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Which TV platforms can I connect?
Connect supported Samsung, LG, Roku, Fire TV, Android TV, Google TV, Apple TV, Hisense, and Vizio devices.
Remote Control for TVOne remote.
A whole living room.
Remote Control for TV turns your iPhone or iPad into a Wi-Fi remote for supported smart TVs and streaming devices. Pair on the same local network to navigate, adjust playback, and use available TV controls. The app also offers Apple Watch and Mac controls, widgets, and Siri shortcuts. No Remote Helper or infrared accessory is required.
iPhone · iPad · Apple Watch · Mac
What can I control on my TV?
Navigate, launch apps, and switch inputs where your TV supports them. Check the compatibility guide for details.
Can I use widgets, Apple Watch, and Siri?
Use widgets, Apple Watch controls, and Siri Shortcuts for supported actions.
What can I do with this TV remote app?
Use Remote Control for TV for everyday navigation and playback, then add typing, app launching, or input switching where your TV supports them. Save multiple devices and choose the one you want to control. A television and a streaming box can offer different buttons, even when they share the same screen.
- Everyday controls. Navigation, playback, volume, and power, with touchpad navigation on supported Apple TV and LG devices.
- Less typing on the TV. Enter text, launch apps, and switch inputs where your TV supports those actions.
- Quick access. Use widgets, Apple Watch, and Siri Shortcuts for frequently used controls.
Basic keypad controls are free, while keyboard input, app launching, input switching, keypad customization, and extended watch controls are Premium features on supported devices. The App Store listing explains the current purchase options. Try the basic connection and controls on your own TV before choosing an upgrade.
What does the TV remote interface look like?
The screenshots show platform selection, the remote keypad, text entry, app launching, Siri shortcuts, and widgets. Use them to identify the control you need, then check your platform’s compatibility details. A screenshot illustrates an available interface; it does not mean every saved TV supports every button or action shown.
Which TVs and streaming devices are supported?
The compatibility guide covers 8 main platform groups: Samsung, LG, Roku, Fire TV, Android TV / Google TV, Apple TV, Hisense, and Vizio. Choose the operating system as well as the TV brand. Features depend on the model, firmware, and settings, so check the specific controls you need before pairing.
For example, a Hisense television running Google TV belongs on the Android TV / Google TV connection path. A Hisense VIDAA model uses the Hisense guide. Likewise, choose Fire TV when that is the operating system built into the television. The compatibility reference separates pairing, power, text entry, app launching, and input switching so you can compare individual features.
The current App Store description also lists experimental Philips, Sony, and Panasonic support. Experimental connections depend on model and firmware; the main compatibility groups are the best starting point for setup.
How do I connect a TV to the app?
Connect your iPhone or iPad and TV to the same trusted local network, allow Local Network access, and select the TV platform in Remote Control for TV. Complete the approval or PIN step shown by your device, then save it. These 3 steps establish the connection without installing Remote Helper.
- Connect your iPhone or iPad and TV to the same trusted local network. Turn the TV on.
- Open Remote Control for TV, allow Local Network access, and choose your TV platform.
- Follow the TV's approval or PIN prompt, then save the device.
Open the TV setup guides for your model. No Remote Helper is needed for TV pairing.
Apple has required permission for local-device discovery since iOS 14 and iPadOS 14. If access was declined, follow Apple’s Local Network instructions to review the setting under Privacy & Security. Keep the TV awake so you can see any approval or PIN prompt.
Can I control the TV from Apple Watch or Mac?
Apple Watch can control supported saved TVs with Remote Control for TV. The watch app uses the devices you already added on iPhone or iPad, then provides keypad controls, app launching on supported platforms, and source switching on supported LG and Hisense TVs.
The macOS app can use the same saved devices from your Mac for remote keys, text input, app launching, and source switching where the device supports those features.
The Apple Watch guide documents source switching for 2 TV families: LG and Hisense. This does not imply that every watch action works with every television. For a quick pause during cooking or a workout, start with the keypad. For app launching or source selection, check the saved device’s available controls.
How do Siri shortcuts and widgets control the TV?
The Siri Shortcuts guide describes 4 main action types: Send Key, Turn On, Launch App, and Switch Input. Pair and save the TV first, then select it when creating a shortcut. Available actions depend on the platform and the controls exposed by that saved device.
- Pair and save your TV in Remote Control for TV.
- Open the Shortcuts app.
- Search for Remote Control for TV actions.
- Pick an action such as Send Key, Turn On, Launch App, or Switch Input.
- Choose the saved TV and action details.
- Name the shortcut so you can run it with Siri.
For example, use a playback key for a pause shortcut or choose an installed app for a launch shortcut. Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets provide another route to supported controls. A widget or Siri action still relies on a reachable, compatible TV; it does not add a missing device capability.
How can I add a missing TV app launcher?
Custom launchers support 2 platform groups: Samsung TV and Android TV / Google TV. Open the saved TV, choose Apps, and use Custom Apps to enter the app’s name and identifier. Samsung uses numeric app IDs; Android TV and Google TV can use package names, launchable URLs, or deep links.
