In times when the smartphone practically never leaves our hand, using it as a remote control can sometimes be more convenient. Especially since it offers much more possibilities than the classic remote control that just sank somewhere between the couch cushions.
A way to connect
There are two ways to turn your phone into a remote control. Latest Smart TVs communicate with your smartphone via… WiFi – All you need to do is connect both devices to your home network and install the manufacturer's or universal application on your phone. Older receivers need a phone with an infrared (IR) port. Unfortunately, smartphone manufacturers are slowly moving away from this technology – you will find it mainly in Chinese phones such as Xiaomi, Huawei or VEVO.
Why is it worth using the phone and not the remote control?
Using your phone as a remote control is not limited to just changing channels or adjusting the volume. Modern applications offer much more: we can enter text using the phone's keyboard, control Smart TV like a mouse, or send multimedia directly from the phone to the TV screen.
Applications straight from the manufacturer
Some TV manufacturers have their own control applications. For example, Samsung offers SmartThings – a great program that, in addition to the basic functions of the remote control, also allows you to send photos and videos to the TV screen. In turn, LG provides ThinQ – an advanced application that, in addition to controlling the TV, allows you to manage other devices of this brand.
If your TV doesn't have special phone software or you prefer a more universal solutiongo for standalone applications. The Sure Universal Remote works well with most TVs – it works over both Wi-Fi and infrared. Mi Remote, although originally created for Xiaomi devices, will also work with other brands. You can find many more applications of this type in the App Store and Google Play.
The configuration itself is simple. Just download the application of your choice from store (Google Play or App Store), make sure your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network, then follow the on-screen instructions. For older TVs and IR control, you will only need to select the brand and model of the receiver from the list.