Can you add IR blaster to Android phone?

What is an IR Blaster?

An infrared blaster, commonly abbreviated as IR blaster, is a device that allows you to remotely control audio/video equipment, TVs, air conditioners and more using infrared (IR) signals https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_blaster. It works by receiving signals from a remote control and transmitting them to the device you want to control.

IR blasters are commonly found in devices like universal remotes and allow you to control multiple devices from one central remote. They work by emitting modulated infrared light which carries the control signals. These signals are received by an IR receiver on the device you want to control.

Some common uses and capabilities of IR blasters include:

• Controlling functions like power, volume, channels, input selection on TVs.
• Operating set-top boxes, Blu-ray/DVD players, home theater systems.
• Changing settings like temperature, fan speed and mode on air conditioners and heaters.
• Allowing universal remotes to control multiple devices of different brands.

Why Have IR Blasters Become Less Common in Phones?

Infrared (IR) blasters were once a popular feature in smartphones, allowing users to control TVs, air conditioners, and other devices remotely. However, in recent years they have become far less common.

One of the main reasons for this is cost cutting by phone manufacturers. Adding an IR blaster requires additional hardware and takes up space inside the phone, which adds expense. With profit margins on smartphones being slim, many companies have decided to remove this feature to save money.

There also seems to be a lack of consumer demand and awareness around IR blasters. As more home appliances have adopted Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities, fewer people feel the need for IR control from their phone. The rise of universal remotes and smart home devices has also decreased reliance on IR blasters in phones.

Additionally, the proliferation of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth has provided alternative options for controlling devices and appliances remotely. Rather than using IR, which requires line-of-sight, many gadgets can now be controlled wirelessly over the internet or a home network. This reduces the appeal and necessity of IR blasters for most consumers.

Overall, a mix of cost cutting, waning consumer demand, and the rise of new wireless standards has led to the decline of IR blasters in modern smartphones. While some niche devices still include them, it’s become a far less common feature in phones from top manufacturers over the past several years.

Can You Add an IR Blaster to an Android Phone?

Adding an IR blaster to an Android phone that doesn’t already have one can be challenging but is possible with some DIY modifications. The main challenges are:

– Accessing the internal hardware of modern smartphones is difficult due to their compact, sealed designs. You’ll likely need to take apart the phone which can be tricky and risky.

– IR hardware modules like IR LEDs and drivers need to be sourced and wired into the phone’s circuitry. This requires soldering skills and an understanding of electronics.

– The phone’s software needs to be modified to support IR blaster features. This may require custom firmware or apps.

That said, with some technical skill, it is possible to add IR blaster capabilities to an Android phone. Some key steps would include:
– Disassembling the phone safely to access the interior.

– Soldering an IR LED and driver to taps on the phone’s main board.
– Connecting the IR components to a 3.5mm headphone jack for modularity.
– Flashing a custom OS like LineageOS with IR blaster support.
– Installing an app like AnyMote Home to control your devices.

With some DIY effort, you can give your Android phone IR blaster powers. But it does require opening up your device and advanced technical skills. For most users, it may be easier to purchase a phone with built-in IR or use IR accessories.

IR Blaster Attachment Accessories

Since many modern smartphones no longer come with built-in IR blasters, various third-party companies have created external IR blaster accessories that can be connected to Android phones to allow IR remote control capabilities.

These external IR blaster accessories are small dongle-like devices that connect to an Android phone’s USB-C or micro USB port. They include an infrared LED that can transmit IR signals to control TVs, air conditioners, stereos and other home appliances when used with a compatible IR remote app on the phone.

Some of the most popular third-party IR blaster accessories for Android phones include:

• URC Universal Remote Control Smartphone Controller (https://www.amazon.com/ir-blaster-android-phone/s?k=ir+blaster+for+android+phone)
• Anbee Universal Mobile Phone IR Controller (https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Control-Controller-Android-Smartphone/dp/B07BB1PXV7)
• Flic Hub IR Accessory (https://flic.io/shop/ir-accessory)

The main benefits of using these external IR blaster accessories over built-in IR blasters are:

• They work with any Android phone, rather than requiring a specific model with IR built-in.
• They are small and portable, allowing IR control from anywhere instead of just when directly in front of the device.
• They enable IR on modern phones that lack this feature.
• They avoid the need to upgrade to a specific IR-enabled phone model.

Using Software IR Blasters on Phones

Many Android phones come with built-in IR blasters that allow the phone to control TVs, air conditioners, and other devices remotely. However, for phones without a hardware IR blaster, it’s possible to turn the phone into a remote control using just software.

There are many IR blaster apps on the Google Play Store that can transform your phone into a universal remote control using just the phone’s camera. Some popular options include Universal Remote Control, Twinone Universal TV Remote, and IR Remote.

These IR blaster apps use the phone’s camera and LED flash to emit infrared signals that can control various devices. The main limitation is that the phone needs a direct line-of-sight to the device’s IR receiver, so it may not work as reliably as a built-in hardware IR blaster.

