Rowmote: turning your iPhone into a universal remote control. TOP working applications - TV remote controls for iPhone

The emergence of so-called “Smart” TVs with their own Wi-Fi module has brought their interaction with smartphones and tablets to a new level. Now, with the help of simple manipulations, you can configure the control of your TV from an iPad or iPhone, completely duplicating the functions of a standard remote control.

To be honest, this is a rather dubious innovation that won’t be particularly useful. The feature will be useful only as a temporary replacement - when the regular remote control breaks down, or if it is lost. There will always be some limitations, for example, most TVs cannot be turned on from a smartphone due to the lack of Wake-On-LAN function.

Connection requirements

Not every TV can be connected to a smartphone or tablet, but only those that have the appropriate functionality. If your “box” is older than 2010-2011, then you will have to abandon the idea. In addition, an important requirement is to have a special application on your smartphone. Below you can find a short list of compatible devices from well-known companies.

• Samsung - AllShare TVs and iOS Samsung Remote App
• LG – Smart TVs and LG TV Remote app
• Sony - Wi-Fi TVs and Media Remote app
• Panasonic – TVs with Vierra Connect and Vierra Remote app
• Philips – TVs with Net TV and Philips MyRemote app

All applications can be downloaded to your device through the official AppStore completely free of charge.

Synchronization process between smartphone and TV

Before you can set up control of your TV via your iPhone, you need to connect it (the TV) to the Internet via cable or wireless connection. Then you need to download the application that matches your TV model. Launch the application and follow the instructions. Most applications ask you to enter a code using the keyboard of your smartphone or tablet, which will be displayed on the TV screen.

Sometimes activating remote control requires additional settings in the menu of the TV itself, where you should check the corresponding item (by analogy, activate, “On”).

As you can see, it’s easy to set up controlling your TV via an iPhone or iPad. You just need to fork out for a modern TV model.

iPhone applications that act as a TV remote control are not uncommon in the AppStore. All TV remote control applications are available for download in the official Apple store.

Emulators of universal remote controls for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch appear in the digital App Store with enviable regularity. Third-party developers offer to instantly expand the functionality of smartphones and tablets with the iOS operating system and turn the equipment into a remote control that is always at hand, easily customizable visually, and technically copes with any task (even helps access third-party services, such as Smart TV or special streaming subscriptions).

And most importantly, delving into the parameters and options is not at all necessary: ​​at the start, just figure out the pairing (turn on the TV and press the search button), and then start experimenting. And, although in words the process looks simple and easy, in reality the main problem is related to searching for software in the App Store; among the colossal number of offers there are fewer truly working tools than we would like:

Universal remote

A tool from Yohan Teixeira that can handle Samsung, LG, SONY, Philips and even Hitachi and Panasonic, but not without limitations. The main problem is the need to configure Wi-Fi on the TV and smartphone (the same), and then start pairing.

Such a non-standard approach to organizing interaction is not accidental - all because of the lack of an infrared port on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Hence the non-standard setting, but the result is impressive.

Within 2-3 minutes you will be able to switch channels, adjust the sound, control the video stream (standard pause, “Stop” and “Play” buttons), call up menus and additional services. This way is distributed free of charge, no additional paid functionality is provided, but, as practice suggests, the developers came up with a subscription better.

Due to advertisements appearing literally at every step, it’s impossible to even figure out the settings. And if you want to switch channels without restrictions, you can immediately look for offers from competitors. Promotional videos, banners and other wonders of the advertising industry never disappear here.

AnyMote Smart Universal Remote

A remote control with a modern design (instead of trying to digitize a physical remote control, the developers from Color Tiger presented a functional menu in the form of a real player, which easily adapts to different brands of TVs and visually changes through the settings: for example, you can change the background, font, and at the same time add a non-standard clicking sound), free distribution and excellent optimization.

An additional advantage is the presence of a special section where you can easily set the TV activity parameters. No one bothers you to set the parameters of the timer or alarm clock.

The TV Remote

A novelty in the genre from a little-known developer Mattia Confalonieri. Visually, the instrument is reminiscent of the distant 90s, but such an unexpected and outdated design is offset by omnivorousness. Even with a quick search of the TV, there is every chance of finding equipment located in the next house.

The TV Remote is easy to use. The developers propose to act step by step, according to the proposed instructions (each step is described in detail and even confirmed with screenshots). And then all you have to do is press the available buttons, switch channels and configure the TV’s capabilities...

Have you ever lost your Apple TV remote? Even if not, it doesn't hurt to have a backup option in the form of your iPhone. Setting up your smartphone as a remote control is very easy; first you need to download a special application from. There are two different apps, and both are free.

Download the Apple TV Remote app

The Apple TV Remote app is designed specifically for Apple TV, making it super easy to set up.

Setting up Apple TV Remote

Turn on your Apple TV and go to the app. It should automatically detect your Apple TV. If this doesn't happen, make sure your smartphone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV.

Using the Apple TV Remote

To use the app, simply swipe the screen. To open the Apple TV app, tap the screen.

The app has a Menu button, just like the Siri remote. There are also buttons for play and pause, going to the TV app and activating Siri.

Download the iTunes Remote app

If you want more features, download the iTunes Remote app. It can control not only Apple TV, but also iTunes. You can configure the application in two different ways.

Setup via Family Sharing

If you have Family Sharing enabled, this option will be the easiest.

1) In the iTunes Remote app, click Set up Home Sharing.

