Getting lirc to work with Raspberry Pi Zero W (Raspbian Buster)

lirc_pi_zero_w.txt

# Steps to get IR receiver and transmitter from Amazon [1] working on a Raspberry Pi Zero W.

$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install lirc

# Remove this line from /boot/config.txt
dtoverlay=lirc-rpi,gpio_in_pin=18,gpio_out_pin=17

# Add the following lines in /boot/config.txt
dtoverlay=gpio-ir,gpio_pin=23
dtoverlay=gpio-ir-tx,gpio_pin=22

# Create the lirc_options.conf file
$ sudo cp /etc/lirc/lirc_options.conf.dist to /etc/lirc/lirc_options.conf

# Update the following lines in /etc/lirc/lirc_options.conf
driver    = default
device    = /dev/lirc0

# Reboot the Pi
$ sudo systemctl reboot

# Check to see if you have a lirc0 and lirc1 device (lirc1 if you are using both a receiver AND transmitter)
$ ls -l /dev/lirc0
$ ls -l /dev/lirc1

# Output should look like this
# crw-rw---- 1 root video 252, 0 Jul 31 11:10 /dev/lirc0
# crw-rw---- 1 root video 252, 0 Jul 31 11:10 /dev/lirc1

# Check that the module is loaded (remember that lirc-rpi is deprecated in favor of gpio-ir)
$ lsmod | grep gpio
w1_gpio                 3171  0
wire                   32947  1 w1_gpio
gpio_ir_recv            3095  0 # <---- That's our receiver
gpio_ir_tx              3569  0 # <---- That's our transmitter

# Test that you can get IR data
$ sudo systemctl stop lircd.service
$ sudo systemctl stop lircd.socket
$ sudo mode2 --driver default --device /dev/lirc0

# Reboot before testing
$ reboot

# To test if lirc driver is working
$ sudo /etc/init.d/lircd stop
$ mode2 -d /dev/lirc0
<press a key in remote and you should see multple lines like below>
pulse 560
space 1706
pulse 535

# to record a custom remote/register a remote device
$ sudo /etc/init.d/lircd stop
$ sudo irrecord -d /dev/lirc0 ~/lircd.conf
# follow the instruction prompted by the above command carefully
# at the end ~/lircd.conf file will be generated

# backup the original lircd.conf
$ sudo mv /etc/lirc/lircd.conf /etc/lirc/lircd_original.conf
$ sudo cp ~/lircd.conf /etc/lirc/lircd.conf
$ sudo /etc/init.d/lircd start

# you can test if the recorded remote works by
$ irsend SEND_ONCE <device-name> KEY_POWER
$ irsend SEND_ONCE <device-name> KEY_VOLUMEUP

[1] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E20VQD8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1