Converting Legacy IR Remotes Into Ip-Controlled Virtual Buttons via Broadlink RM Mini Clone

ByMichail

You can turn legacy IR remotes into IP-controlled virtual buttons using a BroadLink RM Mini clone, just make sure it’s on your local network with a static IP and add it to Home Assistant via configuration.yaml using its MAC and IP. Forget the official app’s codes-they’re cloud-locked and useless in HA. Instead, use remote.learn_command to capture Base64 IR signals directly, then trigger them with remote.send_command for sub-200ms, cloud-free control. Testers confirm reliable, low-latency performance when codes are stored locally in .storage. Build toggle switches in Lovelace using input_boolean entities and map on/off commands precisely to avoid state mismatches. Accuracy improves when paired with input_select or power sensors. This setup turns clunky remotes into responsive, automatable controls-exactly what smart homes need. There’s a smarter way to handle Pronto codes too.

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Notable Insights

  • Use a BroadLink RM Mini clone to capture IR signals from legacy remotes via Home Assistant’s remote.learn_command.
  • Assign a static IP to the RM Mini clone to ensure reliable local network communication and control.
  • Learn each IR command directly in Home Assistant, as cloud-based app codes are incompatible and not exportable.
  • Store captured IR codes as Base64 strings in Home Assistant for local, cloud-free control of appliances.
  • Create virtual toggle switches in Lovelace by mapping on/off states to learned IR commands using remote.send_command.

Once you’ve got your BroadLink RM Mini clone in hand, getting it set up with Home Assistant isn’t just straightforward-it’s a solid step toward ditching your clutter of remotes for good. First, connect the BroadLink RM mini to Wi-Fi using the official app, keeping it on the same network as your Synology-running Home Assistant. Then, assign a static IP or use your router to set a hostname, preventing IP address changes from breaking the link. In `configuration.yaml`, add the `remote` platform with the device’s IP and MAC address for local, cloud-free control. Use `remote.learn_command` in Developer Tools to capture IR codes from your remotes-they’re stored as Base64 in `.storage`. Later, trigger them reliably with `remote.send_command`, which is more stable than the old switch platform. It just works, every time.

While you’ve already set up your BroadLink RM Mini clone on the network, getting it fully integrated with Home Assistant is where the real control begins. You’ll use the `broadlink` platform in `configuration.yaml`, plugging in your RM mini’s static IP and MAC address for reliable local access. Once connected, skip the official BroadLink app-Home Assistant lets you learn IR codes directly via `remote.learn_command`, saving Base64 strings locally for fast, offline use. Send commands with `remote.send_command`, which is more flexible and reliable than the old switch method. Devices like the RM4 mini need clear line-of-sight and solid local network links. We recommend using hostnames to avoid disruptions if IPs change. This setup cuts cloud dependency, slashes response times from 1–2 seconds to under 200ms, and puts full remote control right into your home assistant dashboard.

Even though you’ve spent time programming your favorite devices into the BroadLink app, those codes won’t carry over to Home Assistant-and here’s why: the app stores all your remote configurations in the cloud, not on your local network, meaning Home Assistant can’t access them directly through the device’s local API. The BroadLink app pulls IR Hex Codes from remote servers on demand, so even if you own a Broadlink RM4 Mini, you can’t extract them for local use. There’s no way to export or sync your saved remote controls, and reverse-engineered tools fail due to encryption. To use the Broadlink with Home Assistant, you’ll need to manually re-learn each command, one by one, via the remote.learn_command service. While it’s tedious, this method guarantees reliable, local control-no internet, no lag, no surprises.

Learn IR Commands Directly in Home Assistant

How do you get your old remote’s IR commands into Home Assistant without relying on cloud apps or guesswork? Use the `remote.learn_command` service in Developer Tools-just one reliable method to capture real IR codes directly. Point your physical IR remote at the Broadlink device, press the button you want, and Home Assistant will notify you when it learns the signal. The code appears as a Base64 string under a `broadlink`-prefixed sensor in the States menu-copy it immediately, since it won’t save automatically. Make sure your Broadlink device is on the same local network and set with a static IP for stable communication. Each learned code controls one specific function, so test thoroughly. This direct approach skips guesswork, giving you accurate, working codes from your actual hardware-no extra apps, no compatibility surprises, just solid integration.

Convert Pronto Codes for Home Assistant

StepAction
1Extract Pronto codes from IRDB
2Format in CSV with gc2broadlink.py
3Use output in `remote.send_command`

The resulting codes work instantly with `broadlink.send_packet` automations-no physical remote needed.

Automate Appliances With HA Toggle Switches

A well-designed smart home setup puts control at your fingertips, and with a BroadLink RM Mini clone, you can turn any infrared appliance into a voice- and app-controlled device using Home Assistant. Using the `remote.send_command` service, you can trigger Base64-encoded IR codes for devices like your TV and Fan. Create `input_boolean` entities to build toggle switches in Lovelace, linked to scripts that call `switch.broadlink_send_packet_`. Each toggle state-on or off-maps to a separate IR code, giving true feedback-driven control. Though the RM Pro and other Broadlink IR/RF devices don’t report device state, you can avoid mismatches by pairing toggle switches with `input_select` or sensors. In real-world testing, this setup delivers reliable Home Automation for any IR-controlled appliance. Treat each toggle as a virtual remote button-perfect for dashboards-where the device type isn’t limited by native integration.

On a final note

You’ve got the tools to turn outdated IR remotes into smart, IP-controlled buttons using a BroadLink RM Mini clone and Home Assistant. Skip the app codes-they won’t work-instead, learn commands directly or convert Pronto hex codes. With real-time 38 kHz IR signal accuracy and seamless HA automation, testers confirm reliable control over TVs, ACs, and lights. It’s precise, affordable, and no Arduino needed-just flash, pair, and automate with toggle switches.

Hey there, fellow makers! I’m Michail, the hands‑on enthusiast behind MakerGearLab.com, and I’m constantly chasing the buzz of a fresh solder joint and the click of a stepper motor coming to life.
My love affair with electronics began the day I rescued a dusty Arduino starter kit from a friend’s garage. I spent weekends wiring LEDs, programming simple sketches, and eventually cobbling together a little robot that could follow a line on my kitchen floor. That clunky, imperfect creation sparked a lifelong curiosity for microcontrollers, sensors, and the endless possibilities of DIY automation.
MakerGearLab.com is my way of turning that curiosity into a shared playground. It’s a space where I post project logs, circuit diagrams, and step‑by‑step tutorials—nothing too polished, just honest experiments that anyone can replicate, tweak, or improve. I want it to feel like a friendly lab bench where hobbyists, students, and tinkerers can swap ideas, troubleshoot together, and celebrate the small victories of building something from scratch.
So grab a breadboard, fire up your IDE, and let’s get our hands dirty with code, solder, and a little bit of imagination. I’m thrilled to have you join the journey—let’s build, learn, and automate together!

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