I’m overwhelmed by all the universal TV remote options and can’t tell which ones are actually reliable and easy to set up. I have multiple devices (TV, soundbar, streaming box) and I’m tired of juggling different remotes. Can anyone suggest a dependable universal remote that works well, has good range, and won’t be a nightmare to program?
I got sick of hunting for TV remotes in the couch, under blankets, in the kitchen, in my kid’s room, you name it. We have two TVs, Samsung in the living room and LG in the bedroom, so two different remotes, two different batteries to die at the worst time.
My phone is always near me. The remotes are not. So I went down the rabbit hole of universal TV remote apps on iPhone, Android, and Mac and used them for a bit like I would a real remote, not a quick “tap once and uninstall” test.
Here is what I found, with actual annoyances included.
TV remote apps for iPhone
I tested these on an iPhone:
TVRem Universal TV Remote, TV Remote – Universal Control, Universal Remote TV Smart, and TV Remote – Universal. All from the App Store.
TVRem Universal TV Remote
This one surprised me. TVRem worked with both my Samsung and my LG, and the app lists support for LG, Samsung, Sony, Android TV, Roku, and a bunch of others.
What hit me first was that there was no paywall slapping me in the face. No subscription popup, no “3 uses left” warning. I kept waiting for it, nothing.
Stuff I used a lot:
- Touchpad for moving around apps
- Voice control (on TVs that support Google Assistant or Alexa)
- Normal voice input for searches
- Keyboard for typing passwords
- Channel switching and basic playback
Pros
- Interface is simple enough that my parents would figure it out
- TV detection and connection was quick in my tests
- No cost, no trial, nothing
- Works with a lot of different TVs and platforms
- Covers the usual remote actions without missing obvious buttons
Cons
- No Vizio support, so if you live in Vizio land, this is a problem
Price: free
Link: TVRem Universal TV Remote App App - App Store
Verdict:
If you want a basic remote app that works and do not want to think about subscriptions, this is the one I’d start with. It does what a normal remote does, plus keyboard and touchpad, and it stays out of the way.
There is also a pretty detailed thread comparing universal TV remote apps vs physical remotes here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/DataRecoveryHelp/comments/1qqa2bh/best_universal_tv_remote/
Product video:
Product page:
TV Remote – Universal Control
This one supports many brands too. It connects over Wi‑Fi, so your TV and phone have to be on the same network.
Stuff that worked fine:
- Touchpad
- Voice control
- Channel launcher
- Keyboard
There is also media casting, which I did not use much since I wanted a straight remote, not a Chromecast replacement.
The problem: nearly everything is paywalled. To even see what the app really does, I had to start a free trial. Tapping random icons often opened some subscription screen.
Pros
- It has the core remote features people look for
- Wide TV and platform support
Cons
- Ads inside the app
- A lot of basic actions end up behind a paywall
- The app crashed a few times when I pulled up the menu
Price: from $4.99 and up
Link: TV Remote - Universal Control App - App Store
Verdict:
Not awful feature-wise, but I bounced off the monetization pretty fast. I did not buy the full version because I wanted something cheaper or fully free.
Universal Remote TV Smart
This one feels like an older design that never got cleaned up.
It detects a lot of brands, same “universal” promise, yet the remote layout annoyed me. Buttons feel scattered, less like a remote and more like some generic control panel.
You still get the basics:
- Keyboard
- App navigation
- Volume
- Channel changes
Pros
- Works with many TV brands
Cons
- Layout feels awkward, I kept hunting for buttons
- No voice control at all
- Ads are aggressive and often force you to watch full videos
- Many features throw offers at you instead of doing the thing
Example: I pressed the arrow to move to YouTube, hit OK, and instantly got an offer popup
Price: from $7.99 and up
Link: Universal remote tv smart App - App Store
Verdict:
This ended up at the bottom of the iPhone list. Heavy paywalls, intrusive ads, and the UI made me want to uninstall.
TV Remote – Universal
This one turns your iPhone or iPad into a universal remote and lists support for LG, Samsung, Sony, Vizio, Android TV, etc.
