Tired of juggling multiple remotes or losing the one for your TV? A universal TV remote app on your smartphone can replace all those physical remotes, letting you control your smart TV (and even other devices) from your phone.
In fact, as one review notes, “a universal remote app is a digital alternative to a physical TV remote” that works with multiple TV brands. These apps turn your phone into a remote via Wi-Fi or infrared (IR) and often support dozens of brands. Many are free to download (with optional in-app upgrades), making them great cost-free solutions.
They also often support multiple languages for a global audience. Below we look at the top free universal TV remote apps, covering both Android and iPhone, smart and non-smart TVs, and even Wi-Fi-free options.
Most universal remote apps connect over your home network or IR blaster.
For example, the Android app “IR Remote – TV Remote for All” supports dozens of brands (Samsung, Sony, LG, Roku, TCL, etc.) and can control TVs either by Wi-Fi or the phone’s built-in infrared blaster.
In practice, this means if you have a modern smart TV and your phone is on the same Wi-Fi, the app pairs with your TV and works like a standard remote. For older TVs without Wi-Fi, the app uses the phone’s IR emitter (if equipped) to send signals. On iPhones, which lack IR hardware, some remotes use an external dongle.
Whether via Wi-Fi or IR, these apps provide all the usual TV controls: power, volume, channel buttons, input/source, and more – right on your phone screen.
Free Universal TV Remote Control App Comparison
Below is a quick comparison of some top free universal remote apps:
| App | Platforms | Key Features | Price/Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| All TV Remote Control | Android | Supports Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, Vizio, Roku, etc. Easily controls power/volume/channels. | Free (Ads) [Google Play] |
| Lean Universal Remote | Android | Wi-Fi & IR support; macros for multi-device control; broad brand support. | Free [Google Play] |
| SURE Universal Remote | Android | Supports ~1 million devices (TVs, ACs, cable boxes, etc.). Customizable remote panels. | Free [Google Play] |
| Universal TV Remote Ctrl | iOS | Easy UI, Wi-Fi based; supports major smart TV brands. Casts media to TV. | Free (In-app) [App Store] |
| Samsung SmartThings | Android, iOS | Official Samsung TV remote app (Wi-Fi, Samsung TVs only). Also supports many Samsung smart devices. | Free [Play/App Store] |
| LG ThinQ (TV Plus) | Android, iOS | Official LG webOS TV remote (Wi-Fi, LG TVs only). Also smart appliance control. | Free [Play/App Store] |
How Universal Remote Apps Work
Universal remote apps generally require your phone and TV to be on the same network (for Wi-Fi control) or your phone to have an IR blaster for IR control.
For smart TVs (LG, Samsung, Sony, etc.), you simply connect your phone’s app to the TV over Wi-Fi. Most apps automatically detect your TV on the network.
For instance, the iOS app Universal Remote TV Controller requires your iPhone and TV to be on the same Wi-Fi before use. Once paired, the app mirrors your physical remote layout, so you can change channels or launch apps easily.
On the other hand, non-smart (legacy) TVs have no Wi-Fi. To control those, you need an IR solution: either a phone with a built-in IR blaster or an external adapter (like BroadLink, IR Dongle, or Logitech Harmony hub) to send IR signals to the TV.
For example, many remotes advise using a Lightning-to-IR accessory for iPhones or an RF-to-IR converter for other phones.
Regardless of the connection method, these apps often support hundreds of TV models. For example, one review notes a remote app that “supports hundreds of models with various operating systems…from basic models no longer in manufacture to 2018 novelties”.
In practice, you’ll find apps that advertise support for dozens of brands (Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic, Roku, Vizio, TCL, Fire TV, etc. are common). They typically present a familiar remote interface (with power, volume, and channel keys) and may include extra features like keyboard search, voice control, or casting.
The convenience and convenience of having one remote app for all TVs can save time, money, and frustration in the living room.
