Table of contents(15)+
- 01The 30-second test: what kind of LCD do you have?
- 02Method 1: Turn your phone into the remote (free, smart LCDs)
- 03Method 2: Program a universal remote (works on any LCD)
- 04Method 3: Control a Roku-based LCD from your browser
- 05Method 4: Use the buttons on the TV itself
- 06Method 5: Order a replacement remote that matches your model
- 07LCD remote options compared
- 08Frequently Asked Questions
- 09How do I use my phone as a remote for my LCD TV?
- 10Can I control a basic (non-smart) LCD with my phone?
- 11How do I find the remote code for my LCD TV?
- 12How can I turn on my LCD without any remote?
- 13Is there a free remote app for a Hisense LCD?
- 14What's the cheapest way to replace an LCD remote?
- 15Related guides
"LCD" is what most of us call any flat-screen TV, so "LCD ka remote" really means one thing: you need to control your set and the original remote is gone or dead. I've been through this with a Hisense U6 VIDAA TV and an older basic LCD in my parents' room. The right fix depends on what kind of LCD you own — smart or basic — so run the quick test first.
The 30-second test: what kind of LCD do you have?
Before you buy anything, find out what you're working with. Press the button on the TV itself to switch it on, then look at the screen.
- Smart LCD — you see apps like Netflix or YouTube, plus a home screen with tiles or rows. It's on Wi-Fi or can join it. Your phone can be the remote.
- Basic LCD — you only see live TV or a source menu, no apps. Your phone can't reach it over Wi-Fi. You'll need a universal or replacement remote.
Also note the brand and model. There's usually a sticker on the back panel. You'll need it for Methods 2 and 5.
If the test says "smart LCD" and it's a Hisense, you can skip the shopping trip. HiRemote is a free iPhone app that pairs with Hisense VIDAA, Roku, Google TV, and Fire TV sets over Wi-Fi — no account, no original remote needed. Method 1 walks you through it.
Method 1: Turn your phone into the remote (free, smart LCDs)
This is the fastest free fix if your LCD is a smart TV. The app talks to the TV over your home Wi-Fi, the same way the original remote does. Here's the flow on a Hisense set:
- Put your phone and TV on the same Wi-Fi. On the TV, use the buttons to go to Home → Settings → Network → Wi-Fi.
- Install HiRemote on your iPhone or iPad.
- Open it, pick your Hisense model from the list, and follow the pairing prompt. It takes about 30 seconds.
- You get the full D-pad, volume, a number pad, and a real keyboard for typing streaming passwords.
Other brands have their own free apps — Samsung's SmartThings, LG's ThinQ, TCL's remote app. Check the maker's official site for yours. You can also use a general phone-as-a-TV-remote setup for many smart brands.
When it won't work: a basic LCD with no smart platform isn't on your network, so no app can find it. If your TV can't join Wi-Fi at all, skip to Method 2 or 4.
Method 2: Program a universal remote (works on any LCD)
A universal remote is the one fix that works on every LCD, smart or basic. You can buy one at almost any electronics shop for a small amount. It uses infrared, just like your original.
- Put in fresh batteries and switch the TV on with its own button.
- Hold the Setup button until the light stays on.
- Enter the code for your TV's brand from the little booklet that came with the remote.
- Point it at the TV and press Power. If nothing happens, try the next code for your brand.
Can't find a code that works? Use the remote's auto-search mode — it cycles through every code until the TV reacts. Our Hisense remote codes list has the working 3, 4, and 5-digit codes by brand.
When it won't work: IR needs a clear line of sight to the TV's sensor. Finding the right code can take a few tries. Voice and app-launch buttons on the original usually won't carry over.
Method 3: Control a Roku-based LCD from your browser
Some LCDs run the Roku platform — Hisense R-series, TCL, Insignia, and others. If yours does, you don't even need an app. Our free web remote at hiremote.app/hisense-roku-tv-remote controls it straight from a browser.
- On the TV, use the buttons to open Settings → Network → About and note the IP address.
