Lost Your TV Remote? Your iPhone Can Take Over
TV Remote is coming soon for iPhone. Email us for a launch notification. This guide previews how to use the app when it is available.
The remote is down the sofa, in the dog, or out of batteries, and the TV has no useful buttons of its own. If the TV is on your Wi-Fi, your iPhone can replace the remote in about a minute.
Will it work with my TV?
If the TV (or the streaming stick plugged into it) is already on your Wi-Fi, very probably yes:
- Samsung smart TVs from 2016 onwards
- LG webOS TVs
- Roku TVs and Roku streaming players
- Google TV and Android TV, including Sony, TCL, Hisense, Philips, Nvidia Shield and Chromecast with Google TV
- Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Cube
- Vizio SmartCast TVs
Pairing without the remote
Most brands ask you to confirm the first connection. Google TV, Fire TV and Vizio show a code that you type into your phone, so no remote is needed. Roku needs no confirmation at all. Samsung and LG show an Allow or Accept prompt on screen, which you accept once.
Getting the original back
On Roku, the app’s Find remote button makes your Roku remote play a sound so you can track it down. For other brands, plenty of people find the phone does the job better and never buy a replacement.
Replace a lost remote with TV Remote
- Get TV RemoteDownload the app for free from the App Store.
- Pick your TVWith your iPhone on the TV’s Wi-Fi, tap your TV in the list the app finds.
- Confirm onceType the code shown on the TV, or select Allow on Samsung and LG. Roku needs nothing.
- You have a remote againVolume, channels, apps, inputs and a keyboard. Faster than finding the old one.
TV Remote is coming soon. Email us to hear when you can download it.
TV Remote is coming soon
Get an email when it is available on the App Store.
Coming soon for iPhoneNotify me on launch