Typical use cases for IR blaster apps include controlling TVs, cable boxes, air conditioners, fans, and other IR-controlled appliances. The apps come pre-programmed with remote control codes for many popular brands, and also allow users to learn new codes from existing remotes. This allows for quite robust universal remote capabilities using just software on the phone.

Top IR Remote Apps for Android

There are several popular remote control apps that turn your Android phone into a universal remote. Here are some of the top options:

Universal Remote Control – This app by Lean Remote [1] can control many brands of TVs, set-top boxes, soundbars and other devices. It has a large device database and easy setup using your phone’s camera. The interface is intuitive with advanced options for customizing buttons. Limitations are that it contains ads and lacks newer smart TV brands.

IR Remote – From IRTV, this app [2] can control nearly any infrared device. It has an extensive database and auto-detection of brands. The interface is customizable with themes and layouts. Downsides are it has a steeper learning curve and no free trial.

Smart IR Remote – Developed by Color Tiger, this app has over 1300 supported devices. It uses minimal permissions for privacy. The setup uses infrared signals to auto-configure devices. Drawbacks are the interface is not as intuitive and it lacks universal smart TV control.

Overall, the top apps leverage device databases, infrared capabilities and customizable interfaces. Key features to compare are brand support, ease of use, ads and trial options. Testing different apps can determine the best fit for your devices.

Pros and Cons of Adding IR Blasters to Phones

Adding an IR blaster to an Android phone has both advantages and disadvantages worth considering.

On the pro side, having a built-in universal remote via IR is extremely convenient. As this article notes, IR blasters allow you to control virtually any TV, cable box, stereo system or other device with an infrared receiver, all from one device in your pocket. This saves you from juggling multiple remotes and gives you unified control.

However, there are also some downsides. Firstly, adding IR hardware increases costs and space requirements for phone manufacturers. As explained in this Quora thread, not every consumer uses the IR blaster functionality, so some brands reserve it for only certain high-end models. There are also challenges properly positioning the blaster so it has line-of-sight with devices.

Additionally, alternative options like WiFi-based smart home systems and voice assistants are growing in popularity. While these require their own proprietary hardware as well, they provide a broader feature set beyond just IR control.

Overall, while built-in IR blasters provide helpful convenience, the costs and availability of alternative options help explain their decline in phones today. Consumers need to weigh their own priorities and use cases when determining if IR blast capability is a must-have.

Phones That Still Have IR Blasters

Despite IR blasters becoming less common in newer phones, there are still some models that offer this feature:

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has an IR blaster which allows it to control various home appliances. Xiaomi has retained this feature in many of its phones as it remains popular in some markets like India where consumers use it to control TVs, ACs, and other devices.[1]

The LG G8X ThinQ is one of the few flagship phones that still has an IR blaster in 2023. LG has included IR blasters in its premium phones for several years now, providing flexibility to control other devices.[2]

These manufacturers continue to offer IR blasters because there is still demand for this feature in certain markets, and it provides an added level of convenience for consumers to control their home electronics.

The Future of IR Blasters in Phones

IR blasters are likely to remain a niche feature in smartphones rather than becoming mainstream again. Phone manufacturers have trended toward removing hardware features like headphone jacks to save space and costs. Given that many consumer needs can now be met through software workarounds like IR remote apps, most brands don’t see enough demand to warrant bringing back IR blasters.[1]

That being said, some tech enthusiasts and power users still prefer having a built-in IR blaster for convenience and reliability. There are arguments that with home entertainment gear and other devices still using IR, having it built into a smartphone provides seamless control capabilities.[2] As such, there may be enough consumer demand for niche brands to include IR blasters on some models. But the mainstream flagships likely won’t be adding back this hardware feature anytime soon.

The good news is users have access to IR remote apps and external IR blaster accessories to fulfill many of the same functions a built-in IR blaster would offer. So while the hardware itself looks to remain a relic of the past, its capabilities live on through software for most users.

Conclusion

In summary, IR blasters used to be common in phones like the Galaxy S4, but manufacturers started removing them to save space. While you can’t easily add an IR blaster to most modern Android phones, there are some newer phones that still have IR blasters built-in like the Xiaomi Mi 10T. There are also IR blaster attachments and software solutions that can partially replicate the functionality through your camera and flash, but they have limitations.

The pros of adding an IR blaster are allowing your phone to control TVs, AC units, other electronics without needing the original remote. However, IR blasters can drain battery, take up space, and aren’t frequently used by most consumers anymore.

For those who want IR control from their phones, the best options are to choose phones that still include IR blasters or use software solutions combined with universal remotes. Reliable physical remotes may remain preferable for some consumer and commercial uses. Overall though, IR blaster integration in future phones seems to be declining as wireless standards like WiFi, Bluetooth and RF become more popular.