Infrared blasters have been increasingly prevalent in mobile phones in recent years, and this smartphone feature allows you to operate an infrared device with your phone. Despite its popularity, Samsung mainly abandoned the feature in 2018. The Galaxy S9, one of Samsung’s most popular and powerful smartphones, lacks an infrared blaster, disappointing customers. Given this, the issue of whether there is a way to replicate it to the S9 inevitably arises.
An infrared blaster (IR blaster) is a gadget that acts as an infrared remote control to operate a device ordinarily controlled exclusively by keystrokes on its remote control. An IR blaster is commonly used to allow a recording device, such as a DVR or VCR, to change the channel on an external tuner, like a cable box or satellite television receiver. Before beginning the recording process, the receiving device could automatically choose the correct recording channel.
Other popular applications include extending infrared signals to allow remote-controlled items behind closed doors and allowing mobile devices to operate infrared equipment. Many smartphones featured IR blasters in the mid-2010s, but most, if not all, manufacturers had ceased incorporating them by 2018. However, an IR blaster is included in certain smartphones produced after 2018, such as the Xiaomi MI 9. In this post, you will acknowledge everything about infrared technology.
Does the Samsung S9 Have Infrared?
The Samsung S9 does not have an Infrared feature, and Samsung previously featured an IR blaster on the Galaxy S6. Therefore, there has been no infrared feature in Samsung phones since 2018.
After some time, Samsung mobiles like the Galaxy Note 5, S7, S8, and Note 8 have omitted the helpful sensor. Unfortunately, Samsung has followed suit and left the IR blaster off the Galaxy S9. This means you won’t be able to use the Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+ to operate your TV, air conditioner, music system, or other nearby appliances.
Samsung’s lack of an IR blaster on its premium products is unexpected, given that Xiaomi has one even on its $75 Redmi 5A smartphone. Many people thought Samsung would save money by including an IR blaster. Unfortunately, in all its wisdom, Samsung appears to have chosen differently.
Samsung isn’t the only company that has gone down this road. Other major OEMs, like LG, HTC, and Motorola, have abandoned the IR blaster and no longer include it in their smartphones. Huawei is the only major phone manufacturer that has integrated an infrared blaster into its top Mate series. In addition, the Mate 10 is equipped with an infrared blaster that you may use to control neighboring devices. As a result, if you can’t live without even an IR blaster on your phone, it’s time to seek elsewhere and maybe pass on the Galaxy S9.
Which Samsung Has an IR Blaster?
The IR Blaster is available in Samsung E Series Models like the Samsung E 7/8/9. Other Samsung models, such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy S6, and Samsung Galaxy S6 Active, also feature the IR Blaster.
One digital signal modifies a light source in an IR blaster device to deliver orders to other devices. Because the wavelength of this IR blaster signal is beyond the range of visible light, it is undetectable to the naked eye. The signal does not affect the human body and has no long-term adverse effects. The IR blaster can operate TVs, air conditioners, Media players, and various gadgets without the remote control.
IR blasters aren’t built into most Android phones these days, and you may find this function on older phones and a few newer models. Even if you have an older phone, you should double-check whether it has an infrared blaster. You must first verify your phone to see if it supports an IR blaster before downloading the program allowing you to use it. There are two techniques to determine if it does or does not support it.
Examine the phone’s top edge. If your phone has a black circle, rectangular plastic, or depression, it features an IR blaster. You can look up your phone’s user handbook, but this is time-consuming because you’ll have to turn page after page and squint your eyes to see the small type used in phone manuals.
Can I Add an IR Blaster to the Phone?
The IR blaster gained popularity by transforming a smartphone into a remote control for various devices. As a result, the SmartThings app may be helpful for Samsung cell phones. It turns a Samsung device into a TV remote through Wi-Fi. You must connect your phone and your television to the internet to use it.
Acknowledge the following tips to add IR Blaster to the phone-
- Open the SmartThings app on your phone.
- Select ‘Add device’ from the drop-down menu.
- In the “Available Devices” list, look for your TV in the following menu. Your phone will display a notification indicating that the devices are connected.
- After that, the app will ask you to enter your PIN. Tap the line on your phone’s screen to input it. A PIN code will appear on your television.
- The SmartThings app will prompt you to join a Wi-Fi network and connect your TV.
- Accept all of the Terms and Conditions by tapping ‘OK.’
- Select an email address. You must link your Samsung account to the TV.
- Select ‘Accept’ from the drop-down menu.
- Tap ‘Next’ after choosing a name for your TV.
- The app will then remind you to connect an antenna and other devices to operate them remotely. To continue, tap “Next” one more.
- Finally, SmartThings will ask whether you wish to expand your TV’s app selection. You can pick from a selection of Samsung-recommended applications.
