My old TV remote stopped working and replacing it with the original brand remote is surprisingly expensive. I have multiple devices (TV, soundbar, streaming box) and I’m looking for a reliable universal TV remote that’s easy to set up and won’t lag or break quickly. What models or brands are you using that actually work well and are worth the money?
Hi all,
I hit the point where I was done hunting for TV remotes under the couch every night.
We have two TVs at home, Samsung in the living room and LG in the bedroom. Two different remotes, two different sets of dying batteries, both disappearing into the void whenever there is a game on. My phone is always somewhere near me, so I decided to test remote apps instead of buying yet another physical remote.
I ended up going through a pile of apps on iPhone, Android, and even Mac. Some were solid, some were ad farms with a “remote” UI slapped on top.
Here is what I actually tried, what worked, what annoyed me, and what I would use again.
Part 1. iPhone TV remote apps I tried
I went through four iOS apps from the App Store:
TVRem Universal TV Remote
TV Remote – Universal Control
Universal Remote TV Smart
TV Remote – Universal
Each one behaved very differently once I used it for more than 5 minutes.
TVRem Universal TV Remote – my main iPhone pick
This is the one I kept installed on my phone.
I used it with Samsung and LG, then tried it on a friend’s Sony and an Android TV box. It recognized all of them. The app lists support for LG, Samsung, Sony, Android TV, Roku, and other brands. I did not run into anything weird during pairing.
No paywall surprised me here. No “watch a video to use volume buttons”. No subscription popup every 3 taps. It stayed free while I tested everything.
Stuff I used a lot:
• touchpad for navigating TV apps
• voice input (on supported TVs using Google Assistant or Alexa)
• on-screen keyboard for entering Wi-Fi passwords and search queries
• simple channel switching and volume control
What worked well:
- Interface is clear. No weird “futuristic” layout, just a normal remote layout with a touch area and buttons.
- Detecting and connecting to TVs was quick.
- No “premium-only” lock on basics. Everything you need day to day is there.
- It handled different brands without me re-learning anything.
What did not:
• Vizio is missing. If your main TV is Vizio, this one will not help right now.
Price: free
Link: TVRem Universal TV Remote App App - App Store
If you like rabbit holes, someone started a whole discussion about universal remotes here and people are comparing apps and physical remotes:
https://www.reddit.com/r/DataRecoveryHelp/comments/1qqa2bh/best_universal_tv_remote/
Check out the product page to learn more about the universal TV remote app:
My take: good default if your TV brand is supported and you want something free without ad traps. For daily use it felt like a normal remote, only faster for typing.
TV Remote – Universal Control
This one looks decent on screenshots and, to be fair, supports a lot of brands. It connects over Wi-Fi, so both phone and TV need to sit on the same network.
Features I tried:
• touchpad
• voice control
• app / channel launcher
• keyboard input
• media casting
The functional parts were fine, but everything kept asking for money. To test it, I had to start a free trial. Without that, you bump into locked buttons constantly.
What I liked:
- It has the exact tools most people want, so you are not missing any critical feature.
- It works with many TV platforms, so you can use it across different rooms.
What I did not like:
- Ads inside the app.
- Most core functions are behind a subscription or purchase. You tap an icon and get a paywall or offer.
- I got a few crashes when opening menus. Not constant, but enough to notice.
Price: from 4.99 and up
Link: TV Remote - Universal Control App - App Store
My take: usable if you are ok with paying and ignoring ads. It did the job once unlocked, but the paywall pressure was high enough that I uninstalled it and stayed with TVRem.
Universal Remote TV Smart
This one lost me mostly on layout.
It supports many brands on paper, similar to the others, but the interface felt like someone arranged buttons without ever trying to change channels quickly. It did not feel like using a remote, more like poking at a cluttered touchscreen.
Features that worked:
• basic keyboard
• app navigation
• volume
• channel switching
Pros:
- It does work with a wide set of brands.
Cons:
- Layout felt awkward. Too much movement needed for simple actions.
- No voice control at all.
- Ads are aggressive. Full video ads that you have to sit through.
- Many things are locked. I tried going to YouTube with an arrow and OK, and that path already triggered a payment screen.
Price: from 7.99 and up
Link: Universal remote tv smart App - App Store
My take: I dropped this first. Interface did not click for me, and I am not paying that much for an app that frustrates me before I even start watching something.
TV Remote – Universal
This one is closer to what I expected from a generic iPhone remote app.
Supported brands: LG, Samsung, Sony, Vizio, Android TV, and others. So if your TV is Vizio, this is one of the iOS apps here that will work.
