Table of contents(14)+
- 01The 30-second test
- 02Method 1: Use your TV brand's official app
- 03Method 2: Try HiRemote as your universal remote
- 04Method 3: Use a browser remote with no install
- 05Method 4: Use an IR app for older, non-smart TVs
- 06TV remote apps compared
- 07How to choose the best app for your TV
- 08Frequently Asked Questions
- 09What is the best free TV remote app?
- 10Can I use my phone as a TV remote without Wi-Fi?
- 11Does the best TV remote app work with any TV?
- 12Why won't my TV remote app connect?
- 13Is there a universal TV remote app for iPhone?
- 14Related guides
The best TV remote app is the one made for your TV's brand. A matched app talks to your TV over Wi-Fi and copies every button on the physical remote. Use the Roku app for Roku TVs, the Fire TV app for Fire TVs, and HiRemote for Hisense. HiRemote also works as a universal remote for most smart TVs.
I've tested remote apps on a stack of TVs on my desk — a Hisense Roku TV, a Fire TV Stick 4K, and an older Samsung from 2019. Some apps paired in seconds. Others fought me over Wi-Fi or dropped the connection mid-show. The short version: the brand behind the app matters more than its star rating.
The 30-second test
Before you download five apps, find out what your TV runs. Grab the physical remote if you still have it, or check the box it came in. The logo and button layout give it away fast.
- Roku logo or a purple button? You need a Roku-based app.
- Fire TV or an Alexa home screen? You need the Fire TV app.
- Samsung, LG, or Sony menus? Use that brand's app or a universal one.
- Hisense VIDAA or Roku TV? HiRemote covers both.
Know your platform and you skip the guessing. Every app below only works if it matches what's inside your TV.
Not sure which platform you have, or juggling two TVs at once? A universal TV remote app like HiRemote controls Hisense, Roku, and more from one screen — no need to hunt for the right brand app first. You can also open the browser remote and test it without installing anything.
Method 1: Use your TV brand's official app
The most reliable remote app is the one your TV maker built. It connects over your home Wi-Fi and mirrors the real remote, buttons and all. Your phone and TV must sit on the same network for it to work.
Here's where to get each one:
- Roku TVs (including Hisense Roku, TCL, and Onn): the free Roku app. Open it, tap Devices, and pick your TV. Roku's official support spells out the same-network rule.
- Fire TV: the Amazon Fire TV app. Sign in, tap your device name, then confirm the code on screen. See Amazon's Fire TV help if the code never appears.
- Samsung: SmartThings. Add your TV as a device, then open the remote card.
- LG: the LG ThinQ app. Register the TV, then tap the remote icon.
- Hisense VIDAA: RemoteNOW is the official pick, though plenty of owners find it slow — more on that below.
When it won't work: brand apps only talk to their own brand. They also need Wi-Fi, so they can't help an old TV with no network. And a few — RemoteNOW is the usual complaint — lag or crash on you.
Method 2: Try HiRemote as your universal remote
HiRemote is a universal remote app that controls Hisense TVs and works across other smart TVs on your network. It's the one I keep on my home screen because it saves the clutter of a separate app per TV. One app, several TVs, no cost to run the core remote.
To set it up:
- Install HiRemote from the App Store and open it.
- Put your phone on the same Wi-Fi as your TV.
- Let it scan, then tap your TV when it appears.
- Confirm the pairing code if your TV shows one.
For a Hisense-specific walkthrough, the Hisense TV remote app guide covers VIDAA and Roku models step by step.
When it won't work: universal apps control TVs over the network, so your TV needs Wi-Fi and network-remote support. A very old TV with no smart features won't respond. If your TV isn't listed, check that it's awake and on the same 2.4GHz band as your phone.
Method 3: Use a browser remote with no install
A browser remote runs a button pad on a web page and sends commands to your TV over Wi-Fi, with nothing to download. It's handy when you're on someone else's phone or low on storage. You just open a link and tap.
Open the Hisense Roku TV browser remote, make sure you share the TV's network, then tap to connect. No app store, no sign-in, no account.
When it won't work: browser remotes still need the same Wi-Fi and a supported TV. They can't reach a TV that's off the network. For full features — voice, keyboard, and app launch — the installed app does more.
Method 4: Use an IR app for older, non-smart TVs
An IR app controls old, non-smart TVs by beaming infrared signals, the same way a normal remote does. It needs a phone with a built-in IR blaster, not Wi-Fi. That's the only route that reaches a TV with no network at all.
The honest catch: most modern phones have no IR blaster. iPhones never shipped one, and most current Android phones dropped it too. A few models — some Xiaomi and older Samsung Galaxy phones — still include it. Check your phone's specs before you count on this route.
If you do have IR, use your phone maker's remote app (like Xiaomi's Mi Remote) and pick your TV brand from the list.
TV remote apps compared
| App | Works with | Cost | Needs Wi-Fi | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HiRemote | Hisense + many smart TVs | Free | Yes | One app for several TVs |
| Roku app | Roku & Roku TVs | Free | Yes | Roku households |
| Fire TV app | Fire TV devices | Free | Yes | Alexa + Fire TV users |
| SmartThings | Samsung TVs | Free | Yes | Samsung owners |
| Browser remote | Supported smart TVs | Free | Yes | No-install, quick use |
| IR blaster app | Old non-smart TVs | Free | No | Phones with IR only |
Ready to pick one? If your TV is a Hisense — Roku or VIDAA — HiRemote gives you the full button pad, volume, and app shortcuts for free. Prefer to try before installing? The browser remote lets you tap through it in seconds.
How to choose the best app for your TV
Match the app to your TV's platform first, then judge the extras. A great-looking app is useless if it can't see your TV on the network. Work down this quick list:
- Platform match: pick an app built for your TV's system.
- Same network: confirm your phone and TV share one Wi-Fi.
- Features you'll use: voice, keyboard typing, and app-launch shortcuts.
- Price: the core remote should be free; be wary of paywalled basics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free TV remote app?
The best free TV remote app is your TV brand's official app, because it copies the real remote at no cost. Roku, Fire TV, and SmartThings are all free. For Hisense and multi-TV homes, HiRemote is free too. Avoid any app that locks basic buttons behind a subscription — the core remote should never cost money.
Can I use my phone as a TV remote without Wi-Fi?
Only if your phone has an infrared (IR) blaster, which most modern phones lack. IR apps beam signals like a normal remote and need no Wi-Fi. Without IR, remote apps rely on your home network, so your phone and TV must share the same Wi-Fi to reach each other. iPhones have no IR, so they always need Wi-Fi.
Does the best TV remote app work with any TV?
No single app controls every TV. Wi-Fi remote apps only reach smart TVs on your network, and each one usually targets certain brands. Universal apps like HiRemote widen that range, but a TV still needs network-remote support. Very old, non-smart TVs need an IR blaster on your phone instead of an app.
Why won't my TV remote app connect?
Most connection problems come from a network mismatch. Put your phone and TV on the same Wi-Fi, ideally the 2.4GHz band, then restart the app. Wake the TV and reboot your router if it still fails. Check that the TV allows network or mobile control in its settings — some models hide it. The remote app not working guide has more fixes.
Is there a universal TV remote app for iPhone?
Yes. Universal apps like HiRemote run on iPhone and control Hisense plus other smart TVs from one screen. iPhones have no IR blaster, so these apps work over Wi-Fi only. That's fine for smart TVs but won't help an old TV without a network connection. Both phone and TV must share the same Wi-Fi.
