best App for remote controlsEach of the more or less tech devices in your home supports the use of a dedicated remote control through which you can remotely manage the related functions. The thing is very useful, on this there is no rain, but the fact of where to look for the right remote every time and especially to have to see them always scattered everywhere is not a joy. Precisely for these reasons, I have therefore decided to propose this my article dedicated to the app for remote controls .

Probably you were not aware of it but you should know that by downloading special applications on your smartphone (or your tablet) you can turn it into a digital all-rounder remote control through which you can change channels on the TV, adjust the stereo volume, the temperature of conditioning and so on and so forth. So … just an app to “rule them all”. Of applications of this type there are several, free and paid, compatible with Android and / or iOS and all sufficiently simple to use.

So if you think you can be interested in the thing, I suggest you take a few minutes of free time all for yourself, to make yourself comfortable, to grab your phone and focus on reading this tutorial. I am sure that in the end you will be able to tell you very happy and satisfied with what you have learned and that even in case of need you will be ready to provide useful tips about all your friends. Let it bet?

SURE (Android / iOS)

The first of the remotes apps I want to recommend is  SURE , it’s free and available for both  Android and iOS . It uses both infrared and Wi-Fi technology to turn the smartphone into a remote control and control televisions and spoil other tar devices such as terrestrial and satellite digital decoders and air conditioners. It’s simple enough to use and also has a well-designed interface. In short, try it now and you’ll see that you will not regret it!

To use it, download, install and launch the application on your smartphone, press the button to add the device attached to the main screen of the industry and indicates, according to what you have, if you want to check the reference device using the receiver infrared ( IR Device ) or if the device is connected via a wireless network ( WIFi Device ).

Then presses the button for the correct category attached to the screen you see appear, select the brand of your device from those listed and complete the setup by following the simple on-screen instructions.

You will then find yourself in front of the SURE screen through which you can finally manage your device with all the various virtual buttons. For example, in the case of TV you can go back and forth between the channels using the appropriate buttons on the right, you can adjust the volume, set the mute, access the TV settings, etc.

If you are interested in making customizations to the functions of the virtual remote control, step on the Menu button  located at the top right of the app screen and choose the item Settings from the menu you see appear. From the same menu you can also move the various buttons available in the desired position, you can delete the association with the current arrangement, you can rename it and you can view any info related to it.

Peel Smart Remote (Android / iOS)

Another nice application belonging to the category that in my humble opinion you should try is  Peel Smart Remote . It allows remote management of TV, decoder, DVD player and Blu-ray, Roku, Apple TV, sound systems and appliances. It automatically scans the network for devices to be controlled and is very easy to use. It’s also free and is available for both Android  and iOS

 

Do you wonder how to use it? I’ll explain it to you immediately. To begin with, download, install and launch the app on your smartphone and then wait a few moments so that the device you want to check with Peel Smart Remote is detected automatically and use the on-screen buttons to immediately start controlling it from a distance. For example, in the case of the TV you can press the arrows  on the CH button to go back and forth between the various TV stations or you can press on the button with the keypad that is at the bottom and tap on the individual numbers that correspond to the various channels.

In the upper part of the app’s screen, instead, you find the Menu button through which you can adjust the current remote control, the settings of Peel Smart Remote and possibly add other devices to control, while tapping on the arrow symbol that is in top left you can immediately return to the main application screen.

AnyMote (Android / iOS)

Did not the app for remote controls I mentioned to you particularly impress you? Then try to immediately take a look at AnyMote , I’m sure it will satisfy you fully. It is an application usable on both Android and iOS that allows you to manage unlimited set top-boxes, DVD players, air conditioners, amplifiers and various other appliances, including TV, also offering the possibility of combining various remote controls with each other, all in a simple way and mediate a very pleasant user interface. The download is free (but offers in-app purchases to unlock some additional features).

To use it, download, install and start the application on your device and then step on the I agree button that is at the bottom and wait a few moments for the app to identify any devices compatible with the infrared transmitter of the device. If your smartphone does not have one, you will be asked to look for devices to be controlled via Wi-Fi or using the AnyMote Home receiver.

