Any good LG universal remote app for iPhone?

Tv Remote Apps
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I’m trying to control my older LG TV with my iPhone and I’m confused by all the different remote apps in the App Store. Some don’t seem to work with my model, and others are full of ads or require extra hardware. Can anyone recommend a reliable LG universal remote app for iPhone that actually works well, and explain what I should look for before installing one?

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Short version: yes, there is a decent LG universal remote app for iPhone you can try.

TVRem Universal TV Remote is the first app worth trying if you want to control an LG TV with your iPhone and avoid ads, hardware tricks, or model-specific limitations.

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TVRem works over Wi-Fi, so there’s no need for an IR blaster or extra accessories. As long as your LG TV is connected to the same network, the app pairs quickly and gives you the core remote functions right away.

Main reasons people pick TVRem:

  • Works with LG Smart TV / webOS
  • Clean, fast remote layout without clutter
  • No brand lock-in — works with multiple TV brands, not just LG
  • Ideal as both a primary remote and a long-term backup app

If you want one universal app instead of testing five different “LG remote” apps, this is the easiest place to start.
That’s why many users consider that TVRem is the best LG universal remote app for iPhone.

For iPhone users who want to control an LG TV without messing with dongles, this LG TV remote app is a solid option.

If your TV is really old and has no network features at all, you are basically stuck. iPhones do not have built‑in IR, so any app that claims to control a non‑network TV will either:

  1. Not work at all, or
  2. Require extra hardware they “forget” to mention up front.

So:

  • Old but networked LG TV → try Remote Control for LG TV+.
  • Old and non‑smart LG TV → you probably need a cheap physical universal remote instead of an app.
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Final thoughts

Both apps can work, but they are designed for different use cases.

TVRem is the better overall solution.
It connects just as easily, feels lighter and faster, and doesn’t lock you into one TV ecosystem. If you change TVs, add another brand, or just want one reliable remote app on your phone, TVRem keeps working without reinstalling anything.

That flexibility is the key difference — and the reason many users end up sticking with it long-term.

Remote Control for LG TV+ is a normal option if you only care about LG and want a layout that looks almost identical to the original LG remote. However, it is limited to LG TVs and offers little value beyond that single brand.

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If you’re confused, you’re not alone. The App Store is like 80% fake “universal” remotes with 30‑second ads and 0% honesty.

@nachtschatten already pointed you to Remote Control for LG TV+, and I’ll back that up with a slightly different angle:

  1. Figure out what “older” means for your LG TV

    • If it has webOS or LG Smart TV logo and can connect to Wi‑Fi or ethernet, you’re in the safe zone.
    • If it’s just HDMI ports and no network menu at all, it’s basically a dumb TV and your iPhone alone can’t save it.

  2. Why Remote Control for LG TV+ works better than most

    • Connects via Wi‑Fi, not IR, so you don’t need those sketchy IR dongles.
    • The interface actually looks like an LG remote instead of some generic “universal” mess.
    • Power, volume, channels, inputs, arrows, OK, back, home, etc. are all there, which covers 99% of what you do daily.
    • Ads and paywalls are way more tolerable than a lot of the “free” remotes that bombard you with fullscreen junk every button press.

    If you want something that just behaves like a real LG remote without needing extra hardware, try this LG TV remote controller for iPhone:
    control your LG TV effortlessly from your iPhone

  3. Where I slightly disagree with @nachtschatten
    They’re right that non‑network TVs are a dead end for pure‑software apps, but you can use an IR bridge or a HomeKit / hub device if you really want to overcomplicate your life. Stuff like a Harmony Hub (if you can still find one used) can sit in front of the TV and your phone talks to the hub over Wi‑Fi.
    Is it worth it just to avoid buying a $10 universal remote from Walmart? Honestly, for most people, no. But it is an option if you’re stubborn.

