Have you ever found yourself misplacing the air conditioning (AC) unit’s remote and stressing yourself out by searching for it all over the place? I certainly have experienced this, and I wished I had another way to adjust or turn on and off the AC without having to look for the remote.
Luckily, I found this app for my phone that can turn it into an international AC remote control. The app can be used on any AC unit, and it works with a wide range of types. With the app, you don’t have to worry about the remote running out of batteries and you having to climb a ladder to turn off the AC that’s high up on the wall.
I’ll talk about the app’s features, how it works, and how to download and install it in this piece. Please read on if you want to find out more.
- Air Conditioning Units And Remote Controls
- The Proliferation Of Mobile Apps And Emergence Of App-Controlled Appliances
- About The AC Remote Control Universal App
- How To Use The AC Remote Control Universal App
- Downloading And Installing The AC Remote Control Universal App
Air Conditioning Units And Remote Controls
Over the years, I have observed the leaps and bounds of air conditioning technology, as well as remote controls. We have transitioned from the bulky window type AC units to the more discreet yet more powerful split type air conditioners.
Their compressors have also become quieter, so you don’t have to hear strange noises now and then. I used to read a lot about the harmful impact of the refrigerants used in air conditioning on the ozone layer, but this was eventually addressed by discovering and using more environment-friendly refrigerants.
Households and even businesses have become more conscious of energy consumption; that’s why inverter technology is becoming more popular. I am personally looking to convert my non-inverter AC units into inverter ones.
More Features, More Control
As AC units become more sophisticated through the development of modern technologies, controlling them becomes more complicated. Most modern air conditioners now have variable fan speeds to allow you to cool the room faster or raise temperatures promptly.
I found that even the cheapest air conditioners now have more than one mode of operation. This lets me choose the mode that works best for the temperature I want in the room, and the unit will change the settings for me. So, even air conditioners with windows now have LED screens so people can see and change the settings.
Because of these developments in AC technology, remote controls also needed to evolve to keep up with these advancements. It is very normal nowadays to see AC remote controls have their own LED displays so you can keep track of the unit’s operations and control the settings as you please.
The Proliferation Of Mobile Apps And Emergence Of App-Controlled Appliances
Smartphones are now something that most people need and are a big part of what we do every day. I couldn’t leave the house without my phone, and if I did, I’d be very worried because it has all the knowledge and apps I need to get through my day.
Phones are no longer just devices to call or send text messages and have transformed into multi-functional, multimedia devices that we use in almost every aspect of our lives.
Even small children now use smartphones to play games and watch their favorite shows, but they also use them now to access lessons and do their homework.
So, it’s not surprising that apps have been made for smartphones that let us handle home appliances, like air conditioners, with them. Mobile internet and Wi-Fi aren’t as easy to use as they used to be, which makes mobile apps more useful.
Home Automation And Mobile Apps
Our desire to gain control over things at home, coupled with the latest mobile technology, gave birth to home automation technology, which is usually controlled via mobile apps. Almost everything in our house now can be automated, from thermostats, lighting, garage doors, vacuums, and even pet feeders.
However, not everyone can afford to fully automate their houses. Personally, I only own a few home appliances that use smart technology and have their own dedicated apps. The AC unit I use now is already digital but is not smart, so it still uses a battery-operated remote control.
About The AC Remote Control Universal App
I recently experienced the scenario I mentioned a while ago about not finding the remote, and I wanted to turn off the AC unit because I had to leave the house. Because of the hassle I went through; I decided to look for a solution that involves my smartphone.
Luckily, I found the AC Remote Control Universal app from AireFanApps. This app allows you to transform your smartphone into a universal remote control for air conditioners. This is very useful in situations where you can’t find your remote, and you need to change settings, turn on, or turn off your AC unit.
While using the AC Remote Control Universal app, I discovered that the connection between my phone and the AC unit could be done in three ways: infrared (IR) port, IR Blaster, and Wi-Fi. This may be because older AC units like mine don’t have Wi-Fi connectivity and still relies on IR for control.
Some smartphones like my Xiaomi Redmi 9 still have an IR port, so this app is very useful for controlling my older model AC unit.
App Compatibility
As I mentioned above, the app offers a connection via IR or Wi-Fi, covering most air conditioners. Just make sure that your smartphone has an IR port to be able to use it for non-smart AC models.
The AC Remote Control Universal app also offers compatibility to various AC brands, from well-known names such as Carrier, Daikin, LG, and Panasonic, to lesser-known brands like Voltas, Gree, and Godrej.
How To Use The AC Remote Control Universal App
For AC units like mine that aren’t smart, it’s easy to use the app. First, I had to click the three dots in the upper right part of the screen to go to Settings. Once I got to the settings page, I tapped on Connection mode and chose IR port because my phone has an IR port.
Then I had to click Set AC Model and find the brand of my air conditioner. The last step is to go back to the menu and tap on AC Search to start the link. I could turn the unit on and off, switch it to Fan mode, change the temperature, and turn on Swing and Turbo from the main screen.
The different modes available on the app are Auto, Cool, Dry, Fan, and Heat. I need to press the Mode button to switch between these different modes. The current mode will be lighted up while the other modes are greyed out.
Using The App Via Wi-Fi
For those of you who are using air conditioners with Wi-Fi connectivity, the steps are similar but with some additions. Like non-smart ACs, you need to go to the settings page and select Wi-Fi in the Connection mode.
You also need to select the AC brand in the Set AC Model list. However, before you can initiate the connection, you still have to input the unit’s AP address. Once you’re done with that, you can now tap on the AC Search button.
Downloading And Installing The AC Remote Control Universal App
Unfortunately for iPhone and iPad users, this useful app is only available for Android devices. To download the app, go to the Google Play Store and look for the app using the Search bar. You will find it under the name AC Remote Control Universal and the Tools category.
Once you find the correct app, tap on the Install button, and it will immediately start downloading. After completing the download, press Install to initiate the installation process.
Is My Smartphone Compatible?
If you’re going to use the app for an IR-controlled AC unit, make sure that your phone has an IR port on it, or you won’t be able to use it. Some of the current smartphones with IR ports or blasters include the LG G5, the TCL 10 Pro, the Huawei Mate 10 Pro, and the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro.
You should ensure that your Android OS is at least 4.0.3 and up and you have a memory space of at least 2.4 Mb for all types of connectivity.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned about the AC Remote Control Universal app, you don’t have to worry about misplacing your AC unit’s remote control. Of course, it’s not ideal to lose the remote, but in times that you can’t find it and you need access to your air conditioner, you only have to whip out your smartphone and control it.
Like any other app, make sure that you examine the permissions you grant to it to ensure that you know what information you’re giving access to the developers. Remember that mobile apps are there to make our lives comfy and not compromise our safety and security.
