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, several 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 most 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 channel to record.
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?
Samsung S9 Does not have an Infrared feature, and Samsung had previously featured an IR blaster on the Galaxy S6. Therefore, since 2018. there is no infrared feature in Samsung phones.
After some time, Samsung mobiles like the Galaxy Note 5, Samsung S7, Samsung S8, and Galaxy Note 8 have omitted the helpful sensor. Unfortunately, Samsung has followed suit and left the IR blaster off the Galaxy S9. It 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. Samsung will save money by including an IR blaster, pleased many people. Unfortunately, Samsung, in all its wisdom, 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 to integrate an infrared blaster in 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?
IR Blaster is available in Samsung E Series Models like Samsung E 7/8/9. Other Samsung models like Samsung galaxy note 4, Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung GaaxyS6, Samsung GalaxyS6 Active feature 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 to see whether it has an infrared blaster. You must first verify your phone to see if it supports IR blaster before downloading the program that will allow 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 or rectangular plastic or depression, it features an IR blaster. You can look up your phone’s user handbook, but this is a time-consuming procedure because you’ll have to turn pages after pages 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 to transform a smartphone into a remote control for various devices. As a result, Samsung cellphones’ SmartThings app may be helpful. 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 these 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 next 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. On your television, a PIN code will appear.
- 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. Tap “Done,” your smartphone will immediately take you to the TV control panel.
Can I Download IR Blaster?
Yes, you can download IR blaster. You can also purchase many universal infrared adaptors from online portals to access IR Blaster.
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 either a 3.5mm audio jack for Android phones or a lightning port connector for iPhones. So, even if your phone doesn’t come with an IR blaster, you can add one.
It’s worth noting that these IR dongles sometimes have compatibility difficulties, so there’s no assurance that one of them will work with your device. However, they are reasonably priced, starting at $17, and can be found in various locations, so it couldn’t harm to give them a try. 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 before installing the app; 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?
Yes, 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 Logitech Harmony product line are two of the most famous examples, and this is something that the latter can help with. 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 an infinite number of remotes and reactivate them. The free version of this program allows you to conduct a variety of tasks, including: Personalize 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 a free remote control software for cellphones with an infrared blaster. It is, however, straightforward to use because all you have to do is choose the item you wish to manage. The “Fix Buttons” Institution is a helpful feature of this software. Turn this setting on or off based on the current state if this app works for you but not the remote control function.
Roku
If you have a Roku device, you can use the smartphone remote control app to operate it. It works with Roku streaming players as well as 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’ll be able to 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 the IR blaster is 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 blaster earlier but stopped due to low-profit scope. We hope that Samsung will introduce IR blaster again in upcoming smartphone models.
Due to the lack of earnings from low-end and mid-range phones, Samsung does not give a damn about them. 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 larger distances.
Conclusion
Although the IR blaster feature is antiquated, many smartphone owners still wish it existed. You could still use your phone as a remote for some gadgets, thanks to this plus the popularity of Android remote control applications, but perhaps fewer than with an IR blaster. The IR blaster’s principal role is to control other secondary devices via a primary device that has been set up with the IR blaster. Television sets, DVD players, VCD players, air conditioners, and entertainment systems may be controlled using an infrared blaster.
Some Android smartphones, such as the Xiaomi Mi 9, come with infrared blasters built-in. Bluetooth devices have recently begun to take the place of IR blasters. There are also dedicated IR blaster devices that link to mobile phones via the 3.5 mm audio connector. We hope you must have acknowledged everything about IR Blaster. If you have any questions regarding IR Blaster, just let us know in the comment box below.
Learn more about authors in Nimblefreelancer's team biography page.
