Help TV Remote App That Does not Use IR Blaster

[Lana30]

Hi Friends,
Does anyone know of any TV remote apps that work without IR Blaster? Thanks in advance!

 

[Hadron]

Without at least an IR emitter how is the phone going to send the instructions to the TV?

 

[wpcprez]

this can work if the TV is a smart TV and has the functionality to control via APP. I know some LG TV's do it but not that many can do it.

 

[lunatic59]

There are some apps that will control the TV through the provider's network like xFinity or FiOS, but those are proprietary to the network, not the TV (I think they work by controlling the converter box, but I'm not sure.)

Or, you can purchase a gizmo that works via WiFi and with a little infrared emitter that then controls your TV, but that's a lot of trouble for using a phone or tablet as a remote. I've tried a few because my Sammy tabs have the ir blaster and i always seem to go back to the regular remote.

 

[lunatic59]

I don't think there's any of the apps for this, as you need an infrared sensor which no android device haves.

There are plenty of IR Remote apps in the play store. Most specify the phone needs an ir blaster, but there are a good deal of them and some even have the ability to learn codes.

 

[Slug]

I don't think there's any of the apps for this

I beg to differ. Sony's TV Sideview allows me to remotely control my Bravia TV over my LAN, exactly replicating the functions of the supplied IR remote. It also works with selected LG TVs.

 

[Gmac1958]

If you're trying to use a universal remote app for a DVD player and you don't have IR BLASTER, if the DVD player has a HDMI port, you can connect the HMDI cable to your tv and control the DVD player with the tv's remote.

 

[mikedt]

Hi Friends,
Does anyone know of any TV remote apps that work without IR Blaster? Thanks in advance!

You might be able do it with WiFi or internet. If your TV has a remote control app from the manufacturer, that you can install on your phone or tablet.

Fortunately my phone has an IR blaster.

 

[Fox Mulder]

Old thread.
There were never many phones with an IR blaster, my S5 did have one and it was great. Samsung should have kept it as a flagship feature but they dropped it after the S5. I'm not aware of any current phones that have one, at least not any from the major brands.
It is possible to get an add-on blaster that plugs into the USB port, they're cheap but may require a specific app from the vendor to work.
The majority of TV's need IR for remote control.

 

[lunatic59]

I've had phones and tablets with IR blasters, but I could never find an app that worked as reliably as a $15 universal remote from Target.