It connects over Wi‑Fi, so you need the phone and TV on the same network.
Features:
- Channel and app switching
- Keyboard input
- Rewind, pause, play, that stuff
Pros
- TV discovery and connection worked easily
- Interface is clear enough and not overloaded
- Main functions are present
- Free trial
Cons
- Ads inside the app, removable with payment
- A lot of “extra” buttons send you to purchase screens
Price: from $4.99 and up
Link: TV Remote - Universal App - App Store
Verdict:
I took the trial to test everything. Some lag on the main screen, but nothing unbearable. The constant upsell for advanced features and the in-app ads killed it for me long term.
TV remote apps for Android
My wife uses Android, I borrowed her phone and tried a bunch on our Samsung and LG.
Universal TV Remote Control
This one tries to be the “all in one” option. It supports Sony, Samsung, LG, Philips, TCL, Hisense, Panasonic, and more.
Features I noticed:
- Trackpad navigation
- Voice search
- App control
- Built-in keyboard
It also works both as a Wi‑Fi remote and as an IR remote if your phone has an IR blaster.
Pros
- Big list of supported TVs and devices
- Works over Wi‑Fi and infrared
- All core controls are free
Cons
- Ads absolutely everywhere, including ones that were hard to close
- App crashed multiple times, and I had to reconnect to the TV more often than I wanted
Price: free
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=codematics.universal.tv.remote.control&hl=en
Verdict:
On paper it is perfect, free with a lot of features. After 10 minutes of usage with unending ads, it went straight to my “nope” list.
Remote Control For All TV | AI
This one also supports a lot of brands over Wi‑Fi.
The free version gives you:
- Basic remote buttons
- Volume and channel control
The issues started during setup. It took a while to detect the TV and connect. Every second or third tap, I had some sort of ad popping.
Paid version unlocks:
- No ads
- AI assistant
- Keyboard with voice input
- Screen mirroring
Pros
- Supports many TV brands
- Core remote behavior available without paying
Cons
- Heavy ad presence on the free tier
- Slow TV detection
- Most genuinely useful features are behind the paid plan
Price: from $4.99 and up
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sensustech.universal.remote.control.ai
Verdict
Usable if you only want a simple remote and you tolerate ads. The connection delays made it feel sluggish, which is annoying when you only want to pause a show fast.
Universal TV Remote Control (Unimote)
Unimote supports Smart TVs over Wi‑Fi and also non-smart TVs via IR if your phone supports that.
It found my TV quickly, but the first connection took a couple of tries, like it was timing out.
The main dealbreaker again was advertising. Full-screen videos at the worst times.
Pros
- Simple interface, easy to figure out the basic buttons
- Works for both IR and Wi‑Fi setups
Cons
- Full-screen ads interrupt usage a lot
- Many controls are locked behind in-app purchases
- Connection dropped randomly and I had to reconnect
Price: from $5.99 and up
Verdict:
Good as a backup. If your main remote dies and you need something quick, it gets the job done. For daily usage I would not pick this because of the connection drops and ad spam.
Universal TV Remote Control (Uzeegar)
This last Android app I tried is also positioned as a generic universal remote: LG, Samsung, Sony, TCL, etc.
Main features:
- Power on/off
- Home/Menu access
- Play, Stop, Back, Forward
- Works via Wi‑Fi or IR
Pros
- All basic controls are there
- Free trial included
Cons
- Lots of ads
- Most features you want long term need payment
Price: from $3.99 and up
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.uzeegar.universal.smart.tv.remote.control&hl=uk
Verdict:
Feature coverage is fine, but the experience is noisy. If ads irritate you, this one will not last long on your phone.
Mac apps to control your TV
I also wanted to control the TV from my MacBook when I am at my desk with the TV muted in the background. Two Mac apps stood out.
TVRem Universal TV Remote (Mac)
Same developer name as the iPhone TVRem. You install it from the Mac App Store, connect it to your TV over Wi‑Fi, and you get a remote window on your Mac.
I tested with a Samsung TV. Connection was fast, and the UI looked straightforward, not bloated.
