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How to use your phone as a TV remote
The remote is somewhere in the sofa again. Or it is right there, and you are about to type a film title one letter at a time with arrow keys. Your phone can do the job, and typing a search on a real keyboard is the part you will not want to give up.
A pairing routine, then TV remote apps. The official app from your TV or streaming box maker is the first choice. Remote apps usually work over your home Wi-Fi; a few Android phones also have an infrared port for older TVs.
Find out what you are controlling
Check the brand of the TV and of any streaming box plugged into it. Some phones have a remote built into the control panel for their own streaming boxes. Compare apps in TV remote apps.
Connect and pair
Put the phone and TV on the same Wi-Fi network, open the app and enter the code shown on the TV. If the TV is not found, restart both and check the router; see how to fix Wi-Fi dead zones at home.
Use the phone for what it does better
Type searches and passwords with the phone keyboard, and use the touchpad to scroll long menus. To send something from the phone to the screen instead, see how to cast your phone to a TV.
Watch what free apps ask for
Unofficial remote apps can be full of ads or ask for access they do not need. Check permissions before you install, and keep the physical remote for when the network is down.
| Step | What you do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Know your TV | brand or streaming box | pick the right app |
| 2. Official app first | from the TV maker | best compatibility |
| 3. Same Wi-Fi | phone and TV together | they can find each other |
| 4. Pair once | code on the TV screen | remembered next time |
| 5. Keep the remote | in a fixed spot | backup when Wi-Fi drops |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my phone as a TV remote?
Yes, with the remote app from your TV or streaming box maker, as long as both are on the same Wi-Fi.
Why can my phone not find my TV?
They are often on different networks. Put both on the same Wi-Fi, restart them and try pairing again.
Can a phone control an older TV without Wi-Fi?
Only if the phone has an infrared port, which some Android phones do. Otherwise you need a smart TV or a streaming box.