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10 best TV remote apps for Android
March 31, 2025
The IR blaster is officially a niche feature these days. It’s becoming rarer and rarer as a feature since phones are trying to remove as many ports as possible. However, phones with an IR blaster are helpful, especially if you want to use it as a remote control for basically anything with an IR receiver. That can include TVs, air conditioners, thermostats, cameras, etc. Today, let’s talk about TV remotes. Here are the best TV remote apps for Android.
Nowadays, most manufacturers have remote apps for their products. These work over Wi-Fi. For example, LG and Samsung have TV remote apps for TVs, and Google has Google Home as a remote for its products. We recommend checking those out first before using any of the apps below.
The best TV remote apps for Android
All TV Remote Control
Price: Free /In-app purchases ($1.99 – $24.99 per item)
The All TV Remote Control does what its name suggests: it lets you turn your smartphone into a universal remote for your TV. It lets you easily control the power, volume buttons, channels, and more.
This app supports Roku, Samsung, Panasonic, Mi, Sony, LG, OPPO, Vizio, Toshiba, and TCL TVs. Download the app, go through the setup process, and connect to your TV with a single click. The app is good for what it does; however, it does have ads, which can be annoying.
Google Home
Price: Free
Google Home is definitely among the best remote apps. It is mainly a smart home application to control your smart speakers, smart lights, etc. That said, it also controls your Chromecast and Google TV/Android TV devices. If you have one, one of Google Home’s many functions is to work as a remote for those.
When using a Google TV or Android TV device, the controller is pretty full of features. If your device is a simpler Chromecast with a smart TV OS, functionality is much more limited. Regardless, it gives you some remote control functionality.
Roku
Price: Free
The official Roku app is excellent for Roku owners. The app allows you to control pretty much everything on Roku devices. All you’d need your actual TV remote for is volume.
The remote with the Roku app comes with fast forward, rewind, play/pause, and navigation buttons. It also comes with a voice search. It’s not what you’d think of regarding TV remote apps because you don’t need an IR sensor to use it. However, those with a Roku don’t need a full-fledged remote app. The app is also free.
TV Remote for Samsung TV
Price: Free / In-App purchases ($0.99 – $7.49 per item)
This remote app is an excellent choice for TV control if you own a Samsung TV. The initial setup requires manual confirmation, but after that, it’s a smooth experience.
The app connects to your TV via Wi-Fi, and your phone needs to be on the same network. A common issue is persistent connection prompts, but they can be quickly resolved in the settings.
Lean Universal Remote Control
Price: Free
The Lean Universal Remote Control transforms your Android device into a versatile universal remote control, streamlining your electronic device management by merging the functionality of several remotes into one. This app is universally compatible, supporting many brands and models, from TVs and DVD players to set-top boxes. It can connect using Wi-Fi, as well as the IR blaster.
It simplifies complex operations through macros—custom sequences of commands activated with a single tap. Moreover, Lean Remote integrates with numerous smart home platforms, enhancing convenience and control over your electronic devices, all from the comfort of your smartphone or tablet.
Unified Remote
Price: Free / $4.99 / In-App Purchases ($1.99 per item)
Unified Remote is one of the more unique remote apps. It helps control one’s computer. This is perfect for those with HTPC (home theater PC) setups. There is support for PC, Mac, and Linux. It also comes with a keyboard and a mouse for better input control.
It’s also great for Raspberry Pi devices, Arduino Yun devices, and more. The free version has a little over a dozen remotes and most features. The paid version includes 90 remotes, NFC, Wear OS support, and more.
Remote for Android TV
Price: Free /In-app purchases ($3.99 – $19.99 per item)
The Remote for Android TV app offers a convenient solution for managing your Android smart TV without needing a physical remote. First, you need to connect the app to your TV. Make sure your phone or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV device.
The app works great and is easy to use, allowing you to control your TV using voice commands and a built-in keyboard. It also includes a touchpad; you can easily monitor volume levels directly within the app. It does have a few ads.
Yatse: Kodi Remote Control
Price: Free /In-app purchases ($0.99 – $6.49 per item)
Yatse is one of Kodi’s go-to remote apps. It has a boatload of features. You can cast media to your streaming devices if needed. It also has native support for Plex and Emby servers. You can access an offline library and control Kodi, which even supports Muzei and DashClock.
We’re only at the tip of the iceberg regarding what this app can do. However, this is best used on a home theater PC connected to your TV. You can try it out for free.
TV manufacturer apps
Price: Free
Most TV manufacturers have remote apps for their smart TVs. These apps usually have all kinds of functionality. They connect to your smart TV over Wi-Fi. That means you don’t need an IR blaster to make these work. You can change the channel or the volume. It’ll even let you select apps on the TV.
Some of the manufacturers’ apps are pretty good. Samsung and LG do an okay job with their apps, especially. Some aren’t so great. We couldn’t test every manufacturer. Thankfully, pretty much all of their remote apps are free to download. Thus, you can try them out without financial risk. We have Vizio’s linked up. Search for your manufacturer in the Google Play Store to find the others.
Phone OEM remote apps
Price: Free
Most phones with an IR blaster come with a remote app. You can typically find these in the Google Play Store, too. For instance, some Mi devices use Xiaomi’s built-in TV remote app (linked below). These are the apps that the manufacturers tested with their devices. Thus, it’s pretty likely that they’ll work at least okay.
You usually don’t get a lot of features. However, OEMs include those apps on their devices for a reason. At least, they typically do. Sometimes, they’ll even pre-install the pro version, so you don’t have to buy it. You might as well give these a shot to see if they work since you already have them.
If we missed any of the best TV remote apps for Android, please let us know in the comments.