Ranking updated
TV remote apps
Your TV maker already has a free remote app: SmartThings for Samsung, LG ThinQ for LG, Google TV for TVs on Google TV or Android TV such as Xiaomi’s, Philips Smart TV, Sony | BRAVIA Connect, TCL Home and VIDAA for TVs on VIDAA OS. Most of them change channels and volume and let you type with the phone keyboard. Samsung, LG and Philips ask that the phone and the TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
How we picked: only the remote app each TV maker or TV platform publishes, from its App Store and Google Play listing and the maker’s support pages. Searching for a TV remote turns up many look-alike apps from other sellers, so the table names the official publisher.
Samsung and LG
On a Samsung TV, add the TV as a device in SmartThings with your Samsung account, keep the phone on the same Wi-Fi, open the TV in the device list and an on-screen remote appears: volume, channels, Mute, Home, Back and Guide, plus arrows for menus and apps. On an LG TV, LG ThinQ shows a Remote Control button on the TV card: switch inputs, change volume and channels, move the pointer and type with the phone keyboard. LG says the phone and TV must be on the same network, and that webOS 3.5 and later TVs can be switched on from the app, older ones only off.
Xiaomi and other Google TV sets
Xiaomi TVs such as the Xiaomi TV A Pro run Google TV, so the remote is in Google’s own Google TV app, which works as a remote for Google TV and Android TV. The same app finds films and shows across your streaming services and keeps one watchlist.
Philips, Sony, TCL and VIDAA
Philips Smart TV from TP Vision changes channels and volume, controls Ambilight and Philips Hue, switches TV apps and types text; it is fully compatible with Philips smart TVs from 2019 onwards. Sony | BRAVIA Connect, formerly Home Entertainment Connect, controls the BRAVIA TVs and soundbars on its list. TCL Home has a TV remote with keyboard and voice input and casts photos, video and music to the TV. VIDAA is the remote for TVs running VIDAA OS: power, volume, channels, search and sharing media to the TV.
The app cannot find the TV
Samsung, LG and Philips all ask that the phone and the TV are on the same network, and LG names 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. If the TV still does not show up, check its software is up to date, as Philips and Sony both advise. Router settings are in our guide to router apps.
| App | For TVs | Publisher | Ukrainian interface | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SmartThingsApp StoreGoogle Play | Samsung | Samsung Electronics | yes | iOS, Android |
| LG ThinQApp StoreGoogle Play | LG on webOS | LG Electronics | yes | iOS, Android |
| Google TVApp StoreGoogle Play | Google TV and Android TV, Xiaomi among them | yes | iOS, Android | |
| Philips Smart TVApp StoreGoogle Play | Philips smart TVs | TP Vision | no | iOS, Android |
| Sony | BRAVIA ConnectApp StoreGoogle Play | listed Sony BRAVIA models | Sony | no | iOS, Android |
| TCL HomeApp StoreGoogle Play | TCL smart TVs | TCL | yes | iOS, Android |
| VIDAAApp Store | TVs on VIDAA OS | VIDAA | yes | iOS |
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free remote app for a Samsung TV?
Yes, SmartThings from Samsung. Add the TV as a device, keep the phone on the same Wi-Fi and open the TV to get an on-screen remote.
Which remote app works with a Xiaomi TV?
Xiaomi TVs on Google TV, such as the Xiaomi TV A Pro, are controlled from the Google TV app, which works as a Google TV and Android TV remote.
Which app is the remote for an LG TV?
LG ThinQ. Tap Remote Control on the TV card to change inputs, volume and channels and type with the phone keyboard.
Why does the app not see my TV?
Samsung, LG and Philips need the phone and the TV on the same network, so connect both to the same Wi-Fi. Philips and Sony also advise updating the TV software.