F-Droid

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F-Droid is an installable catalogue of FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) applications for the Android platform. The client makes it easy to browse, install, and keep track of updates on your device.

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Foss TV Remote Control App (lemmy.ml)

submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Hi All, wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a FOSS Android/Google TV remote control app? My phone doesn't support IR so looking for a remote control app that can connect via Wifi. TIA!

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (8 children)

Each TV brand basically has its own proprietary control scheme, so even if you find an app, it might not support your specific TV model.

Do you mind sharing the specific TV model you're looking to control?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (3 children)

Yes, no problem at all. It's a TCL P735 tv running the Google TV OS.

I did find non-FOSS remote options in the playstore but they are all riddled with ads and are asking for too many unnecessary permission imo.

TIA

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago

Despite all my research, I couldn't find anything that would be FOSS and operate in a generic way.

I searched for a FOSS app that could pair with Google TV over WiFi, no success.
I searched for a FOSS app that could pair with Android over bluetooth and act as a remote, no success.
I searched if there was an RS232 port on the TV, a bluetooth-to-RS232 dongle could have done the trick with some configuration, alas no RS232.
I searched if there was an HDMI-to-bluetooth dongle that could send HDMI-CEC commands, but I'm not sure that would work.
Another option, if you have an audio jack would be to use a 3.5mm IR transmitter and send "sound clips" as IR transmission. Some of these dongle are able to "read" the IR transmission and convert them into "sound", which you can "play back" through the dongle.

I'm kinda out of ideas at this point.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

if it's an android tv there should be a lot of options.
even if none of them are foss you should still be able to use the discontinued android remote app. It's not foss but it's not too bloated either (it just does it's job)

[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I looked for this 'android remote app' but a lot of options came up when searching for it. Would you be able to tell me the name of the developer please, or send me a direct download link? Thanks in advance!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

yeah Google removed it and merged it into android tv/movies app but you can still sideload the old one (you can find it online)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Thanks! I think I found it online but whichever apk I download throws an error message 'this app is not compatible with your phone' when trying to install it. I'll keep looking for one that works 👍🏻.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

are you running android 14? then you're out of luck ¯_(ツ)_/¯

[–] WhiteOakBayou 2 points 8 months ago

So you're looking for a FOSS version of Android web view or something. A FOSS chromecast controller.

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