Android is a versatile platform that permits OEMs to try out with new hardware concepts. If you happen to own any decently specced Android gadget, you enjoy the benefits of a lot of sensors on it. One of them is the IR blaster, which has been part of high-end phones for a long time. Generally located on the top of your smartphone, it can control a lot of your home appliances that have remote control functionality built in. Your TV forms a major part of your appliance list and if you happen to lose its remote control, you can control it effortlessly via your phone. However, you will require an IR Blaster aka TV Remote application that lets you do so. visit universal remote codes and read more about comcast remote codes
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So, coming up is a list of the best IR Blaster apps that let you control your TV or any other appliance, smartly from your phone:
Note: Your phone wants to have an IR sensor built in for the IR Blaster apps to work, obviously. You can check the availability of the sensor by going through the specification sheet of your device. You can also make sure its accessibility by looking for a small darkened piece of glass on top your device.
1. Smart IR Remote – AnyMote
If you want an app that provides you with a comprehensive control over all your home appliances, then look no further. The Smart IR Remote – AnyMote application supports 9,00,000 devices and increasing, making it significantly more than only a TV remote application. You can control your Smart TVs, simple TVs, air conditioners, streaming devices and anything that has an IR sensor. Oh, and did we say that this also works with your home WiFi network to connect to your modern smart devices. It also lets you automate a stream of functions, that is, switching on your TV will naturally switch on the set top box and your home theater system.
You can also utilize certain gestures to do particular actions, apply themes to remotes for individual pages and utilize the remote from any page through its floating remote gadget. In short, it has been loaded with features to an extent that you will never require those analogue remotes. The app is accessible in a free version but it has limited features and you should buy the full version to unlock every one of the features.
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Install: (Free) (Paid $6.99)
2. Unified TV
If you are looking for an efficient TV remote application that does not make a hole in your pocket, you will like Unified TV. With the app, you get a comparatively lesser support for different appliances and devices (80+). But, it packs in a lot of smart features built right into it. For starters, it detects nearby devices with IR sensors (or devices on same network/ WiFi) automatically, which destroys the need to search for your appliance physically. Then, you have gadgets and home screen shortcuts, which makes accessing the remote way more easier.
You are also provided with Tasker and Flic integration alongside NFC actions. At $0.99, it lacks a bit on devices supported but is a must buy if you need a functional TV remote app.
Install: (Paid $0.99)
3. SURE Universal Remote for TV
The SURE Universal Remote for TV application is one of the few free IR remote apps that does its job extremely well. The app supports over 1 million devices, which is excessive considering some paid options give lesser device support than this. You have the choice to utilize it with WiFi-control enabled smart devices with a WiFi-to-IR converter. However, the standout feature is the capability to stream content from your phone/tablet to your TV through WiFi and DLNA, which some of the paid options lack.
It additionally lets you have a custom panel with custom buttons, tailored as per your requirements. Overall, this is a worthy IR Blaster application to consider if you are searching for a free TV remote application.
Install: (Free with in-app purchases)
4. Galaxy Universal Remote
The Galaxy Universal Remote is an application that is powerful and efficient in what it claims. Like all the mentioned apps here, this also supports a lot of gadgets. What makes it special however, is that it lets you build your own personalized remote and control all your devices from a solitary screen, in a free-form layout. You can also save a sequence of actions (macro) to be executed one by one alongside the option to save your own custom IR code to a button.
There are neatly designed gadgets that save you from the effort of opening the application constantly for an action. In any case, there’s one major drawback, that is, no support for WiFi enabled smart gadgets, which makes it an IR Blaster app only. However, try this out if you are searching for a TV remote app that works proficiently.
Install: (Paid $3.99)
5. Peel Smart Remote TV Guide
Chances are, you must have heard of the Peel Smart Remote TV Guide application if you own a lead gadget from the likes of Samsung or HTC. The Peel Smart Remote TV Guide combines the practicality of an IR Blaster remote app with the benefits of a digital TV/streaming service guide. Supporting more than 4,00,000 devices, it is simple to utilize and works fairly well. Plus, the app is smart, as it constantly learns your preferences and suggests you content based on your most viewed genre. You can set up reminders for your favorite shows and personalize your TV channel listings. As a TV remote app, it really is very well built. So, why does it sit on the fifth spot in our rankings? Well, that’s because the app features advertisements that can be very irritating.
Install: (Free)
Bonus:
Native/Pre-loaded IR Remote apps
If you happen to own a smartphone with an IR sensor that runs a custom version of Android, then you may discover some native remote apps pre-loaded on your device. Generally developed by manufacturers, these have simple functions and are meant to blend with your system UI but may not give numerous features. OEMs like Xiaomi and Samsung include their own remote app, the Mi Remote (Free) and Samsung TV & Remote (Free), respectively, in their phones while additionally giving them for free in the Play Store.
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Also, some appliance brands need their own remote apps to create them work with your phone’s IR sensor. Apps like the LG TV Remote (Free) fall into this classification and will work only on an LG TV.
Control your TV from Android with the Best TV Remote Apps
So, these are some of the IR blaster or TV remote apps that work very well. These surely make it easy to use your TV without the inconvenience of a separate remote controller. If you have an IR remote app pre-installed, you can check if those apps work efficiently or not. Because if they don’t, our list features the best IR Blaster Apps you can get on Android.