With the development of the Internet and the connection of televisions to the World Wide Web, we have entered a new era when your Apple iPhone (iPod/iPad) or Google Android smartphone can be used as a remote control. Using your phone, you can select the channel you want to watch, adjust the volume and use the more convenient smartphone keyboard to navigate the Internet.
In this guide, we'll help you get the hang of it.

Controlling your TV using your smartphone

Before we talk about how you can control a modern Smart TV using a smartphone, it’s worth answering the question, why is this necessary? One of the reasons is that the mobile phone has become one of the essential items that is always at hand. And, more importantly, the ability to use the phone's keyboard to navigate the Internet, including typing when searching for movies on YouTube, Netflix and other Internet services, as well as media sources on the home network.

Not all TVs support remote control via smartphones, but more and more recent models are getting this capability, and even some Blu-Ray players. If you have a mid-range or higher-end TV from 2010, there's a good chance it will support this feature. If you bought a TV this year, your chances increase significantly. To find out exactly, look at the capabilities of your specific TV model on the manufacturer’s website. Currently, the following manufacturers integrate the function of controlling the TV from a smartphone:
Samsung
LG
Sony
Panasonic
Philips

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Step-by-step installation wizard guide

1. Home network
First of all, you need a wireless home network so that your smartphone and TV can communicate through it. If you don't have a wireless router, you can purchase one from your local computer hardware store. Preferably with support for the fast "N" option for the Wi-Fi wireless standard.
2. Connect the TV to the network
Now you need to connect your TV to your home network either through a wireless connection or cable.

Cable connection
If you plan to connect your TV via cable, installation is simplified. You just need to plug the cable into the Ethernet sockets and you're done.
Wireless Wi-Fi interface,
Wi-Fi will require you to go through an installation procedure. Few TVs yet come with integrated Wi-Fi, so you may need a USB-connected Wi-Fi module from your TV manufacturer. After this, you need to go through the network setup menu. First, step-by-step installation in the TV menu and then select the previously installed home wireless network. Then enter your login password and you should be all set to go.

3. Download the management application
Now you need to download the Remote App for your Apple or Android smartphone. The application you select depends on your TV, see the table below for application names and links.
4. Pairing TV and phone
Before using your smartphone for control, you must pair it with the TV. Open the app and follow the onscreen instructions. Sometimes you will also have to go to the TV menu and enable the remote control option there.
5. Use it

Now you're ready to control your TV from Apple's Android or iOS smartphones.

In our modern age, many people ask this question - how can you control a TV from a tablet, and how can this be useful? This is convenient, since you don’t need to look for a small control panel, which every now and then gets lost among the little things. However, this control option is not suitable for all manufacturers and models. For example, if you need to connect a TV of some more outdated brand, then your attempts are unlikely to be successful. However, with models from LG, Samsung or Sony, this option will be quite successful. Of course, only SMART TVs are suitable for these purposes.

The principle of operation is, for the most part, simple. Using a Wi-Fi signal, communication is carried out between the conventional tablet and the selected TV. With the help of a special program that needs to be installed on your Tablet PC, you will be able to use all the desired functions. By the way, there are quite a lot of programs that can replace the standard remote control and expand its functionality, and their functionality varies significantly. But let's take a closer look at each connection step.

Connecting TV to tablet

First, you need to install a specific application on your device. Again, it is important to make sure that your device can communicate with the TV. Suitable for Samsung TV Samsung Smart View. By the way, you can use it to display the image from the TV itself to your device, and use the screen of your laptop PC as a monitor.

Suitable for LG TV Remote, with which you can perform absolutely any task, from simply switching channels to something really complex, for example, connecting additional channels or setting up TV remotely. The ability to flexibly customize sound, video quality, and user-friendly design are the main advantages of this program. You can also watch a TV program directly from a special application. By the way, gadgets and other LG brand devices are more likely to connect. Application LG TV Remote can be installed for free on the Play Market.

The ideal option for Sony is Sony TV SideView. The main advantages of this application are that with its help you can turn your tablet or smartphone not just into a channel switch, but into a full-fledged control panel, with all the settings, recommended channels and much more. You can create your own personal playlist from channels, and also set up a notification system that will notify the user about the start of a particular program. In general, an incredibly practical and powerful thing. By the way, it can be purchased for free on Google Play.

Network configuration

Next, you need to configure both devices so that they are connected to the same network, preferably Wi-Fi. Without Wi-Fi, it will be difficult to establish a full working connection. Having created and configured the network on both devices correctly, you can easily use the tablet in place of a standard remote control. However, something may go wrong for you. This could be either a disabled UPnP protocol or an active firewall, which blocks data transfer between both devices. To solve the problem with disabled UPnP, you need to configure your Wi-Fi router. It is ideal to have this operation carried out by your internet service provider as they will resolve the issue quickly and accurately.

