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.
Smartphone Remote Control
- Category : Tools
- Developer : SydneyApps
- Version: 2.2.8.09.18.2014
- Price : Free – Google Play
Smartphone Remote Control is a good universal remote control that is designed for TVs with Smart TV function. The operation of this application is almost identical to the previous remote control. On the main screen you will find the main buttons for switching channels, controlling the volume, as well as a button for calling quick functions (3D mode, channel list, favorites and more).
Connecting the application to the TV is carried out using the infrared port or a general Wi-Fi network. Just like Remote Control for TV, this application allows you to connect to the TV by entering its IP address. The program is distributed absolutely free, so when you use it, you will observe advertising banners that appear when you are constantly connected to the Internet.
pros:
- Simple and easy to use interface;
- Two connection modes.
Minuses:
- The presence of non-disabled advertising.
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.
Galaxy universal remote control
- Category : Tools
- Developer : KaBanKa
- Version: 3.1.2
- Price : 133.90 rub. – Google Play
The Galaxy universal remote control is a good tool for controlling household appliances via infrared. Yes, this is the only application that works exclusively with equipment equipped with an infrared port. Despite this, the application supports a huge number of DVD players, various TVs, split systems and other household appliances.
The application has a fairly user-friendly interface and the ability to quickly configure. To use the program, you will need to select the type and brand of device to which you will connect. It is noteworthy that this list is updated and supplemented, and the function of saving presets allows us to combine all remote controls into one device. Also, this application is paid and does not have a light version, but the developers allow you to return all the money spent if your TV or other equipment is incompatible.
pros:
- Simple and convenient interface;
- High speed;
- Huge base of supported devices.
Minuses:
- No cons were noticed.
Buy Galaxy Universal Remote on Google Play
Bottom line.
All the applications presented in this review have little functionality and the main factor for selection will be ease of use and interface (in the case of the Galaxy Universal Remote, connection mode). It is worth noting that most of the functions that are available on smart TVs will simply not be available. In this case, it is better to use proprietary applications from the manufacturer.
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
Choosing the best remote control for your Android console: multi-review of 3 models for any task
So, you bought an Android set-top box and learned its basic capabilities. Over time, you will understand all the intricacies: set up IPTV, install advanced cinemas with voice search support, etc. As you use it, you will most likely realize that the included remote control is far from ideal. Sometimes, of course, there are exceptions, but generally, in the box with the set-top box you will find the simplest control panel, working via an infrared interface, with a minimum of useful functions.
Video version of the review
Complete remote controls for inexpensive set-top boxes are not equipped with a gyroscope, backlighting, often without voice search and work only with an IR interface, i.e. direct visibility and absence of interference are required. It would be good if it was at least something like the sample below. Although it is simple, it is quite convenient, not overloaded with unnecessary buttons and has a mouse mode (not aero) for working in the system. However, many of its capabilities will seem insufficient. Today I will talk about 3 popular and advanced models that I consider the best for their tasks.
Remote control No. 1 does not have a model name, at least I don’t know about it. This remote control can be found with some Mecool set-top boxes and, more recently, can be purchased separately. Of the remotes provided here, this is the cheapest, but it still has the most essential qualities for an ideal remote: convenience, reliability, and support for voice search. In addition, it works via bluetooth and does not require direct visibility with the device.
The remote control you now see in the photo has been in personal use for 2 years. The main advantage for me is the bluetooth connection. My set-top box is in the niche of the cabinet under the TV, below the level of the bed, and ordinary remote controls controlled by an IR transmitter simply do not work - the signal does not reach. The next point is voice search, the bluetooth connection is reliable and I simply don’t remember the moments when I would have to repeat the request.
There are a minimum of buttons on it and that’s good too! The convenient location of the volume button, system and navigation buttons allows you to control it without looking, just by touch.
The quality of the plastic is excellent. He had already suffered hundreds of falls from the sofa to the parquet, they sat on him, they kicked him (not on purpose, of course) and tormented him in every possible way with his whole family every evening in front of the TV.
Boat shape for comfortable grip.
In terms of ergonomics, everything is perfect, the remote control fits in your hand as if it were your own, you can reach any button with your thumb, without additional “handling”.
