My Westinghouse Roku TV remote stopped working and I’m trying to control the TV with my phone instead. I’m not sure which remote app actually works with Westinghouse Roku models or how to set it up over Wi-Fi. Can someone recommend a reliable Westinghouse Roku TV remote app and explain how to connect it to the TV?
Lost my Westinghouse Roku TV remote last month. Then the backup batteries died too. I did not want to order a new remote and wait a week, so I went through a bunch of options to run the TV from my phone.
Here is what ended up working, what failed, and what I would do if I had to set it up again from scratch.
- TVRem app over Wi‑Fi (what I use the most now)
Link for iOS:
What I noticed after a few days with TVRem:
- It talks to Westinghouse Roku TVs over Wi‑Fi, no IR needed.
- The on‑screen controls mirror a normal remote, so you do not have to relearn anything.
- The touchpad-style area makes scrolling through Roku menus less annoying than with arrows.
- The keyboard in the app is way faster for typing emails, passwords, and search terms.
- It hooks into Alexa and Google Assistant for voice input on supported setups.
- It runs on both iPhone and iPad.
- All functionality is free, so you can use it without spending money.
How I got TVRem to see the TV
YouTube walkthrough:
Steps I followed:
- Put the phone and the TV on the same Wi‑Fi network. I had to check my router, because the guest network blocked discovery.
- Turned off VPN on my phone and disabled mobile data, otherwise the app kept timing out.
- Opened TVRem and waited while it scanned the network.
- Picked my Westinghouse Roku TV from the list that popped up.
- Looked at the TV screen, accepted the pairing prompt, and confirmed on the phone.
Once I did that once, it started reconnecting on its own each time the phone and TV landed on the same Wi‑Fi.
In my house I have multiple access points and some odd routing. The Roku official app sometimes did not see the TV when I was on one of the mesh nodes. TVRem tended to still find it faster and more consistently, which is why I stuck with it for daily use.
- Roku official remote app
This is the “standard” way people control Westinghouse Roku TVs without a remote, since these TVs run Roku OS.
What I did:
- Checked that the TV was online and joined to my main Wi‑Fi, not a guest SSID.
- Installed the Roku app on my phone from the app store.
- Opened it while still on the same Wi‑Fi as the TV.
- Waited for it to auto‑detect the TV, then tapped the TV name and confirmed.
Once connected, the Roku app gave me:
- Directional navigation and OK button.
- Home and back buttons.
- Shortcuts to installed channels/apps.
- A software keyboard for entering text.
- Volume control on models where Roku exposes that over the network.
As long as your Westinghouse Roku TV already has Wi‑Fi configured, this method is straightforward. Where I hit trouble was the initial setup on a fresh TV or after a factory reset. Without the TV being on Wi‑Fi yet, the Roku app has nothing to talk to.
So for a TV that is already on your network, the Roku app is fine for simple control. For flaky networks or more complex router setups, TVRem felt more forgiving in my case.
- Physical buttons on the TV itself
On my Westinghouse unit the built‑in buttons were in a weird spot behind the bezel. I had to feel around to find them the first time.
What I had:
- Power
- Volume up/down
- Input/source
- A basic menu button on some models
These are enough to:
- Turn the TV on or off.
- Change HDMI inputs.
- Adjust volume without a remote.
Where it fell short was anything that touched Roku OS in depth. Typing in Wi‑Fi passwords with only arrow keys and a basic button is slow and error‑prone. If you only need to swap inputs for a console or streaming stick, the buttons are tolerable. As a long‑term replacement for a remote, they get old fast.
What I would pick first
If you want something closer to a full remote replacement and you already have Wi‑Fi at home, this is what worked best for me:
TVRem info page:
Why I reach for TVRem before anything else now:
- It controls the Westinghouse Roku TV over Wi‑Fi without extra hardware.
- The touchpad feels smoother than arrow keys when moving through Roku menus.
- The built‑in keyboard and voice options cut setup time when logging in to apps.
- Once paired, it behaves like a permanent remote on the phone.
From first install to full control took me under a minute, as soon as both the TV and phone were on the same network.
The Roku mobile app still has a spot on my phone. It works fine for navigating channels and doing basic stuff, especially if you prefer Roku’s own layout and are on a simple Wi‑Fi setup.
If your Westinghouse Roku TV is already connected to Wi‑Fi, you probably do not need to order a replacement physical remote right away. A remote app like TVRem or the Roku official app will cover most daily use, from launching apps to adjusting volume, without waiting for shipping.
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Short version. Your Westinghouse Roku TV is a Roku TV. So any app that works with Roku TVs will work, as long as the TV is already on Wi‑Fi and on the same network as your phone.
To avoid repeating what @mikeappsreviewer already walked through, here are some extra angles and backup options.
- Use the official Roku app first for pairing checks
I disagree a bit with relying on third‑party apps as the main fix right away.
