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.
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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.