The back side is smooth, the battery compartment is opened by sliding the lid. The lid fits securely, does not loosen or fall off.
Powered by 2 mini AA batteries. If you think that bluetooth consumes a lot of energy, then it is not so. A set of the cheapest batteries lasts for about a year. If you immediately take good batteries, then it will easily work for 2-3 years.
By the way, if the bluetooth connection is interrupted for some reason, or you want to connect other devices to bluetooth, the remote control will switch to backup signal transmission via the infrared port, which it also has.
Personally, in my rating the remote control occupies one of the highest positions. I tested its reliability in practice, over 2 years - no complaints. The only thing I'm missing is a gyroscope for working in air mouse mode. But in a “select and run” scenario, this is a real top! And the price doesn’t bite...
Bluetooth remote control with voice search
Remote control No. 2 Sold in different configurations: Vontar T6 Plus version without voice search and Vontar T8 Plus version with voice search. Otherwise, they are identical and are available with a choice of English or Russian keyboard layout. This is a “universal” remote control and I recommend it to those who want to get the most functional device with all the capabilities. The device itself is not just a remote control, but 3 in 1: an air mouse, a keyboard and a touchpad.
On the reverse side there is information about the manufacturer; if you are interested in Android consoles, then the manufacturer Vontar is most likely known to you.
Included: remote control, signal receiver, charging cable and instruction manual.
From the front side, the remote control looks quite interesting and is equipped with the most useful buttons to control. In addition to the standard ones, you can find the following buttons here: volume off, page switching forward or backward, media player block (previous track, play, pause, next track). There is also a button to turn on the backlight, voice search and a button to activate the air mouse mode. In this mode, you simply move the remote control and the cursor moves around the screen. A very convenient control method that I lacked in my remote control. By the way, the power button is trainable and if CEC control or HDMI CEC does not work on your TV, then you can teach it to turn on and off 2 devices at once (set-top box and TV).
The reverse side is even more interesting: a full-fledged keyboard with Russian letters and a touchpad with multi-touch support: one tap - left click, double tap - right click, swipe with two fingers - turn the page. If you not only watch videos on your console, but also use a browser, social networks and other applications, then this will greatly facilitate the task. With such a keyboard, the console can be freely used as a mini computer for simple user tasks! By the way, the remote control also works perfectly with a classic PC running the Windows 10 operating system (air mouse, buttons, voice search).
The dimensions are a little larger than the previous remote control and it’s a little less comfortable to hold, but overall it’s very good: it’s convenient to operate, the buttons are located in the right places and everything is organized logically. Thanks to the location and shape of the buttons, you can press them without looking, understanding everything by touch.
Or maybe not by touch, because there is a backlight and it helps a lot in the dark!
But it is needed, for the most part, not for the front side, where everything is already very simple, but for the side with the keyboard. As soon as you turn the remote control with the keyboard facing you, the remote control will recognize this and automatically turn on the backlight of the part you need, turning off the backlight of the part that is not in use.
There are 7 colors available for illumination, and switching is done by simply pressing a button.
The front side is similar.
The backlight is not too bright, but sufficient for the buttons to be clearly visible. Turns on when you press any button and turns off after 20 seconds of inactivity.
For voice search, a microphone is installed at the top of the remote control (a tiny hole between the buttons). The microphone is very sensitive and if you are used to holding the remote control to your face when making a request, then this is not at all necessary here. This is to avoid “overloads” and incorrect definitions of words. The remote control recognizes your voice well if it is at a short distance from you, you don’t need to bring it to your mouth and shout the name of your favorite movie, it will hear you perfectly, even if your hand is on the sofa, and you say the name of the movie in the most ordinary, monotonous voice.
The buttons are quite large, which will be appreciated by people with large hands. They press with a distinct, but not too loud click.
Another interesting point is that the remote control is powered by a lithium battery. Opening the lid, I shed a tear when I saw the famous Chinese BL-5B. Previously, half of all Chinese devices worked on such batteries (as well as on BL-5C).
The battery case indicates a capacity of 300 mAh. It’s hard to say how long this will last, because I definitely won’t wait several months to find out. And the result greatly depends on the usage scenarios. If you actively use the backlight while chatting, it will probably go down quickly.