Top iPhone Universal Remote Apps
A number of free universal remote apps for iPhone let you control smart TVs via your phone. (Remember, iPhones have no built-in IR, so these use Wi-Fi or require a dongle.) Some top options include:
Universal Remote TV Controller (iOS)
A free app (with optional subscription) that offers an “easy-to-use UI” and full remote functionality (numeric keys, touchpad, etc.).
It automatically scans for TVs on your network and connects in one tap. Universal Remote TV Controller supports many smart TV brands (Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.) and even casts media from your phone to the TV. (Download: App Store).
Universal TV Remote Smart (iOS)
A solid free option that works with a wide range of smart TVs. It “supports a great variety of smart TVs including Roku, TCL, Samsung, Android TV, Sony, HiSense, and more”.
The app offers one-touch connectivity and can detect TVs on your Wi-Fi. (Note: the free version shows ads.)
ControlMeister (iOS)
A free Samsung TV remote app. If you own a Samsung smart TV, ControlMeister (formerly Samsung Smart View) will let you control it over Wi-Fi.
It provides all the standard remote buttons and a touchpad but only works with Samsung TVs. It’s easy to use for Samsung owners and is available free on the App Store.
Apple TV Remote / Roku App (iOS)
While not truly “universal,” many iPhone users already have apps like the built-in Apple TV Remote (in Control Center) or the official Roku Remote app. These free apps control Apple TV boxes or Roku streaming devices seamlessly (over Wi-Fi, no IR needed).
If you have those devices, use them – but note they only work with their respective TV platforms. These iOS apps let you skip the plastic remote and control your TV with taps or voice.
Almost all require your iPhone and TV to be on the same Wi-Fi (for example, Universal Remote TV Controller needs it to “detect any TVs on your network to control”).
If you have multiple brand TVs, Universal TV Remote Smart or Universal Remote TV Controller can often control them all from one interface.
Top Android Universal Remote Apps
Android phones (especially older Samsung or Huawei models) sometimes include IR blasters, letting them control non-smart TVs.
But even without IR, there are excellent Wi-Fi remotes. Top free Android remote apps include:
All TV Remote Control
This popular app lives up to its name. It “lets you easily control power, volume buttons, channels, and more,” turning your Android into a universal TV remote.
It supports a wide range of TV brands and smart devices (Samsung, LG, Sony, Roku, TCL, Panasonic, Vizio, Toshiba, and more). The app is free (with optional in-app purchases to remove ads).
Many users find its straightforward interface makes channel changes and basic controls easy. (Download: Google Play Store.)
Lean Universal Remote Control
A versatile Android app that works over Wi-Fi and IR. It “transforms your Android device into a versatile universal remote” and supports many brands and devices.
Notably, Lean can connect via your phone’s Wi-Fi or IR blaster, so it can control both smart TVs and older IR TVs (if your phone has the hardware). It also offers “macros” to program multi-step commands (like turning on the TV + receiver together). Lean Remote is free on Google Play.
SURE Universal Remote
A highly-featured Android app for people with phones that have IR blasters. An Android Headlines review notes that SURE “supports almost a million different devices (including TVs, Smart TVs, AC units, cable boxes, Blu-Ray players, and more)”.
You simply select your TV brand and the app provides remote functions. SURE also lets you combine multiple device remotes into one custom layout (e.g. TV volume from one device, cable box channel from another) for a unified interface.
The app is free on Google Play; if you have an IR port (or use the app’s Wi-Fi mode for smart TVs), it covers almost all home electronics.
IR Remote – TV Remote for All
This free app (by Sarah’s TechnoSys) works via Wi-Fi or IR and supports dozens of brands. It explicitly advertises that it “can be used as a remote control for Smart TV, IR TV, and a smart remote for all TV”.
In other words, it’s an all-in-one solution: it connects to Smart TVs over Wi-Fi, and for IR TVs it uses your phone’s IR blaster (no setup needed). It lists support for Samsung, Sony, LG, TCL, Fire TV, Chromecast, and more.
The interface includes standard buttons and even media controls. This app is free on the Play Store and updated as of 2025.
Universal TV Remote App (CodoSol)
A free app focused on Roku TVs. It promotes itself as “a Roku TV remote app” with a user-friendly design.
