The original remote that came with the TV is lost behind a cushion, dead, or so cluttered with streaming-service shortcuts that it is faster to use the phone in your pocket. Most 2026 smart TVs talk to a phone over Wi-Fi rather than infrared, so a remote-app install is a few taps and a pairing code. The seven Android apps below cover the practical TV remote workflow for the platforms that actually matter: Android TV, Samsung, Roku, LG, and the long tail of older brand-specific TVs.
What to look for in a smart TV remote app
The right pick depends on two questions: which platform your TV runs, and whether the phone has an IR blaster.
- Wi-Fi remotes work on smart TVs that expose a network control API: Google/Android TV, Samsung Tizen, Roku, LG webOS, Vizio SmartCast. No line of sight required.
- IR remotes simulate the old infrared remote, which lets a phone control older TVs and any non-smart device with an IR receiver. Requires an IR blaster on the phone (a feature Xiaomi, OnePlus, and some Samsung models keep).
Manufacturer apps (Google TV, SmartThings, Roku, LG ThinQ) tend to be the smoothest experience for their own platform. Universal apps fill in for everything else, including older TVs without smart features.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Type | IR blaster needed | Aptoide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Remote | Universal IR-based remote | IR | Yes | Yes |
| Google TV | Android TV and Google TV devices | Wi-Fi | No | Built-in |
| SmartThings | Samsung Tizen TVs | Wi-Fi | No | Yes |
| Roku | Roku TVs and streaming boxes | Wi-Fi | No | Yes |
| LG ThinQ | LG webOS TVs | Wi-Fi | No | Google Play |
| AnyMote | Multi-device universal remote | IR + Wi-Fi | Yes for IR | Google Play |
| Sure Universal Remote | Cross-brand household remote | IR + Wi-Fi | Yes for IR | Google Play |
The 7 best smart TV remote apps for Android in 2026
1. Mi Remote, best universal IR-based remote
Xiaomi’s Mi Remote is the easiest IR remote for a phone with an infrared blaster. Pick the brand from a long list (Samsung, LG, Sony, Sharp, Philips, Toshiba, dozens more), point the phone at the TV, and test buttons until the codeset matches. The same app also handles air conditioners, set-top boxes, cable boxes, and audio amps, which is why most Xiaomi owners never need a second remote app.
The standout is the codebase. Mi Remote ships with one of the largest IR code libraries on Android, so older or off-brand TVs that other apps miss usually work.
Where it falls short: Requires an IR blaster on the phone; most flagship phones from Samsung, Pixel, and Apple removed IR years ago. The free tier shows occasional ads. The app’s broader ecosystem features need a Xiaomi account.
Pricing:
- Free with ads.
Bottom line: Required on any Xiaomi or OnePlus phone with an IR blaster. Skip if the phone has no IR hardware.
2. Google TV, best for Android TV and Google TV devices
The official Google TV app rolled the remote function into the same app that handles content discovery and watchlists. Pair with a Google TV or Android TV device on the same Wi-Fi network, accept the pairing prompt on the TV, and the phone shows a touchpad remote with a keyboard for text entry. The 2024 unification killed the old standalone Android TV Remote app, so Google TV is now the only Google-blessed option.
The voice search is the standout. Talk to the phone and the search runs on the TV without typing. This alone is worth the install for anyone who watches more than two streaming services regularly.
Where it falls short: Only works with Google TV and Android TV. Older Sony Bravia models that still run a Google TV variant work; everything else needs a different app. Some advanced settings (input switching, picture mode) live in the TV’s own settings menu, not the phone app.
Pricing:
- Free.
Download: Pre-installed on most Android phones, or for the Google TV experience.
Bottom line: Free and built in. The right pick for any TV running Google TV or Android TV.
3. SmartThings, best for Samsung Tizen TVs
Samsung’s SmartThings app is the catch-all for the brand’s ecosystem and the official remote for Samsung Tizen TVs. Pair the TV via the SmartThings hub (the TV itself is the hub on newer models), and the app shows a remote, a content-discovery view, and full integration with other Samsung devices (soundbar, fridge, smart bulbs).
The Wi-Fi remote is solid. The Tap View feature (touch a paired phone to the TV’s frame to mirror) works without opening the app once it is paired. Universal Guide pulls a unified content feed across installed apps.
Where it falls short: Only works on Samsung TVs and SmartThings-connected devices. Setup involves a Samsung account and TV-side pairing that can be finicky on older models. The app is heavier than a dedicated remote because it does much more than control a TV.
Pricing:
- Free.
Bottom line: Required for a Samsung Tizen TV. The Tap View feature alone is worth the install.
4. Roku, best for Roku TVs and streaming boxes
The official Roku app handles every Roku device on the same network: Roku Ultra, Roku Express, Roku TVs from TCL, Hisense, Onn, and the in-house Roku-brand sets. The remote replicates every button on the physical remote, the private-listening feature streams the TV’s audio to the phone’s headphones, and the keyboard is faster than the on-screen alternative for entering passwords.