Connection: Wi-Fi based, so same network rule still applies.
Features:
• basic app and channel navigation
• keyboard typing
• playback controls (pause, rewind, etc.)
Pros:
- TV discovery and pairing were simple.
- The UI is relatively clean, feels more “normal remote” than some others.
- The essential controls are there without too much digging.
- Free trial is available, so you can test without paying first.
Cons:
- Ads inside the app, removable with payment.
- Many “extra” buttons trigger upsells. A lot of the useful stuff is paid.
Price: from 4.99 and up
Link: TV Remote - Universal App - App Store
My take: I used the trial, tested advanced stuff, then canceled. It worked ok, slight lag on the main screen sometimes, but overall fine. If you hate ads and paywalls, it will annoy you, but if you own a Vizio and want an iPhone app, it is a realistic candidate.
Part 2. Android TV remote apps I tried
My wife is on Android, so we played with a few Android options too. Here is what we tested.
Universal TV Remote Control
This one is all over Google Play, so I started there.
It supports a long list of brands: Sony, Samsung, LG, Philips, TCL, Hisense, Panasonic, and more. It also works in two ways: via Wi-Fi for smart TVs and via IR if your phone has an IR blaster, which is handy with old hardware.
Features I used:
• trackpad navigation
• voice search
• app control
• built-in keyboard
All of this is free. On paper that sounds perfect. In practice, the ads made it rough to use.
Pros:
- Broad device support, including older IR-based sets.
- All daily features are accessible without paying.
Cons:
- Ad volume is high. Some ads did not even give a clear close button.
- The app crashed fairly often during testing. I had to reconnect to the TV multiple times in one evening.
Price: free
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=codematics.universal.tv.remote.control&hl=en
My take: I wanted to like it because it gives a lot for free, but the ad spam and instability ruined it for me. My wife lasted longer with it, but even she gave up after a few evenings.
Remote Control For All TV | AI
This one advertises itself as “AI”-driven, but if you ignore that label, it is a standard universal remote app that talks over Wi-Fi to many brands.
Free version:
• you get basic remote functions
• you line up with ads
• the scan and connection step took longer than most other apps on the same network
Paid plan unlocks:
• no ads
• AI assistant feature
• keyboard with voice input
• screen mirroring
Pros:
- Works with many brands, so it is unlikely you are blocked on compatibility.
- Free tier is enough for simple volume and channel work.
Cons:
- Heavy ad presence in the free plan.
- TV detection felt slow compared to competitors.
- Most “quality of life” features sit behind a subscription.
Price: from 4.99 and up
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sensustech.universal.remote.control.ai
My take: ok if all you want is a straightforward free remote and you are patient with ads and slower pairing. Once you want the assistant, keyboard, and mirroring, you are paying anyway, and at that point I would look at cleaner apps.
Universal TV Remote Control (Unimote)
Name is confusingly close to the first Android app, but it behaves differently.
It supports Wi-Fi for smart TVs and IR for older ones, similar idea. When I tested it, it detected the TV on the first scan, but it took several attempts to keep a stable connection.
Interface is more minimal, which I liked at first. That feeling died when full-screen ads started stacking up.
Pros:
- Simple layout that is easy to understand fast.
- Support for both IR and Wi-Fi gives it flexibility.
Cons:
- Full-screen video ads appear a lot during regular use.
- Free version is limited, many nicer features require in-app purchases.
- Connection dropped occasionally. Not every minute, but enough to be annoying.
Price: from 5.99 and up
My take: this works as a backup remote. If your main physical remote dies and you need something temporary, it is ok. For long-term daily control, the ads and connection drops wore me out.
Universal TV Remote Control (Uzeegar)
Last Android one we tried in this batch.
Supports common brands such as LG, Samsung, Sony, TCL, and others. Like some of the others, it works both over Wi-Fi and with IR where supported.
Features:
• standard control layout for power, volume, channels
• Home/Menu navigation
• playback controls (Play, Stop, Back, Forward)
Pros:
- All basic controls are present.
- Free trial is included so you can see if you tolerate the model.
Cons:
- There are many ads while using it.
- Most extended features are behind a paywall.
Price: from 3.99 and up
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.uzeegar.universal.smart.tv.remote.control&hl=uk
My take: it does the job function-wise, but the fact that you pay for the full feature set and still have to wade through ads makes it hard to recommend if you get irritated by interruptions.
Part 3. Mac apps to control your TV
This part surprised a few friends. Yes, I ended up controlling the TV from my MacBook while typing.
Here are the two Mac apps I tested.
TVRem Universal TV Remote for Mac
Same name as the iPhone app, different build, similar idea.