Micro USB is provided for recharging, i.e. there is no need to remove the battery. Charges from a regular 5V USB - for this you can use a free connector on a laptop or computer, a power bank or charging from a smartphone.
To completely turn off the power (when the remote control is not used for a long time), there is a physical on\off slider, but during daily use, of course, I do not turn it off.
Having reviewed dozens of different remote controls, I can state that this one is the most functional: a well-thought-out set of main buttons + a full-fledged keyboard on the reverse side, touchpad mode and air mouse mode, voice search and button illumination, a lithium battery instead of batteries - all these are the advantages of the model. The disadvantages include worse ergonomics due to the larger dimensions of 175 mm * 50 mm * 14 mm.
vontar T8 Plus with voice search, gyroscope and backlight
Remote control No. 3 Vontar G20 is an ideal solution if you use the set-top box mainly as a media player for playing various online content, including IPTV, cinemas and various video services. For me, it is the best of the best, so when people ask me to recommend a good remote control, I suggest it first. It has everything for comfortable control: a convenient shape, the most useful buttons, a microphone for voice control and a gyroscope for working in air mouse mode. Like the previous remote control, it operates at a 2.4 GHz radio frequency and does not require line of sight with the set-top box.
In addition to Android, the remote control works great with Windows computers, and the description says that it will work with both Linux and Mac OS.
Included with the remote control you can find a receiver and small instructions in English.
In design, it resembles the first model from the review; all the buttons are concentrated at the top.
In addition to navigation and system buttons, there is a block for the media player, an air mouse mode button and a voice search button. The location is perfect and thought out to the smallest detail.
The quality of the plastic is good: it is matte, tenacious and not easily soiled. The edges are strongly rounded, which has a positive effect on tactile sensations during use.
The boat shape makes for a more comfortable grip.
In terms of ergonomics, this is an ideal model. Your thumb can reach any button, and after just a couple of days you can control the remote control without even looking. Therefore, no backlight is needed. The microphone works under any conditions, picking up speech equally well from both close and far distances. An air mouse with good accuracy and high sensitivity to movements.
The battery compartment cover is held tightly and does not loosen.
Powered by 2 mini AA batteries.
Based on the totality of all factors, I consider this remote control to be the most successful, at least in my top it is definitely No. 1.
Vontar g20 with microphone and air mouse function
As you can see, choosing the perfect remote control for yourself is not at all difficult. I specifically chose these models, because in my opinion they completely cover various requests. Remote control No. 3 will be ideal for those who use the console as a media player and primarily value convenience; No. 2 is a multifunctional “combine” for those who use the console as a mini PC and value functionality. Well, No. 1 is good because it works without an additional receiver, using a bluetooth connection, which is much less susceptible to interference and does not interfere with WiFi at 2.4 GHz.
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
How to control any TV from your phone - universal solutions
Download Universal TV Remote Control.
Works via Wi-Fi and infrared sensor. Use older TV models.
Peculiarities:
- View multimedia files located on the phone on the TV screen;
- Voice search;
- Launching applications.
TV Remote
Features: user-friendly interface, instant synchronization with TV. Works with older TV models. Download the utility from: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tcl.tvremote.
The application works via WiFi and IR sensor.
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
How to control your TV from your phone without WiFi
An IR sensor does not provide the same mobility as a wireless connection. Control occurs at a distance of up to five meters. The range depends on the quality of the sensor on the TV and smartphone.
Phone with built-in IR port
The devices are equipped with an add-on in the OS. On some models, the developers have added software for controlling the infrared port. Let's look at how to control an old TV from a phone without WiFi. Xiaomi has proposed an interesting solution. Its products are equipped with a built-in IR port. Therefore, it became possible to control older TVs without a wireless connection. The system contains a pre-installed “MI Remote” application. Let's look at how management occurs. Open the program, then: Select the device:
Follow the prompts so that the system selects the control method. Use the device as a remote control. If the application database does not contain the model of the desired TV, use alternative software. Download it from Google Play.
SURE Universal Remote
Download the utility from: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tekoia.sure.activities. Click Add. Select connection type:
Further:
Test your work.
