I lost my Sony TV remote and need an iOS app that can control my Sony TV from my iPhone. I tried a couple of remote apps, but they either would not connect or did not support my model. Looking for help finding the best Sony TV remote app for iPhone that actually works.
If you want an iPhone app to control a Sony TV, I tried a few routes and they don’t all feel the same.
TVRem – Universal TV Remote App
This one felt the most complete to me. It isn’t built only for Sony, but on Sony Bravia sets and Sony models running Android TV or Google TV, it worked better than I expected.
What stood out when I used it:
Works with Sony TVs tied to the Android TV and Google TV setup
Pairs over Wi-Fi fast when your phone and TV are on the same network
Handles more than the usual few buttons, so it feels closer to a full remote
Touchpad movement is smooth instead of jumpy
You get home, back, volume, input, playback, and the usual stuff people reach for
The built-in keyboard saves time when you need to search or log in
You can keep more than one TV or device inside the same app
The layout stays clean, no bloated media junk all over the screen
It felt closer to replacing the physical remote than most iOS TV apps I’ve tried
Universal Remote TV Control
This one is more of the broad universal type. Sony is in the supported brand list, so yes, it works, but the experience felt more generic. I ran into the usual third-party app stuff, more ads, more push toward upgrades, less consistency once I started hopping between menus.
Remote Control for Sony TVs (official-style Sony remote app)
This app stays closer to the basic Sony remote idea. It’s aimed at Bravia TVs and covers the core functions, navigation, volume, input switching, and app shortcuts. If all you need is a simple remote on your phone, it does the job. I found it more limited once I wanted faster movement, better text entry, or support for more than one device.
If you only need the basics, the Sony-focused option is fine. Generic universal apps are ok as a backup. If your goal is a fuller replacement for the remote you lost or got tired of hunting for, TVRem is clearly the best option out of these. It handled Sony TVs well, typing was easier, moving around menus felt quicker, and managing multiple devices in one place made a difference.
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If your Sony TV is a Bravia with Google TV or Android TV, skip most random App Store remotes. A lot of them fail because they need local network access, and people miss the iPhone popup for it. Check this first.
- Put iPhone and TV on the same Wi-Fi.
- On the TV, enable remote control settings.
- On iPhone, go to Settings, Privacy, Local Network, and make sure the remote app is allowed.
- If pairing fails, reboot the TV, not only the phone.
I slightly disagree with @mikeappsreviewer on one point. The app matters, but your TV series matters more. Older Sony sets, esp if they are not smart models, won’t work well with Wi-Fi remote apps at all. For those, you need an IR dongle for iPhone, or buy a replacement Sony remote.
Best route by model:
- Sony Bravia Android TV or Google TV, use a Wi-Fi remote app
- Older Sony smart TV, try Sony’s TV SideView if it still supports your model
- Non-smart Sony TV, app route probly won’t work
If you want, post your exact Sony model number. That narrows it down fast.
I’d split this by what kind of Sony TV you actually have, because that’s where a lot of these app recs fall apart.
If it’s a newer Bravia on Google TV or Android TV, the iPhone app that people overlook is just Google TV. Not a full fancy universal remote setup, but the remote panel inside it is surprisingly solid for basic control, and in my expereince it connects more reliably than some of the “all-in-one” remote apps. Less cute, more functional.
If your Sony uses Roku TV software instead, then none of the Sony-specific apps are the right answer. Use the Roku iPhone app. Same if it’s a Fire TV edition, use the Fire TV app. Sounds obvious, but a lot of people miss that and keep testing random Sony remotes for no reason.
I kinda disagree a little with @mikeappsreviewer on the “full replacement” angle. Third-party apps can be nice, sure, but for volume/input/navigation I usually trust the platform app first, then universal apps second. Fewer weird pairing issues.
Also worth checking if your Sony supports Apple TV Remote in Control Center indirectly through HDMI-CEC with an Apple TV box attached. That won’t control the whole TV perfectly, but it can be enough in a pinch.
What I’d do:
- Google TV app for Bravia Android/Google TV
- Roku app if it’s a Roku-based Sony
- Fire TV app if it’s Fire TV-based
- Replacement physical remote if it’s older/less smart
Post the exact model number. Sony model support is annoyngly inconsistent.