In fact, many apps are available on the Android app store, which is the Google Play Store, which do the remote control function. With that, we can call TVs, change channels, turn up the air conditioning temperature, change songs on the DVD player and much more. But which are the best remote control apps?
To help you understand more about the best remote control apps, I prepared today's article on the subject. Interested in finding out more? So follow with me right now!
What are the best remote control apps?
my remote
The first application it is the Mi Remote, which, in fact, was developed by Xiaomi. It is compatible with any device and allows you to control televisions from the main manufacturers such as Samsung, Sony or LG.
You can also control air conditioning, Blu-Ray players or projectors. Simply put, anything that has an infrared sensor is likely to be controlled with the Mi Remote.
If your phone doesn't have an infrared sensor, you can always use it to control Mi TV, set-top boxes, and any smart TV that supports standard protocols via WiFi. It has over 10 million downloads, a 4.1-star score, and not a single ad.
universal tv remote
While it doesn't have the nicest design, this app has 10 million downloads under its belt and a score higher than four stars.
It's as simple as choosing your template from the available list and waiting for it to load the commands. One thing to point out is that it has vibration feedback, which will help you know if you're pressing the key well or not, but you can turn it off if you don't like it.
tax plus
Something similar to the above happens with IRplus. It doesn't have the best-designed interface, but its options are very varied.
It has many compatible templates and the developer is constantly adding more. In fact, if you can't find yours, it asks you to submit the model so it can deploy it to the database.
SURE Universal Remote
SURE has a pretty nice interface and, of course, it's compatible with all the devices you want, from televisions to air conditioners.
In addition, it allows you to stream mobile content to smart TVs. It's completely free, and although it has a premium version, it's not required for basic use.
AnyMote Universal Remote
Another very popular remote control app on Google Play is AnyMote Universal Remote. It has over 10 million downloads and a four-star score based on 48,000 reviews.
It's compatible with cameras, DVD players, televisions and any device you have at home. Furthermore, it allows you to create macros to simplify the options and rearrange the buttons.
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Before deciding, check these points.
- Does the system already do that?. Android and iOS both come with built-in flashlight, recorder, document scanner, meter, and QR code reader. It's worth checking before installing yet another app.
- Billing model. Check if it's free with ads, a one-time payment, or a subscription. Subscriptions for simple tasks rarely make sense.
- Update frequency. An app that hasn't been updated in over a year is likely to break with the next system version.
- It works offline. Many of these utilities don't require internet access. If an app requires a connection for a local task, you should be suspicious.
What these apps don't do
Every category has a limit, and knowing this one's limit saves time and money by avoiding those who promise more than what's available.
- Apps that promise impossible functions are often advertising platforms, and some request permissions they shouldn't.
- No app actually increases battery capacity — what you can do is reduce consumption by turning off features.
- They are not a substitute for professional equipment. Cell phone sensors are for estimation, not for technically precise measurements.
- Features that rely on missing hardware won't work via software. Without the sensor, no application can solve the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Doesn't the cell phone already do that automatically?
It often does. Flashlight, recorder, document scanning, ruler, and QR code reader are native features in recent versions.
How do I know if an app is trustworthy?
Look at the developer, number of reviews, date of last update, and permissions requested. Those four together say a lot.
Are these apps safe?
Check the permissions and the number of reviews. Any utility that requests access to contacts, messages, or accessibility without a clear reason should be avoided.
Do I have to pay to use it?
In most utilities, no. The free version with ads works fine, and the paid version is for removing ads.
Does it work without internet?
Those that process locally, yes. Those that rely on a server require a connection and send their data externally.
How to truly take advantage of it.
- Check what the app asks for during installation. Compare the permissions with what it actually does. It's the quickest test of trustworthiness.
- Check if it works offline. If the task is local but still requires a connection, your data is being sent to a server.
- Try the free version before you pay. Check if the feature you want is outside the free plan—it usually is.
- Review your consumption after one week. In the settings, view battery and data usage by app and restrict any that are high.
Common mistakes that are costly
- Ignore the fact that the free version limits exports or applies a watermark.
- Choosing based on average rating without reading recent negative reviews.
- Believing in a feature that the device's hardware does not support.
- Installing multiple applications that do the same thing, all running in the background.