I grabbed it from the Mac App Store and paired it with a Samsung TV first. Connection was straightforward: same network, auto-detect, confirm on TV.
Interface: clean, not overloaded. Feels like a proper Mac app with a simple remote layout.
Features I used:
• touchpad to move around TV menus
• keyboard input from my Mac, useful for typing search queries on Netflix
• launcher for apps on the TV
Pros:
- Easy to understand layout, no clutter.
- No ads at all, no hidden subscriptions.
- Works across several popular TV brands.
- Enough features for daily use without feeling bloated.
Cons:
- No Vizio support, same limitation as on iPhone.
Price: free
Link: TVRem Universal TV Remote App App - App Store
My take: I ended up using this during evenings when my laptop was already open. It is simple and does not try to sell me anything. If you want to control the TV while working at your desk, this is solid.
TV Remote, Universal Remote for Mac
Another Mac App Store option.
It recognized my TV quickly and connected without issues at first. Interface is acceptable, a bit less polished than TVRem in my opinion, but still usable.
Problem: many functions are behind payment. That includes some of the things I use most, which made it less helpful out of the box.
Pros:
- UI is okay. You do not get lost in it.
- Basic controls work and the brand coverage is broad.
Cons:
- A lot of the interesting pieces require payment.
- I hit random crashes on my Mac, enough to consider it unreliable.
Price: from 4.99 and up
Link: TV Remote, Universal Remote App - App Store
My take: if you are willing to pay and you do not hit the crashes I saw, it is usable. For me, the combination of cost plus instability did not make sense next to a free, stable app.
Part 4. Physical TV remote vs remote app
Quick way to think about it:
Physical remote: the plastic thing that ships with your TV.
Remote app: software on your phone or laptop that talks to your TV over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or IR.
Why you might lean toward an app
-
Harder to lose
I misplace remotes constantly. My phone is usually either in my pocket, on the table, or charging. If you are the sort of person that always has their phone near them, an app cuts down on the “where is the remote” search. -
Typing does not suck
Entering a Wi-Fi password with arrows on a TV remote is slow. Phone or keyboard input via the app is faster and less error prone. Same for searching titles on Netflix, YouTube, etc. -
Cost difference
Replacement remotes add up. When I checked Amazon for replacements for newer Samsung TVs (roughly 2019 to 2025 models), a typical remote was around 15 to 20 dollars. LG remotes ranged somewhere between 13 and 35 dollars depending on the model. Many remote apps are free, and even paid ones often cost less than a physical remote. -
One app, several devices
If you have more than one TV or some other smart devices, one app can centralize control. No drawer of different remotes, no guessing which remote matches which TV. -
UI usually feels more modern
Many TV remotes are locked to weird layouts and small buttons. Remote apps tend to have bigger targets, better text entry, and cleaner navigation.
Where apps fall short
• You rely on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth in many cases. If your network is flaky or the TV is in a weird power state, the app might fail to connect.
• Your phone has to be charged and unlocked. If your battery dies, you are stuck.
• Some TVs only expose a basic set of commands to apps. Volume, power, navigation might work, but some advanced TV settings stay remote-only.
What I ended up using
After all this, I stopped buying extra remotes.
I am on iPhone, so my main pick is:
• TVRem Universal TV Remote on iPhone
• TVRem Universal TV Remote on Mac when I am on the laptop
Both are free, both gave me everything I needed. Touchpad and keyboard in particular made life easier. Only real limitation I hit is lack of Vizio support. If we ever buy a Vizio, I will have to rethink that.
Runner-up on iPhone for me:
• TV Remote – Universal
Once unlocked with the free trial, it worked fine. I would say it is worth paying for some users, especially if Vizio support is important and you tolerate ads and upsells better than I do.
On the Android side, my wife ended up with:
• Universal TV Remote Control (the Codematics one)
I do not love it because of the amount of ads and occasional crashes, but she got used to it and cares more about having IR plus Wi-Fi in one app than about the interruptions.
If you are trying to decide what to install:
• Start with TVRem if your TV brand is supported and you are on Apple devices.
• If you are on Android and want IR support, try Universal TV Remote Control but be ready for ads.
• Do not pay immediately. Use trials, stress test with daily use, see how many popups show up before you commit.
Hope this walkthrough saves you from installing ten different “universal” remotes like I did.
2 Likes
If you want one physical remote for TV + soundbar + streaming box and do not want to mess with apps like @mikeappsreviewer, here is what I would look at.
-
Logitech Harmony Companion or Elite
• Discontinued but still some stock and used units around.
• Controls IR devices, plus smart stuff over Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi.
