Lost your TV remote? Use your phone instead

Lost your TV remote? Turn your phone into a remote for Roku, Samsung, LG, Fire TV, Google TV, Vizio and other popular smart TVs in minutes.

  Science/Technology   Aug 5, 2026   0   5  Add to Reading List












At a glance
  • Most major smart TVs offer an official mobile app that can replace a lost remote.
  • Your phone and TV usually need to connect to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • The correct app depends on the TV platform, not always the brand printed on the screen.
  • Set up and test the remote app before your physical remote disappears or stops working.

 

You finally get comfortable on the couch. Your show is ready. Then you discover the TV remote has vanished into the same mysterious place that collects missing socks and charging cables. Before you start pulling apart the furniture, grab your phone.

Most major smart TVs and streaming platforms offer an official mobile app that can turn your iPhone or Android phone into a remote control. You may be able to adjust the volume, change inputs, open streaming apps and type searches using your phone’s keyboard.

However, the right app depends on the brand and operating system running on your TV. Here is how to find the correct remote app and set it up.

 

 

Illustration of someone using their phone as a TV remote

 

Check your TV platform before downloading an app

The brand printed below the screen does not always tell you which remote app you need. A TCL TV could run Roku TV, Google TV or Fire TV. Hisense also sells TVs with several different platforms. Therefore, look at the logo that appears when the TV starts or check the home screen.

You may see one of these names:

  • Roku TV
  • Samsung
  • LG
  • Fire TV
  • Google TV or Android TV
  • VIZIO
  • VIDAA

Your phone and TV will usually need to connect to the same Wi-Fi network. The app may also display a pairing code on the television that you must enter on your phone. Only download the official app from the TV manufacturer or platform provider. App stores contain many similarly named remote apps that may include advertisements, subscriptions or unnecessary tracking.

 

How to use your phone as a Roku TV remote

Roku remote app

The Roku mobile app works with Roku streaming players and TVs that have the Roku operating system. This includes Roku-branded TVs and many models from TCL, Hisense, onn., Philips and Sharp. The app offers an on-screen remote, voice search and a phone keyboard. Certain Roku devices also support private listening through headphones connected to your phone.

Set up the Roku remote app

  • Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku TV.
  • Download and open The Roku App (Official).
  • Tap Devices.
  • Select your Roku TV or streaming player.
  • Tap Remote.
  • Use the buttons on your phone to control the TV.

Get the Roku remote app:
iPhone and Android

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