A method for controlling a passenger service unit includes transmitting, by the passenger service unit, an electromagnetic (EM) signal that is receivable by a personal device of a passenger. The EM signal includes identification information of the passenger service unit. The method also includes receiving a control message by the passenger service unit. The control message includes an identification of one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit and a control input for the selected device. The method also includes controlling operation of the one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit in response to receiving the control message and based on the control input.