How to Use Your Android as a TV Remote

Jamie Read more June 23, 2021

There are a lot of ways an Android smartphone makes our lives easier. One of the more unlikely ways is by acting as a remote control for your TV. If your phone has an IR blaster or infrared capability then it is quite simple to use your Android smartphone as a TV remote. Even if your phone doesn’t have infrared, you can still control your TV. Here’s how.

There are three ways you can use your Android smartphone as a TV remote. One, you download and install an app from the TV manufacturer. Two, download a universal app or three, use your Wi-Fi network to connect everything together in a combination effect.

Most larger manufacturers support smartphone control including Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic and Philips. More will likely follow. If your TV was manufactured after, there should be a compatible app out there. Most, if not all, smart TVs will work with either an IR capable phone or one paired with it over a Wi-Fi network. It’s just a case of setting it all up.

Use Your Android Smartphone as a TV Remote

Many TV manufacturers have released apps that let you control the TV from your phone. Visit the Google Play Store and you will see dozens of manufacturer and third-party apps that let you do just that.

Navigate to the Google Play Store on your Android smartphone.
Then, find a TV control app by the manufacturer of your TV.
Now, download and install it.
Configure the app with the TV.

Most mainstream manufacturers have apps on the Google Play Store. If you cannot find one for your TV, you could always use a third party app.

Again, navigate to the Google Play Store on your Android smartphone.
Next, find a remote control app that is fully compatible with your model of TV.
Download and install the app.
Configure the app with the TV.

Some of these third-party apps even allow you to control your TV using voice commands. How cool is that?

Finally, if your phone doesn’t have infrared capability, you can configure it to use Wi-Fi instead. This will obviously only work for smart TVs connected to the same network though.

Navigate to the Google Play Store on your Android smartphone.
Find a Wi-Fi control app by the manufacturer of your TV.
Download and install.
Pair the phone and the TV using the app. Usually the app will contain a wizard that will run when you first open the app.

Troubleshooting

If you’re having issues using the app as a remote with your TV, you’ll want to check a few things before calling it quits.

Make sure nothing is obstructing the IR sender or receiver on your phone and TV.
If using a Wi-Fi based app, ensure your phone and TV are on the same network.
Try restarting the application if you’re getting no response from your input.

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There is of course a lot of fun to be had being able to control your TV from your phone but it also has practical applications. You no longer need to worry if your parents/brother/sister/other half won’t share the remote or if you lose it. You can still get your viewing in and as long as you have your phone, you have control.

Share your thoughts on controlling your TV with an Android smartphone below.