Peel Remote: a complete overview of the program for controlling equipment

Xiaomi product range with infrared port

The IrDA, or infrared, standard was popularized in the 2000s. It was used to exchange data between devices, but was later replaced by more technological analogues of wireless communication - Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Xiaomi has once again started using IrDA in its latest smartphone models. The port is used as a control element for electronic devices: TVs, air conditioners, players and other equipment. The first Xiaomi phones to receive infrared transmitters were Redmi Note 2 and Mi 4, and the full list of gadgets with IrDA is presented in the table.

Conditions for controlling home appliances

If we’ve figured out the smartphone, then let’s move directly to the equipment. Please note that not all devices receive this signal.

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Before using the program, check whether the control equipment uses a remote control with an IR signal. Many manufacturers make wireless remote control via Bluetooth or even Wi-Fi. If your home devices are not equipped with an infrared receiver, then, alas, Mi Remote is useless.

Also, the control problem may be caused by inaccurate program settings. Carefully review all the points and choose the right brand of device you want to control. Make sure that the smartphone is looking directly at the receiver, because the IR port works on a flat beam, it cannot spread over all 360 degrees, like Wi-Fi. If nothing works, press all the buttons; sometimes the device simply cannot recognize the command from the smartphone.

What is “Mi Remote” and its purpose

“Mi Remote” or “Mi Remote” is a MIUI OS system application. It is used to emulate the operation of a remote control. The application remotely controls electronic devices from various companies; the list of acceptable devices is constantly expanding. For it to work, you must have an infrared port, which is located on the top side of the gadget. After setting up the application, the functioning of the phone will not differ from the standard control panel and its operation will not cause difficulties.

The purpose of the Xiaomi remote control.

Important Features and Benefits

Peel Mi Remote not only functions as a universal remote control that provides remote control of many devices. It can be used to view a variety of content in the video service library of the same name. However, when deciding to watch the next video, you should remember that the service is more focused on the English-speaking audience. This may cause some difficulties for Russian users.

The important advantages of such software include the ability to:

• turning any portable device into a remote control;
• use with various brands of TVs;
• watching videos online;
• familiarization with the TV program with the possibility of receiving an information message about the time of viewing the film or program of interest;
• use a wireless access point to sync your smartphone with your TV;
• a convenient interface that allows even an inexperienced user to understand. It is enough to install the utility to understand its capabilities without outside help;
• constant updates, each of which is aimed at eliminating minor bugs identified during operation and adding new features. To stay informed, you should update the application in a timely manner and use the advanced functionality;
• compatible with all versions of the operating system from Android 4.4 and higher;
• gaining access free of charge. You can install the program at any time without spending any money. This also does not require registering in the system or connecting any account.

When understanding what kind of program this is and what capabilities it has, you should take into account that the utility not only works like a regular remote control. It is capable of maintaining statistics of content viewed and producer analysis. The obtained analytical data is used to offer the user content of interest, films on a certain topic, or TV programs.

There are also some disadvantages that you should definitely familiarize yourself with. These include:

• numerous advertisements. It appears at the moment the program is launched, during use, and even at the moment of exit. Some users also encounter advertising information appearing in the status bar when the utility is minimized;
• Incorrect operation on some smartphone models. If a user encounters such a negative phenomenon, you should be prepared for the program to constantly freeze or crash;
• significant energy consumption. Even with a short period of use, you should be prepared for the fact that the smartphone’s battery will be partially discharged.

Xiaomi Mi Remote

Mi Remote is installed by default on Xiaomi phones and is located in the Tools section. Depicted as a white remote control on a blue background. If the smartphone has an operating system lower than MIUI 9, then the program may be missing. You can download it from the Play Market, it is not necessary to log into the “Mi account”. The application name can be in either Russian or Chinese. After installation, both versions will have Russian-language settings.

Adding a remote control to the application

After installation, you need to configure the virtual remote control of the device controlled using your phone.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

1. Turn on the electronic device for which the remote control is being created.
2. Launch Mi Remote.
3. On the main screen of the program, click on the “+” sign or on the inscription “Add remote control”. The option depends on the Mi Remote interface.
4. A list of devices appears. Select the required type of household appliances. If the list is small, then connect to the Internet and download updates.
5. After identifying a gadget, for example a TV set-top box, in the next window, indicate the manufacturer and model of the device.
6. Confirm that the device is working. Press and hold the button on the phone screen that looks like a power sign.
7. The smartphone will begin scanning the device. If the device reacts, release the button. For example, a TV that is turned on may turn off.
8. Give it a name and save it. If necessary, you can create a shortcut on your desktop.