Before installing: what's already on the device
It's worth opening the search in your phone's settings before installing: Android and iPhone already have several built-in functions, and the native app usually consumes less battery and doesn't ask for any permissions beyond what's necessary.
Two control families that only have the name in common.
When the same app works on your neighbor's phone but not yours, the explanation is almost always hardware, not configuration. There are two different technologies under the label "remote control," and they are not interchangeable.
The first is infrared control. It's the same principle as the plastic remote that came in the TV box: an invisible light flashes in a code, and the device's sensor reads this flash. For the cell phone to do this, it needs to have a built-in physical infrared emitter.
The second is network control. Here, the cell phone doesn't emit any light: it sends a command via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to a device that is also connected. This works for connected TVs, streaming boxes, video game consoles, smart light bulbs, and smart plugs.
No app installs hardware. If the phone doesn't have an infrared emitter, there's no app, paid version, or configuration trick that will make the device emit one. This is the reason for so many angry reviews of apps that work perfectly for other people.
How to know if your cell phone has an infrared emitter.
Most cell phones sold today don't include this component. It was common in some lines for a few years and then fell off the manufacturers' priority list. Three ways to check:
- Technical specifications of the exact model. Look for "infrared," "IR blaster," or "IR emitter" in the specifications of your specific model, not the entire family of devices. It's common for one version of the device to have it and another not.
- Look at the top edge. The transmitter appears as a small, dark window, almost always at the top of the device, near the secondary microphone.
- Check if a factory app came pre-installed. Manufacturers that include the component usually deliver the control application pre-installed. Its presence is a good sign; its absence proves nothing on its own.
What to do when the device is missing the component
The first is an infrared adapter that plugs into the phone's USB-C port. It's a small device that requires a compatible app to transform the unit into a transmitter. The limitation is operational: the adapter hangs from the device and needs to be nearby when in use.
The second one usually performs better in everyday use. It's a smart home transmitter, a standalone device that plugs into an outlet and connects to Wi-Fi. The cell phone sends the command over the network to this device, and it reproduces the infrared signal in the room.
Controlling via the network: manufacturer, HDMI, and the difference between mirroring and streaming.
When the TV is connected to the same network as the cell phone, the most direct way is through the device manufacturer's own app. It communicates using a proprietary protocol, usually includes an on-screen keyboard for typing searches, and doesn't rely on aiming.
HDMI-CEC is another underutilized but useful feature. It allows devices connected via HDMI cable to send commands to each other, so turning on the streaming box will automatically turn on the TV and switch inputs. The name varies depending on the brand, and sometimes it comes disabled by default in the settings menu.
It's worth distinguishing three functions that are constantly confused:
- Control It involves sending button commands, such as volume, channel, and menu navigation.
- Mirror It's like mirroring your phone screen on the TV, including everything that appears on it.
- Transmit It's about sending the video address to the TV to retrieve it automatically, freeing up your phone for other things.
Physical boundaries that generate complaints
Infrared is light. It depends on line of sight, has a short range, and does not pass through walls, cabinet doors, or furniture. Outside the correct angle, the device's sensor does not receive the command.
Air conditioners almost always fall into this category. Besides the targeting system, the protocol is different from that of a TV: the remote sends the complete status of the unit with each touch, including temperature, mode, and speed, making compatibility more sensitive to the exact model.
This explains why the application asks for the make and model, and why sometimes it's necessary to test several codes until one works. Each manufacturer uses its own command table, and even a single manufacturer has changed the table over the years.
With network control, the problem is different: latency. The command goes from the cell phone, passes through the router, and reaches the device, which generates a noticeable delay compared to physical control.
And there is an obvious limitation that causes a lot of confusion: a TV disconnected from the network, or unplugged from the power outlet, will not receive commands from the app. Only infrared can turn on a device that is in standby mode, because the sensor remains powered.
Permissions that don't work with a remote control.
A control app needs very little. For infrared, it requires access to the transmitter. For network, it requires finding devices on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Requests for access to contacts, SMS messages, call logs, or microphone are not functional in this type of application. The exception is voice command, which justifies the microphone and should be optional.
It's also worth checking location permissions. In Android versions, this is required by the system to search for devices via Bluetooth or read Wi-Fi network information, which is legitimate. Outside of this context, it indicates data collection unrelated to the app's function.