Features I used:
- Touchpad area for navigating the TV UI
- Keyboard on Mac for logins and search
- App launcher
- Basic channel and playback controls
Pros
- Clean interface, not cluttered
- No ads at all, and no hidden paid tiers
- Works with a wide range of TV brands
- Has all essential buttons
Cons
- No support for Vizio TVs
Price: free
Link: TVRem Universal TV Remote App App - App Store
Verdict:
For Mac users this is a solid remote option. Especially if you want to avoid random subscriptions or ad banners next to your movie.
TV Remote, Universal Remote (Mac)
Also from the Mac App Store, also marketed as universal.
It supports popular brands and connected to my Samsung without drama. Once connected, it did crash on me a couple of times during testing.
Most things I wanted to try, like some shortcuts and advanced navigation, sat behind a paywall.
Pros
- Interface looks fine
- Basic controls exist and it supports many TV brands
Cons
- Many features are locked as paid
- Occasional crashes
Price: from $4.99 and up
Link: TV Remote, Universal Remote App - App Store
Verdict
Usable if you decide to pay and do not mind the occasional bug. For my use I preferred the free one that stayed stable.
Physical TV remote vs remote app
Quick definitions:
Physical remote:
The handheld thing that comes with your TV or that you buy as a replacement.
Remote app:
Software on your phone, tablet, or Mac that controls the TV over Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, or infrared.
Why a remote app sometimes wins
-
Less likely to go missing
I misplace remotes all the time. I rarely lose my phone for more than a minute. So the “where is the remote” hunt almost disappears. -
Text entry does not suck
Searching Netflix with arrow keys feels terrible. With apps that have a keyboard or voice input, logging into streaming services and typing long Wi‑Fi passwords is faster. -
Cost
On Amazon, original or replacement Samsung remotes for 2019–2025 models are around 15–20 dollars. LG remotes float around 13–35 dollars depending on model.
A lot of remote apps are free or a few dollars. If you need several remotes in the house, apps start to make more sense from a cost perspective. -
Multiple TVs, one device
One app handling both my Samsung and LG is simpler than keeping separate remotes or buying extra universal hardware remotes. -
More modern UI
Most TV remotes look stuck in 2009. Some apps use more logical layouts, better grouping of streaming shortcuts, and less cryptic icons.
Limits and annoyances with remote apps
-
Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth is required
Many TV apps need your phone and TV on the same network. If Wi‑Fi is down, or the TV is in a low-power network-off state, you lose control from the app. -
You rely on your phone
If your phone is dead, with a kid, or in another room, you end up in the same situation you started in. -
TV support is not consistent
Some older TVs only accept basic commands: volume, channel, power. No app in the world magically adds deep integration to a TV that never supported it.
My take after testing all these
After trying a bunch of these across iPhone, Android, and Mac, I ended end up using remote apps more than physical remotes. Not because they are perfect, but because they are usually closer to me and faster for login/search.
On iPhone, my order ended up like this:
- TVRem Universal TV Remote as my main pick
- TV Remote – Universal as a paid secondary option
TVRem being free with all the basics and no ads made it easy to keep installed. The touchpad and keyboard saved me time when jumping through apps or entering accounts. The missing Vizio support is the one obvious limitation.
TV Remote – Universal felt decent during the free trial. If someone does not mind paying a small amount, it is not a bad choice, but I stayed with the free one.
On Android, my wife picked Universal TV Remote Control for herself. I would not have picked it personally because of the ad overload, but she likes that it supports IR on her phone and works with different TVs.
If you hate searching for remotes and do not want to pay 20 dollars for another plastic stick, try a couple of these apps and see which one annoys you the least with ads and paywalls. For me, the ad-free ones stood out right away.
2 Likes
If you want fewer remotes in your hands, I’d start from one question first: are you ok using your phone, or do you want a physical “one-remote-to-rule-them-all” stick on the couch.
Phone / app route
@mikeappsreviewer covered apps pretty well. I agree with them on one key point: most mobile remote apps drown you in ads and trials. TVRem is one of the rare iOS / Mac ones that behaves.
