Unified Remote for Zoom

Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Functionality
• 3. Installing
• 4. Preferences
  • 4.1. Power
  • 4.2. Quick Switch
• 5. Files in the Zoom folder

1. Introduction

If you have an old mobile phone that you want to put to use, then this project allows you to repurpose it as a custom keypad. A cheaper version of the Elgato Stream Deck.

The image below shows my desk setup, with an old mobile phone to the left of my screen:

I created a stand from carton, but an alternative is the Ikea SIGFINN holder.

When working from home, I am usually connected via VPN to a corporate network. This means that the mobile phone cannot communicate with my laptop via WiFi. The remaining alternatives are:

• USB

• Bluetooth

There are quite a few Android apps that allow you to use your phone as a programmable keypad, but the only one I have found that meets the above criteria (bluetooth) is Unified Remote. As this is a custom remote, you will require the full (paid) version of the app.

2. Functionality

This remote provides you with a keypad that looks like this:

Prev Desktop	Next Desktop
Zoom Share	Zoom End
Zoom Controls

The top two keys allow you to switch between Windows virtual desktops.

I often find that my Zoom window is hidden below other windows. The bottom key (Zoom Controls) moves the focus to the Zoom window.

3. Installing

These instructions assume you have your Unified remote working and connected to your computer. A useful remote to try out is the Media remote. If that works, you are good to go.

Copy all files in the zoom folder into folder: C:\ProgramData\Unified Remote\Remotes\Custom\zoom

On your computer, find the Unified Remote icon on the taskbar (the hidden icons on the right). Right-click and choose Manager …​. This starts a browser screen titled Status. On the bottom of the screen, hit the button RELOAD REMOTES. Unfortunately, this doesn’t reload the remotes. You have to hit the RESTART SERVER button.

On the menu on the left of the screen, choose Remotes. Scroll down and check that Zoom is in the list.

Start the app on your phone. You will see the screen titled Remotes and listing Basic Input as the first one.

On the bottom left you will see a refresh icon. Press it to refresh the list. Zoom won’t be on the list yet. Then hit the green (+) button on the screen. It shows several categories. Press Other. Press Zoom. Now Zoom will be displayed in the Remotes list.

4. Preferences

4.1. Power

You’ll want your remote to stay activated while you are at your laptop; you don’t want your phone to go to sleep.

1. Press the pancake menu in the top left corner.

2. Choose Preferences

3. Choose Power

4. Select the checkbox on Wake Lock.

4.2. Quick Switch

When a remote is activated, you can quickly switch to another remote by swiping from the right side of the screen. Follow these steps to add Zoom the Quick Switch menu.

1. Press the pancake menu in the top left corner.

2. Choose Preferences

3. Choose General

4. Choose Quick Switch

5. Select the checkbox on the Zoom remote and press OK.

5. Files in the Zoom folder

Here’s a brief description of the files, for those that may want to modify them:

Filename	Description
icon.png	Icon with 64x64 pixels resolution
icon_hires.png	Icon with 512x512 pixels resolution
layout.xml	The file that describes the layout
meta.prop	Describes the metadata of this remote
remote.lua	Defines the keyboard mappings