- That concludes the discussion. When you tap “Done,” your smartphone will immediately take you to the TV control panel.
Can I Download IR Blaster?
You can download IR Blaster and purchase universal infrared adaptors from online portals.
If your smartphone lacks an infrared blaster, you may purchase one of the many portable, universal infrared adaptors or dongles on the market. They come with a 3.5mm audio jack for Android phones or a lightning port connector for iPhones. So, you can add one even if your phone doesn’t come with an IR blaster.
It’s worth noting that these IR dongles sometimes have compatibility difficulties, so there’s no assurance that one will work with your device. However, they are reasonably priced, starting at $17, and can be found in various locations, so it wouldn’t harm to try them. Before installing the app, you may check the list of applications on your phone to see whether you have a built-in app labeled IR Blaster or Remote Control; if you don’t, you can download the app.
You’ll find various apps on the Google Play Store that let you use your phone as a remote control. You may use the Mi Remote Controller for Xiaomi smartphones or the Universal Remote Controller, both popular. Some programs are only available for specific brands, so read the description before downloading.
Can I Use My Phone as a Remote Without an IR Blaster?
You can use your phone as a remote without an IR Blaster. You can use compatible apps on your mobile device to project films, images, and other material to your TV using a device like the Belkin MiracastTM Display Adapter.
Even though the S6 and subsequent Galaxy phone models lack an IR blaster, you can obtain a device to replace it if you have a functional Wi-Fi connection. Broad lines and the Logitech Harmony product line are two of the most famous examples, and the latter can help. It may be an alternative to phones lacking an IR blaster when used with Android apps that demand one by default.
Any Mote Remote Control
With just an IR blaster or a Wi-Fi connection, you can operate over 900,000 additional items remotely if you don’t have one. Unfortunately, you’ll have to pay a fee to add and reactivate an infinite number of remotes. The free version of this program allows you to conduct various tasks, including personalizing the user interface. To match your demands, you may modify the color and position of the buttons. Create more complex instructions to do several tasks with a single tap. Only one remote may be added at a time, and there is no time restriction.
Twi none TV Remote
Twi none TV Remote is free remote control software with an infrared blaster for cellphones. It is straightforward to use because you must choose the item you wish to manage. The “Fix Buttons” Institution is a helpful feature of this software. If this app works for you but not the remote control function, turn this setting on or off based on the current state.
Roku
If you have a Roku device, you can use the smartphone remote control app to operate it. It works with Roku streaming players and Roku TV. Before using this app, ensure your phone and the Roku platform connect to the same wireless network. You must also be logged in to your Roku account.
The only drawback to this software is that you can’t adjust the volume using your remote control. You may, however, use the functionalities like play, rewind, fast forward, voice search, and navigation. With this software, you can find any streaming service, cast content from other devices to the TV, and get alerted when new episodes of your favorite shows are available.
Why Did Samsung Remove the IR Blaster?
Samsung believes that IR blasters are no longer commonly utilized by consumers and that their competitors supply the same IR blaster in the low-end phone tier. Samsung used to provide IR blasters earlier but stopped due to their low-profit scope. We hope that Samsung will introduce IR blasters again in upcoming smartphone models.
Samsung does not care about low-end and mid-range phones because it earns no earnings. Because the demand for phones in developing nations like Indonesia and India is still acceptable, Samsung continues to supply certain low-end phones. On the other hand, Samsung exclusively offers mid-range phones in Korea (the company’s native country).
Samsung focuses on high-end phones internationally, which is why the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note series are their top priorities. Those two high-end phones are Samsung’s major profit generators, and users of these phones rarely utilize the IR blaster (based on statistics). Due to the IoT movement, I believe you also addressed it in the inquiry details. It can only control one device at a time in the monitor and control application. Furthermore, maintaining items in LOS is challenging (Line of Sight). The transmitter and receiver must have a clear line of sight to communicate. It only supports a small range; therefore, performance diminishes over more considerable distances.
Conclusion
Although the IR blaster feature is antiquated, many smartphone owners still wish it existed. Thanks to this and the popularity of Android remote control applications, you can still use your phone as a remote for some gadgets, but perhaps fewer so than with an IR blaster. The IR blaster’s principal role is to control other secondary devices via a primary device set up with it. An infrared blaster may control television sets, DVD players, VCD players, air conditioners, and entertainment systems.
Some Android smartphones, like the Xiaomi Mi 9, have built-in infrared blasters. Bluetooth devices have recently begun to replace IR blasters. Dedicated IR blaster devices also link to mobile phones via the 3.5 mm audio connector. We hope you have acknowledged everything about the IR Blaster. If you have any questions regarding the IR Blaster, just let us know in the comment box below.
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