If the device you wish to control is not detected automatically by the application, add it manually by searching the available list, pressing the Add device manualbutton at the bottom and then entering the required info.

Once the device is added, you can control it using the remote control that will be offered to you on the screen as well as using the original controller. You will then find all the buttons useful for the management of the reference device (eg the volume controls in the case of the TV, those to play and stop the music in the case of speakers, those to put Play and Pause in the case of DVD players etc. .).

By pressing the button with the three horizontal lines at the  top left you can then access the options of the app and add additional devices to manage, switch from one device to another, select a different theme and manage the options of AnyMote.

IR Universal TV Remote (Android)

In an article dedicated to what are the best app for remote controls it seems right to talk to you also about IR Universal TV Remote . It is a resource available only for Android devices that, unlike what the name implies, allows you to control not only the TV from the smartphone but also many other more or less tech devices such as air conditioners, fans, lights and so on. It has a nice user interface, it’s simple enough to set up, it’s free (but it’s available in a paid version with even more features) and it’s based on IR technology.

Do you wonder how to use it? I’ll explain it to you right away. For starters download, install and start the app on your device and then wait for IR Universal TV Remote to automatically identify the device to be controlled by infrared and if this does not happen or if your smartphone or the reference device does not support this technology presses the button with the three horizontal lines  that is at the top left and select the item Create a Remote from the menu that appears.

Then stop on the icon in the middle of the screen and choose the category to which the device you want to control ( Televisions , Cable Box , DVD Player, etc.), indicate the reference brand and then click on the Choose button  . You will then find yourself in front of the remote control of the device you wanted to control with all the functions and buttons below.

If you want, you can make any changes and customize it as you prefer by pressing the button (…) at the top right and choosing which buttons to make visible and which not, if and which notifications enable and so on. The button with the three horizontal lines at the top left instead allows you to switch from one remote control to another and to add new ones after tap on the appropriate voice.

Finally, I point out the possibility of adding a widget to the home screen of your Android device through which you can use your remote controls without having to start the application from time to time. Comodo, do not you think?

Other app for remote controls

The remote control apps I’ve already talked about have not satisfied you and are looking for alternative resources? Then try to give a look below. I have prepared for you a further list of resources that may be useful for the purpose in question. I sincerely hope you can find an instrument that suits your needs.

  • the remote control / ZaZa Remote ( Android / iOS ) – Simple in the interface but at the same time well maintained, this app allows you to manage air conditioners, TVs, projectors, fans, cameras and various other types of infrared appliances from smartphones. It works without the Internet. You download for free.
  • Unified Remote ( Android / iOS ) – Excellent and widely appreciated application that allows you to turn your phone into a remote control to control the PC or Mac from a distance. You can download for free (but may be available in a paid variant with additional features).
  • Unified TV ( Android ) – Variant of the above app designed specifically to manage TV, console, set-top boxes and various other devices using infrared technology. It costs 0.99 euros.
  • Universal TV Remote Control ( Android ) – As can easily be guessed from the name itself, it is a specifically conceived tool for managing the TV from a smartphone. It also allows you to manage any set-top boxes connected to the TV (eg Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku etc.). You download for free.
  • IR Universal Remote Control ( Android ) – Another application belonging to the category in question capable of transforming the Android smartphone into a practical control center for numerous home appliances and tech devices. The interface is a bit spartan but it works very well. You download for free.
  • Roco  ( iOS ) – “Gettonata” application for the management of smart TV Samsung and LG from mobile. It has a very pleasant and well-maintained user interface and allows you to customize the various buttons available on the virtual remote control. It costs 4.49 euros.
  • Remote control for Mac ( iOS ) – From the name you understand immediately, it is an app for iOS device capable of turning iPhone and iPad into a remote control for the Mac. It also allows you to use the device as a keyboard and / or trackpad. You can download for free (but it is eventually available in a paid variant with further functions and commands).
  • myTifi  ( iOS ) – Very good app that allows you to manage Samsung smart TVs directly from the iDevice screen. It is highly customizable, has a nice interface and is very popular. You download for free.