My project
TV Remotely: a free universal TV remote app
TV Remotely is a universal remote app I make for smart TVs. It turns an iPhone, iPad or Android phone into one familiar remote for the TVs in your home, connecting over your Wi-Fi instead of infrared. It is free, with no subscription, no ads and no account.
What the app does
Most homes end up with a different remote, and a different vendor app, for every TV. TV Remotely puts the main smart TV platforms behind one layout. It finds TVs on your network automatically (with manual IP entry as a fallback), you pair each TV once, and it stays in a saved list so switching rooms takes a tap.
One familiar remote for every TV, with a button layout you can edit and save per TV.
Open the streaming apps installed on the TV directly from your phone.
Send photos and videos from your phone to a supported TV.
Which smart TVs it supports
TV Remotely works with these platforms. Each one pairs a little differently, and exact controls depend on the TV's model year and firmware.
| Platform | How pairing works |
|---|---|
| Samsung Tizen | 2016 models and newer. Approve the prompt on the TV once. |
| LG webOS | webOS 3 and newer. Approve the pairing prompt on screen. |
| Sony BRAVIA | BRAVIA and Android TV models. Pair with a PIN or pre-shared key. |
| Roku / Roku TV | No code needed, but network control must stay enabled. |
| Android TV and Google TV | Enter the pairing code shown on the TV the first time. |
| Amazon Fire TV | Fire OS with developer ADB enabled. Vega OS devices are not supported. |
| Hisense VIDAA | Remote works; app list and media support vary by model year. |
| Vizio SmartCast | Enter the PIN shown on the TV during pairing. |
Apple TV and non-smart TVs are not supported. The full, current list is on the supported TVs page.
How it connects
There is no extra hardware. Your phone and the TV just need to be on the same home network; a TV wired by Ethernet works too, as long as your Wi-Fi can reach it. On iPhone, allow Local Network access when asked so the app can find your TVs. Then approve the pairing on the TV, or type the code it shows, and you are done.
Control stays on your local network. The app can share anonymous usage statistics to help improve it, and you can switch that off.
What it won't do
I would rather be upfront about limits than have people find them after installing. A phone remote works through what the TV allows, so it:
- can't skip the TV's own approval prompt;
- can't connect a TV to Wi-Fi for the first time;
- can't add features the TV doesn't offer, so some buttons vary by platform;
- may not turn a TV on from standby, depending on the TV's network settings.
For a TV that is rarely online, or one without smart features, a physical infrared remote is still the better choice.
Setup guides
The TV Remotely site has step-by-step guides for each brand and for common problems:
Availability
TV Remotely is coming soon to the App Store and Google Play. Release news and support live on tvremotely.com.
Questions people ask
Is TV Remotely free?
Yes. It is free at launch, with no subscription, no ads and no account to create.
Do I need an infrared blaster?
No. TV Remotely talks to smart TVs over your home network, so any phone on the same Wi-Fi as the TV can control it. That also means it does not work with older, non-smart TVs.
Does it work with Apple TV?
No. Apple TV is not supported, and neither are TVs without a network connection.
Can I control more than one TV?
Yes. Each TV is paired once and then saved, so you can switch between the living room and the bedroom TV from the same app.
When can I download it?
TV Remotely is listed as coming soon on the App Store and Google Play. Availability updates are posted on tvremotely.com.