TV Control Applications

Excellent application options will be programs from manufacturers of popular brands. For example, for LG it will be TV Remote, the description of which is given above. But what about other device brands? For example, TV Remote 2 is suitable for the Panasonic brand. In its second, improved version, you can create your own lists and display a picture from the TV on the tablet screen. You can also take a collection of screenshots of the channels you watch most often, as well as completely customize your TV directly from the gadget. You can customize absolutely everything, from channel numbering to color rendering both on the TV itself and on the second screen, that is, the tablet.

Philips MyRemote And Toshiba Remote suitable for manufacturers such as Philips and Toshiba, respectively. There are no particular differences between them; even the design of these three programs is similar. Functionality, in principle, too. The whole point of these applications is that with their help you can easily change channels from a distance without using a remote control, add channels to your favorites, or watch a TV show on another device (tablet or smartphone). In general, all of these applications are uniquely suited to their brand. In addition, they are universal for smart TVs of their brand, that is, they are suitable almost always. However, if you have a gadget from some Chinese manufacturer, and its brand is not so well known, then there may be problems installing the application on this device.

Sharp AQUOS Remote Lite is a program that will help you control TVs of the famous Sharp brand from your device. Although this brand has few “smart” models, all of them are compatible with the application. The good news is that you don’t need to configure it specifically for each model separately. The application is available for free in the Google Play store.

TVs that can be controlled from a gadget

The most popular manufacturer of the Smart line is, of course, Samsung Smart TV. The list of its functions includes not only the ability to control from a tablet, but also full access to the Internet, watching any desired films from online cinemas, visiting social networks, and much more. Of course, when you control it from your tablet, you'll have all of these features at your fingertips, but before you can use them all, some will need to be configured. Smart TV itself from Samsung is a very popular model among all manufacturers, so its cost is quite high.

Sony releases its line of “smart” TVs, the name of which is Bravia. They also have their own special application, which is capable of using about 80% of all the functions that are in the TV itself, including its own special ones. For example, for Bravia it is possible to record a particular segment from a television program on your device in AVI, MP4 formats. Most Bravia models, although they do not reach the global level of “smart” TVs, however, constant updates and the possibility of Android television are bringing them closer to this mark at a rapid speed. Full synchronization between two devices makes it possible to watch a TV program entirely simultaneously, without the slightest delay.

LG Smart TV very similar to the same line, however, from Samsung. The design is similar, the features are similar, but overall they provide a slightly different range of capabilities. The Android application, which was intended for remote control, is more functional than the Korean version.

Summarize

Controlling TVs via a tablet using Wi-Fi or even via infrared is a great opportunity to use all the capabilities of your smart TV. In addition, now you will not need to argue with your loved ones about who will watch what. Using your gadget, you will watch exactly what you want. Ease of operation, a lot of additional functions - these are all the advantages of this control method.

As Android devices develop, more and more useful programs appear in the Play Market. One of these is an application for remote control of a TV. Using such a program, you can completely replace a regular remote control with your Android. In this case, control options will not be limited to just switching channels or adjusting the volume. To use your device as a TV remote control, you must have an infrared port on your Android. Or the TV must be able to connect to Wi-Fi. But first things first.

Remote TV universal (Download)

This is a completely free remote control for Android to control almost any brand of TV.

To use this application, your device must be on the same Wi-Fi network as the TV. To synchronize devices, you will need to enter a message into the program that will appear on the TV screen. Thanks to wireless network operation, control You can watch TV even while in another room.

Of the minuses, we note that the application does not know how to turn on the TV. Those. To use the application, you first need to turn on the TV using the original remote control, and only then you can switch channels using Android.

TV remote control (Download)

Quite an advanced application for controlling your TV. Absolutely free, downloaded more than 10 million times, average rating - 4.4 points out of 5 possible.

Advantages of the application:

1. Clear and simple controls. Easy synchronization with TV. Training mode and many tips.
2. The main advantage of the application is its support for more than 200,000 TV models. This list is constantly growing, it is quite difficult to find a device that is not on this list.

Super TV Remote Control (Download)

This application will turn any phone or tablet based on Android OS into a full-fledged remote control. Supports more than 90% of all known TVs. Can work via Wifi network. It features minimal latency when exchanging data between devices. The program is provided free of charge and has no paid functions. Recently, the rating has suffered greatly due to the huge amount of intrusive advertising. Although this does not prevent the application from having more than 5 million users.

Universal remote control Galaxy (Download)

This remote control was developed by Moletag. It has many non-standard features that you will not find in other Android applications. You will have to pay about 220 rubles to use the program, but it is worth it.