2) Enter your Apple ID and password.

3) After confirmation, click OK, and then click the icon Apple TV.

Manually setting up iTunes Remote

1) In the application, click Add device.

2) On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Remote controls and devices > Remote Control app.

3) Select your smartphone from the list.

4) Enter the code that is displayed on the smartphone screen in the application.

Using iTunes Remote

To use the application, swipe the screen in the same way. To open the Apple TV app, tap the screen. There are other main buttons in the application. To quickly view all available gestures, tap the question mark.

This unusual solution is offered to owners of household appliances by the American company L5 Technology, specializing in high technology. More precisely, L5 Technology suggests throwing away all the remote controls in the house, of course, after copying the control codes from them into your iPhone. For this purpose, there is a special attachment that is inserted into a standard 30-pin connector. This is the hardware part, there is also a software part, it is called L5 Remote, you can download it from the App Store.

So, L5 Remote from the App Store is a program that allows you to receive an infrared signal from an external source, and not only remember it, but also associate it with a specific key. Thus, with a flick of the wrist, your iPhone turns into a universal remote control for your TV, and more! You can remember signals from DVD remote controls, stereo systems, air conditioners, etc.

The universal TV remote control offered by L5 Technology is even more versatile than its “iron” (or rather, plastic) counterpart. You can design it to your taste, changing the design and layout of the keys as you please. This is also very important because when the usual design gets boring, there is no need to go to the store; a universal TV remote control can be changed in a matter of minutes.

How is this possible? How can you make a universal remote control for a TV from a simple iPhone, which in general is not intended for this purpose at all? To do this, you need, firstly, to equip your already powerful phone arsenal with a receiver and transmitter of infrared signals. Well, secondly, create a program that will control the reception, storage and transmission of signals - this should be a kind of code manager.

The remote control keys can be assembled from blanks or uploaded your own. Naturally, they can be enlarged, reduced, hidden and added, given descriptions, etc. Having assembled, for example, a remote control for a TV (functions that you know you don’t need, for example, teletext, you can simply leave them on the panel!), you can proceed to training it.

To do this, you must first press the virtual key on the screen, and then on the remote control, naturally, pointing the LED towards the L5 Remote receiver. It may not work the first time, so you need to experiment with the direction and distance until “Signal Assigned” appears on the iPhone screen - this means that the signal is recognized and associated with the virtual key.

L5 Remote from L5 Technology allows you to remember signals from several remote controls for different representatives of a vast tribe of household appliances. How to switch from one software console to another? Very simple - swipe! Thus, using this universal remote control is almost no different from standard iPhone applications: L5 Remote is logical and intuitive.

The L5 Remote also has its drawbacks, but who doesn’t? This universal remote control for TV and more, unfortunately, cannot work with ultra-modern split systems, the remote controls of which have feedback. It is not clear why the device, which in principle has not only a transmitter, but also a receiver of infrared signals, does not make it possible to implement such a connection. But we hope that in the next versions of this hardware and software product, which will undoubtedly appear soon, this feature will be implemented!

With the development of the Internet and the connection of televisions to the World Wide Web, we have entered a new era when your Apple iPhone (iPod/iPad) or Google Android smartphone can be used as a remote control. Using your phone, you can select the channel you want to watch, adjust the volume and use the more convenient smartphone keyboard to navigate the Internet.
In this guide, we'll help you get the hang of it.

Controlling your TV using your smartphone

Before we talk about how you can control a modern Smart TV using a smartphone, it’s worth answering the question, why is this necessary? One of the reasons is that the mobile phone has become one of the essential items that is always at hand. And, more importantly, the ability to use the phone's keyboard to navigate the Internet, including typing when searching for movies on YouTube, Netflix and other Internet services, as well as media sources on the home network.

Not all TVs support remote control via smartphones, but more and more recent models are getting this capability, and even some Blu-Ray players. If you have a mid-range or higher-end TV from 2010, there's a good chance it will support this feature. If you bought a TV this year, your chances increase significantly. To find out exactly, look at the capabilities of your specific TV model on the manufacturer’s website. Currently, the following manufacturers integrate the function of controlling the TV from a smartphone:
Samsung
LG
Sony
Panasonic
Philips

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Step-by-step installation wizard guide

1. Home network
First of all, you need a wireless home network so that your smartphone and TV can communicate through it. If you don't have a wireless router, you can purchase one from your local computer hardware store. Preferably with support for the fast "N" option for the Wi-Fi wireless standard.
2. Connect the TV to the network
Now you need to connect your TV to your home network either through a wireless connection or cable.

Cable connection
If you plan to connect your TV via cable, installation is simplified. You just need to plug the cable into the Ethernet sockets and you're done.
Wireless Wi-Fi interface,
Wi-Fi will require you to go through an installation procedure. Few TVs yet come with integrated Wi-Fi, so you may need a USB-connected Wi-Fi module from your TV manufacturer. After this, you need to go through the network settings menu. First, step-by-step installation in the TV menu and then select the previously installed home wireless network. Then enter your login password and you should be all set to go.

3. Download the management application
Now you need to download the Remote App for your Apple or Android smartphone. The application you select depends on your TV, see the table below for application names and links.
4. Pairing TV and phone
Before using your smartphone for control, you must pair it with the TV. Open the app and follow the onscreen instructions. Sometimes you will also have to go to the TV menu and enable the remote control option there.
5. Use it

Now you're ready to control your TV from Apple's Android or iOS smartphones.