The OnePlus 13 has a great feature that more Android phones really need

The phone that many people love right now is the OnePlus 13, because in addition to its excellent hardware, it also has a feature that has been around for decades: the IR Blaster. This feature is essential and should be on more Android phones.

What is infrared sensor?

An infrared sensor (IR Blaster, short for infrared blaster) is a device consisting of a small LED designed to emit infrared light in the form of pulses. This infrared light simulates the signals transmitted from a remote control to control electronic devices that have an infrared receiver.

You can usually find the IR sensor on the top or bottom edge of your phone. The phone manufacturer will also pre-install an app on your phone that communicates with the IR sensor, allowing you to perform various actions on your device.

What can you do with the infrared sensor on your Android phone?

You can use the IR Blaster on your Android phone to control almost any device that has an infrared receiver. These devices can include TVs, set-top boxes, projectors, AV receivers, DVD players, and some cameras. It can also work with home appliances, such as fans (with infrared remote controls), automatic blinds, robot vacuum cleaners, and air conditioners.

In general, you can control most of the features and functions of these devices using the infrared sensors on your phone. However, there can be some exceptions. The control app's database sometimes doesn't have a one-to-one controller for a device or appliance, leaving you with only a few controls—usually the most basic ones.

Being able to control devices with your phone is useful in many situations. For example, it can be a lifesaver if you lose or break your TV remote. Likewise, it can be useful when you’re traveling and can’t find the remote for your TV, set-top box, or air conditioner in your hotel room. And if you’re feeling a little daring, it can even help turn down the volume on annoying TVs in public.

How to Set Up and Use IR Blaster on OnePlus Phones

OnePlus phones with IR Blasters come with the IR Remote app pre-installed. This app lets you set up and save remote controls for multiple devices, allowing you to control them from one place.

Setting up the IR Remote app is easy. You can set up the controller for your device manually or by scanning a QR code containing the device's configuration. The latter option is useful if you want to import the remote from another device, or if you've already retrieved the QR code for the controller online or in the device's manual.

To add a controller to your device using the QR code option, tap the plus (+) button on the home screen and tap the scan icon in the upper right corner. Grant the app permission to access your phone's camera. Once done, point your phone's camera to scan, the IR Remote app will recognize and import the remote.

Alternatively, you can add the remote manually. To do this, tap the plus sign (+) on the main screen and select the device type on the next screen. Next, select the device manufacturer. Tap Got it to skip the prompt.

Make sure nothing is blocking the infrared beam on your phone; remove the case if necessary. Also, turn on the device you're setting up the controller for if it hasn't already.

Now, point your phone at the device and tap the test button you see on the app. If the device responds to this test signal, tap Yes . (You may need to do this a few times, depending on the device you're setting up the controller for.) Or, if the device doesn't respond to the test signal, tap No response, try next . Continue tapping the new test signal buttons you see on the screen until the device responds.

Once you have successfully tested all the signals, tap Yes again. Then, enter a descriptive name for the remote on the next screen so you can easily distinguish it from other remotes you may add to the app later.

Here, you can also add a quick access shortcut for this remote to your phone's home screen by enabling the Add Home screen shortcut option . Finally, tap Save to save the remote and add it to the app's home screen.

Once set up, using the IR Remote app is simple. Tap the remote of the device you want to control on the home screen and you'll see a series of buttons on the screen. Tap the appropriate button, depending on what you want to do on the device, and the app will send a signal via the IR Blaster to perform that action.