Lost Your TV Remote? 5 Free Ways to Control Any TV

The 30-second test: which fix fits your TV?

Before you try anything, answer one question. Does your TV connect to your home Wi-Fi? Your answer points you to the right method.

• Yes, it's on Wi-Fi: a free phone app or browser remote works. Jump to Method 2.
• No, or you're not sure: start with the TV's own buttons or a universal remote. See Methods 1 and 4.
• You just need to finish setup: a plug-in USB keyboard navigates most menus. See Method 5.

Method 1: Use the buttons built into your TV

Almost every TV hides a physical control on the body — usually underneath, behind the bottom-right corner, or on the back. On most Hisense sets it's a single joystick-style button. A short press wakes the TV; press and hold to open the input or menu.

This won't type passwords or launch apps. But it turns the TV on, changes the source, and adjusts volume in a pinch. Check your model's manual for the exact spot — it's easy to miss.

When it won't work: a few budget models drop the physical button entirely, or hide it under a panel. If you press every edge and feel nothing, move to Method 2.

Method 2: Turn your phone into a free TV remote

If your TV is on Wi-Fi, your phone can replace the remote for free. The app you pick depends on your TV's brand and platform — there's no single app that controls every TV. Match the tool to your set.

For a Hisense TV: HiRemote pairs over your local Wi-Fi and mirrors every key on the original remote. It supports VIDAA U6–U9, Android models (A6, A7, H8, H9, H10), plus Roku and Fire TV Edition sets. It's free, needs no account, and adds a full keyboard for streaming logins.

Here's the pairing flow on VIDAA:

1. Put your phone and TV on the same Wi-Fi network — not guest Wi-Fi.
2. On the TV: Home → Settings → Network → Mobile Phone Remote Control → toggle ON. It's on by default on most builds.
3. Open the app, pick your model, and confirm the pairing prompt on the TV.

For a Roku-powered TV: use a free browser remote instead — no app needed. Roku's own support pages explain how to find the TV's IP address, which the web remote needs. This works on Roku TVs from Hisense, TCL, Insignia, Onn, and more.

When it won't work: the TV and phone must share one local network. Very old sets that never exposed a network-control API — like VIDAA 3.0 or earlier — still need the original remote.

Method 3: Borrow HDMI-CEC from a streaming stick or console

If you've plugged a Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, or game console into the TV, its remote can already control the TV. The feature is called HDMI-CEC, and most brands ship it under a nickname — Anynet+, Bravia Sync, or just "CEC."

Turn it on in your TV's settings, usually under System → HDMI-CEC or a similarly named menu. Once it's active, the connected device's remote powers the TV on and off and controls volume. You can read how the standard works from the official HDMI Forum.

When it won't work: CEC only handles power, volume, and input — not apps or channels. It also needs a device already connected by HDMI, so it's no help on a bare TV.

Method 4: Program a universal remote with your TV's code

A cheap universal remote from a hardware or electronics store controls almost any TV. You enter a short setup code for your TV brand, and the remote learns the basics. It's a solid backup when Wi-Fi isn't an option.

Two ways to program it:

• Code method: look up your TV brand's code in the remote's booklet, then key it in during setup.
• Auto-search: hold the setup button while the remote cycles through codes until the TV responds.

When it won't work: universal remotes cover power, volume, channels, and input — not smart-TV apps or a keyboard. Voice search and app shortcuts stay off-limits.

Method 5: Plug a USB keyboard into the TV

Most smart TVs accept a wired USB keyboard in the rear USB port. It won't turn the TV on, but once the screen is lit, arrow keys move through menus and Enter selects. This is the quiet hero for finishing setup when nothing else is paired.

Plug it in, wait a few seconds for the TV to detect it, then use the arrows, Enter, and Backspace. Typing a Wi-Fi password this way beats pecking at an on-screen keyboard.

When it won't work: a keyboard can't power the TV on, and a few models ignore keyboards on certain input screens. Keep Method 1 handy for the power step.

Which method should you choose?

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I control my TV without a remote?

Use one of five free methods: the TV's built-in buttons, a phone remote app over Wi-Fi, HDMI-CEC from a connected streaming stick, a programmed universal remote, or a plug-in USB keyboard. If your TV is on Wi-Fi, the phone app is fastest — it pairs in about 30 seconds and needs no cables.

Is there a free TV remote app for iPhone?

Yes. Free apps exist for most smart-TV brands, though no single app controls every TV. For Hisense sets, HiRemote is free, needs no account, and pairs over Wi-Fi. For Roku-powered TVs, a free browser remote works with no download at all. Match the app to your TV's platform.

Can I use my phone as a TV remote without Wi-Fi?

Usually no. Most phone remote apps talk to the TV over your local Wi-Fi network, so both devices must be online and on the same network. A few older phones with a built-in infrared blaster can send IR signals without Wi-Fi, but most modern iPhones don't include one. Use a universal remote instead.

Does a universal remote work with any TV?

Most of the time, yes. A universal remote controls power, volume, channels, and input on nearly every TV once you enter the brand's setup code. It won't reach smart-TV apps, voice search, or a keyboard. For those, a phone app or the TV's own remote does more.

How do I control my TV if it has no visible buttons?

Check under the bottom edge, the lower-right corner, and the back panel first — the button is often a single joystick that's easy to miss. If there's truly none, use a phone app over Wi-Fi, HDMI-CEC from a connected device, or a universal remote. A USB keyboard also navigates menus once the screen is on.

Related guides

• How to Use Your Phone as a TV Remote App
• How to Use Your Phone as a TV Remote