Android app for IR device control, testing codes from the Flipper IRDB, and building custom automation macros.
IRShark is a practical IR remote toolbox for Android. It helps you:
- control devices via your phone's built-in IR blaster
- use a large profile database from Flipper IRDB
- test compatible codes step by step (IR Finder)
- save your own remotes and button layouts
- build macros (automated IR command sequences)
The project is designed as a practical-first tool: fast signal sending, clear profile navigation, and a smooth workflow for real-world hardware testing.
IRShark uses a bundled Flipper IRDB copy in assets:
- Community repository: https://github.com/Lucaslhm/Flipper-IRDB
This gives the app broad brand/device coverage without manual code entry.
Main sections in the app:
- Universal Remote: quickly sends common commands across multiple profiles in a category
- My Remotes: your saved remotes, custom button mappings, favorites
- Remote DB: browse the built-in IR profile database
- Remote Control: control screen for a specific remote
- IR Finder: guided workflow to find working codes based on device response
- Macro Editor: create/edit block-based command sequences
Remote Editor supports clear, structured editing of both whole remotes and individual IR payload codes sent by each button.
IRShark also includes a home screen widget for quick access to saved IR actions without opening the full app.
- Kotlin + Jetpack Compose
- Material 3
- Gradle Kotlin DSL
- Android ConsumerIrManager for IR transmission
Requirements:
- Android Studio (recent version with Compose support)
- Android SDK 36
- Minimum supported runtime: Android 8.0+ (API 26)
- a device with an IR blaster for real transmission
Most emulators do not expose
ConsumerIrManager. For real transmission testing use a physical device with an IR emitter (e.g. Xiaomi, OPPO, some Samsung models).
./gradlew :app:compileDebugKotlin # compile check
./gradlew :app:installDebug # build + install on connected device
./gradlew :app:assembleDebug # build debug APK
./gradlew :app:assembleRelease # build release APK- some commands may need repeats or a longer press depending on device behavior
- real-world compatibility depends on the quality of your phone's IR emitter
- for reliable validation, test both decode output (e.g. with Flipper) and real target-device response
Contributions are welcome! Here is how to get started and what to keep in mind when opening a pull request.
git clone https://github.com/vexdev/IRShark.git
cd IRSharkOpen the project root in Android Studio (File → Open). Gradle syncs automatically on first open.
Use a short, lowercase, hyphen-separated name that describes what the branch does:
feat/rc6-protocol
fix/db-cache-regression
ui/button-editor-header
chore/bump-compose-bom
| Prefix | Use for |
|---|---|
feat/ |
new feature or protocol support |
fix/ |
bug fix |
ui/ |
visual / UX change with no functional impact |
chore/ |
dependency bumps, refactors, build changes |
docs/ |
documentation only |
- One concern per PR. Don't mix a bug fix with a refactor — open separate PRs.
- Title format:
[prefix] short description in present tense- ✅
[feat] Add RC6 protocol encoder - ✅
[fix] Restore DB cache fast-path on startup - ❌
Various improvements and fixes
- ✅
- Description should include:
- What the PR does and why
- How to test it (which screen / device / flow to exercise)
- Screenshots or a short screen recording for UI changes
- Keep the diff focused — avoid reformatting unrelated files.
- Make sure
./gradlew :app:compileDebugKotlinpasses before opening the PR.
- IRShark application code is licensed under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0.
- Commercial use of the application code is not allowed without separate permission from the author.
- License scope applies only to the IRShark application project files.
- The bundled Flipper IRDB dataset is licensed separately by its upstream project and is not re-licensed by this repository.
See:
- LICENSE (project root)
- app/src/main/assets/flipper_irdb/LICENSE
- https://github.com/Lucaslhm/Flipper-IRDB