The private-listening feature is the standout. Plug headphones into the phone, the TV audio routes to them silently, and the household can sleep while you watch.
Where it falls short: Only works with Roku devices. The voice search has slipped behind Google TV’s in quality. Some Roku ads are pushed through the app’s home screen.
Pricing:
- Free.
Bottom line: Install it on any phone in a Roku household. Private listening alone justifies it.
5. LG ThinQ, best for LG webOS TVs
LG’s ThinQ app is the official remote and ecosystem manager for LG webOS TVs and home appliances. Pair with an LG webOS TV (2018 and newer) over Wi-Fi, and the app shows the Magic Remote interface with a pointer that mirrors the physical Magic Remote’s gyroscopic cursor, full text input, and full app-launch shortcuts.
For LG owners, this is the canonical app. The pointer experience on the phone matches the physical Magic Remote closely enough that the TV does not care which one is being used.
Where it falls short: Only works with LG webOS TVs and ThinQ-compatible appliances. Older LG TVs running Netcast (pre-2014) need a different app. The setup requires an LG account.
Pricing:
- Free.
Bottom line: The right pick on LG webOS TVs. Skip otherwise.
6. AnyMote, best multi-device universal remote
AnyMote is the universal remote app for users with a phone that has an IR blaster plus a mix of TVs and AV devices in the room. Set up macros that combine multiple devices in one tap (turn on the TV, switch the receiver to HDMI 2, dim the lights via a smart-home hub), then trigger the macro from a single home-screen widget.
The macro support is the headline. A “movie mode” button that handles four devices in one tap reduces a typical home-theater startup from 30 seconds of remote-juggling to two taps on the phone.
Where it falls short: Requires an IR blaster for IR devices; Wi-Fi-only TVs work on Wi-Fi. Premium features (unlimited macros, widgets, smart-home integration) live behind a subscription. The free tier is enough to try the app but not enough to use it daily.
Pricing:
- Free with optional premium subscription.
Bottom line: The right pick on a home-theater setup with multiple devices. Skip if a single TV is all you control.
7. Sure Universal Remote, best cross-brand household remote
Sure Universal Remote is the everyday-use universal app for households with mixed brands. Supports IR-based TVs, Wi-Fi-based Samsung, LG, Sony, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, and DLNA media servers in one app. Mode-switching between devices is two taps, which keeps the daily workflow simple.
This is the pick for a guest room or a second TV running an older brand: the app’s codebase covers Sony Bravia, Hisense, TCL, Vizio, and most legacy Panasonic and Toshiba models without a separate manufacturer app.
Where it falls short: UI is dated compared to AnyMote. Premium features (smart-home, voice control) need a subscription. The codebase, while large, misses some 2026-era models.
Pricing:
- Free with ads.
- Premium subscription removes ads and unlocks smart-home features.
Bottom line: A reliable default for a multi-brand household. Skip if a single brand’s official app covers your TV.
How to pick the right one
The right pick is almost always the official app for the TV brand, with a universal fallback for older or guest-room sets:
- Google TV or Android TV: Google TV app.
- Samsung Tizen: SmartThings.
- Roku TV or streaming box: Roku.
- LG webOS: LG ThinQ.
- Older TV with no smart features: Mi Remote (IR) or Sure Universal Remote.
- Home-theater setup with multiple devices: AnyMote for macros.
Most households need one official app plus one universal app. The other five are situational. Phones without an IR blaster cannot use any of the IR-based remotes, including Mi Remote, AnyMote, or Sure Universal Remote, for older non-network TVs.
FAQ
Can I control any TV with my phone?
You can control any TV that exposes either a Wi-Fi control API (most 2018-and-newer smart TVs) or that accepts IR signals (any TV with a working remote receiver), provided the phone has the right hardware. Wi-Fi works on most modern phones; IR requires an IR blaster that flagship phones largely removed years ago.
Which phones still have an IR blaster?
Xiaomi flagships, OnePlus mid-range and flagship lines, Huawei (where sold), Honor, and some Asus ROG phones still ship with IR blasters in 2026. Most Samsung, Google Pixel, and Apple devices have not had IR for years.
Is the Google TV app free?
Yes. The Google TV app is free and pre-installed on most Android phones. It controls any Google TV or Android TV device on the same Wi-Fi network without any subscription.
Can I use my Samsung TV without a remote?
Yes. SmartThings on Android handles every function the physical Samsung remote does, plus a few extras (Tap View, content discovery). The TV needs to be on the same Wi-Fi as the phone for the initial pairing.
What is the best universal remote app for Android?
Mi Remote leads on IR code coverage and Wi-Fi range. AnyMote leads on macros and home-theater workflows. Pick by which job is more important to you.
