Table of contents(13)+
- 01The 30-second test: is your remote lost or actually broken?
- 02Method 1: Turn the TV on with the built-in button (works right now)
- 03Method 2: Use your iPhone as a full Hisense remote (free, about 30 seconds)
- 04Method 3: Order an official Hisense replacement remote
- 05Method 4: Program a universal remote with Hisense codes
- 06Which Hisense remote fix fits your TV?
- 07Frequently Asked Questions
- 08Can I use my phone as a Hisense TV remote?
- 09How do I find my Hisense TV model number?
- 10Do universal remotes work with Hisense TVs?
- 11Where can I buy a genuine Hisense replacement remote?
- 12Why won't my Hisense remote work with new batteries?
- 13Related guides
To replace a lost or broken Hisense TV remote, use one of four fixes: the power button on the TV, the free HiRemote iPhone app over Wi-Fi, an official Hisense replacement remote, or a universal remote programmed with Hisense codes. The phone app is the fastest — it pairs in about 30 seconds and mirrors every original button.
I've replaced remotes for three Hisense sets in my house. There's a U7 VIDAA set in the living room, an A6 Android TV in a bedroom, and an R8 Roku TV in the garage. Two got lost in couch cushions; one had a stuck volume button after a juice spill. Honestly, I keep coming back to my phone as the fix. But I'll be straight with you: it's useless the second my Wi-Fi drops, so I still keep one cheap universal remote in a drawer.
The 30-second test: is your remote lost or actually broken?
Before you spend any money, find out what you're dealing with. If the remote is missing, skip to Method 2 and use your phone tonight. If you have the remote but it feels dead, run the camera test first.
Point your phone camera at the front of the remote. Press any button and watch the screen. A working remote shows a tiny flashing light in the preview — your eyes can't see it, but the camera can. No light usually means dead batteries or a dead remote.
- See a light but the TV ignores it? Replace both AAA batteries with fresh, same-date cells.
- No light at all? The remote itself is likely dead — plan a replacement.
- Got a Bluetooth voice remote (U7K, U8K, U9K)? Hold Home + Back for 5 seconds to re-pair it.
If the camera test says your remote is truly dead, you don't have to sit in the dark until a new one arrives. HiRemote is a free iPhone app that pairs with your Hisense TV over Wi-Fi in about 30 seconds and copies every button on the original. Method 2 below walks you through the setup.
The best fix depends a little on which Hisense you own. Not sure? Our two-question TV identifier sorts VIDAA, Roku, Google TV, and Fire TV in a few seconds.
Method 1: Turn the TV on with the built-in button (works right now)
Every Hisense TV has a physical button on the set itself. It's usually on the back panel or underneath the screen, near the center or the lower-right corner. Feel for a single button or a small joystick.
A quick press turns the TV on or off. On many models, holding it opens a small menu where you can switch the input or change volume with the same button. Your TV's manual shows the exact spot and what the button does on your model.
This won't get you into Netflix or the settings menu. Think of it as the emergency option while you set up something fuller below.
Method 2: Use your iPhone as a full Hisense remote (free, about 30 seconds)
If your Hisense TV is already on your home Wi-Fi, your phone can replace the remote completely. The HiRemote app is free, runs on iOS 16 and up, and talks to the TV over Wi-Fi — the same way the original remote does, just without the plastic. It rates 4.4 with 1,600+ ratings on the App Store.
It covers VIDAA U6 through U9, Android TV models like the A6, A7, H8, H9, and H10, and Hisense Roku TVs. You get the full D-pad, volume, a number pad, app shortcuts for Netflix and YouTube, and a real keyboard for typing passwords.
Here's the VIDAA setup:
- Get the TV on the same Wi-Fi as your phone: Home → Settings → Network → Wi-Fi. Guest or work networks won't see the TV.
- On the TV, turn on app control: Home → Settings → Network → Mobile Phone Remote Control → toggle ON. Most VIDAA builds have this on already.