The main advantages of the Galaxy remote:

1. Ability to control a large number of devices: projectors, air conditioners, DVD players, etc.
2. The adaptive interface will allow you to configure any TV functions to the desired buttons.
3. Huge number of supported devices. Even if your device was not found in the list of supported ones, the program will independently select similar devices and try to synchronize using their settings.
4. Works on most Androids, with OS versions older than 4.0.

Dear readers! If you have any questions or comments on the topic of the article, please leave them below.

You don't have to use the remote to change channels. Today, smartphones perform this function. Developers have adapted mobile devices so that they can be used to control the TV. For this they have prepared various mobile applications. In addition to changing channels, you can now also stream video from your smartphone screen and visit web pages via TV.

Thanks to modern technologies, people's lives are becoming more comfortable. This also affected television. The developers are trying to make the technology as easy to use as possible. But controlling your TV over Wi-Fi still requires something.

In order not to search for the remote control every day, you can replace it with a smartphone. For easy control, you will need the mobile device itself, an appropriate application and a TV with the ability to connect to the Internet. With these three components in place, many problems will not arise. Smartphones are not uncommon now, as is the ability to download the desired program. As for Smart TVs, they stopped being a novelty several years ago.

Note! An important component for TV control will be a Wi-Fi connection. It is built into the TV, so connecting it will not be difficult. As soon as the desired application is installed on your smartphone and the wireless connection is turned on on the TV, you can proceed to the instructions on how to control the TV from your phone via Wi-Fi.

Benefits of mobile control

Many users are so accustomed to using remote control that they are not aware of the capabilities of modern technologies or for some reason are afraid of them. But they are created precisely to make life easier and more comfortable. The main advantages of controlling a TV via a smartphone:

• unlike the remote control, which is constantly lost, the phone is always at hand;
• through a mobile device you can not only change the volume, but also broadcast video to the big screen;
• in the search it is much easier to enter information from a smartphone or tablet;
• The stationary remote control often breaks down, the keys get stuck and stop working.

Note! Having assessed all the advantages, the conclusion suggests itself that using a phone to control TV is much more convenient. The user will need very little time to adapt to the changes.

Smartphone connection algorithm

Before using your mobile device as a TV remote control, you need to make sure you have the right application. It can be downloaded from Goggle Play for the Android operating system or AppStore for iPhone.

Then you can proceed to connecting your TV to a wireless network. This is done through the device settings. The algorithm of actions may differ depending on the TV model. The last step is to connect the TV to the phone.

Important! If your TV does not have Wi-Fi, you can use an infrared port or an IR Blaster. This will also allow you to control the TV using the remote control on your smartphone.

Selecting an application to control your TV

There are many unofficial universal utilities. The most popular is TV Remote Control. Along with it comes instructions on how to connect and control the TV via Wi-Fi. But there are other, no worse, applications:

• Easy Universal TV Remote;
• Onezap Remote.

Most of them are universal and work on different TV models. But many TV manufacturers often develop their own official applications. They can be found on the company's website.

Note! Each application has its own interface. It often happens that for some it is convenient, while for others it is not. Therefore, the user has the opportunity to download the program, work with it and, if it is not satisfactory, delete it and download another one.

TV Control Applications

Popular TV manufacturers have developed their own applications. For the user, this option will be much more convenient and functional, since the programs listed above contain advertising or charge a fee. Official versions of the software exclude such options.

LG

LG TV is controlled from your phone (Android, Wi-Fi) using the TV Side View program. After installing it, the application independently finds the TV within range and makes a connection. The interface itself is dark, reminiscent of a regular remote control.

Samsung

For Samsung, the developers have prepared the SmartView utility. It only works with models from this company, so it cannot be used on LG or Sony. The software simplifies the management of not only the TV, but also other Samsung equipment.

Note! Despite the fact that this model is very popular, you can find many negative reviews about the software’s performance on the Internet. Some argue that the program is often buggy and needs improvement.

Sony

The Sony Video and TV SideView utility was developed for this company. The application allows you to add several devices at once and switch between them. The connection process goes quite quickly, and the system itself will tell you how to do it.

Note! You can work with the Sony Video and TV SideView utility on both Android and iOS

Philips

The official application for Philips is MyRemote. It is available for all operating systems and allows you not only to control the volume or channels, but also to go to the TV settings.

Connecting a smartphone to a TV

It will take a few minutes to connect your mobile device to the TV; you just need to follow the instructions. Application developers have made this part easier by telling the user what to do and how to do it.

To control Smart TV from a smartphone via Wi-Fi, you should:

1. Make sure both devices are connected to the same router.
2. Open the application on the smartphone that will be used as a remote control.
3. Follow the instructions that are displayed in the program.
4. End connection.

Note! Once connected, Android smartphones provide the user with an additional set of functions. So, you can view multimedia files, photos and videos, as well as listen to music on the TV that is connected to the phone.

