As an owner of a smart TV, I know the frustration of trying to control it without the use of Wi-Fi. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share how I solved the problem and other solutions I discovered. In this blog post, I’ll be showing you How To Control TV With Phone Without Wi-Fi.
Your smartphone can be used to control your TV if you have an Infra-Red (IR) Blaster and a universal controller app on your phone. You can also use screencasting or a similar function to view videos or images on your TV that are streamed to or on your phone.
| Tips |
|---|
| You can use your smartphone to control your TV without Wi-Fi. |
| You need an Infra-Red (IR) Blaster on your phone and a universal controller app to control your TV without Wi-Fi. |
| To turn your phone into a remote for your TV, you need to check if it has an IR Blaster and download an IR-compatible remote app. |
| You can also cast or mirror your phone’s display to your TV without Wi-Fi using casting options on your smart TV or various hardware connection options. |
| Popular universal remote apps include Unified TV, Twinone Universal TV Remote, and Lean Remote. |
Table of Contents
How Do I Use My Phone To Control My TV Without Wi-Fi?
You can use your smartphone as a remote control for your TV if it has an Infra-Red (IR) Blaster.
Most normal TV remotes use Infra-Red to send a signal to their respective TV and require Line of Sight (LOS) to transmit data to the TV. Infra-Red does not require Wi-Fi, but you can turn your smartphone into a smart IR remote control in a few easy steps.
How To Turn Your Phone Into A TV Remote In 3 Easy Steps
Turning your phone into a smart IR remote control requires some hardware, plus an app that you will need to download, which means you will need a smartphone and either mobile data or Wi-Fi to download a universal remote app. Many modern phones no longer have IR blasters as the technology is becoming outdated.
Phones that are not smartphones are unfortunately unable to control your TV since an app is needed.
However, smartphones that have a universal remote app downloaded, plus have an IR blaster, are capable of controlling your smart and non-smart TV without Wi-Fi. Follow these steps to turn your phone into a remote control for your TV.
1. Check If Your Smartphone Has An IR Blaster
Some phones have built-in IR blasters, but many new Androids and iOS phones do. Probably the fastest way to check if your phone is equipped with one is to read up on the connectivity specs of your phone by doing an internet search or reading your user manual.
Alternatively, you can download a tester app that will tell you if your phone is compatible to be used as an IR blaster.
If your phone is not compatible, fear not. You can buy an external IR blaster that connects to your phone via the charging port or headphone jack.
The downfall is that you need to reconnect this external piece of hardware every time you wish to use your phone as a remote, so it is suggested that you use an old phone to be the “permanent” new remote.
2. Download An IR-Compatible TV Remote App On Your Phone
If your phone has a built-in IR Blaster, you might already have a preloaded app installed on your phone, which might suit your needs sufficiently.
However, if you had to buy an external IR Blaster, you would need to install a universal remote app. You can check your app store and select an app that best suits you. Some are free, and some cost a bit but have minimal adverts.
Here are some suggestions:
- Unified TV – compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows phones, with a smooth interface.
- Twinone Universal TV Remote – free app, only compatible with some phones.
- Lean Remote – can be used for Android and iOS. User-friendly and straightforward.
3. Set Up Your Universal Remote App According To Your TV
Once you have found an app that you like, you need to select the TV you wish to control on the app. Regardless of the app, you need to specify the TV’s make. Some apps will ask for the model type. During the pairing process, you might have to enter a code so that your new remote controls only that TV.
Once you have paired your TV and phone, you can use your phone to adjust the volume of your TV, change between channels, and turn the TV on and off. Depending on your app, you may have more functions to control your TV.
YouTube has many videos that can assist you in the process of turning your smartphone into a universal remote. You can watch this video on how to use the Universal TV Remote Control App (it has many ads, apparently) on your phone to control a non-smart TV or even a smart TV with no Wi-Fi available.
How Else Can I Control My TV With My Phone, Without Wi-Fi?
There are other ways to control your TV with your phone without Wi-Fi, but not in the sense that your phone is a remote control.
You can display what is on your phone’s screen on the TV, watch YouTube or Netflix videos, or stream other content, for example. Your mirroring options depend on the compatibility of your phone and TV and may require some cables and adapters.
Screen Casting To A Smart TV Without Wi-Fi
If you have a smart TV with a built-in screen casting function, you will not need wires or Wi-Fi to mirror what is on your phone.
To set it up, you will need to find the built-in screen casting function on your TV and follow the prompts to pair your phone with it. It may require you to enable the hotspot on your phone, but after that, the connection should be fine.
Use Google Chromecast To Mirror To A TV Without Wi-Fi
You can use Google’s Chromecast device to create a wireless HDMI connection between your TV and phone for a TV that does not have a built-in screen-cast function.
You will need to purchase the device, plug it into your TV, and then use your phone’s hotspot to set it up and run it. The Chromecast device works with Android and iOS phones alike.
Use A Bluetooth Dongle To Mirror To A TV Without Wi-Fi
A Bluetooth dongle connects to the USB port of a device (in this case, your TV), turning the TV into a Bluetooth-compatible device.
Once you have paired your phone and TV over this Bluetooth connection, you will be able to cast content and files from your phone to your TV without needing Wi-Fi.
Use HDMI Cables To Mirror To A TV Without WI-FI
Before you rush out to buy cables and adapters to connect your phone to your TV, ensure that your phone allows mirroring via HDMI, and check your HDMI port is working on your TV.
You will need an HDMI cable for your TV and an HDMI or MHL cable for your phone. Once you’ve connected the cables appropriately, you must choose the correct source on your TV.
Conclusion
You can use a phone to control a TV even if you do not have Wi-Fi or a smart TV. To use your phone as a universal controller for your TV, you will need an IR blaster and a universal remote app downloaded on your phone.
You can also cast or mirror your phone’s display to your TV without Wi-Fi using casting options on your smart TV or various hardware connection options.
Read more: How to get Youtube on DirecTV
References
https://blog.rottenwifi.com/universal-remote-without-wifi/
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=btc.arduino.developers.argentina.irtest&hl=en_ZA&gl=US
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vsray.remote.control&hl=en_ZA&gl=US
https://twinone-ir-remote.en.softonic.com/android
https://www.amazon.com/Google-GA00439-US-Chromecast-3rd-Generation/dp/B015UKRNGS
https://www.amazon.com/Smartphone-Controller-Phone-Universal-Conditioner/dp/B07F7GPNF3/
https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Laiduoao-Miracast-Streaming-Mirroring/dp/B07WSB9QGD/
https://www.unifiedremote.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5TUaALSn1M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fKTQKNM38M
