You can reuse an old Android phone to control a compatible smart TV or streaming device with its official app over Wi-Fi. For older equipment that uses infrared, the phone must have a built-in IR emitter and a compatible remote app. Neither method works with every device, so check your phone and TV or streamer models before you start.
Choose the control method that fits your equipment
First identify the device you want to control and the controls you need. Wi-Fi apps are for supported smart TVs and streamers; infrared (IR) is for equipment that accepts IR commands and requires an IR emitter in the phone.
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- Smart TV or streamer: Check whether its maker supports a phone remote app and whether the phone and device can share a Wi-Fi network.
- Older, non-smart equipment: Check the phone’s exact model for a built-in IR emitter before installing an IR remote app.
- Specific controls: Confirm that the chosen setup supports what you need, such as power, volume, input switching, text entry, or playback. Support can differ by device and app.
These are separate routes, not a way to make one phone a universal controller for every television or device.
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Set up the phone for an Android TV
- Connect the phone and Android TV to the same Wi-Fi network. Google notes that this is required for Wi-Fi control in its Android TV remote setup instructions.
- Open the Google TV app on the phone and select the TV connection or remote control option.
- Choose the Android TV you want to control.
- Enter the pairing code shown on the TV to complete setup.
If pairing does not work, confirm both devices are on the same network, restart the TV, and try pairing again.
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Control a Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer
Google documents phone-app remote control through either Google Home or Google TV for Chromecast with Google TV and Google TV Streamer. With Google TV, select the nearby device, enter the code displayed on the TV, and pair. Google’s instructions also describe using the virtual remote to navigate apps, control playback, enter text, and access virtual buttons for settings, bookmarks, and inputs.
This guidance is specific to those named devices; it does not establish app-remote support for every Chromecast generation.
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Use SmartThings with a compatible Samsung TV or projector
Samsung’s documented phone-control route for compatible Samsung TVs and projectors is the SmartThings app. Samsung says the app can provide controls such as volume, launching apps, and switching inputs. Check Samsung’s SmartThings TV and projector guidance for device setup and compatibility. This is a Samsung-specific option, not a general remote app for any television.
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Check for infrared before trying an IR remote app
An IR remote app can send commands only if the phone has IR-transmitting hardware. Android’s ConsumerIrManager API includes hasIrEmitter() to check for an emitter, and the Android platform identifies the hardware through the Consumer IR device feature. See the ConsumerIrManager API reference.
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Check the specifications for your exact phone model as well. If it lacks an IR emitter, installing an app does not add one. Compatibility of external IR dongles depends on the phone, accessory, and app; confirm support with their manufacturers rather than assuming a dongle will work.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When neither route works
If the device is not supported by a phone app and the phone lacks IR hardware, the documented methods here will not control it. Check the TV or streamer maker’s support information for your exact model and its available remote options. If an app connects but lacks a control you need, verify that the maker supports that function for your particular device and app.
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