How to control an old TV from a tablet or smartphone

You can connect your mobile phone to Smart TV not only via Wi-Fi. This is true for older TVs that do not have a wireless connection. In addition, a tablet is also suitable for such purposes.

Xiaomi has taken care of owners of old TVs. Using their systems, the user gains access to control an air conditioner or projector. This list also includes old TVs that are not equipped with built-in Wi-Fi. Thanks to them, the user was able to have a TV remote control via the phone without Wi-Fi, but via an infrared port. All you need to do is download the required application and connect everything.

Note! To connect your phone to the TV you will need a few minutes and the device itself. Now you don't have to look for the remote control to change the channel or change the volume. All these functions are perfectly performed by a regular smartphone, which is always at hand.

This method of TV control is not only more convenient, but also provides the user with many additional functions.

A modern smartphone can be used not only for calls, SMS or communication on social media. networks and endless games. Did you know that any modern Android smartphone can be turned into a TV remote control?

You and I live in a time when we have a telephone in our hands much more often than a TV remote control, even among the adult generation. So why not turn your smartphone or tablet into a TV remote control, which will also allow you to put your main remote control away in the deepest drawer of your dresser. And the number of control panels located on the sofa will decrease by at least one.

Android smartphones, which can be called a complete alternative to television remote controls, are divided into two categories: those that use an infrared port (IR), and those that use a small device - Chromecast to control the TV.

You can also install a special application on your smartphone to control your TV, if the latter has a LAN port or Wi-Fi.

Now we will look at both of these options.

Smartphone with built-in IR port

Unfortunately, IR ports in Android devices are on the verge of extinction. In the last 12 months alone, a number of flagship smartphone models have appeared on the market, but only a few are equipped with an infrared port.

For example, the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge still supported an infrared port, but the next flagships S7 and S7 Edge no longer supported it. The HTC One M10 and Samsung Galaxy Note 5 also had IR ports consigned to the dustbin of history. But their Chinese counterparts do not disappoint with their devices. Xiaomi Mi5, Meizu Pro 6, Huawei P9 and others contain an IR port.

Smartphones that come with an IR blaster usually have an add-on in the operating system or a separate application that comes with the smartphone to control the IR blaster. But the functionality of such solutions leaves much to be desired. Therefore, if your smartphone has an infrared port, then I advise you to pay attention to the third option - install a third-party application.

Here's a quick look at three of the best IR apps for Android.

Third party apps for infrared

1.Smart IR Remote

Smart IR Remote supports nearly 900,000 different devices, making it the most widely used IR control app on the market.

In theory, the Smart IR Remote will work with any IR-compatible device in your home, so its usefulness goes beyond the limitations of just a TV remote. Using this application and a smartphone with an infrared port, you can also easily control household air conditioners, ceiling fans, Hi-Fi receivers and speaker systems, as well as digital SLR cameras.

Smart IR Remote

The app also works with a huge range of Wi-Fi devices, such as Sonos wireless speakers, Philips wireless lamps and Amazon Fire TV boxes.

The Logitech Harmony Smart Control universal remote comes with a hub that connects to any TV or TV receiver. There is also a smartphone application that interacts with the hub. Those. in fact, even if you don’t need a universal remote control, the application on your smartphone is very useful. From the application you can control channels, volume, modes and everything else.

Logitech Harmony Smart Control

According to Logitech, the device works with more than 270,000 devices, and the database is constantly growing. So you don't have to worry about wasted money. The remote control and hub will work for at least several years, or even more, without any problems with new gadgets and TVs equipped with IR.

3. Roku TV and Google Chromecast vs Apple TV: the agony of choice

Roku TV, Google Chromecast and Apple TV are a line of digital media players aimed primarily at watching streaming content.

Each of these multimedia devices is popular for its audience. It is impossible to single out a clear leader; each player has its own advantages and disadvantages. Thus, Apple TV is not able to provide access to Android users. And Roku TV and Google Chromecast will not be able to use the library on iTunes.

With each of these multimedia players you can watch TV programs on your TV in high quality. A bonus is the ability to control the set-top box from a smartphone with an infrared port to configure it and switch channels, control the volume and other functions of the remote control.

The cost of Apple TV is 99 $ or 6,500 rubles. on Yandex.Market.

Roku TV starts at $80 for the HD version on the official website.

The cost of Google Chromecast starts from 3890 rubles. for the version without a hard drive on Yandex.Market.

These simple methods are available to every owner of a smartphone with an IR port who wants to control a TV, air conditioner and other household appliances equipped with an IR receiver. If you are really tired of having several remote controls in your house or apartment that you can’t find when you need them, then turn your Android smartphone into a universal remote control for all these devices.