The Roku app is the quickest way to test if your TV is visible on the network.
Steps, but simplified:
- Connect your phone to the main Wi‑Fi, not guest.
- Turn off VPN on the phone.
- Open the Roku app, see if the TV auto shows up.
- If it does not, check your router and make sure client isolation is off on that SSID.
If the Roku app sees the TV, almost every other Roku remote app will too. If it does not, third‑party apps usually fail as well.
- If the TV is not on Wi‑Fi yet
This is the annoying part nobody likes.
You need some way to get through the first Wi‑Fi setup:
- Use the physical buttons on the TV to get into Settings → Network.
Painful, but it works if you are patient. - Borrow any Roku TV remote from a friend or neighbor. Most Roku TV remotes work across TV brands.
- Buy a cheap universal Roku TV compatible remote in a store. They often work out of the box with Roku TVs, no codes needed.
Once the TV is on Wi‑Fi and updated, phone apps become an option.
- IR remote apps only help in one case
Some phones have an IR blaster. Most iPhones do not. Some Android phones do.
If your phone has IR and you install an IR remote app, it must support Roku TV codes, not only “Roku player” codes. Those are different families.
IR is useful if:
- The TV is not on Wi‑Fi yet.
- Your router is a mess and you do not want to touch it.
Drawback. IR needs line of sight and only works from that one phone.
-
About TVRem and similar apps
TVRem, as mentioned by @mikeappsreviewer, works for Roku TVs over Wi‑Fi. I like those apps for the keyboard and touchpad, but I would not start there if your TV does not even appear to the Roku app. If Roku’s own app fails, fix network or pairing first, then move to extras. -
If the TV never shows up on the network
Things to check that often get missed:
- TV IPv4 address is from your main LAN, not some weird guest VLAN.
- Router does not block multicast or has “AP isolation” on for that SSID.
- Phone stays on Wi‑Fi and does not flip to mobile data during discovery.
When those three are clean, Roku discovery is usually stable.
- When to give up and buy a remote
If:
- TV is not on Wi‑Fi.
- No IR on your phone.
- No access to another Roku TV remote.
- Router or landlord network is locked down.
In that case, a cheap Roku TV compatible physical remote from a local store often fixes everything in under 5 minutes, then you connect Wi‑Fi, then you switch to a phone app if you still want to.
Short version: you don’t need a “Westinghouse‑specific” app. Your TV is a Roku TV, so anything that controls Roku TVs over Wi‑Fi will work, as long as the TV is already on your network.
Since @mikeappsreviewer and @reveurdenuit already covered TVRem and the official Roku app in detail, here’s what I’d add from my own trial‑and‑error:
-
Don’t overthink the app choice
If your TV is already on Wi‑Fi and you just need something that works right now, I’d actually start with the Roku app, not TVRem, for a quick sanity check.
If the Roku app sees your TV, then TVRem, Rokie, “Roku TV Remote” clones, etc. will all basically work. If Roku can’t see it, the fancy third‑party apps usually won’t magically fix that. -
Check the “boring” network stuff first
This is the part everyone skips and then spends an hour reinstalling apps for nothing. On the phone:
- Same Wi‑Fi as the TV (same SSID, no guest network).
- Turn off VPN.
- Turn off “Private Wi‑Fi address” / random MAC on iOS if your router is picky.
- Make sure mobile data is off while testing so the app is forced to use Wi‑Fi.
Router side (if you can touch it):
- Disable “AP/client isolation” or “guest protection” on that SSID.
- If you have a mesh system, keep both phone and TV on the main node first.
If that stuff is wrong, no amount of app‑hopping is going to help.
- Where I slightly disagree with the others
Both @mikeappsreviewer and @reveurdenuit lean pretty hard on getting the TV onto Wi‑Fi first and then using apps, which is ideal, yeah.
But if your phone has an IR blaster (a lot of Androids do), I’d actually start with a Roku TV IR profile before begging a neighbor for a spare remote. That can be enough to:
- Get through the Wi‑Fi setup screen
- Punch in the password
Once Wi‑Fi is set, then use Roku / TVRem and forget about IR.
- If the TV is totally not on Wi‑Fi yet
In order of least pain in my experience:
- Try IR remote app with Roku TV codes (not just Roku stick codes).
- Buy a cheap universal “Roku TV remote” from a local store. Most of them just work with Westinghouse without pairing.
- Worst case, grind through the built‑in buttons on the TV. It sucks, but you can eventually wade through Settings → Network and get Wi‑Fi set.
- For daily use once it’s all working
My split in practice:
- Roku official app: quick on/off, launching channels, no frills.
- TVRem (or similar third‑party): when I know I’ll be typing search terms, passwords, emails. The keyboard and touchpad really do save time, even if some of the “extra” features feel a bit overhyped.
