Table of contents(13)+
- 01The 30-second test: is your remote really dead?
- 02Method 1: Use the buttons on the TV itself
- 03Method 2: Replace the remote with your iPhone
- 04Method 3: Borrow a remote you already own
- 05Method 4: Buy a universal or official replacement remote
- 06Which replacement should you pick?
- 07Frequently Asked Questions
- 08Can I use my phone as a Hisense TV remote for free?
- 09How do I control a Hisense TV with no remote at all?
- 10My Hisense remote isn't working — is it broken or just unpaired?
- 11How do I re-pair a Hisense Roku TV remote?
- 12Does a universal remote work with a Hisense TV?
- 13Related guides
To replace a lost or broken Hisense TV remote, install a free iPhone remote app that pairs over Wi-Fi in about 30 seconds. Other real options: the TV's own buttons, HDMI-CEC from a Roku or Apple TV, a USB keyboard, or a universal IR remote programmed with Hisense codes.
I keep this running on a shelf of Hisense sets at home. A VIDAA U7 sits in the living room, an older U6 is in the bedroom, and a Roku R8 handles the kids' room. My U8 in the office works the same way, and so does my brother's Fire TV Edition set. Every one answers my iPhone over Wi-Fi, just like the original remote — as long as the TV is already online.
The 30-second test: is your remote really dead?
Before you replace anything, make sure the old remote is the real problem. Two quick checks rule out a five-cent fix.
- Swap the batteries. Pop in two fresh AAA cells with the same date printed on them. Mismatched or half-dead batteries are the most common cause of a "broken" Hisense remote.
- Run the phone-camera test. Point your phone camera at the front of the remote and press any button. If you see no light in the preview, the infrared emitter is dead and the remote needs replacing.
If the remote still works after that, you have a pairing issue, not a dead remote. On Bluetooth voice remotes (U7K, U8K, U9K), hold Home + Back for five seconds to re-pair. If it's truly dead, read on.
Confirmed it's dead? You don't have to wait for a replacement to ship. HiRemote is a free iPhone app that turns your phone into a full Hisense remote in about 30 seconds — grab it on the App Store and keep watching tonight.
Method 1: Use the buttons on the TV itself
Every Hisense TV has a physical control, even the ones that look button-free. This gets your power and volume back right now, with nothing to download.
The button is small and easy to miss. Check these three spots, in order:
- Bottom-right underside — a small joystick or button, the most common spot on U8 and ULED sets. Push it up or down for volume; press and hold to open the menu.
- Center-bottom, behind the logo — a single click-button on many VIDAA U6 and U7 models.
- Back-left panel — a short row of keys on some older A-series and Roku R6/R7 sets.
When it won't work: a lone joystick can't type a Netflix password or open an app. It's a stopgap for power and volume, not a full replacement. If you can't find it, the exact spot is in your model's manual on Hisense Support.
Method 2: Replace the remote with your iPhone
This is the closest thing to a real replacement, and it's free. HiRemote mirrors your old remote's layout, then adds a full keyboard for passwords and searches. It talks to the TV over your home Wi-Fi, the same way the original remote did.
- Get the TV on Wi-Fi. Using Method 1's button, go to Home → Settings → Network → Wi-Fi and join the same network your phone uses. Guest or work networks won't see the TV.
- Turn on mobile control. On the TV: Home → Settings → Network → Mobile Phone Remote Control, and toggle it ON. Most VIDAA U builds have this on already.
- Pair in the app. Open HiRemote, pick your model from the list, and tap to connect. It finds the TV in a few seconds.
When it won't work: the phone and TV must share the same local Wi-Fi — VIDAA's control protocol is LAN-only by design. Builds older than "VIDAA U" (the About screen shows VIDAA 3.0 or earlier) never exposed the network API, so those need a hardware remote. Voice search still needs the original remote's mic. For a full walkthrough, see using your iPhone as a Hisense TV ovladač.
Method 3: Borrow a remote you already own
Have a Roku, Apple TV, or game console plugged into the TV? Its remote can turn the TV on and off and change volume through HDMI-CEC. Hisense lists this as HDMI-CEC (sometimes just CEC) in the menu.
- Turn CEC on. Go to Home → Settings → System → HDMI-CEC and switch it on. Some models list it under Picture or the HDMI input settings instead.
- Match the input. Select the HDMI input your streamer is plugged into.
- Use its remote. The Roku or Apple TV remote now runs the TV's power and volume.
When it won't work: CEC only passes power, volume, and basic navigation. You can't open the TV's own settings menu with it, and it fails if the streamer is unplugged. It's a bridge, not a fix.
On a Hisense Roku TV, you can skip the app store entirely. Our free browser-based Roku remote runs in any phone or laptop browser — type your TV's IP address and you're in control in 30 seconds, no download or Roku account needed.
Method 4: Buy a universal or official replacement remote
If you want a physical remote back in your hand, you have two routes. Both cost money, so try them after the free options above.
- Official Hisense remote. Order the exact model for your TV from Hisense support or a parts reseller. Pop in batteries and it just works.
- Universal IR remote. A cheap universal remote works once you enter the Hisense code from its booklet. Point, program, done. It covers power, volume, and channels.
When it won't work: universal remotes rarely reach VIDAA's app shortcuts or voice button. And a Bluetooth voice remote (U7K, U8K, U9K) can't be replaced by a basic IR universal — it needs the matching Bluetooth model. Our guide to universal remotes for Hisense TVs has the code lists.
Which replacement should you pick?
| Method | Cost | Setup time | Full control? | Needs Wi-Fi? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TV buttons | Free | Instant | Power + volume only | No |
| iPhone app (HiRemote) | Free | ~30 seconds | Yes, plus keyboard | Yes |
| HDMI-CEC remote | Free | 1–2 minutes | Power + volume + basic nav | No |
| Universal / official | Roughly $5–$25 | Up to a day (shipping) | Most keys, no app shortcuts | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my phone as a Hisense TV remote for free?
Yes, a free iPhone app replaces a lost Hisense remote at no cost. HiRemote pairs over your home Wi-Fi in about 30 seconds and needs no account. It supports VIDAA, Roku TV, Google TV, and Fire TV Edition Hisense models. A paid Pro tier adds touchpad and playback extras, but power, volume, and navigation stay free.
How do I control a Hisense TV with no remote at all?
Use the physical button on the TV to power it on, then connect it to Wi-Fi and pair a free phone app. The button usually sits on the bottom-right underside or center-bottom behind the logo. Once the TV is online, your iPhone becomes a full replacement — no shipping wait and no batteries to buy.
My Hisense remote isn't working — is it broken or just unpaired?
Run the phone-camera test to tell them apart. Point your phone camera at the remote's front and press a button; no light in the preview means the infrared emitter is dead. If you do see light, it's a pairing issue — on Bluetooth voice remotes (U7K, U8K, U9K), hold Home + Back for five seconds to re-pair.
How do I re-pair a Hisense Roku TV remote?
Press the pairing button inside the remote's battery compartment for five seconds. Open the battery cover, hold the recessed button until the TV shows a pairing message, then release. Hisense Roku TVs often lose their pairing after a firmware update, so this revives a remote that suddenly stopped working.
Does a universal remote work with a Hisense TV?
Yes, most universal remotes control Hisense TVs once you enter the correct code. Find the Hisense code in the remote's booklet, put the remote into programming mode, and enter it. Universal remotes handle power, volume, and channels, but they usually can't reach VIDAA app shortcuts or the voice button.
