The remote control is, perhaps, the thing that is often lost in the apartment. But why is it needed if a smartphone is perfect for these purposes? Yes, you can lose it too, but you can easily call your smartphone and find it. And why do you need two devices if one can replace them? So let's move on to turning your Android smartphone into a TV remote control.
How to turn an Android smartphone into a TV remote control? Now we'll tell you!
Applications from TV manufacturers
Most TV manufacturers have dedicated companion apps for their smart TVs. These apps usually have everything you need to turn your smartphone into a full-fledged remote control. The app connects to your TV via Wi-Fi. These types of programs allow you to change the channel or adjust the volume, launch applications on the TV, and so on. Almost all smart TVs from Samsung, LG and Sony have similar programs. So just visit the manufacturer's website or take a look at the user manual.
Causes of failure
The technician can identify the problem in a few minutes, but he will use special tools and equipment. Ordinary users may not have such knowledge and skills, so they are forced to turn to specialists for help. But you shouldn’t make hasty conclusions and immediately run to the nearest workshop in panic. The reason for the failure may be so trivial that to restore the device you will need to perform a few simple steps.
The most common causes of remote control failure include the following:
- Low batteries. It is recommended to replace the batteries or check the functionality of the old ones. Using a voltmeter or tester, you need to measure the power source. The minimum indicator should be at 1.3 V.
- Different signal frequency. You need to pair it with your TV receiver. If the device is used simultaneously for several electronic devices, you need to make a separate connection for each.
- Some buttons may not work. The cause is usually dirt or moisture, but sometimes it is due to mechanical damage resulting from a fall or impact.
- When you press one of the keys, the command of the other is executed.
- The malfunction lies in the operation of the TV itself.
If the user spills liquid on the device, it is recommended to disassemble it and clean it. Water becomes a short circuit catalyst, and when it settles under the rubber components, it forms a sticky consistency. The sticky layer on the contacts must be removed with a soft cloth soaked in alcohol, or use a cotton swab for this purpose.
Google Home - Solution from the search giant
If there is no such application, then Google Home will come to your aid. This is definitely one of the best remote control apps. Its main function is to control devices that support Google Home and Google Chromecast. This means you will need something like this. However, most modern TVs have some sort of “built-in” Chromecast, which is usually written in the instructions. As a last resort, you can experimentally check whether you have a built-in Chromecast or not. Otherwise everything is quite simple. All you have to do is connect your TV and smartphone to the same network, select a show, movie, song, picture or whatever on your phone, and “send” it to the TV.
Download: Google Home
But what if Google Home doesn't work properly? In this case, you should not despair, but, alas, you cannot do without additional expenses. We will need a device called an IR blaster (or IR emitter) for a smartphone. Fortunately, on the famous Chinese resource such “blasters” cost about 100 rubles. So, we can say that for the price of a set of batteries you can turn your smartphone into a full-fledged remote control. But you still need to know how to handle this emitter. And here third-party programs come to our aid.
iPhone as a TV remote, or how to control your TV from your iPhone
Table of contents
Introduction.
Technological progress reaches all spheres of life and everyday life at lightning speed, and today “smart” systems in the office and at home no longer surprise us. Using our devices and special programs and equipment, we can remotely turn on and off the lights, start a washing machine or multicooker, and control the TV.
We will discuss the last point in today’s article in more detail: how exactly our iPhone can work as a television remote control, what TV models it can control, what additionally is needed for this and how the process works. Let's talk about everything in order!
