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pauly1

Suspended
Original poster
Sep 13, 2013
203
1
Hey all. My air conditioner remote control no longer works. Is there an app on the app store where i could download one to control my air conditioner? I know a person who has an android phone and downloaded an app for it where he can control his air conditioner with his phone. Can you do this with an iphone? I read online you cannot because you need to buy some type of technology for it... is that true or false? I read a while back it was like 23 dollars for it? If thats the case, then i would just get a new remote control but can someone here tell me if thats true or false. Because i have to manually turn on and off my air conditioner because remote control stopped working.


Thanks all.
 

Weaselboy

Moderator
Staff member
Jan 23, 2005
34,485
16,203
California
You could use an app like iRule or similar for this, but you will need to buy a hardware gadget to plugin to your phone to allow infrared output since the iPhone does not output infrared. If you search Amazon for iPhone infrared you will see some adaptors.

You might be better off just buying a cheap universal remote that supports your air conditioner. You can find them for around $10. Just check with the manufacturer to see if they support your brand AC.
 

pauly1

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Original poster
Sep 13, 2013
203
1
Hi there. Is irule to the air conditioner though?


Okay so basically all iphones dont have this technology but all android phones do then right?
 

Weaselboy

Moderator
Staff member
Jan 23, 2005
34,485
16,203
California
Hi there. Is irule to the air conditioner though?


Okay so basically all iphones dont have this technology but all android phones do then right?
iPhones do not have IR out and I know some Androids to. Dunno if they all do. Check with iTule to see if they support your specific brand of AC though.
 

pauly1

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Original poster
Sep 13, 2013
203
1
Hi there but even if i download itule, i still have to buy it right?
 

Weaselboy

Moderator
Staff member
Jan 23, 2005
34,485
16,203
California
It looks like a free download to try it out, and an in app purchase if you want it keep using it. You might try emailing them first to see if it will even work on your model.

Between buying the IR addon for you phone, plus this software, I really think you might be better off with a cheap universal remote.
 

rhett7660

macrumors G5
Jan 9, 2008
14,381
4,506
Sunny, Southern California
What type of air conditioner do you have?

If you use iRule you will need to purchase a few things in order to get it to work. I currently use iRule for my hometheater, lights, A/C (Ecobee 3), and tv. There is a learning curve.

If your AC is not setup to connect to the internet via wifi you will need something like Weaselboy suggested to transmit and receive the IR signal.

You could always buy a new smart A/C.

iRule isn't free, the basic is $49. So you would have to buy the software, the hardware that goes with it, and then set it up. The iPhone app is free to download, but in order to program or use the builder for iRule you need a license.
 
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pauly1

Suspended
Original poster
Sep 13, 2013
203
1
Hi there. Name of the remote is called Zmartech Air Conditioner.


Im pretty sure you could use a smartphone app to use it because i know someone in my building who has similar air conditioner but different brand and he was able to download a program and control his air conditioner with his andrid phone.


So basically no matter what, i still have to pay for any app on my iphone to use it on the air conditioner right? Because if so, then im just going to get a universal remote itself then.
 
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