Table of contents(13)+
- 01The 30-second test: which free app do you need?
- 02Method 1: Install your TV maker's official app
- 03Method 2: Control any Android TV with the Google TV app
- 04Method 3: Use the free Roku app for Roku TVs
- 05Method 4: Skip the app with a browser remote
- 06Free TV remote apps compared
- 07Frequently Asked Questions
- 08Is there a free TV remote app?
- 09What is the best free TV remote app?
- 10Can I use my phone as a TV remote without Wi-Fi?
- 11Do free TV remote apps work with all TVs?
- 12Why won't my free remote app connect?
- 13Related guides
Yes, you can control almost any smart TV with a free remote app on your phone. Download your TV maker's official app: RemoteNOW for Hisense, the Google TV app for Android TVs, the Roku app for Roku models, SmartThings for Samsung, or ThinQ for LG. Each one is free and pairs over your home Wi-Fi in about a minute.
I keep a Hisense U8K in the living room and a TCL Roku TV in the bedroom. I've lost the physical remote for both more times than I want to admit. A free phone app has bailed me out on plenty of nights. But not every app is equal, and a couple of them fight you over ads and lag.
The 30-second test: which free app do you need?
Before you download anything, check one thing: what runs your TV. The operating system decides which free app works. Guess wrong and the app won't find your set.
- Roku TV (Hisense, TCL, Onn): use the Roku app.
- Google TV or Android TV: use the Google TV app.
- Hisense VIDAA: use RemoteNOW or the HiRemote app.
- Samsung Tizen: use SmartThings.
- LG webOS: use the LG ThinQ app.
Find the OS under Settings > System, or check the box your TV came in. Once you know it, jump to the matching method below.
On a Hisense set and want to skip the setup? The free HiRemote browser remote loads a full button pad in your phone's browser with nothing to install. For daily use, the HiRemote app adds a keyboard, app shortcuts, and a D-pad that doesn't lag behind your taps.
Method 1: Install your TV maker's official app
Every major brand ships a free remote app. It's the fastest route because it's built for your exact TV. Here's the official app for each brand and where to get it.
- Hisense (VIDAA): RemoteNOW, free on the App Store and Google Play.
- Samsung: SmartThings.
- LG: LG ThinQ.
- Roku TVs: the Roku app (see Method 3).
- Google or Android TV: the Google TV app (see Method 2).
The steps are the same for most: open the app, let it scan your Wi-Fi, tap your TV when it shows up, then type the code on your screen. Your phone and TV must sit on the same network.
Honest catch: RemoteNOW works, but it shows ads and the buttons can lag a beat behind. If that bugs you on a Hisense, HiRemote is a cleaner free alternative built for VIDAA and Hisense Roku sets.
Method 2: Control any Android TV with the Google TV app
The Google TV app has a built-in remote for any Google TV or Android TV. That covers Sony, TCL, Philips, and many Hisense models. It's free on iPhone and Android.
Setup takes a minute:
- Install the Google TV app and open it.
- Tap the TV remote icon at the bottom right.
- Pick your TV from the list.
- Enter the pairing code shown on the TV.
You get a D-pad, volume, and voice search. Check Google's official remote guide if your TV won't appear. When it refuses to pair, restart both devices and confirm they share one Wi-Fi network, not a guest one.
Method 3: Use the free Roku app for Roku TVs
If your Hisense, TCL, or Onn TV runs Roku, the free Roku app is the best fit. It mirrors the physical remote and adds private listening through your headphones.
- Download the Roku app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Open it and tap Devices at the bottom.
- Select your Roku TV when it appears.
- Tap Remote to get the button pad.
Private listening is the standout feature: audio streams to your phone so you can watch late without waking anyone. Prefer not to install anything? A browser-based Roku remote works too. The full walkthrough lives in our Roku remote app guide.
Method 4: Skip the app with a browser remote
Don't want another app on your phone? A browser remote runs in Safari or Chrome with nothing to install. You open a web page and get a working button pad in seconds.
For Hisense Roku TVs, open the HiRemote browser remote on your phone. It connects over Wi-Fi and gives you power, volume, arrows, and a home button. It's genuinely free and there's no sign-up.
Honest catch: a browser remote needs the tab open and the same Wi-Fi. For everyday use, a native app like RemoteNOW or the HiRemote app is more reliable because it reconnects on its own after your phone sleeps.
Bottom line for Hisense owners: the free HiRemote app pairs the steadiness of a native remote with a no-install browser backup for when your storage is full. Keep both handy and you won't hunt for the physical remote again.
Free TV remote apps compared
| App | Works with | Free? | Needs Wi-Fi? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RemoteNOW | Hisense VIDAA | Yes (ads) | Yes | Stock Hisense control |
| Google TV app | Google / Android TV | Yes | Yes | Voice search + D-pad |
| Roku app | Roku & Roku TVs | Yes | Yes | Private listening |
| SmartThings | Samsung Tizen | Yes | Yes | Samsung TVs |
| LG ThinQ | LG webOS | Yes | Yes | LG TVs |
| HiRemote app | Hisense (VIDAA & Roku) | Yes | Yes | No ads, low lag |
| Browser remote | Hisense Roku TVs | Yes | Yes | No install needed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free TV remote app?
Yes, every major TV brand offers a free remote app. Hisense has RemoteNOW, Samsung has SmartThings, LG has ThinQ, and Roku and Google TV both ship their own free apps. Each one turns your phone into a remote over Wi-Fi at no cost. Third-party apps like HiRemote are also free for the core buttons.
What is the best free TV remote app?
The best free TV remote app is the official one for your TV's operating system. Roku TV owners get the most from the Roku app, thanks to private listening. Hisense VIDAA owners often prefer HiRemote over RemoteNOW because it skips the ads and lag. Match the app to your OS for the smoothest control.
Can I use my phone as a TV remote without Wi-Fi?
Usually no, because most free remote apps need your phone and TV on the same Wi-Fi. The exception is a phone with a built-in IR blaster, which sends signals like a physical remote. Few phones still include IR. If your TV is offline, see our guide on using a Hisense TV remote without Wi-Fi.
Do free TV remote apps work with all TVs?
No, free remote apps only work with smart TVs that connect to Wi-Fi. A basic non-smart TV can't pair with a phone app. Your TV also needs to support the brand's app, so a very old model may be left out. Check that your TV is on the same network and updated first.
Why won't my free remote app connect?
The top reason is a Wi-Fi mismatch: your phone and TV must be on the same network, and not a guest one. Restart both devices, then recheck the TV's network settings. Outdated TV software also blocks pairing. Our fix guide for a remote app that won't connect covers each step.