- Open HiRemote, pick your TV from the list, and confirm the pairing prompt on the screen.
When it won't work: the TV has to be on the same local Wi-Fi, since this control is LAN-only by design. Very old sets running VIDAA 3.0 or earlier never exposed the network control, so those still need a physical remote. Voice search also needs the original remote's microphone.
Hisense makes its own free app too, called RemoteNOW. It works, but it asks for a Hisense Connect account and shows ads, which is why it sits near 1.9 stars. A no-account app avoids both.
Waiting on a replacement remote to ship? Your phone covers the gap — HiRemote's full keyboard makes typing streaming passwords easier than the original remote ever did. Got a Hisense Roku TV? You can also use the free browser remote — no app, no download, just your TV's IP address.
Method 3: Order an official Hisense replacement remote
If you want the real remote back in your hand, order a genuine one. First, find your TV's model number. It's on a label on the back of the TV, or in the menu under Settings → System → About.
With the model number, order from Hisense's official support site or an authorized accessory seller. Buying by model number matters — Hisense uses different remotes for VIDAA, Roku, and Google TV sets, and the wrong one can miss buttons.
The honest downside: delivery isn't instant. You could go a few days without the physical remote, so set up your phone as a stopgap while it ships.
Method 4: Program a universal remote with Hisense codes
A universal remote is a cheap physical backup you can grab at most stores. It handles the basics — power, volume, channels, and menu navigation — once you enter the right Hisense code.
The steps vary by brand, but the pattern stays the same:
- Put the universal remote into TV programming mode, usually by holding the TV button until it blinks.
- Enter a Hisense code from the remote's code sheet or the maker's website.
- Test power and volume. If nothing responds, try the next Hisense code on the list.
Where it falls short: most universal remotes can't launch streaming apps, use voice, or reach every smart-menu shortcut. Great for the basics, weaker for a modern smart TV.
Which Hisense remote fix fits your TV?
Each option trades speed, cost, and control differently. Here's the short version so you can pick fast.
| Option | Cost | How fast | Full smart control? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in TV button | Free | Instant | No — power and input only | An emergency right now |
| HiRemote iPhone app | Free | About 30 seconds | Yes — full menu and keyboard | Getting full control back today |
| Official Hisense remote | Paid | A few days (shipping) | Yes — it's the original | Wanting the physical remote back |
| Universal remote | Paid (cheap) | Same day from a store | Partial — basics, not smart apps | A low-cost physical backup |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my phone as a Hisense TV remote?
Yes. A free app like HiRemote turns your iPhone into a full Hisense remote over Wi-Fi. It pairs in about 30 seconds and copies every button on the original — D-pad, volume, number pad, app shortcuts, and a keyboard. Your phone and TV just need to sit on the same home network.
How do I find my Hisense TV model number?
Check the label on the back of the TV, or open Settings → System → About in the menu. The model number mixes letters and numbers, like 55A6 or 65U8. You'll need it to order the correct replacement remote, since Hisense ships different remotes for different model lines.
Do universal remotes work with Hisense TVs?
Yes, for the basics. A universal remote controls power, volume, channels, and menu navigation once you enter a Hisense code. It usually can't launch streaming apps, use voice search, or reach every smart-menu shortcut. Treat it as a solid physical backup, not a full smart-TV replacement.
Where can I buy a genuine Hisense replacement remote?
Order one from Hisense's official support site or an authorized accessory retailer. Always buy by your TV's model number, because VIDAA, Roku, and Google TV Hisense sets use different remotes. Delivery takes a few days, so set up a free phone app in the meantime to keep watching.
Why won't my Hisense remote work with new batteries?
Start by confirming the batteries are fresh and same-dated, since mixing old and new AAAs is a common cause. If it still fails, run the phone-camera test: point your camera at the remote and press a button. No flashing light means the remote is dead. Bluetooth voice remotes (U7K, U8K, U9K) re-pair by holding Home + Back for 5 seconds.
