A phone can work as a TV remote when the physical remote is lost, broken, or out of batteries. Most major TV and streaming platforms offer a free official app with navigation, volume controls, voice search, and often a real keyboard for typing.
These steps apply to Samsung, LG, Roku, Fire TV, and Vizio devices using their official iPhone or Android apps.
Does this affect you?
Use this if your remote is missing or if typing searches with the on-screen keyboard is painful. The phone and TV usually need to be on the same Wi-Fi network before the app can find the device.
Install the correct official app
- Samsung TVs: use SmartThings.
- LG TVs: use LG ThinQ, which replaced older LG TV Plus remote features.
- Roku TVs and Roku players: use the Roku app.
- Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube, and Fire TV Edition TVs: use the Amazon Fire TV app.
- Vizio TVs: use the current Vizio mobile app for your model.
Download the app from the App Store or Google Play. Avoid random third-party remote apps when an official one exists, especially if they ask for unnecessary permissions or subscriptions.
Pair the phone with the TV
- Connect the phone to the same Wi-Fi network as the TV or streaming device.
- Open the official remote app.
- Let it search for nearby devices.
- Select your TV or streaming device from the list.
- Approve the pairing request on the TV, or enter the code shown on the TV into the app.
- Use the app’s remote screen for power, navigation, volume, playback, and text entry.
Once paired, most apps remember the TV for next time as long as both devices stay on the same network.
If the app cannot find the TV
- Confirm the phone is on Wi-Fi, not cellular data.
- Make sure the phone and TV are on the same network, not one on a guest network.
- Check the TV’s network or mobile-device connection settings and enable device discovery if available.
- Restart the TV or streaming device.
- Toggle Wi-Fi off and back on from the phone.
- Restart the router if the device list still will not refresh.
Some mesh routers and split 2.4GHz/5GHz setups isolate devices. If discovery fails, temporarily put the phone and TV on the same named network while pairing.
What phone remotes are best for
Phone remote apps are excellent backups. They often include voice search, keyboard typing, private listening or casting features depending on the platform, and quick access to apps.
They are less convenient for guests and quick volume changes because the phone must be unlocked, connected to Wi-Fi, and running the app. For daily use, replacing the physical remote is still worth it.
Sources
- Samsung Support – Use the SmartThings app to control your TV (2025)
- Roku Support – Use the Roku mobile app as a remote (2025)
- Amazon Fire TV Help – Set up the Fire TV app as a remote (2025)