will be shown on the mobile phone screen. Select the one you need by clicking on its name.

Enter the code into the application

After selecting the desired TV, a message with a 6-digit code will appear on its screen, which must be entered into the application on your mobile phone to confirm rights.

After successfully entering the code, the devices will be paired and you will be able to use all the main functions of your TV from your phone.

And if you still don’t have a modern TV with Internet access and other Wi-Fi, maybe it’s time to buy one, because now they are quite inexpensive, for example, here - notus.com.ua/Televizory. Every year TVs are becoming smarter and more convenient, and in order to use all the modern features, we now have to replace them with new ones much more often than before.

Despite the novelty of televisions, to control them you constantly need a remote control, which tends to get lost. With the introduction of the latest modern technologies into television devices, there is an opportunity to replace the remote control with a smartphone without losing the necessary functionality.

This option is gaining more and more popularity, because phones with the necessary control application reinstalled are a more convenient option than a mechanical remote control. That is why many are interested in the question of how to make this possible in order to improve and simplify the way to control the TV from the phone, broadcasts and, in general, all television.

Principle of operation

Nothing complicated or unusual is noticed when using the smartphone as a remote control. However, this is available on TVs that support a Wi-Fi connection, because that's where all the work happens. The list of necessary components to control a television device from your phone is as follows:

  1. The first thing a television user needs is a mobile phone that runs on the Android or iOS operating system. Practice shows that having the latest update is not so important, because this function is also available on smartphones with an older version. The difference in response speed and ease of control under these conditions is not noticeable.
  2. The second necessary condition for using the phone as a remote control is the presence of a home wireless network. It is needed for all devices, thanks to which connection and synchronization occurs.
  3. A prerequisite is an application through which the entire management process takes place. This can be either specific to the brand of TV (for example, Samsung Smart View, LG TV Remote, Toshiba Remote and others), or for the satellite television used (for example, an application from Tricolor TV, using which you can control broadcasts). You can download them from the official Google Play or AppStore stores. Usually, they are free, quickly downloaded and installed, and are available to everyone.

Compliance with all three conditions ensures that you have everything you need to use your smartphone as a remote control for a television device. You should pay attention to the fact that it is best to control it only with official applications from TV developers, and not with third-party alternative versions. This way you can not only protect yourself, but also improve the process of controlling the virtual remote control for your TV. Thus, the TV remote control on a modern phone works better and faster.

An alternative method is to connect using a special MHL cable, which must be connected through the microUSB port to the phone and the HDMI port to the television device. This option is suitable for those who cannot or do not want to use a wireless connection through their home Wi-Fi network. This both simplifies and complicates controlling the TV, because distance is not taken into account at this point.

Setting up and advantages of this method

The entire setup process takes place on a smartphone or tablet in the application itself. Due to the wide variety of TV provided and individual applications for them, you need to watch separately for each. The only and most important condition for this is the presence of a single home Wi-Fi network so that the two devices can be successfully synchronized. This happens thanks to the Wi-Fi Direct feature.

Among the advantages, it is worth highlighting that this option is much more convenient and practical, because It’s almost impossible to lose your phone at home. Moreover, each application has its own individual functionality and pleasant design, making use from a smartphone better and more convenient.

This method is gaining more and more popularity because amateurs are located in every part of the region, and there are more and more television devices that support Wi-Fi wireless network connections. There is a possibility that smartphones will be able to completely replace the traditional way of using television in the near future, because TV developers have already begun to pay attention to this possibility.

I hope you understand that you won’t be able to control the old Soviet pot-bellied TV ala “Beryozka”. You can control TVs that support control via an infrared port, as well as Smart TVs equipped with WiFi.

Controlling your TV from your tablet via infrared

Almost any TV controlled with a remote control has a built-in infrared receiver. In this case, the remote control serves as an infrared signal transmitter. If your tablet has an infrared port, then the TV can receive commands from it; you just need to program the tablet to be able to control devices via the infrared port. To do this, just install and launch a special application. The easiest way is for those who have software on their tablet for controlling devices via an IR sensor built in from the factory. For example, Samsung installs a proprietary Smart Remote application on some of its tablets. However, it is not necessary to have a Samsung tablet. If your device has an IR sensor, download the proprietary application from the Smart TV manufacturer. If there are none, you can use the universal application: Galaxy Universal Remote (installed on any tablet, not necessarily Galaxy). The app is paid, but it's worth it. The version “cured” of greed is located.

Connection:

  1. Download, launch the application, turn on the infrared port on the tablet;
  2. We search and select the device type in the tabs, in this case “TVs”;
  3. Select the TV manufacturer from the list;
  4. We connect to the found equipment.

Control your TV (Smart TV) from your tablet via WiFi

It is logical to assume that not everyone owns a tablet with an infrared port. But every tablet has WiFi. In order to control your Smart TV via Wi-Fi, several conditions must be met:

  1. Wi-Fi must be turned on on both devices;
  2. Both devices must be on the same WiFi network (for this you will need a WiFi router);
  3. You need to download a special application onto your tablet and use it to search for devices and establish a connection to Smart TV.

As for the application, this, again, can be proprietary software from the manufacturer of a smart TV, or from a third-party developer. Try some of the best free applications for controlling SMART TV, if one doesn’t work, try another:

  • Remote Control for TV is a simple application with basic functionality - increase/decrease volume, change channel.
  • Smartphone Remote Control - the operating principle is the same.
  • Universal Remote TV differs only in a more convenient location of the controls.
  • Remote Control Pro - has a minimalist interface.

All you need to do after downloading and installing the application is to go into it, select the item responsible for searching for new equipment, and then connect to the found TV. If you cannot automatically find the equipment, the Remote Control for TV application allows you to manually enter the IP address of your TV. From now on, your tablet is a full-fledged remote control for your TV.