What is Universal TV Remote Control?
Lost the remote again? Universal TV Remote Control is a universal TV remote control app that connects your phone to smart TVs over Wi-Fi or IR, handling everything from power and volume to streaming app navigation and voice search.
You point your phone at the TV, tap a button, and the channel changes. No digging under couch cushions, no batteries to swap. The app supports Roku, Samsung, LG, Fire TV, TCL, Sony, ONN, Hisense, and Toshiba devices through two connection modes: Wi-Fi when both devices share a network, or infrared when your phone has the hardware for it. Once paired, you control power, adjust volume, switch inputs, launch Netflix or YouTube, and type search queries using the on-screen keyboard instead of arrow-key hunting through an alphabet grid.
Key Features:
- Works with major TV brands including Roku, Samsung, LG, Fire TV, and Android TV devices without brand-specific apps.
- Supports both Wi-Fi and IR connectivity, so you can control newer smart TVs wirelessly or older sets through infrared.
- Lets you cast videos and mirror your phone screen directly to the television for presentations or shared viewing.
- Built-in keyboard and touchpad make typing faster than navigating with directional buttons.
- Voice search integration finds shows, adjusts volume, and launches apps by spoken command instead of manual browsing.
Screen mirroring and media casting
Beyond button presses, the app handles media casting and screen mirroring. You can send a YouTube video from your phone to the TV without opening the app on the set itself, or mirror your entire screen for slideshows and photo sharing. The keyboard and touchpad sit below the directional pad, cutting the time it takes to log into an account or search for a title. Voice commands work for volume, playback control, and app launches, though accuracy depends on your phone's microphone and the TV's response speed.
Other universal TV remote apps
Google TV offers official remote functionality for Android TV and Google TV devices with integrated Google Assistant, but it is limited to that ecosystem. Roku Official App provides a dedicated interface for Roku streaming players and Roku TVs, including private listening and channel management, though it does not extend to other brands. Universal TV Remote Control bridges multiple manufacturers under one interface, so you control a Roku in the living room and a Samsung in the bedroom without switching apps.
The app is free with ads and offers in-app purchases from $4.99 to $29.99. IR mode requires an IR blaster on your phone, hardware most current models no longer include, so check your device specs before relying on infrared control.
Share your experience with other users.