Table of contents(14)+
- 01The 30-second test
- 02Method 1: Pair your iPhone over Wi-Fi
- 03Method 2: Use the free browser remote
- 04Method 3: Control the TV with HDMI-CEC
- 05Method 4: Use a USB keyboard or universal IR remote
- 06Which smart remote method fits you?
- 07Frequently Asked Questions
- 08What is the best smart remote for a Hisense TV?
- 09Can I use my phone as a smart remote without the original remote?
- 10Is there a free smart remote app for Hisense TVs?
- 11Does a phone smart remote work over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi?
- 12Why won't my Hisense smart remote connect?
- 13Do I need a Hisense account to use a phone remote?
- 14Related guides
The fastest smart remote for a Hisense TV is your phone: install the free HiRemote app, join the same Wi-Fi as the TV, and pair in about 30 seconds. It works on VIDAA, Roku, Google TV, and Fire TV Hisense sets. No original remote, no account, and no batteries to hunt for.
I run a Hisense U8 in the living room and an older A6 in the bedroom. When the U8's remote slid under the couch for the third time, I paired my iPhone over Wi-Fi and never looked back. The A6 took a little more work — its VIDAA build needed one setting flipped first. I'll show you both paths, plus the free fallbacks if your TV isn't on Wi-Fi yet.
The 30-second test
Before you install anything, figure out your route. Grab the TV and your phone and check three things:
- Is the TV on Wi-Fi? Press the TV's power button, then look for a network icon in Settings. A phone remote needs the TV online.
- Which system does it run? Press Home. A Discover bar means VIDAA; purple tiles mean Roku; 'For you' rows mean Google TV.
- Same network? Your phone and TV must share one Wi-Fi. Guest or work networks won't see the TV.
Not sure which system you have? Our two-question Hisense TV finder sorts it in a few taps. On Wi-Fi and online? Go straight to Method 1. Not online yet, or no working remote to reach Settings? Skip to Method 3 or 4.
If your TV is already on Wi-Fi, the quickest smart remote is the free HiRemote app. It mirrors every key on your original remote and adds a full keyboard for Netflix logins — handy the moment you're stuck typing a password letter by letter.
Method 1: Pair your iPhone over Wi-Fi
This is the fastest path and it's free. HiRemote talks to your TV over your home Wi-Fi, the same way the original remote does, just without the plastic. Here's the pairing flow for a VIDAA set:
- Put the TV on your home Wi-Fi: Home → Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Connect.
- Turn on app control: Home → Settings → Network → Mobile Phone Remote Control → toggle ON. Most VIDAA U builds have this on already.
- Install HiRemote, open it, and pick your Hisense model from the list.
- Tap your TV when it appears and follow the pairing prompt. You're controlling it in about 30 seconds.
When it won't work: VIDAA's control protocol is LAN-only, so a guest network or work VLAN blocks it. Very old sets (the About screen says VIDAA 3.0 or earlier) never exposed the network API — those still need the original remote. For a full walkthrough with the complete key list, see our Hisense VIDAA remote guide. Prefer the maker's own reference? Hisense documents VIDAA on its official VIDAA site.
Method 2: Use the free browser remote
Got a Hisense Roku TV — the R6, R7, or R8 series? You don't even need an app. Roku TVs run the External Control Protocol, so a web page on your Wi-Fi can send button presses straight to the TV.
- On the TV, find its IP address: Settings → Network → About.
- Open our online Roku remote in any phone or laptop browser.
- Type the IP into the widget. The buttons start working right away — no install, no Roku account.
When it won't work: this only covers Roku-powered Hisense sets. VIDAA, Google TV, and Fire TV models don't expose the same browser-friendly protocol, so use Method 1 for those. Roku's own developer docs explain the control protocol if you're curious.
No app, no account, no cables: the browser remote is the quickest fix when someone loses the Roku remote mid-show. Bookmark it on your phone and it's one tap away. If you want Apple Watch and Lock Screen buttons too, the free HiRemote app adds those.