- Open the web remote page on your phone or laptop.
- Type the IP into the widget. The buttons start working over your local Wi-Fi.
When it won't work: this only covers Roku-powered LCDs. VIDAA, Google TV, and Fire TV sets can't be driven from a browser the same way — use the app in Method 1 for those.
Not sure whether to grab the app or the web remote? If you want Apple Watch and Lock Screen widgets or you're on a Hisense VIDAA/Google TV set, the free HiRemote app covers more platforms; for a quick one-off on a Roku LCD, the browser remote needs zero install.
Method 4: Use the buttons on the TV itself
Every LCD has physical controls, even when the remote is long gone. They're enough to turn the set on, change the source, and adjust volume while you sort out a real remote.
- Look on the bottom edge, the back-right corner, or under the brand logo.
- Newer sets often have a single joystick — press it for a menu, push it in directions to move.
- Older sets have separate Power, Volume, Channel, and Menu buttons.
When it won't work: there's no number pad and no app shortcuts. It's fine for setup and basic use, not for daily channel surfing. On a few very slim models the buttons are hard to reach behind the panel.
Method 5: Order a replacement remote that matches your model
If you want every original button back, order a replacement. Match it to your exact model so the layout and pairing type line up.
- Read the model number off the sticker on the TV's back.
- Order the OEM remote for that model, or a compatible one that lists your model.
- For newer sets, check whether your remote is a simple IR one or a Bluetooth voice remote — they pair differently.
When it won't work: it isn't instant — you wait for shipping. A generic remote may miss a few special keys. See our guide on replacing a Hisense TV remote for the model-matching details.
LCD remote options compared
| Option | Cost | How fast | Works on a basic LCD? | You need |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phone app | Free | ~30 seconds | No | Smart TV on Wi-Fi |
| Universal remote | Low | Same day | Yes | Line of sight + code |
| Browser remote | Free | ~1 minute | No | Roku LCD + Wi-Fi |
| TV buttons | Free | Instant | Yes | Nothing |
| Replacement remote | Medium | Ships in days | Yes | Correct model match |
For official button locations and model help, check Hisense support. If your LCD runs Roku, Roku's own support shows where to find the IP address.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use my phone as a remote for my LCD TV?
You use your phone as an LCD remote by installing a free remote app and pairing it over Wi-Fi. This only works on smart LCD TVs. On a Hisense set, open HiRemote, pick your model, and follow the pairing prompt — it takes about 30 seconds. Other brands, like Samsung and LG, have their own official apps.
Can I control a basic (non-smart) LCD with my phone?
No, a basic LCD with no smart platform can't be controlled by your phone over Wi-Fi. Phone apps reach the TV through your network, and a basic LCD never joins it. Your working options are a universal remote programmed with the right code, a matching replacement remote, or the physical buttons on the TV itself.
How do I find the remote code for my LCD TV?
Find your LCD's remote code in the code booklet packed with your universal remote, matched to your TV's brand. If your brand isn't listed, use the remote's auto-search mode — it steps through codes until the TV responds. Our Hisense code guide lists the working 3, 4, and 5-digit codes by brand.
How can I turn on my LCD without any remote?
Turn on your LCD without a remote by pressing the physical power button or joystick on the TV. It usually sits on the bottom edge, the back-right corner, or under the brand logo. From there you can change the source and volume, but you won't get a number pad or app shortcuts.
Is there a free remote app for a Hisense LCD?
Yes, HiRemote is a free app for Hisense LCD TVs on the iPhone App Store. It rates 4.4 out of 5 across 1,600+ ratings and needs no account or signup. It pairs over Wi-Fi in about 30 seconds and works with Hisense VIDAA, Roku, Google TV, and Fire TV sets.
What's the cheapest way to replace an LCD remote?
The cheapest way to replace an LCD remote is a free phone app, as long as your TV is a smart set on Wi-Fi. If it's a basic LCD, a universal remote from a local electronics shop is the next cheapest. A matching OEM replacement costs more but brings back every original button.