In the app, open your saved TV, open Apps, tap the Custom Apps button, then enter:
- App name
- App ID or URL from the Samsung or Android TV page
- Icon URL, if you want one
The icon is optional. You can leave the icon field blank, or copy the link address from an icon in the platform table.
Use the custom TV apps reference to find the right identifier. Custom apps are saved per TV. Adding a launcher does not install the target app or provide a subscription to its streaming service; availability still depends on the TV and the installed app.
Why can’t the app find or control my TV?
Check the shared network, Local Network permission, and the TV’s pairing settings first. A missing TV usually needs a discovery or network check; a refused connection needs the platform’s approval steps. If navigation works but one button does not, check that feature in the compatibility guide before repeating the entire setup.
- TV missing or pairing refused? Start with the troubleshooting hub or your brand’s setup guide.
- Power or an app action unavailable? Check known limitations and your TV’s compatibility details.
- Choosing between remote apps? Compare with SmartThings, LG ThinQ, Roku, or Apple TV Remote.
For Roku, Roku’s documentation identifies a specific requirement: since Roku OS 14.1, Control by mobile apps must be enabled for remote-key commands. This is a TV-side setting, separate from your iPhone’s Local Network permission. Follow the Roku setup guide for the device settings.
Why does power control behave differently from navigation?
Power control depends on the television or streaming box remaining reachable while asleep and supporting a wake command. A working directional keypad confirms an active connection, but it does not guarantee wake support. TV standby settings, the streaming device’s power state, and HDMI-CEC behavior can affect the result.
For a useful check, turn the TV on with its physical remote and test navigation in the app. Then compare the power behavior with your platform’s documented limitations. A streaming box and the television connected to it are separate devices; sending a command to the box may not control the TV’s power, volume, or selected input.
What devices and network connection do I need?
The current iPhone and iPad app requires iOS 17.0 or iPadOS 17.0 or later, according to Apple’s listing. You also need a supported TV or streaming device reachable on the same local network. Check the listing separately for Apple Watch and Mac requirements before installing those companion apps.
The app sends remote commands over the local network, so you do not need an infrared accessory or a direct line of sight. A guest network may isolate devices even when both can access the internet. Use a trusted network that allows the devices to communicate, and see Local Network Security for pairing and access guidance.
What is free, and which features need Premium?
The app is a free download with basic remote buttons, basic Apple Watch controls, and basic widget buttons. Premium adds keyboard input, app launching, input switching, keypad customization, extended watch controls, and additional Siri shortcuts where supported. Purchase options can include a lifetime purchase or an auto-renewing subscription; check the offer displayed in the app.
As of October 22, 2026, Apple’s US listing data records a US$0 download price for version 2610.5. This is the download price, not a promise that all features are free. Streaming services may also require their own accounts or subscriptions, independently of the remote app.
The same dated source reports 4.27 out of 5 from 1,255 ratings in the US App Store. This is an aggregate user rating for that listing, not a measured connection-success rate or a guarantee for your TV model. The live listing and your own compatibility check are the right places to confirm current details.
App Store details
Checked October 22, 2026. Availability, pricing, and requirements can change; the App Store listing has the latest details.
| Detail | App Store listing |
|---|---|
| Name | Universal TV Remote Control # |
| Version checked | 2610.5 |
| iOS / iPadOS requirement | 17.0 or later |
| Download price | Free download; see the listing for in-app purchases |
| US user rating | 4.27 out of 5 (1255 ratings) |
| Source | View Universal TV Remote Control # on the App Store |
Common questions
What TVs and streaming devices does Remote Control for TV work with?
Remote Control for TV works with Samsung Smart TVs, LG webOS TVs, Apple TV, Roku devices, Fire TV devices, Android TV and Google TV devices, Hisense TVs, and Vizio TVs supported by the app.
Does the app use Wi-Fi or infrared?
The app connects over Wi-Fi on your local network. It does not need line-of-sight like a traditional infrared remote.
Can I use widgets, Siri Shortcuts, and App Intents with the app?
Yes. The app supports Home Screen widgets, Lock Screen widgets on supported iOS versions, and Siri Shortcuts and App Intents for actions such as Send Key, Turn On, Launch App, and Switch Input on supported devices.
Is there an Apple Watch app or Mac app?
Yes. The app includes an Apple Watch app for quick keypad control on every supported device family, with app launching on supported brands and source switching on supported LG and Hisense TVs, plus a macOS app for controlling saved devices from your Mac.
Can I control more than one TV?
Yes. You can save multiple devices and switch between TVs or streaming boxes from the same iPhone or iPad.
Where can I find setup instructions for my TV?
Open the TV connection guide hub to find step-by-step setup and troubleshooting pages for Apple TV, Samsung, LG, Roku, Fire TV, Android TV, Hisense, and Vizio.
Help from the maker
How can I get help with my TV setup?
Start with the setup guide for your TV platform. If you contact support, include the TV model, its operating system, your Apple device, and the exact step that fails. Mention whether the TV is missing, pairing is refused, or a particular button does not work. Those details help distinguish a connection issue from a device limitation.