Over 1 million people have downloaded it. The app can control Roku TV channels and provides a full remote interface.
It only works with Roku-based TVs, unlike more brand-agnostic apps. It’s small (15 MB) and has no ads according to AppBrain.
Android TV Remote Control (Official)
This Google app is for Android TV devices. It requires an Android TV or Google Chromecast with Google TV. Once paired over Wi-Fi, you get basic remote keys and a touchpad on your phone. It’s free and works with any device running Android TV/Google TV OS.
These Android apps cover most use cases. Notice that Wi-Fi connection is common: most require your phone on the same Wi-Fi as the TV. Only SURE and IR Remote truly need an IR blaster for legacy TVs.
If your Android phone lacks IR, you’ll use the Wi-Fi mode, which means your TV must be smart or have a network-capable box.
Official Apps for Samsung and LG TVs
Some TV brands offer their own free remote apps for a seamless experience:
Samsung SmartThings
Samsung’s SmartThings app (available on Android and iPhone) doubles as a TV remote. Once you link your Samsung TV (and log into a Samsung account), SmartThings shows an on-screen remote with all controls.
It requires your TV and phone on the same Wi-Fi and uses your Samsung account for pairing. SmartThings is highly recommended for Samsung smart TVs; it can also control other Samsung devices and supports features like screen mirroring on newer models.
LG ThinQ (formerly TV Plus)
LG’s official solution is the LG ThinQ app (it used to be called LG TV Plus). The ThinQ app (Android/iOS) can control all LG webOS smart TVs over Wi-Fi. LG’s site explains that once you set up the app and pair your TV, you can do everything the physical remote does: change channels, adjust volume, launch apps, and even use a cursor or keyboard.
LG’s documentation notes that even older LG models (pre-2018) have an older version of the app, so nearly any LG smart TV is supported. The app is free on both Google Play and the App Store.
Using these official apps ensures compatibility, but note they only work for that brand. SmartThings won’t control a Sony TV, and ThinQ won’t work on Samsung TVs. For universal use across brands, stick to the multi-brand apps above.
Remotes for Non-Smart TVs (No Wi-Fi)
If you have an older non-smart TV (no Wi-Fi), you can still use your phone as a remote – but you need IR. Android phones with IR blasters can directly control these TVs.
For example, free apps like A Smart Remote IR or Peel Universal Remote (if available) turn your phone into a classic IR remote. One Android app, “IR Remote – TV Remote for All”, explicitly says it can control IR TVs using the phone’s IR port. In other cases, you can buy an external IR adapter (e.g. BroadLink RM4 Pro, Global Cache iTach, or a simple headphone-jack IR dongle).
These adapters connect to Wi-Fi and let even phones without IR send commands to old TVs. LG’s help center even mentions using a BroadLink or similar device for older sets.
On iPhone, because there’s no IR blaster, any “universal remote” app must use a Wi-Fi smart TV or an accessory. Some iOS apps (like “Remote Master”) note that you need an audio jack IR accessory to use IR functions. Without that hardware, iPhones can only control smart TVs over the network.
In summary, to control non-smart TVs without Wi-Fi, use an Android phone with IR or add an IR hub. Either way, you’ll then have a “universal” remote interface on your phone that works even when the TV itself isn’t network-enabled.
Conclusion
Universal TV remote apps make it easy to ditch the plastic and use your smartphone for TV control. The best free universal remote apps (such as All TV Remote Control, Lean Remote, SURE, and iOS Universal Remote TV Controller) cover a wide range of TVs and devices on both Android and iPhone.
They usually connect via your home Wi-Fi network (so your phone and TV must be on the same network). For non-smart TVs, look for an IR-enabled app or add an IR adapter to your network. Samsung and LG users can also try the official SmartThings and ThinQ (TV Plus) apps for free.
Each app has pros and cons (ads, interface quirks, or device compatibility), but all of the above are free to download and widely used. With one of these apps installed, you’ll have a universal TV remote in your pocket – no more missing remotes or extra purchases needed.
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