I’m looking for a reliable universal remote app for my iPhone to control my TV since my physical remote broke. I’ve tried a couple of apps but they didn’t support all my devices or were too complicated to use. Does anyone have recommendations for a user-friendly and effective universal remote app that works well on iPhone?
Looking for the best universal remote app for iPhone to control your smart TV? Whether you’ve lost your remote or just want more flexibility, these apps let you use your iPhone as a powerful remote for Roku, Samsung, LG, Sony, Fire TV, and more. Here are three of the most popular and well-reviewed options on the App Store:
TV Remote – Universal
So, I decided to start with this app after the umpteenth time my toddler lost the actual remote. You download, it sniffs out the TV on your Wi-Fi, you tap, and boom—it literally takes less than a minute. The layout is stripped down—navigation arrows, on/off, volume, and input toggles.
Pros:
- Completely free: No “try premium for 7 days” junk, no surprise paywalls.
- Zero setup drama: Connects to pretty much any major smart TV on your network—Roku, LG, Samsung, Sony—just like that.
- Minimalist UI: You won’t get lost hunting for buttons.
Cons:
- Wi-Fi only: Old school IR TVs? Sorry, you’re still hunting for AAA batteries.
Universal TV Remote
If you want something familiar, with those button shapes your fingers remember from muscle memory, this app nails it. Great if you’ve got a mix of gadgets: I tested it on a friend’s Fire TV and my own LG TV and it picked them up fast.
Pros:
- Lots of supported brands: If you’ve got a living room Frankenstein TV setup (Roku, Fire TV, even Apple TV), it’ll probably work.
- Retro remote vibes: The UI looks like an actual remote—makes you forget you’re using your phone.
- Full suite of basics: Channel up/down, volume, mute, input select… all the classics.
Cons:
- In-app purchase sneak attacks: The basic functions are free, but want extra stuff? Get ready to cough up a couple bucks.
- Ads: Sometimes you’re tapping mute and instead get an ad for car insurance. Annoying, but nothing wild.
Universal Remote TV Smart
This one is for the power users. It’s got more features than my actual TV remote. There’s keyboard support for when you’re sick of hunting and pecking letters with arrow keys, plus casting options.
Pros:
- Keyboard and trackpad controls: Typing a Hulu password doesn’t feel like punishment.
- Covers the big brands: Samsung, LG, Philips, Sony—covers most smart setups.
- BONUS: You can mirror your iPhone screen, or control basic media playback.
Cons:
- Paywall city: Half the shiny features are locked behind a subscription. Bring your wallet.
- Cluttered interface: Between the extra buttons and too many options, it gets a bit overwhelming.
TL;DR: Which Remote App to Try?
If you want the best universal remote app for iPhone that’s truly free and easy to use, TV Remote – Universal is a top pick. For broader compatibility and a more traditional layout, Universal TV Remote is a strong choice. And if you’re looking for advanced features like casting or smart keyboard input, Universal Remote TV Smart offers more — but with a price tag.
Let me know which devices you’re trying to control, and I can suggest the best app for your setup.
3 Likes
Not gonna lie, after losing remotes more times than my sanity during a firmware update, I’ve deep-dived into this universal remote app situation. Saw @mikeappsreviewer lay out the basics, but honestly, gotta throw in a different angle.
First off: if you’re trying to control BOTH smart TVs and devices like soundbars, streaming sticks, or the occasional legacy device… most iOS universal remotes kinda fall short, especially if your iPhone doesn’t have IR (spoiler: it doesn’t, Apple hates fun). The Wi-Fi-based remote apps are basically your only real option (unless you wanna buy an external IR dongle—no thanks).
Off all the apps I’ve raged at, ‘Universal Remote | Smart TV’ actually felt weirdly reliable. It isn’t as minimal as TV Remote – Universal (which, yeah, works, but feels like using a calculator from 1982 IMHO), but it doesn’t bombard you with insane pop-ups or subscription nags every three seconds. Setup isn’t hard, either—it detects most big brands (LG, Samsung, Sony, Roku, even some arcane Android TV boxes from the dark web), and the UI doesn’t look like someone’s first draft in design school.