So to actually answer your “which app and how” in one line:
Use the Roku app first to confirm the TV is visible on your Wi‑Fi, then switch to TVRem if you want smoother navigation and text input. If neither app finds the TV, you don’t have an app problem, you have a network or initial‑setup problem and you’ll need IR, a borrowed Roku TV remote, or a cheap universal remote to get over that first hurdle.
Your Westinghouse Roku TV is just a Roku TV in disguise, so everyone is right that almost any Roku remote app will work once the TV is properly on your network. Where I think things go sideways in practice is less “which app” and more “how your network is set up” and “what you want long term.”
Here are a few angles that complement what @reveurdenuit, @espritlibre, and @mikeappsreviewer already said, without rehashing all their steps.
1. Before apps: confirm the TV’s actual state
A lot of people assume “it was on Wi‑Fi last year, so it still is.” Not always true.
Quick checks, in order:
- Turn the TV on and leave it on the Home screen for a minute.
- Look in your router’s connected devices list for anything named “Roku” or “Westinghouse RokuTV.”
- If you do not see it at all, assume it is not really on the network, even if it once was.
If the TV is not visible in the router, no Wi‑Fi remote app, including the Roku app, TVRem, or any clone, will work. That is where people think “this app sucks” when it is actually a connectivity issue.
2. Apps choice: when to use which, realistically
Everyone already mentioned the Roku official app and TVRem. Let me add how I would position them in real usage.
Roku official app
Good for:
- Proving the network is fine
- Simple day to day navigation
- Sticking close to what Roku supports officially
Weak for:
- Flaky networks or mesh setups
- Heavy text entry, lots of app logins
TVRem universal TV remote app (the product title you asked about)
Good for:
- Using your phone like a trackpad instead of hammering arrow keys
- Doing long Wi‑Fi passwords, emails, and search via keyboard
- People who want one remote app for multiple TVs / brands
Pros of TVRem:
- Controls Westinghouse Roku TV over Wi‑Fi without extra hardware
- Interface maps closely to a real Roku TV remote so it feels familiar
- Touchpad style navigation can be smoother than directional buttons
- Built in keyboard and voice input save a lot of time during setup
- Works across iPhone and iPad so you do not fight over one physical remote
Cons of TVRem:
- 100 percent depends on the TV already being on the same Wi‑Fi
- If your router isolates clients, discovery can still be hit or miss
- Extra features can feel like overkill if you just want volume and Home
- Not helpful at all if the TV was factory reset and has no Wi‑Fi info yet
I slightly disagree with relying on third party apps as the “main” first step. I would start with the Roku app as a diagnostic tool. If that sees your Westinghouse Roku TV, then installing TVRem after that gives you a better daily driving experience.
3. Where people get stuck that the others only touched on
A couple of less obvious gotchas that cause “my phone cannot find the TV” even when Wi‑Fi looks fine:
-
Different Wi‑Fi bands acting like different networks
Some routers isolate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Roku TVs often sit on 2.4, while your phone might be on 5. If the router is misconfigured, discovery broadcasts do not cross over. Workaround: briefly force your phone to the same band or temporarily disable one band while pairing. -
ISP or landlord routers with weird defaults
Guest‑style isolation is sometimes enabled on the main SSID. In that case:- Phone can get internet
- TV can get internet
- But they cannot see each other
This is why @reveurdenuit and @espritlibre mention “client isolation.” You may need to log into the router and turn that off or use a different SSID.
-
Phones that hop back to mobile data mid discovery
Especially on weaker Wi‑Fi, your phone may switch to cellular while the app is scanning, which silently breaks detection. For testing, I would literally flip mobile data off for a minute.
4. If you are stuck before Wi‑Fi setup
Where I diverge a bit from @mikeappsreviewer:
If your phone has an IR blaster, I would absolutely try an IR based Roku TV profile first, instead of hunting for a spare remote. That can give you just enough control to:
- Navigate to Settings → Network
- Select your Wi‑Fi
- Enter the password
After that, move to Roku’s app or TVRem and forget IR entirely.
If you have:
- No IR on your phone
- No router access
- No spare Roku TV remote
Then I agree with the others: a cheap physical “Roku TV” remote from a store is usually the fastest “one and done” move. Once the TV is online, all the Wi‑Fi apps become viable.
5. Practical recommendation for your case
Given your remote stopped working and you want phone control:
- Confirm the TV actually shows up in your router’s device list.
- Install the Roku official app and test if it auto detects the TV while both are on the same Wi‑Fi and your phone has VPN and mobile data off.
- If it works, install TVRem universal TV remote app and use that as your main controller for smoother navigation and typing, keeping Roku’s app as a backup.
- If it does not work and the TV never appears in any app, you don’t have an app problem. You have:
- Either the TV not joined to Wi‑Fi
- Or network isolation blocking discovery
At that point, use physical TV buttons, an IR phone app, or a cheap Roku TV remote just long enough to get through network setup.
That should get you from “no remote” to full phone control without going in circles reinstalling the same type of apps.