An IR Blaster is one of the cheapest, fastest ways to make the appliances you already own — your AC, TV, set-top box, music system — controllable from your phone and your voice. No new AC, no new TV, no rewiring. This guide walks you through exactly how to set one up in an Indian home, from unboxing to voice control, plus fixes for the usual hiccups. If you're still wondering what the device actually does, start with our explainer on how an IR Blaster works for AC.
What You Need Before You Start
- An AZIOT IR Blaster and a free USB power point near it.
- A 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network (IR Blasters connect to 2.4GHz, not 5GHz).
- The AZIOT / SmartLife app installed on your phone.
- The appliances you want to control — with their original remotes handy for the learning step.
Where to Place the IR Blaster
Infrared is line-of-sight, so placement matters. Mount or stand the blaster where it has a clear, unobstructed view of every appliance you want to control — ideally on a central shelf or TV unit facing into the room. Avoid tucking it behind the TV or inside a closed cabinet. One well-placed blaster can usually cover an entire living room or bedroom.
Step-by-Step Setup
- Power it on and wait for the indicator light to blink, which means it's in pairing mode.
- Open the app, tap Add Device, and select the IR Blaster. Enter your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi password when prompted.
- Add an appliance: inside the device, choose "Add Remote," pick the category (AC, TV, set-top box, etc.) and brand.
- Test & confirm: the app sends sample commands — confirm which one your appliance responds to, and it's saved.
- Repeat for each appliance. All of them now live as virtual remotes in one app.
For appliances or brands not in the preset list, use the learning mode: point your original remote at the blaster and press each button to copy it one by one.
Add Voice Control (Alexa & Google Home)
Link the AZIOT app to Alexa or Google Home and you can say "turn on the AC" or "switch on the TV" hands-free. Our full walkthrough on controlling your home with Alexa & Google Home covers the linking steps in detail.
Smart Scenes & Schedules
The real payoff is automation. A few favourites:
- Pre-cool: schedule the AC to switch on 10 minutes before you reach home.
- Movie night: one tap turns on the TV and set-top box together.
- Auto-off: AC switches off automatically at 5 AM so you don't cool an empty room till morning.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Appliance not responding? Check line-of-sight and move the blaster to face the device directly.
- Won't connect to Wi-Fi? Confirm you're on the 2.4GHz band, not 5GHz.
- Wrong brand codes? Try the next code set, or use learning mode to copy your real remote.
Is It Worth It?
For under a thousand rupees, one IR Blaster replaces a drawer full of remotes and adds scheduling and voice control to appliances you already own — the highest-value first step in home automation. Want to see everything it can run? Read how the AZIOT IR Blaster turns any remote appliance smart, browse our smart accessories, or grab the AZIOT Smart Starter Kit that bundles an IR Blaster with a smart switch and plug.
Ready to ditch the remotes? Get the AZIOT IR Blaster and control your whole entertainment setup from one app today.