TV models that can be controlled from iPhone
So, if you want to complement the functions of your iPhone and use it also as a TV remote control, you need to make sure that your TV can support this option and has the necessary characteristics. Almost all of us today at home or in the office have modern, flat TVs, with high picture quality and color reproduction - not tube ones, like in childhood or grandma. But not all of them are so-called Smart TVs - televisions with their own wi-fi module, which is used to interact with smartphones and tablets. This is the main condition necessary to transfer the remote control functions to your iPhone. The second necessary condition is that the TV must have the Wake-On-LAN function, which allows you to turn it on from your smartphone. There are no clear opinions regarding this function - positive or negative. To some, it seems rather useless and dubious, since not everyone watches TV often these days. Others emphasize that the option can be useful if the remote control is lost or its batteries are low. Thus, connection requirements include the following:
- Your TV is modern (not older than 2010-2011)
- The TV is equipped with a Wi-Fi module and the Wake-On-LAN function
- A special application is installed on the iPhone
Important: before installing a special application and setting up controls, you must make sure that the TV is connected to the Internet - via a wireless connection or via cable. This is necessary for subsequent synchronization of the TV with the iPhone. If the condition is successfully met, we can proceed directly to the applications.
What apps are there to control TV?
The choice of application that we need to download to the iPhone from the AppStore will mainly depend on the model of your TV. We present a small list of TVs compatible with iPhones from popular manufacturers, and links to free applications:
- Samsung. TVs equipped with All Share technology. Application - Samsung Remote for iOS.
- Philips. TVs that support Net TV, application - “Philips TVRemote”
- Sony. TVs equipped with Wi-Fi, “Smart Tv Remote for Sony” application
- Panasonic. TVs with Vierra Connect function, Panasonic TV Remote 2 application.
- LG. Smart TVs, application - “LG TV Remote”
The process of using an iPhone as a remote control: instructions
Method 1 . If we haven’t downloaded a special application for your iPhone model, but just want to synchronize the TV with the iPhone and display the entire screen of the device on the TV screen:
- Connect your iPhone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network
Figure 1. Smart TV and iPhone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
On the TV, in the “Applications” section, you need to download AirPlay.
Figure 2. Download AirPlay on TV
On the main screen of the iPhone, pull up the lower curtain, the lower menu comes out - there we press the “Screen repeat” function. After that, everything that we have on the iPhone screen is displayed on the TV. You can select any video from the website or YouTube and watch it on TV.
Figure 3. Select “Screen repeat”
Figure 4. iPhone screen duplicated on TV
Method 2 . If we downloaded one of the applications listed in the last chapter from the AppStore, then the process is extremely simple - follow the instructions of the application.
Launch the application on the iPhone and follow the initial instructions. Often, apps for synchronizing TV and iPhone require you to enter a code that is displayed on the TV screen (you need to enter it on your iPhone).
Method 3. If we want to broadcast videos from YouTube on iPhone through a special YouTube application on TV:
- Let's make sure that the iPhone and TV are connected to a common Wi-Fi network.
- Select a video to watch. At the top right above the video we find the TV icon
- Click on the icon. Now you can select our TV (if there are several devices for broadcasting video, a list will appear). Click, select our TV - and the broadcast from iPhone to TV starts
Figure 6. Select your TV from the list for broadcasting
In addition to the methods listed above, you can connect your iPhone to your TV using an HDMI cable or USB cable. To do this, you need to insert one connector through the lightening on the iPhone, the second into the port on the back or side of the TV (depending on the model). After this, you need to go to TV settings and select an HDMI cable or USB cable as the main signal source.
conclusions
We hope that after reading the article you have no doubts about connecting your iPhone to a TV. Modern smart TVs offer a wide range of functions and convenient applications, thanks to which even an inexperienced user can “turn” an iPhone into a TV remote control. You can also synchronize your device with TV and see the screen of your phone on the TV, playing back everything you need - videos or photos. All that remains is to check the connection and download applications on TV and iPhone, and the setup process happens in no time.
Enjoy watching!
Previous
ArticlesHow to connect the Internet on a computer via iPhone via USB?
Next
ArticlesHow to add sound to video on iPhone?
AnyMote - Everything is in your hands
AnyMote is one of the best TV remote control apps. It boasts support for more than 900,000 devices, the list of which is regularly updated. As you understand, AnyMote is suitable not only for TV. The program has support for SLR cameras, air conditioners and almost any equipment that has an infrared sensor. The program itself is simple and convenient. There are even dedicated buttons for Netflix and Hulu services.
