You can schedule automations on an old Android phone with the AndrIoT Schedulers: pick an action (speak a phrase, play audio, show an image on the screen), choose the days and the time, and the phone does it by itself. If the phone has an infrared blaster, you can also control a TV, air conditioner or fan from the dashboard, from anywhere.
This guide shows how to build a schedule, gives eight examples that people actually use, explains how the IR blaster works and which phones have one, and lists the checks that stop a schedule from silently failing.
Key takeaways
- A scheduler rule has an action, days and a time. Rules can be switched on and off.
- Actions include text-to-speech, playing audio and showing an image on the phone screen.
- Only some phones have an IR blaster. Check for a remote-control or IR app, or a small black window on the top edge.
- The phone must be on, online and not stopped by battery saver for a schedule to run.
- The IR blaster can send commands from the dashboard, which is handy for a TV, fan or AC you can see from the phone.
What the Schedulers do
A scheduler is a rule that says: at this time, on these days, do this. In the dashboard each phone has a list of rules, and each rule has a switch so that you can pause it without deleting it.
| Action | What happens | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Speak (text-to-speech) | The phone says a typed phrase | Good morning, time to get up |
| Play audio | The phone plays a sound or clip | A doorbell chime at 18:00 |
| Show image | The screen shows an image | A night-mode image at 22:00 |
| Screen display | LED sign, message or marquee | Opening hours in a shop window |
Create a schedule, step by step
- Open the phone in the dashboard at app.andriot.net and go to Schedulers.
- Add a rule. Choose the action: speak, play audio or show an image.
- Enter the content. For speech, type the phrase. For audio or an image, choose the file.
- Choose days and time. Pick every day, weekdays or particular days, and the time.
- Save and switch it on. Then wait for the time, or set a test rule two minutes ahead.
- Check the activity log to confirm the action ran.
Set a test rule for two minutes in the future first. It proves the phone is awake, the volume is audible and the time zone is right.
Eight ideas that work
- Wake-up message at 07:30 for a child or a heavy sleeper.
- Pet cue at 17:30 to signal that you are on your way. See the pet camera guide.
- Shop opening hours shown on the phone screen at 08:55 and changed at closing time. See the LED sign guide.
- Medication reminder spoken at fixed times for a relative who lives with you.
- Night mode image on a bedroom phone screen so that it is not bright.
- Doorbell chime when the school bus is due.
- Presence cue in an empty house, a short sound or voice in the evening.
- Weekly test siren at a quiet time to confirm the alarm works.
IR blaster: control a TV or AC from the dashboard
Some Android phones, mostly older models from certain makers, have an infrared LED on the top edge like a TV remote. The IR blaster feature in AndrIoT sends remote-control codes through it. Combined with the dashboard, you can switch a TV, fan or air conditioner on or off from anywhere, provided the phone points at the device.
Does my phone have one?
Look for a small dark or glossy window on the top edge, or look for a built-in remote control app. If neither exists, the phone does not have an IR blaster. The feature only appears on phones that do.
Using it
- Place the phone so that the IR window points at the TV or AC, a few metres away at most.
- Open the IR controls for the phone in the dashboard.
- Choose the device type and send a test command such as power.
- If it works, save the button. If not, try another code set or move closer.
Infrared is line of sight: walls, plants and cases block it. Codes differ by brand, so expect to try a couple of sets.
Making schedules reliable
- Exempt the app from battery saver, or Android may skip a rule overnight.
- Keep the phone charging. See the power guide.
- Check the time zone in the phone settings.
- Raise the media volume for audio and speech.
- Check the activity log after the first day.
- Do not rely on a schedule alone for anything critical.
Combining schedules with alerts
Schedules run actions on the phone. For events from the phone to you, use the Forwarding Hub, which sends alerts to Telegram, webhook or MQTT. Together they let the phone speak at set times and tell you when something unusual happens. See the alerts guide.
Troubleshooting a schedule that does not fire
- Check the activity log. If the action appears, the rule ran and the problem is on the phone: volume, mute or a closed screen.
- Check the rule switch. A rule that is off will never run.
- Check the day and the time zone. A rule for Monday to Friday will not fire on Saturday.
- Check the phone is awake and online. If battery saver stopped the app, the rule cannot run.
- Try a test rule two minutes ahead and watch it happen.
Most failed schedules are one of those five. The activity log tells you which.
Scheduler or alert: which one do you need?
| You want to... | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Do something at a time | Scheduler | Speak a reminder at 07:30 |
| Know when something happens | Alert through the Forwarding Hub | Telegram message on motion |
| Change a display during the day | Scheduler with the screen display | OPEN at 09:00, CLOSED at 18:00 |
| Switch a TV or AC | IR blaster from the dashboard | Power off the TV remotely |
| Run a command on the phone | Remote terminal | Check free space |
The alerts guide and the remote tools guide cover the last three.
Pros and limits
Pros
- Simple rules with days, times and a switch.
- Speak, play audio or show an image without touching the phone.
- IR blaster lets you control a TV or AC remotely on phones that have one.
- Works with alerts for a full loop.
Limits
- IR blasters exist only on some phones and need line of sight.
- The phone must be awake, online and not restricted by battery saver.
- Time zone mistakes cause rules to fire at the wrong hour.
- Not for critical timing.
FAQ
What can I schedule on an old phone?
You can speak a phrase, play audio or show an image on the screen at set days and times. The screen display can be an LED sign, a message or a marquee.
Does my phone have an IR blaster?
Only some do. Look for a small window on the top edge or a built-in remote app. If you cannot find either, it probably does not.
Can I control my TV from anywhere?
Yes, if the phone has an IR blaster and points at the TV. You send the command from the dashboard.
Why did my schedule not run?
Most often the phone was asleep, offline or stopped by battery saver, or the time zone is wrong. Check the activity log.
Can I pause a rule?
Yes. Each rule has a switch, so you can turn it off without deleting it.