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How to turn your smartphone into a remote control
It may be that your remote control no longer works or you simply want transform your smartphone into a remote control so you don't have so many devices on your coffee table.
Do not worry, it is possible to switch your Smartphone to remote control mode and we will show you how to do it in this article.
We will first discuss how to use the third-party applications available on the Play Store.
Then, we will focus on the big box providers like Orange, Free, SFR or Bouygues which sometimes offer their own applications on the Smartphone.
Finally, we will discuss the case of the Google application 'Android TV Remote Control' specific to Android TV, usable on your Smartphone.
All of this assumes you have a working infrared sensor and transmitter on your Smartphone, except for the Android TV method using Wi-Fi.
Applications to switch your smartphone into a remote control
Many applications allow you to switch your Smartphone to a TV remote control. Please note, as operators like Free may not have put an infrared sensor on their box, most of these applications may not work with the Freebox. We refer you to the second paragraph of this article to switch your Smartphone into a Freebox remote control. For other normal boxes and televisions, your Smartphone can do the trick very well.
You just have to type 'TV remote control' on the Play Store of your Smartphone and you will see a large selection of apps appearing. Take a good look at user comments to sort through these applications.
In particular, an application like 'Peel Smart Remote' allows you to use the infrared of your Smartphone to navigate between the channels of your television.
Once such an application has been downloaded, all you have to do is open it, choose your country and your TV provider. Let yourself be guided through the menu to transform your smartphone into a TV remote control. Usually, we recommend that you restart your TV so that it accepts the new remote control.
Do not use two remote controls at the same time as this may interfere with the proper functioning of your Smartphone as a remote control.
Also, do not move your Smartphone too far from your TV to keep an optimal signal. In case of difficulty, do not hesitate to ask an expert or a friend who knows about it for more information.
Finally, some brands of televisions or older televisions may not accept your Smartphone as a remote control.
The best way to find out is to test your Smartphone as a remote control.
Free, Orange, Bouygues, SFR or other operators working with your Smartphone as a remote control
Some operators like Free may not have an infrared receiver on their box. In this case, the best is to go through the Wi-Fi to remotely control your TV by your Smartphone.
You just have to find the application dedicated to your operator in the Play Store of your Smartphone by entering the name of your operator then 'TV remote control'. You will then come across a choice of applications allowing you to switch your Smartphone into a TV remote control for your box. Do not hesitate to take only the best rated and those whose comments seem good to you.
Use Android TV Remote Control to turn your smartphone into a remote control
A flagship application for turn your smartphone into a remote control is to use the 'Android TV Remote Control' application. This option is only available on a limited number of TVs however, as you need Android TV on your TV. If you don't have Android TV installed on your TV, we recommend that you skip to the next chapters of this article.
Normally not installed on your Smartphone, you should be able to get Android TV Remote Control easily and free from the Play Store by typing this name in the search bar.
Once installed, all you have to do is open this application and check that the Android TV and your Smartphone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open the application on your Smartphone and you should see 'Android TV' appear. To associate your telephone and your television set, you just have to enter the code which appears on the latter.
Here you have a remote control for your Android TV via your Smartphone!
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