How to use your phone as a remote for any smart TV

Adnan Ahmed· Sep 20, 2026 · 4:00 PM UTC ·3 min read · 0 reactions · 0 comments · 1 view

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#smart tv #mobile apps #technology #home entertainment #connectivity

TL;DR · WeSearch summary

Smartphone users can replace their physical TV remotes by utilizing built-in infrared blasters or official companion apps for platforms like Google TV, Roku, and Fire OS. These mobile solutions offer a superior typing experience for content searches and allow for basic control functions such as volume adjustment and navigation. For devices without native support, third-party universal remote apps provide a viable alternative to manage smart TVs over local Wi-Fi networks.

Key facts

▪Most modern Android smartphones lack the infrared blasters required to turn TVs on and off, making official companion apps the primary solution for most users.
▪Official mobile apps for smart TV platforms require the phone and TV to be on the same Wi-Fi network and often need Bluetooth enabled for pairing.
▪Using a smartphone as a remote allows users to access a full QWERTY keyboard, which is significantly easier for typing searches than using a physical remote.
▪iPhone users can control Apple TVs natively through the Control Center without installing additional software, a feature not available on Android.
▪Enabling the Wake-on-LAN feature in TV network settings allows some smart TVs to be powered on from standby mode using a smartphone app.

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Original publisher	Engadget
Canonical URL	https://www.engadget.com/2259523/how-to-use-phone-smart-tv-remote/
Publication time	Sun, 20 Sep 2026 16:00:00 +0000
Retrieval time	2026-09-20T16:03:48.296Z
Last seen	2026-09-20T16:03:48.296Z
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand

Entertainment Streaming How to use your phone as a remote for any smart TV It's much easier to use your phone's keyboard than the one on your TV. By Adnan Ahmed Sept. 20, 2026 12:00 pm EST Adnan Ahmed for Engadget Add Engadget on Google: Preferred Source Google Discover Smart TVs have come a long way in terms of user experience and features, with support for conveniences like AirPlay, voice control and smart hub functionality. Yet, the remote control remains an essential part of the TV experience, and yes, infrared tech is still very much alive despite most remote controls relying on Bluetooth for sending commands. A plus side of having modern connectivity standards built into smart TVs is that you can use your smartphone as a remote control.

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