How to use your iPhone as a TV remote

Put your iPhone on the same Wi-Fi as the TV and open an app that can talk to that TV. For Apple TV, the remote is already in Control Center. For a Samsung, LG, Roku or Google TV, use the TV maker's own app or an app that handles them all, like Fjernbetjening.

Which app for which TV

• Apple TV, or a TV with AirPlay: the Apple TV Remote in Control Center. A smart TV has to be added to the Home app first. Apple’s guide
• Samsung: SmartThings, Samsung's own app. You sign in with a Samsung account and add the TV first. Samsung’s guide
• LG: LG ThinQ, with an LG account. LG says TVs with webOS 3.5 and newer can also be turned on and off from the app. LG’s guide
• Roku: the Roku app. On the Roku, Control by mobile apps under Settings › System › Advanced system settings must not be disabled. Roku’s guide
• Google TV (such as Sony, Philips, TCL, Hisense and Chromecast with Google TV): the Google Home app. Tap the TV, then open the remote. Google’s guide
• Other brands often have their own app. In the App Store, check that the developer is the TV maker itself; there are plenty of look-alikes.

One app for Samsung, LG, Roku and Google TV

Several brands at home, or no wish to make an account just to change the channel? Fjernbetjening handles all four in one app:

• It finds the TV on your Wi-Fi by itself. No account, no server, no ads.
• Big buttons, a touchpad, and the iPhone keyboard for searches and passwords.
• It opens apps like Netflix and YouTube directly, on TVs that allow it.
• It remembers several TVs, turns on TVs that can wake over the network, and puts volume and pause in a widget and in Control Center (iOS 18).

It costs $1.99, once. It doesn't control Apple TV; use Control Center for that.

Set it up in a minute

1. Download Fjernbetjening from the App Store and open it while the TV is on.
2. Allow Local Network when your iPhone asks. Without it, no app can see the TV.
3. Tap your TV in the list. The first time, Samsung and LG ask on the TV screen: choose Allow or Yes with the TV's own remote. Google TV shows a 6-character code that you type on the iPhone. Roku needs nothing.
4. That's it. Next time, the app connects by itself.

If the iPhone can't find the TV

• The iPhone and the TV must be on the same Wi-Fi. Guest networks and some mesh networks keep devices apart.
• The TV must be on, not asleep.
• Some VPN apps hide the devices on your home network. Turn the VPN off if the TV doesn't show up.
• Help for your TV: Samsung · LG · Roku · Google TV

What an iPhone can't do

An iPhone has no infrared, so it can only control TVs that are on your network. An older TV without Wi-Fi or a network cable, or a soundbar or set-top box that only listens to infrared, still needs a physical remote. A universal remote is the cheap fix there.

Lost the remote for a Samsung TV? See how to turn on a Samsung TV without the remote.

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