That said, it’s NOT all unicorns and rainbows:
- Have an older TV not hooked to Wi-Fi? You can scroll past, this app needs everything online and up-to-date.
- It’s not a total replacement for device-specific quirks (Samsung’s weird mouse, LG’s pointer, etc), but you get most controls and a keyboard.
- A couple premium features are locked, yeah, but nothing major if you just wanna change channels, grab inputs, hit mute when the doorbell rings, etc.
I do kinda disagree with Mike’s blanket love for TV Remote – Universal if you want anything besides the bare essentials. If all I wanted was volume up/down, I’d just walk up to the TV like it’s 1992.
Anyone else tried App 1 or 2 and get annoyed by lag or disconnects? Universal Remote | Smart TV held a connection way better for me than half the junk on the App Store.
If anyone’s got a combo home theater + streaming stick + TV Frankenstein setup, fire away with your gripes. But yeah, if you want a app that actually makes your iPhone feel like a real remote, and you never wanna see an ad for crypto roulette, try Universal Remote | Smart TV before you go back to living the “remote lost under couch” horror story.
Alright, honesty time: if your idea of a “universal” remote is something you can set up in two minutes without a computer science degree, and you actually expect it to support more than just your TV (hello, ancient soundbar, random Roku stick, and mysterious HDMI switch), then most iPhone remote apps are a letdown. I’ve tried half the App Store’s “universal remotes,” and most are either ads masquerading as remotes or so minimal it feels like you’re controlling your TV with a calculator from the ‘80s.
I do kind of agree w/ @nachtschatten that Universal Remote | Smart TV is way more solid for mixed setups. The UI actually looks decent, you don’t get bombarded with ads for insurance every time you tap “Mute,” and setup is super simple. Stuff like the on-screen keyboard and device autodetect are a life-saver if you swap streaming boxes like I do. Only big L is that it’s Wi-Fi only—so if your TV is older than TikTok, tough luck. But most people with a “smart” TV check this box anyway.
If you need support for a Frankenstein mess of gear—smart TV, soundbar, aging Sony receiver, whatever—be aware: there’s simply no magical app that does IR from an iPhone (Apple is allergic to IR blasters, so don’t bother wishing for it). You want more? Go buy an IR dongle or find that original remote buried in the couch, lol. But for most smart TVs and Wi-Fi gadgets, Universal Remote | Smart TV is the no-drama pick.
Probably the only place I’ll side with @mikeappsreviewer is if you genuinely want ONLY volume/input/power and nothing else: TV Remote – Universal keeps it as brainless as possible. Otherwise, Universal Remote | Smart TV is the only one that hasn’t made me want to throw my phone out the window after the fifth ad or failed device scan.
Anyway—if anyone’s found an app that can control, like, an LG TV, a TCL Roku, and a 2015 Denon AVR without breaking a sweat, spill the beans. Until then, Universal Remote | Smart TV does what I need.
Alright, let’s break it down. Universal Remote | Smart TV is the closest I’ve come to a one-app-to-rule-them-all for iPhone — as long as all your devices are actually on your Wi-Fi and not in the technological Stone Age. The pros: super clean UI (no “where the heck is mute?” moments), quick setup, it detects most smart TVs and streaming boxes without drama, and the built-in keyboard is a game-changer every time you have to enter a cryptic streaming password.
But it’s not perfect: the biggest con is the paywall—if you want the fun stuff (advanced controls, media casting), get ready to pony up. Also, if your soundbar or ancient TV isn’t smart, no dice—no IR support because iPhones just don’t do that.
Honestly, I think the ‘just volume/input/power’ crowd might side with the super-minimal option highlighted by @mikeappsreviewer, but for anyone juggling multiple brands and devices — and wanting fewer in-app ads than a clickbait site — Universal Remote | Smart TV is the pick that’s least likely to trigger remote rage. By comparison, others like Universal TV Remote can feel stuck in ad hell, and TV Remote – Universal, while free, is barebones to a fault.
Final shout: if your mission is “I want one app for everything and no ads up my nose,” this is about as good as it gets (for iPhone, anyway). If you ever find an app that can zap both a Samsung Smart TV and a dusty, decade-old Denon receiver, let the world know — we’re all searching for that unicorn.