Quick Answer
Yes, you can use a phone as a TV remote for an older non smart TV, but only if the phone can produce infrared (IR) light. Most current Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco phones still ship with a built in IR blaster. Apple iPhones never had one, and Samsung dropped the feature after the Galaxy S6 series.
If your phone lacks an IR blaster, a $10 to $20 USB-C or Lightning IR dongle plugged into the charging port adds the capability. The Broadlink RM4 Mini Wi-Fi to IR hub ($25 to $35) is another path that works with iPhone, Android, and Alexa or Google Home.
The technology in plain terms
Old TVs do not have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. They listen for pulses of invisible infrared light sent from the remote's tiny LED at the top. To replace the remote with a phone, the phone must be able to emit that same kind of light through its own IR LED, called an IR blaster.
- The IR blaster is a separate hardware part. It is not something that can be added by an app.
- If a phone has the hardware, Android apps like Mi Remote, AnyMote, or Peel Smart Remote use the firmware database to fake the pulses of any TV brand.
- Without the hardware, no app can transmit IR no matter how popular it is on the Play Store.
Which phones still have an IR blaster?
+-----------------------------------------------+
| SMARTPHONE IR BLASTER STATUS |
+-----------------------------------------------+
| Apple iPhone: NONE (any model) |
| Samsung Galaxy: Dropped after S6/Note 4 |
| Google Pixel: NONE |
| OnePlus: Discontinued after OP7 |
| Xiaomi / Redmi / Poco: INCLUDED on most |
| Honor / Huawei: Some current models |
+-----------------------------------------------+Scenario A: your phone has an IR blaster
If you own a Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 13, Poco F6, or any older Galaxy S4 to S6, setup takes 2 minutes.
- Open the built in remote app (Mi Remote, Smart Remote, or Peel).
- Tap Add Remote, then TV.
- Choose your TV manufacturer from the alphabetical list (Sony, Panasonic, Vizio, RCA, Toshiba, etc.).
- Point the top edge of the phone at the TV's IR sensor and tap the on screen Power button.
- If the TV turns off, the app locks in the correct IR code set. Power, channels, volume, mute, and input now all work.
Internet is not required after the codes are downloaded once. The phone transmits IR locally.
Scenario B: your phone has no IR blaster
Two affordable workarounds turn any modern phone into a universal remote.
Option 1: USB-C or Lightning IR dongle
Small plug in dongles attach to the phone's charging port and add an IR LED. They pair with companion apps that translate button presses into IR signals.
- Brands: ZaZa Remote, IR Universal Remote, ARGtek IRDA.
- Price: $8 to $20.
- Drawback: the dongle has to be plugged in every time you use it.
Option 2: Wi-Fi to IR hub
A Wi-Fi to IR hub sits permanently on your TV stand. You control it from your phone over your home Wi-Fi, and the hub blasts IR at the TV.
- Most popular models: Broadlink RM4 Mini, SwitchBot Hub 2, Sensibo Air.
- Price: $25 to $50.
- Advantage: works with iPhone and Android, and integrates with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Shortcuts for voice control.
- Advantage: a single hub controls TV, soundbar, AC, and any IR appliance from anywhere in the room.
What about Bluetooth?
Bluetooth controls only work on smart TVs that have a Bluetooth receiver, which most pre 2015 TVs do not. If your TV does not have a Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, or built in smart platform, Bluetooth is not an option no matter what app you install.
Can I cast my phone screen instead?
Casting needs a smart TV or a casting accessory (Chromecast, Roku Streaming Stick, Apple TV) plugged into the HDMI port. A truly non smart TV with no HDMI casting device cannot accept a cast. The cheapest path to "phone controls everything" on a vintage TV is a $30 Chromecast plus an HDMI port.
Practical recommendation
- You own a current Xiaomi or older Galaxy with an IR blaster: just install Mi Remote, done in 2 minutes.
- You own an iPhone or modern Pixel and want a one off solution: get a $25 Broadlink RM4 Mini. It pairs with the Broadlink app and Alexa.
- You want voice control or smart home integration: the Wi-Fi to IR hub is the only path that supports Alexa and Google Home.
Frequently asked questions
Why did manufacturers stop including IR blasters?
Smart home growth shifted control to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The IR LED took up valuable internal space and added cost without much consumer demand. Xiaomi kept the feature because their target markets (India, Southeast Asia, parts of Europe) still have huge installed bases of non smart TVs and air conditioners.
Will an IR dongle drain my phone battery quickly?
No. The IR LED only fires for milliseconds per button press. A full hour of typical use drains roughly 2 percent of an iPhone battery.
Can I use an IR blaster phone to control an old AC unit?
Yes. Mi Remote and most universal remote apps support AC units, fans, projectors, set top boxes, and even some IR controlled cameras. The same code database covers all IR appliances.
Does the Broadlink RM4 Mini need a paid subscription?
No. The Broadlink app is free and works without an account. Optional voice integrations through Alexa and Google Home are also free.
Will an HDMI to IR adapter work?
No. HDMI carries digital video, not IR signals. An HDMI adapter cannot inject IR commands. Only IR LEDs or Wi-Fi to IR hubs can talk to old TVs.
The takeaway
A phone can replace a TV remote on an older non smart TV only if it can emit IR. Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco phones still include an IR blaster. iPhone and modern Pixel owners need a $10 plug in dongle or a $25 Broadlink RM4 Mini hub to add the capability. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi do not control old TVs because the TV has no radio to listen with. A small one time accessory turns any phone into a universal remote that works with TVs, soundbars, fans, and even window air conditioners.
