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How to Use an Old Android Phone as a Remote Without an IR Blaster

An Android phone without an IR blaster can control supported TVs and streaming devices through official apps over Wi-Fi, but it cannot send infrared commands to an IR-only TV.
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You can use an old Android phone as a remote without an IR blaster when the device you want to control supports a phone app over Wi-Fi. Google TV, Android TV, Chromecast with Google TV, Google TV Streamer and Roku are the main supported routes covered here. The phone cannot send ordinary infrared commands to an IR-only television; for that, you need a separate compatible IR control solution.

First, identify what you need to control

A phone remote app communicates with a compatible device over your local network. It does not reproduce the infrared signal from a conventional TV remote. Start by checking whether your target is a smart TV with a supported platform, or a streaming device connected to the TV.

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  • Supported smart TV: Try the official app for its platform, such as Google TV for Android TV.
  • Streaming device connected to a TV: Use that device’s official app to control the streamer. TV power or volume may also work in some setups, but are not guaranteed.
  • IR-only television with no supported network-connected device: A Wi-Fi app alone will not control it. Use the original or a compatible replacement remote, or investigate a separate IR control system verified for your phone and TV.

Google’s Android TV guide requires the phone and TV to be on the same Wi-Fi network. Roku’s app likewise discovers supported devices on the network. The cited instructions establish local-network requirements, not which functions remain available during an internet outage.

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Use Google TV with an Android TV

  1. Connect the Android phone and Android TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Open the Google TV app on the phone and tap Connect TV near the lower-right corner.
  3. Select the TV, enter the code shown on the television, then tap Pair.

If pairing fails, confirm that both devices are on the same network. Google also recommends restarting the Android TV and setting up the virtual remote again. Its TV-side troubleshooting may require the television’s regular remote or physical controls, so a phone app might not solve a problem that prevents the TV from being accessed or connected to Wi-Fi. Google’s Android TV instructions have the current steps.

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Use Google Home or Google TV with Chromecast or Google TV Streamer

For Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer, Google documents two ways to open the phone remote:

  • Google Home: Turn on the TV and streamer, open Google Home, then tap the device. On Android, this opens or closes its virtual remote.
  • Google TV: Tap Connect TV, select the device, enter the code displayed on the TV, and pair.

The virtual remote supports navigation, text entry and playback controls. Google lists Google TV mobile version 4.27.8.93 or later for Android on its support page; app naming differs outside the United States, so check the app available in your country. See Google’s Chromecast and Google TV Streamer instructions.

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Use the Roku app with a Roku TV or streaming player

  1. Install the official Roku app from the app store and connect the phone and Roku device to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Open the app and allow it to discover devices on the network.
  3. Select your Roku to open the remote controls.

Roku documents playback, keyboard, voice, volume and power controls, but availability varies by device. Its installation page lists Android 5.0 or later and Roku OS 6.2 or later; app and device requirements can change, so check the current Play Store listing and Roku support information. Use the Roku app installation guide and Roku’s guide to using the phone remote.

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When the Roku app can control the TV

The Roku app controls the Roku player. For a Roku streaming player to control TV power or volume, the relevant device settings and HDMI-CEC support on the TV may be required. Roku notes that a USB-powered streaming player may not be able to turn on the TV through the app. Do not assume that controlling the streamer means controlling the TV’s inputs or all of its functions.

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When Roku discovery fails

Roku says the app cannot discover a device that is offline, reset, or still in first-time setup. In those situations, the app may not work as a bootstrap remote; using a compatible physical remote to connect or configure the player is a practical fallback. Check remote compatibility for the exact Roku model. Roku also advises against third-party control apps for security reasons.

Choose the right method for your setup

Target device Phone method What you need Important limit
Android TV Google TV app Same Wi-Fi network; select the TV and enter its on-screen pairing code Controls the supported Android TV; pairing or TV-side troubleshooting may require access to the TV
Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer Google Home or Google TV app Device connected and available; Google TV pairing uses an on-screen code Controls the streamer; TV power and volume are not guaranteed
Roku TV or Roku streaming player Official Roku app Same Wi-Fi network and a discoverable Roku Some controls depend on the model; an offline or first-time-setup Roku may not be discoverable
IR-only TV without a supported network device No Wi-Fi method established here A separate compatible IR control path or physical remote The phone without an IR blaster cannot itself emit ordinary IR commands
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What to try if you are missing the original remote

  • The TV or streamer is already connected to Wi-Fi: Try the official platform app and follow its pairing or discovery steps.
  • The device is not on the same network: The documented phone-remote methods may not find or pair with it. Use its physical controls or a compatible remote to connect it first.
  • The streamer responds, but the TV does not: Treat them as separate devices. Check the streamer’s supported TV-control settings and HDMI-CEC support rather than expecting the phone app to control every TV function.
  • The television only accepts infrared: Use a compatible physical or external IR solution. The cited official guidance does not establish a broadly compatible IR dongle for older Android phones, so verify any accessory against both the phone and television before relying on it.

Philips gives a model-specific example for certain Philips Google TVs: its phone-remote guidance for those models should not be generalized to other Philips televisions.

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