I lost my physical TV remote and need to control my TV with my iPhone. Can anyone recommend a reliable TV remote app for iPhone that actually works? I want something easy to set up, preferably free, and compatible with most TV brands. Really appreciate any tips or experiences you can share!
It all depends on the model of your TV.
You can choose a TV remote app for iPhone that’s specifically made for your TV brand - for example, Samsung, LG, or Sony. These brand-specific apps often offer deeper integration and extra features tailored to your device.
Alternatively, you can use a universal app that works with most modern smart TVs.
The “Covers-Everything” Universal Remote Apps
- Tried a bunch of these since I own too many screens. My favorite for just getting things done? TV Remote – Universal Control.
- Features:
- Touchpad (so it’s not like pecking at a tiny arrow pad for an hour).
- Full keyboard pop-up! Yes, finally, you can type passwords without nearly sobbing.
- The interface feels kinda like Apple snuck in and designed it—so no confusion.
And About Setting It Up…
Let’s talk roadblocks, or lack thereof: as long as your TV and iPhone are using the same Wi-Fi, pairing usually takes less time than finding your actual remote. Sometimes you gotta punch in a code that flashes on your TV, but it’s fast.
Why Even Bother With a Remote App?
Okay, story time: I once spent half an episode of my favorite show crawling around for my remote. Now, I just tap open this TV remote app for iPhone and I’m good. Lost remotes are a non-issue. You get a slick second screen for controlling your TV, and you’ll probably never fumble for AAA batteries again.
In the end, if you have a modern smart TV and an iPhone, chances are you can toss that old plastic remote in a drawer and take control directly from your pocket. Even my skeptical uncle tried it, and the only complaint he had was “why wasn’t this a thing ten years ago?”
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Honestly, TV remote apps for iPhone are everywhere now, but not all of them are gonna magically fix your remote-less woes. @mikeappsreviewer covered the whole brand-specific route (and yeah, those apps can be solid if you don’t mind juggling one per device), but I’d argue universal options sometimes save you the headache of figuring out which one’s “the right” version.
If you want something genuinely easy (and I mean actually works, not just doesn’t crash once), try ‘Universal TV Remote Control.’ It’s not some miracle tech, but it does what you need – connects over Wi-Fi, and most TVs from the past few years just “get it” without weird compatibility hacks. In my case, setup took like 2 min: iPhone and TV on the same Wi-Fi, open the app, boom—remote appears. I didn’t have to sign up for an account or watch a spaceship ad for 30 seconds or anything.
But I gotta say, if your TV is dumb-old (think…pre-Netflix button era), none of these apps will help. iPhones don’t have IR blasters, so no remote app is magically controlling your old Vizio through thin air. Then you’re stuck buying a physical remote or using the freakin’ buttons on the TV itself (yikes).
If your TV is a Samsung, LG, Sony smart TV, etc—these apps get the job done and ‘Universal TV Remote Control’ in particular is, IMO, less annoying than most free ones on the App Store. Just don’t expect some Matrix-level integration; you still need to poke at your TV for one-time pairing.
TL;DR: Universal TV Remote Control, Wi-Fi required, works for most with smart TVs. Brand apps are cool if you want special features (sometimes I don’t). If your TV is ancient, sorry, no app will save you—maybe it’s a sign to upgrade?
Honestly, apps like Universal TV Remote Control are pretty much what everyone ends up with (agree with @mikeappsreviewer and @mike34 there)—especially if you just want to quit losing remotes for the millionth time. But, quick reality check: universal apps are decent, but the experience isn’t always perfect. Sometimes your TV is moody, decides not to be found on Wi-Fi, or the app gets pushy with ads—yeah, some of those “totally free” apps are basically ad farms with a remote tacked on. Universal TV Remote Control has way fewer pop-ups than others, but IMHO, it’s STILL not as quick as a real remote—no matter what anyone says. (If you have a gaming console with a remote app, sometimes that’s even less hassle.)
One thing everyone forgets to mention: your TV’s firmware can totally mess with compatibility. Even with big brand smart TVs—Samsung, LG, whatever—the app might glitch unless you’ve updated your TV’s software. Sometimes functions like volume or input switching are missing, especially if your TV is more than a couple years old. If you end up in that boat, sometimes the official brand apps fix the issue, but they usually want your data, your login, and probably your firstborn child too.
So, summary—Universal TV Remote Control is your best shot across most newer TVs, easy and mostly painless to set up. Just watch out for ads and don’t expect it to replace your remote DREAMS entirely. If you want every last feature, check if your TV brand has a decent official app, but half the time it’s just bloatware. Ancient TVs? Honestly, just accept you’ll be using the power button on the TV or coughing up $12 for a knockoff remote on Amazon.
Universal TV Remote Control is the go-to app for iPhone users desperate to replace a lost remote, but don’t expect pure magic. The good: it’ll pair quickly with most newer smart TVs as long as both devices are on the same Wi-Fi, and getting started is almost foolproof. No digging through drawers for spare batteries, plus the UI is clean and intuitive (nothing worse than battling your remote AND clunky software).
But let’s be real: all-in-one remote apps, including Universal TV Remote Control, are sometimes less responsive than the actual remote—there’s the occasional lag, missed signal, or the app just not finding your TV if it’s being temperamental. Ads? Yep, they exist, but this app keeps them less intrusive than most competitors. Want volume and input control? You’ll probably get it, unless your TV firmware is ancient or never gets updates, in which case you’re back to pushing the button on the TV itself. Also, password entry is so much easier here thanks to the keyboard pop-up. That’s a win.
Compared to what others suggested, Universal TV Remote Control stands out for stability and ease, even if official brand apps sometimes dig a little deeper into features. But those can be bloated, clunky, or require endless account logins. If you’ve got a super old TV or just crave every function under the sun, you might still need a physical remote eventually—but as a near-term fix for modern smart TVs, this is your best bet.