I lost access to my original TCL Google TV remote, and the replacement apps I’ve tried have been glitchy or full of ads. I’m looking for the best TCL Google TV remote app based on real Reddit recommendations, especially ones that are easy to pair, reliable, and work well on Android or iPhone.
I spent the last two weeks trying a few phone remotes with a TCL Google TV, because I got tired of the physical remote vanishing into the couch. What kept coming up in forum posts and user comments was pretty consistent. Your best option changes depending on whether you use an iPhone or Android, but one iPhone app kept beating the rest.
For iPhone
Best pick
Free
I tried this first, then kept coming back to it. It feels built for TCL and Google TV instead of trying to control fifty unrelated devices at once. You get the full D-pad, app shortcuts, voice support, and the setup is short. I didn’t need to make an account. I didn’t run into ad spam. I didn’t hit a paywall after pairing the TV. Over Wi-Fi, it stayed connected better than the others I tested. If your goal is simple control from your phone, this one felt the least annoying.
I also ran into this Reddit thread while checking what other people were using: https://www.reddit.com/r/tcltvs/comments/1339z8f/tcl_google_tv_remote_app/. Same app kept getting mentioned there too.
Google TV
This is Google’s own app, and yeah, the remote part works. I used it without major trouble. Still, it feels heavier because the app wants to do more than remote control. It pushes browsing, watchlists, and content picks. If you like handling your library in the same place, you might prefer it. If you want your phone to behave like a clean remote and nothing else, TVRem felt easier.
For Android phones
Universal TV Remote Control
Best pick
Free
This one came off as the safest Android choice. I saw steady pairing, quick button response, and the layout didn’t fight me. It covers the stuff most people need every day, navigation, volume, input changes, and general movement around Google TV menus. If you want one app and done, this is the one I’d start with.
Universal Remote Control TV
I’d keep this as the backup pick. It works with TCL sets, and I noticed people bringing it up when the first app had pairing weirdness on a specific phone. The layout is a bit different, so you might end up liking it more for simple muscle memory stuff. It did the job when tested, no drama.
If you use an iPhone, TVrem is the clear one to try first. It is free, built around Google TV use, skips ads, and I had fewer connection hiccups with it. Google TV is still fine if you want browsing and watchlist features in the same app.
If you use Android, Universal TV Remote Control by Codematics looks like the stronger daily option. Universal Remote Control TV from Sensustech is worth keeping in mind if the first one doesn’t pair cleanly with your setup. Sometimes these things get weird with one phone model and not another, so having a second app ready saves time.
1 Like
Reddit leans pretty hard toward the official Google TV app first, mostly because it pairs fast, has fewer ad complaints, and works with TCL Google TV without weird brand-specific bugs. If you want the safest pick, start there.
I differ a bit from @mikeappsreviewer on one point. I would not assume third-party is the best first move on iPhone or Android. Reddit threads usually trust first-party apps more for pairing and updates. Less cute, more stable.
What I saw come up most:
- Google TV app, most recommended overall.
- TCL Home app, mentioned sometimes, but less often and mixed results.
- Codematics-style universal remotes, common backup choice, but ad complaints show up a lot.
- Roku remote apps, only if your TCL is Roku TV, not Google TV. People mix this up alll the time.
Best path for you:
Use Google TV app first.
If pairing fails, try a clean universal remote app with low ad reviews.
Skip anything with subscription popups on first launch. Those apps tend to be janky tbh.
If your TV and phone are on the same Wi-Fi, the official app is usally the least painful option.
Reddit seems to land on a pretty simple pecking order for TCL Google TV:
-
Google TV app
This is the one I see recommended most often for actual Google TV sets. Not because people love it, but because it usually works, pairs fast, and has fewer “why is this remote app a casino full of ads” complaints. @sterrenkijker is right on that part. First-party usually wins for basic stability. -
TCL Home app
Mentioned, but way less consistently. Some people say it’s fine, others say it’s flaky. Feels more like “try it if you already have it” than “best app.” -
Universal remote apps like Codematics
These come up a lot as backups, not favorites. They’re popular because they support a ton of TVs, but Reddit complaints are super repetitive: ads, popups, weird pairing behavior, paywalls after 2 taps. Usable, but kinda annoying.
Where I disagree a bit with @mikeappsreviewer: a polished third-party app can be nice, sure, but Reddit usually values boring and reliable over slick. If you lost the physical remote and just need the TV controllable again, start with Google TV, not the prettier option.
One important gotcha: if your TCL is actually a Roku TV, all of this changes. Then you want the Roku app, not Google TV. People mix that up constntly.
So the short version:
Most recommended overall on Reddit for TCL Google TV: Google TV app.
Best backup: a universal remote app, but expect ads unless you pick carefully.
That’s the least painfull route.