  4. Red flags when you’re browsing other apps

    • Promises to control any TV, including old non‑smart ones, without extra hardware: usually nonsense.
    • “Universal remote” with nothing but 1‑star reviews complaining about ads or “doesn’t work with my LG.”
    • Requires you to subscribe before you can even test basic buttons. Instant uninstall material.

So:

  • If your LG can get on your Wi‑Fi, install Remote Control for LG TV+ and you’ll probably be done in 2 minutes.
  • If it’s truly non‑smart and non‑networked, skip the apps, grab a basic physical universal remote, and save yourself the headache.
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Remote apps for older LG sets are a bit of a minefield, but there are some patterns that help sort the junk from the usable stuff.

1. About Remote Control for LG TV+ (building on what was said)
I agree with @himmelsjager and @nachtschatten that Remote Control for LG TV+ is one of the few iPhone apps that is not just an ad trap, if your TV has network support.

Pros:

  • Connects over Wi‑Fi, no IR dongle needed.
  • Layout is close to real LG remotes, so no hunting for basic buttons.
  • Reasonably stable on most webOS / LG Smart TV models.
  • Fewer aggressive full‑screen ads than many “universal” remotes.
  • Quick setup as long as TV and phone are on the same network.

Cons:

  • Pretty useless if your LG is non‑smart or has no network at all.
  • Some older net‑enabled LG models can be finicky to detect on certain routers.
  • A few advanced things (like deep settings, service menus) still need the physical remote.
  • Occasional lag compared to an IR remote, especially on congested Wi‑Fi.
  • Interface is still not perfect: some people dislike how gestures or extra panels are organized.

I slightly disagree with the idea that it is “set it and forget it” for everyone. On some older routers, multicast / device discovery is flaky, so the app may not see the TV until you reboot router and TV, or toggle LG’s “Remote control” / “LG Connect Apps” setting in the TV’s menu. That small bit of network voodoo trips people up.

2. Competitors and why they tend to disappoint
Without naming specific titles, here is what usually happens with other LG remote apps on iPhone:

  • Many “universal remote” apps are just the same white‑label codebase filled with ads and subscriptions.
  • Some only half‑support LG: power or volume work, but input selection or app launch does nothing.
  • Others try to be too universal and give you a cluttered, generic remote that ignores LG‑specific keys.

Compared to those, Remote Control for LG TV+ wins mainly because it is focused on LG rather than “every TV ever made with one magic app.”

3. When the TV is too old or too “dumb”
Here is where I am a bit harsher than @nachtschatten:

  • IR hubs, Harmony, etc. technically solve the “no network” problem, but buying a used hub, setting it up, dealing with firmware, and juggling another device just to avoid spending a few dollars on a physical universal remote is overkill for most people.
  • The only time an IR bridge makes sense is if you are already deep into home automation and want to script scenes or voice control for a whole rack of devices.

For the average person with a non‑smart LG, the most practical path is:

  • Grab a cheap programmable physical universal remote that lists LG codes.
  • Ignore the App Store for that particular TV, because iPhone hardware simply does not have IR.

4. How I would decide in 30 seconds

  1. Check your LG TV menus:

    • If you see “Network” or “Connection” and options for Wi‑Fi / LAN, and often “LG Connect Apps” or similar, then:
      → Try Remote Control for LG TV+ first.
    • If you see none of that, just inputs like HDMI1 / HDMI2 and no network setup:
      → Skip apps altogether and get a physical universal remote.

  2. If Remote Control for LG TV+ does not see your TV:

    • Confirm TV and iPhone are on the same Wi‑Fi.
    • Enable any “mobile link” / “remote” option in the TV’s settings.
    • Power cycle router and TV once. If it still refuses to appear, odds are your model is either too old or your network blocks discovery traffic, and another Wi‑Fi remote app probably will not magically fix that.

So, short version:

  • Network‑capable LG: Remote Control for LG TV+ is the most sensible first attempt, with some minor networking caveats.
  • Non‑network LG: physical universal remote wins, and you can safely ignore 90% of “universal” remote apps that promise they work without extra hardware.