An LG TV remote app for your iPhone

LG's own remote app is LG ThinQ. Install it, sign in with an LG account, tap Add a Device and choose your TV, with the iPhone on the same Wi-Fi as the TV. If you only want a remote, an app such as Fjernbetjening talks to the TV directly over your Wi-Fi, with no account.

LG ThinQ, step by step

1. Turn the TV on and connect your iPhone to the same Wi-Fi.
2. Install LG ThinQ from the App Store. It needs iOS 16 or newer.
3. Sign in with an LG account, or create one.
4. Tap Add a Device, choose TV and pick your TV from the list. Then follow the steps in the app and on the TV. (LG’s guide)
5. Open the TV in the app to get the remote.

What ThinQ can do

LG says the remote works like the Magic Remote: arrows and OK, volume, channel, input, and a pointer you move with your finger. On TVs with webOS 3.5 or newer it can turn the TV on as well as off; an iPhone does that over Wi-Fi only. See how to turn on an LG TV without the remote.

ThinQ is LG's app for everything LG makes, so the TV sits next to washing machines, fridges and air conditioners. On the App Store it's a Lifestyle app of about 750 MB. Its privacy label says it contains ads and that identifiers may be used to track you across other companies' apps and websites.

A remote app without an account

If all you want is a remote, an app can talk to the TV directly on your Wi-Fi, with no account and no cloud in between. That's what I made Fjernbetjening for:

• Big buttons, a touchpad, and the iPhone keyboard for search boxes and passwords.
• A list of the apps on your TV, one tap to open them.
• Turn on the TV from standby once you've connected to it.
• A Home Screen widget, and on iOS 18 buttons in Control Center for volume, mute and play/pause.
• LG webOS TVs, plus Samsung (2016 and newer), Roku and Google TV in the same app. $1.99 once, no ads.

The first time, the TV asks on screen whether to allow the phone. Choose Yes with the TV's own remote.

Apple's remote in Control Center

If your LG TV supports AirPlay (look for AirPlay in the TV's settings), add it to the Home app. Then the Apple TV Remote in Control Center can control it too, with no extra app. Apple’s guide

Which one to pick

• You have other LG appliances, or want LG's own app: LG ThinQ.
• You want a remote and nothing else, without an account or ads: a remote-only app such as Fjernbetjening.
• Several TV brands at home: an app that handles them all. See how to use your iPhone as a TV remote.
• Your iPhone can't find the TV: LG TV not found.

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