A virtual management console with buttons will open. By clicking on them, you can check the correct execution of commands.

Smartphone application for the remote control.

Operating principle of the remote control

The first device with an infrared port was a GRUNDIG TV, released in 1974. Commands are transmitted by modulating electromagnetic waves in the infrared range.

When pressed, the control signal generator starts. It generates pulses, the number and type of which depends on the button used. After this, the finished command is sent to an infrared LED operating in the range of 30-50 kHz. It converts the signals into light radiation, which is received by the device's IR sensor. The optical pulse sequence is decoded back into electrical form.

Next, the signal is sent to the control unit, which executes the transmitted command, for example, starting a video on a DVD player.

Each company develops its own set of codes. Therefore, the control console of one device may not fit another. Using a smartphone allows you to solve the problem, since its database contains information about many manufacturers. It is possible to create several remote controls for different gadgets and save them in the phone’s memory.

Categories for connecting the remote control

Xiaomi has a large list of connected devices.

The selection menu includes the following gadgets:

• Mi TV / Mi Box - Xiaomi TVs and smart consoles;
• TV - TV of other companies;
• Box or third-party set-top boxes;
• air conditioners;
• fans;
• AC - audio devices;
• A/V-receiver - amplifiers, receivers;
• projectors;
• cameras;
• DVD players;
• Satellite box - satellite receivers, tuners.

There is a large selection of manufacturing companies. At the beginning of the list are popular brands, then the companies are arranged in alphabetical order.

Features of connecting the remote control to the set-top box.

What equipment can you control?

Mi Remote, which is installed by default in almost every smartphone from Xiaomi, is designed for remote control of home appliances. With this utility, you can use your smartphone as a remote control for a TV, air conditioner, music device, refrigerator, and so on.

The program is capable of controlling such types of equipment as:

Possible problems with the “Mi remote control”

If the list of devices does not contain what you need, then Mi Remote will not work. It is possible that some buttons do not function or respond incorrectly.

In this case it is necessary:

1. Connect the Internet.
2. Enter settings by clicking on the image in the form of 3 dots.
3. A window will open. Tap on the words “Fix buttons”.
4. Select broken buttons and start updating them.
5. Upon completion of the procedure, check the operation of the buttons.

If similar programs control gadgets, but Mi Remote does not, then you need to reinstall the application. The Internet is not needed for the configured virtual gadget to work, but if a new one is installed, then a network connection is necessary.

Mi Remote is a good alternative to the standard remote control, as it allows you to store many control consoles in one smartphone. The disadvantage is the lack of support for some devices, but the number of compatible gadgets is constantly increasing.

Peel Remote: what is this program?

Peel Smart Remote is an application for Android that helps to remotely control various household appliances: TV, home theater, air conditioner, thanks to the infrared port built into the smartphone.

To operate, the application requires an Internet connection, from where the necessary files and updates for using a particular brand of household appliances are downloaded. Peel Remote can explore the user's tastes and provide programs that are similar in format, quality and genre.

How to set up the program

As already noted, the application is very easy to use thanks to its clear interface. But before that you need to download it and make some settings. The procedure is described below:

• follow the link and install the application on your smartphone;
• select the device that you plan to control home appliances. To do this, you will need to connect your phone to the Internet in order to be able to choose from a variety of brands. After this, the device can be disconnected from the network. Next, the application will function offline;
• In the downloaded application, click on the plus located at the top of the main screen. After pressing the button, a list of household appliances will be displayed. Having selected what you need, proceed to further configuration;
• answer the questions asked by the system. Their list depends on the choice made by the user.

After preliminary settings, the application will be completely ready for use.

An alternative and easier way is to uninstall the application from the desktop. To do this, find the desired program on the main screen of your smartphone and make a long tap on it. Hold your finger on the application icon until the trash bin or a message prompting you to delete the application appears. Depending on your phone model, you need to drag the application to the cross/trash bin or simply press the button at the top.

Note! An infrared sensor is used to transmit the signal, so in order for you to control the equipment remotely, there must be a direct beam between the smartphone and the controlled equipment. In other words, hold the phone strictly in the direction of the equipment to avoid interference.