Where I disagree a bit is on going “apps first” for everything. For daily volume up / mute / quick pause, a phone is slower. You unlock, open the app, wait for it to connect. If you have kids or guests, that gets old fast.
So I treat apps as “smart companion” remotes, not as the main one.
Good use cases for apps:
• Typing passwords and searches
• Renaming inputs
• Launching specific apps on the TV
• Backup when the physical remote disappears
If you already live with your phone glued to you, grab TVRem on iOS or Mac and keep it as a free backup. On Android, expect ads on almost everything decent.
Physical universal remotes
For what you described, multiple devices and wanting one simple setup, I would look at hardware first. Three tiers that work well for most people:
-
Budget, simple, no-frills
• One For All URC 7880 / 7935 type remotes
– Controls TV, soundbar, and streaming box with separate device buttons
– Codes are preloaded, setup is a few minutes with the paper code list
– Often support “Activity” like one button to turn TV + soundbar on together
Pros: cheap, reliable, no app, no ads, batteries last ages
Cons: no fancy screens, limited if you use odd brands -
Midrange “activity” focused
• Sofabaton U2
– Works with IR only, so ideal if your TV, soundbar, box all respond to IR
– Programming is via app on your phone, then stored on the remote
– You create an “activity” like “Watch TV” to power TV + soundbar and set volume on soundbar only
Pros: One remote for everything, more flexible, nice for mixed brands
Cons: Setup takes a bit longer, the app feels clunky for some users -
If you use streaming boxes with Bluetooth remotes
This is where many universals fall apart. Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV use Bluetooth for advanced control.
Options that handle this better:
• Fire TV users
– Use the Fire TV remote for navigation
– Pair a simple IR universal remote to control TV power and soundbar volume
– Many TVs support HDMI CEC, so the Fire TV remote controls volume on the soundbar directly once CEC and ARC are set up
This cuts you down to 1 remote for streaming, and a cheap universal as a backup only.
• Apple TV users
– Apple TV remote already controls TV power and volume over HDMI CEC on many setups
– Here a universal remote often adds more pain than value
– Use the TV remote or app only when something gets out of sync
Practical setup path for you
-
Check HDMI CEC on your TV
– Samsung calls it Anynet+
– LG calls it Simplink
– Turn it on in TV settings
If your soundbar is on HDMI ARC or eARC and your streaming box is on HDMI, you often get: one remote from the streaming box controlling TV power and soundbar volume. -
If CEC does not cover everything, pick a simple universal:
– If you want cheap and stable: One For All type IR remote
– If you want one remote for lots of brands: Sofabaton U2 -
Keep one app remote installed as backup
– iOS / Mac: TVRem is a good pick like @mikeappsreviewer said
– Android: find the least annoying one for your TV brand, accept the ads, use it only when the physical remote goes missing
If you list your exact models for TV, soundbar, and streaming box, you can narrow this to something like “buy this one remote, program these three codes, enable this one CEC option” and be done with it.
Short version: with a TV, soundbar, and streaming box, you probably want one solid physical universal remote plus one app as backup. Not the other way around.
Couple of points where I see it a bit differently from @mikeappsreviewer and @nachtschatten:
-
I would not rely on phone apps as the “main” remote
They’re great for typing passwords, searching, and as an emergency backup, but for daily stuff like volume, mute, and quick pause, unlocking your phone + launching an app gets old fast. The “always nearby” thing is true until your battery hits 3% or your kid walks off with it. -
Physical universal that actually simplifies things
Since you have TV + soundbar + streaming box, I’d narrow it like this:
• If everything is IR controlled
Look at something like the Sofabaton U2.
- Handles multiple devices, decent database of codes
- Lets you set an “activity” so one button powers on TV + soundbar and routes volume to the soundbar
- Setup is a bit nerdy via app, but once it’s done you’re not touching it again
• If your streaming box is HDMI CEC friendly (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, etc.)
Honestly, half the “universal” problem goes away if you turn on CEC in your TV settings.
