An IR blaster is a small infrared emitter, usually on the top edge of the phone, that copies the signal of a physical remote. Today it is found mainly on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones and on some Huawei and Honor models. iPhones have never had one, and Samsung dropped it after the Galaxy S6. You only need IR for TVs without Wi-Fi; smart TVs can be controlled over Wi-Fi from any phone.
Phones used to come with infrared emitters as standard. Today they are rare, but they still matter: an IR blaster is the only way for a phone to control a TV that isn’t connected to Wi-Fi. Here’s what you need to know.
What an IR blaster is
A physical TV remote sends invisible infrared light pulses. An IR blaster is a tiny emitter, usually a small dark window on the top edge of the phone, that sends the same pulses. With the right app and code set, the TV can’t tell the difference between the phone and the original remote.
Which phones have one
- Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO: most models, including many budget ones. They come with the Mi Remote app.
- Huawei and Honor: some models, especially older flagships.
- Other brands: occasionally on specific models; check the spec sheet.
- Samsung: the Galaxy S4, S5 and S6 had IR; it was removed starting with the S7.
- iPhone: never.
How to check your phone
- Look at the top edge for a small, dark, glossy window.
- Search your exact model name plus “IR blaster” or “infrared”.
- Install an IR remote app. If there is no emitter, it will say so.
IR vs Wi-Fi: when you need which
| Infrared | Wi-Fi | |
|---|---|---|
| Phones | Only phones with an IR blaster | Any iPhone or Android |
| TVs | Any TV with an infrared remote, including old ones | Smart TVs on the network |
| Line of sight | Required | Not required |
| Setup | Pick brand and test code sets | Automatic discovery and pairing |
| Typing and apps | No | Keyboard, app launcher on supported TVs |
| Other devices | AC, fans, set-top boxes, projectors | TVs and streaming devices |
No IR blaster? Your options
- Smart TV: use a Wi-Fi remote app such as RemotApp, which works on any iPhone or Android with Samsung, LG, Roku and Google TV.
- Old TV: a physical universal remote is the simplest answer. See universal remote vs phone app.
- External adapter: small IR dongles that plug into the phone’s port exist, though app support varies.
Infrared support for Android phones with an IR blaster is on RemotApp’s roadmap, so a single app can cover both smart and older TVs.
Frequently asked questions
Does the iPhone have an IR blaster?
No iPhone has ever had an infrared emitter. iPhones can control smart TVs over Wi-Fi, or use a small external IR adapter.
How do I know if my phone has an IR blaster?
Look for a tiny dark window on the top edge of the phone, check the spec sheet for “infrared” or “IR blaster”, or install an IR remote app: it will tell you if no emitter is found.
Can an IR phone control my air conditioner too?
Yes. Infrared works with any device that uses an infrared remote: TVs, air conditioners, set-top boxes, fans and projectors, as long as the app has codes for that model.
Do I need IR to control a smart TV?
No. Smart TVs on Wi-Fi can be controlled from any phone with a Wi-Fi remote app. IR is only needed for TVs without a network connection.
The team behind RemotApp, a universal TV remote app for iPhone and Android. We test every fix on real Samsung, LG, Roku and Google TV sets before publishing. About us