Method 3: Control the TV with HDMI-CEC
Already own a Roku box, Apple TV, or game console plugged into the Hisense? Their remotes can drive the TV through HDMI-CEC — a standard that lets one remote control linked devices over the HDMI cable.
- Turn on CEC in the TV menu. Hisense usually labels it HDMI-CEC or CEC Control in the system or connection settings.
- Use the box's remote to power the TV on and off and adjust volume.
When it won't work: CEC handles power and volume well but rarely reaches deep TV menus. It's a stopgap, not a full replacement — and it only helps if you already have a device connected.
Method 4: Use a USB keyboard or universal IR remote
No Wi-Fi and no smart box? Two old-school fixes still work:
- USB keyboard: plug a wired keyboard into the TV's rear USB port. Arrow keys navigate menus and Enter selects — enough to reach Settings and get the TV online.
- Universal IR remote: program a cheap universal remote with the Hisense codes from its manual. It sends the same infrared signals as the lost remote.
When it won't work: a USB keyboard only helps for setup and basic navigation, not everyday viewing. Universal remotes miss smart-TV shortcuts like app-launch buttons. Once the TV is on Wi-Fi, switch to Method 1 for the full layout.
Which smart remote method fits you?
Here's how the routes stack up so you can pick fast:
| Method | Cost | Setup time | Works with | Best when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HiRemote app | Free (Pro $9.99/yr) | ~30 seconds | VIDAA, Roku, Google TV, Fire TV | TV is on Wi-Fi |
| Browser remote | Free | ~30 seconds | Roku-powered Hisense only | You want zero install |
| HDMI-CEC | Free | A few minutes | Any TV with a connected box | You own a Roku or Apple TV |
| USB keyboard | Cheap hardware | ~1 minute | Any TV with a USB port | TV isn't online yet |
| Universal IR remote | Cheap hardware | ~5 minutes | Any Hisense TV | You want a physical remote |
| RemoteNOW (official) | Free | A few minutes | Newer VIDAA models | You don't mind an account |
The HiRemote app is free to start and rated 4.4 stars across 1,600+ ratings. Hisense's own RemoteNOW is free too, but its App Store rating sits at 1.9 — it forces an account and shows ads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best smart remote for a Hisense TV?
Your phone is the best everyday smart remote for a Hisense TV. The free HiRemote app pairs over Wi-Fi in about 30 seconds and copies every key on the original remote, plus a full keyboard for streaming logins. It works across VIDAA, Roku, Google TV, and Fire TV models, needs no account, and adds Apple Watch and Lock Screen buttons.
Can I use my phone as a smart remote without the original remote?
Yes, you can use your phone as a smart remote without the original at all. Install HiRemote, put your phone on the same Wi-Fi as the TV, and pair — no physical remote required. If the TV isn't online yet, plug a USB keyboard into its rear port to reach the network settings first, then pair your phone.
Is there a free smart remote app for Hisense TVs?
Yes, HiRemote is free to download and covers all four Hisense systems. Core control — power, volume, D-pad, keyboard, and app shortcuts — costs nothing. An optional Pro plan at $9.99 per year unlocks the touchpad and playback controls, but you can run the everyday remote free forever.
Does a phone smart remote work over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi?
A phone smart remote for Hisense works over Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth. The app sends commands across your home network to the TV's built-in control protocol. Both devices must share the same Wi-Fi — a guest network or work VLAN will block it. Bluetooth is only used by some original voice remotes, not the app.
Why won't my Hisense smart remote connect?
The usual reason is a network mismatch — your phone and TV are on different Wi-Fi. Put both on the same home network, not guest Wi-Fi. On VIDAA, also check that Home → Settings → Network → Mobile Phone Remote Control is toggled on. Sets running VIDAA 3.0 or older can't connect over the network at all.
Do I need a Hisense account to use a phone remote?
No, HiRemote needs no Hisense account and no signup. It talks to the TV directly over Wi-Fi, the same way the original remote does. That's the main difference from Hisense's official RemoteNOW app, which requires a Hisense Connect account before it works and shows ads in the interface.