- Samsung: Anynet+
- LG: Simplink
Typical best case: your streaming box remote will control TV power and soundbar volume once CEC + ARC are set up. Then a universal remote becomes more of a “backup / for guests” tool.
- When a cheap universal is enough
If you just want “one stick that works” and don’t care about macros, screens, or fancy stuff:
- Look at One For All type remotes in the 20–30 dollar range.
Pros:- Stupid simple to set up using codes
- Usually enough to handle TV power/input, soundbar volume, basic streaming box nav
Cons: - Not great for weird brands or combo devices
- Less flexible than Sofabaton type options
- Apps I’d treat as backup, not primary
I actually agree with @mikeappsreviewer on TVRem: on iOS/Mac it’s one of the rare ones that doesn’t immediately shove a subscription in your face. If you’re on iPhone, I’d install that and forget about the rest unless you’re a masochist who enjoys full‑screen ad popups.
On Android, @nachtschatten is right that pretty much everything “universal” is ad hell. I’d pick the least annoying one that works with your TV brand and only use it when the physical remote is missing in action.
- What I’d literally do in your shoes
- Turn on HDMI CEC on the TV. Plug soundbar into HDMI ARC/eARC, streaming box into a regular HDMI input. See if your streaming box remote already controls TV power and soundbar volume.
- If that almost fixes it but not quite, grab:
- Sofabaton U2 if you want one remote with activities and don’t mind spending a bit of time setting it up.
- A basic One For All if you want near-zero learning curve.
- Keep one phone app installed as a “panic button” remote for when the main remote disappears into the couch void.
If you drop your exact TV, soundbar, and streaming box models, you can get down to a very specific combo like “enable X in settings, buy Y remote, program Z codes” and be done instead of scrolling Amazon reviews for three nights straight.
Short version: if you’re overwhelmed, pick one physical universal that centralizes everything, then keep a single remote app as backup. Ignore the rest.
1. Physical vs app for your setup
You have TV + soundbar + streaming box. For that combo:
- Physical universal is faster for daily “volume / mute / pause”
- App remote is better for typing passwords and when the physical remote vanishes
Where I disagree a bit with @mikeappsreviewer: using only apps gets annoying over time. Unlock phone → open app → wait for connect just to turn the volume down is friction you feel every single night.
2. Where TV remote apps actually help
Instead of juggling multiple universal TV remote apps, pick one per platform:
-
iPhone / Mac: the TVRem Universal TV Remote app is a sane choice because:
- Pros: free, no weird trials, simple UI, keyboard & touchpad
- Cons: no Vizio support, and like all Wi‑Fi remotes it dies if your network glitches
-
Android: I would only keep one app – likely the one from @nachtschatten’s list that supports both Wi‑Fi and IR on your specific phone. All those apps are ad heavy, so treat them as emergency tools, not main gear.
Use these for:
- Typing logins in Netflix / Disney+
- Searching titles with keyboard or voice
- Controlling the TV when someone walked off with the plastic remote
Everything else should live on the physical universal.
3. Why a single solid physical universal still matters
Where I differ a bit from @suenodelbosque: CEC solves a lot, but not everything.
In practice:
- CEC breaks after firmware updates or when one device wakes slower than the rest
- Some soundbars ignore volume commands from the TV or only work partially
- Guests never understand CEC quirks, but they do understand “press Power, then Volume”
So I would:
- Enable HDMI CEC and ARC/eARC on your TV anyway. If your streaming box already controls TV power + soundbar volume, great, you are halfway done.
- Add one universal hardware remote as the “master”:
- Pros:
- Always on, no app loading
- One consistent button layout for all devices
- Works even if Wi‑Fi is down
- Cons:
- Setup is mildly annoying
- Cheaper models can be limited with exotic devices
- Pros:
4. How to simplify your life in practice
- Treat TVRem Universal TV Remote on iOS / Mac as:
- Login / search helper
- Couch-void backup when the main remote disappears
- Treat a physical universal as:
- Default for power, input, volume, mute, play / pause
That split gives you the best of both worlds without falling into the “ten universal apps, three half‑configured remotes” trap that @mikeappsreviewer more or less bumped into while testing.