An apparatus and methods are provided for a universal transmitter. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting activation of at least one button of the universal transmitter, by a controller, for a predetermined time, outputting at least one set of signals to a first set of terminals of a switch of the universal transmitter, detecting output on a second set of terminals of the switch and determining position of a switch, by the controller, based, at least in part, on the output detected on the second set of terminals, wherein position of the switch relates to a transmission type. The method can further include detecting activation of a first button to be programmed and programming the first button based on the transmission type.