Did you know that the “IR” in “IR blaster” stands for infrared? And did you know that you can use an IR blaster on Android phones? The majority of remote controls interact with home entertainment devices like DVD players, TVs, and audio receivers using infrared technology. This means that with the right app, it is possible to use your Android smartphone or tablet to control your TV and other devices.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to use an infrared (IR) blaster on your Android device. Pay attention to the instructions we’ve provided to set it up and control your TV from your smartphone.
How to check if your Android phone has an IR Blaster
First things first, you’ll want to take note of the following:
- Verify that the IR blaster hardware is already installed on your Android device.
- If the hardware isn’t already installed on your Android device, you can purchase a plug-in, adapter, or dongle.
- Check to see whether you have a pre-installed app if your Android does come with an IR blaster.
Smartphones with IR blaster
There are not many phones with IR blaster around any more. Only a handful of cell phone brands still include an IR blaster in their phones. Here is a list to guide you:
- All Xiaomi smartphones: Xiaomi 11 series, Xiaomi 12 series, Xiaomi 13 series, Xiaomi 14 series.
- Redmi Note phones: Redmi Note 13 series, Redmi Note 12 series, Redmi Note 11 series, Redmi Note 10 series.
- Unihertz phones: These include Unihertz Tank, Unihertz Titan, and Unihertz Titan Slim.
- Some OnePlus phones: OnePlus Open, OnePlus Nord 3, OnePlus 11R, and OnePlus Nord CE 3.
- Some smartphones by OPPO, Vivo and Realme also have IR blaster.
Do Samsung phones have IR blaster?
Unfortunately Samsung is missing from the list of hones with IR blaster.
Do iPhones have IR blaster?
They don’t. Apple does not include IR blaster in any of their smartphones.
How to Use an IR Blaster on Android Smartphones
The following steps will help you configure your smartphone to control your home entertainment devices using an IR blaster:
Step 1: An IR blaster needs to be present on your phone, as we’ve already stated previously. The simplest approach to check for this is to perform a web search for the specifications of your phone model (or for your phone model plus “IR blaster”) and see what results you get from your search. Nowadays, IR blasters are less common on Androids, but you may still find them on some models.
IR blasters are no longer included in current HTC and Samsung models, however, they are frequently included in more recent Huawei, Honor, and Xiaomi devices.
If you’ve kept your Android user manual, you can also refer to it.
Step 2: If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to download an app for the IR Universal Remote. Check your app drawer for a built-in remote control/IR blaster app before downloading any additional ones. Most Android devices that have an IR blaster component installed already have an app that can perform this function.
If you cannot find one, there are a ton of both free and paid apps you can employ to control your home video and audio equipment on the Google Play Store. AnyMote Universal Remote + WiFi Smart Home Control by Color and Tiger Universal TV Remote Control by CodeMatics are two well-liked and well-reviewed alternatives. Before you decide on the app that works best for you, you might need to test out a number of options.
Not all IR applications function as universal remote controls. Some are tailored to certain brands. Before installing, be sure to read the app’s description. For instance, Mi Remote is only compatible with Xiaomi phones. This is something you’ll want to verify before deciding on the app to install for this purpose.
Step 3: Next, launch the IR remote app. The app can be opened from the Play Store by tapping Open or by tapping its icon in the app drawer.
Step 4: When prompted, decide which IR blaster to use. The first time you start the app, it ought to prompt you to select your IR blaster. To choose it and/or grant the necessary access rights, adhere to the on-screen instructions.
Step 5: Choose the model that you want to control. Most apps have a built-in menu of compatible audio and video devices that you may select from. Typically, you’d have to choose the manufacturer before the model.
You might be required to input a universal code for the component, depending on the app you’re using. By searching for the model and “remote control code” online, you can locate these codes. To find your code, you could also go to a website like https://codesforuniversalremotes.com as an alternative.
An IR blaster can be used to operate TVs, DVD/Blu-Ray players, audio receivers, and many other devices.
Step 6: Your app will provide some steps for connecting it to the app when you select your model. Depending on specific apps and devices, the procedures might differ. Once the setup is complete, you should be able to operate the device using your Android.
You can add several devices to some apps. Expect the number of devices you can add to be limited if the app is free.
Step 7: To operate your target device, aim the IR blaster toward it. The IR blaster functions best when it is held properly, just like a standard remote control. The IR blaster is typically located on top of the gadget. So, when you want to operate the gadget of your choice, just tap the keys on your Android screen while pointing at the gadget.
Step 8: Finally, feel free to try out the remote’s features. Start by turning the gadget on or off by pushing the power button, and work your way up to additional controls. The app’s virtual remote control should perform the same (or comparable) functions as the actual remote control for the product.
