You Can Turn Your Android Phone Into A Universal Remote. Here’s How – SlashGear

If you’re using a smart TV or streaming media player, you’re in luck. Roku, Fire TV, and Google/Android TV all have official, ready-to-use apps for controlling playback and more. Even brand-specific TV OSes like LG’s webOS and Samsung’s Tizen have apps on the Google Play Store.

If you don’t own a smart TV or streaming box, all hope is not lost. While IR blasters (infrared lights that control TVs just like a standard remote) were built into some Android devices in the past, nowadays it’s very uncommon. The good news is there are aftermarket IR blasters you can buy to replicate this functionality. 

The smallest ones connect via a 3.5mm headphone jack (if you still have one of those) or USB-C, but there are external ones made by companies like BroadLink and SwitchBot that are controllable via Wi-Fi, too. These are placed somewhere with a clear view of your TV’s IR sensor and flash IR patterns based on your input in the device’s app. They have a built-in library of thousands of devices, meaning you only need to tell it what kind of TV, Blu-Ray player, or soundbar you have and it will do the rest. Best of all, they’re typically under $50 on Amazon and support Alexa and Google Assistant.