Download: AnyMote
Why does the TV receiver not respond to the remote control module?
To find the reason why your Philips TV does not respond to the remote control, it is recommended to follow these steps:
- The first step is to check whether the TV itself responds to the button command. You can do a reset by unplugging all wires and accessories such as antenna cable, HDMI cable, CI+ module.
- Next, unplug the power cable from the socket and leave the TV turned off for a few minutes; the LED indicator should go off.
- After connecting the power plug, you should try to start the receiver using the remote control module.
- Change batteries. Batteries have their own service life; discharged cells will need to be replaced with new ones.
If the TV does not start, the cause of the problem lies in the remote control itself. If the receiver turns on, you need to reconnect all cables and accessories. It is better to check each external device, it may cause the plasma panel not to respond to signals from the remote control module.
The functionality of the remote control can be checked using one simple test. You will need a smartphone equipped with a digital camera. The human eye is not able to recognize infrared radiation, but a mobile phone with its camera turned on will notice it. This recommendation is not suitable for owners of an iPhone or iPad, since these gadgets are equipped with a special infrared filter. You need to do the following:
- Having activated the camera of the mobile device, point the indicator light of the remote control module at its lens;
- Press any button on the remote control, for example, the channel switching key.
The LED on the TV receiver that lights up will tell you that the remote control is working properly. If the LED does not respond, the remote control must be repaired or replaced.
SURE Universal Smart TV Remote – Universal Soldier
It is also one of the best TV remote control apps. Like Anymote, it also supports other devices. However, among the additional features it is worth noting the ability to “send” photos to the TV via WiFi. How often do you lose your TV remote control? Write about it in our Telegram chat.
Download: SURE Universal Smart TV Remote
Do-it-yourself device repair
Experienced users can independently determine the malfunction of the remote control module and, if the problem is minor, carry out repairs. Armed with a thin lancet, you need to open the lid around the entire perimeter. The upper part, together with the keyboard, can be easily separated; under it there will be a board with buttons. The keys are made of plastic, and on the inside they are covered with thin metal.
The contact group is separated from the board; this must be done carefully. The operating condition of the buttons is checked using a tester. Two contactors will need to simultaneously press the desired button. If a short circuit occurs, the device will begin to play a sound signal, and its absence will indicate a malfunction of the buttons.
The problem of wear of the metal coating can be solved independently. For repairs, it is recommended to use a special conductive silver-based adhesive. A little adhesive is applied to the tip of a toothpick, after which the inside of the keys is painted over. After the glue has dried, the tester should show satisfactory results. Next, reassembly is performed, the contacts are aligned in their places with the board, and the case is snapped in place around the entire perimeter. You can check the operating status of the remote control module using the camera on your phone.
Twinone Universal Remote - Convenience comes first
Twinone Universal Remote is perhaps one of the easiest programs to learn. At the same time, there are also quite flexible settings within the program itself. Moreover, the interface and the location of the buttons here can be changed according to your wishes. There is even support for some fairly "ancient" devices. The only bad news is the advertising. It's very strange to see ads on the remote control when you want to switch ads on TV. Moreover, Twinone does not provide a way to get rid of it. There is no paid version. Strange decision. But working with old TVs and fine-tuning can still be captivating.
Download: Twinone Universal Remote
Universal Applications
You can control any TV from your Android phone using other utilities. It is quite possible that branded programs are not suitable for certain criteria. In this case, you can use the universal option. Let's highlight a few of the most popular.
TV Remote
The most popular utility, free, with a lot of positive reviews and numerous advantages:
- comfortable interface;
- instant synchronization;
- ensure work even with very old TV models.
The program works not only through WiFi, but also through an IR sensor. The downside is annoying advertising.
Smart IR remote
Attracts users with a user-friendly interface and constant updates. The application developers are improving their product, making it more functional and effective. An undoubted advantage is the huge base of supported devices.