• Great if you have a receiver, soundbar, console, streamer.
• “Activities” like Watch TV turn on TV, switch input, set soundbar in one button.
Downsides. Setup is slower, and prices on used units went up after Logitech stopped the line. -
Sofabaton U2
• IR based, handles up to 15 devices.
• Works with most TVs, soundbars, AVRs, cable boxes, streamers that accept IR.
• Programming uses an app, then you sync to the remote.
• Cheaper than a Harmony, easier to find new.
Downsides. No Bluetooth control for Roku sticks, Apple TV, Fire TV cubes. For those you rely on IR only, so models without IR will not respond. -
Sofabaton X1
• Closer to Harmony.
• Hub based, so you can hide devices in a cabinet.
• Controls IR, Bluetooth, and some IP devices.
• Good if you have things like Apple TV, Fire TV, PS5, etc.
Downsides. More expensive. App and firmware get mixed reviews. Some users report lag with activity switching. -
Cheap learning remotes (GE, One‑For‑All)
• 15 to 30 dollars range.
• Good if your needs are simple. TV + soundbar + basic streamer.
• Look for “learning” on the box, so you can point your old remote and copy keys, or use code lists.
Downsides. No smart “activities”, no Bluetooth, limited support for oddball boxes.
My blunt take:
• If you want something that “just works” for lots of devices and you do not mind used, hunt down a Harmony Companion. Still the most complete option.
• If you want new and mid price, Sofabaton U2 is the sweet spot for IR setups.
• If you have newer Bluetooth streamers and want one remote for all of it, Sofabaton X1 is the main modern choice.
One thing I slightly disagree with from the app approach by @mikeappsreviewer. Phone and Mac remotes are nice for typing, but as a daily driver they get annoying when your phone sleeps, gets a call, or someone else in the house wants to change volume. A physical universal remote on the coffee table is still simpler for shared living rooms.
Quick checklist before you buy:
• List every device you want to control, and note if it uses IR, Bluetooth, or HDMI‑CEC only.
• Decide if you need “activities” like one button to start everything.
• Check if you are ok with used hardware or only want new.
• If your streaming box is a small stick remote with no IR window, you likely need a Harmony or Sofabaton X1 level hub remote, not a cheap IR wand.
If you share the exact TV, soundbar, and streaming box models, people here can narrow it down further.
If you want one remote for TV + soundbar + streaming box and don’t want to go down the “remote app on your phone” rabbit hole like @mikeappsreviewer, here’s the short version of what actually works in 2026, piggy‑backing a bit on what @andarilhonoturno already laid out.
First thing: ignore most of the $10 “universal” remotes on Amazon that don’t say “learning” or “activities.” They usually handle power/volume/input on the TV and that’s it. Your streaming box will still need its own remote.
Here’s how I’d pick, based on how much pain you’re willing to tolerate.
-
Easiest overall: used Logitech Harmony Companion
• Pros:
• Controls TV, soundbar/AVR, and streaming box from one remote + hub.
• Activities like “Watch TV” = turn on TV, switch input, set soundbar to right input, wake streamer. One press.
• Handles IR, Bluetooth, and IP, so things like Apple TV, Fire TV, some game consoles, Roku, etc are covered.
• Cons:
• Discontinued, so you’re buying used or old stock. Prices can be stupidly high now.
• Setup isn’t “5 minutes and done.” You spend a bit of time in the app getting it dialed in.
• When it makes sense:
• You have at least 3 devices and want that one‑button “movie night” experience.
• You’re ok with used/refurb gear. -
Best new IR remote: Sofabaton U2
• Pros:
• Controls up to 15 IR devices, so TV + soundbar + cable box + disc player etc.
• Learning function means if the code isn’t in the database, it can copy from your old remote (if it still sorta works).
• Much cheaper than hunting down a Harmony.
• Cons:
• IR only. So if your streaming box is a stick that only talks Bluetooth (Roku Streaming Stick, Fire TV Stick, etc) and has no IR receiver, the U2 can’t truly replace that remote.
• When it makes sense:
• Your streaming box has IR (like many cable/sat boxes, some Roku boxes, older Apple TVs with IR).
• All your stuff is in line of sight of the couch. -
Hub‑style modern option: Sofabaton X1
• Pros:
• Closest active product to Harmony. Uses a hub + remote, controls IR, Bluetooth and some IP devices.
• Good fit if you have a Bluetooth‑only streaming box and don’t want to juggle remotes.
• You can hide devices in a cabinet since the hub blasts IR.
• Cons:
• More expensive, and firmware/app updates get mixed feedback.
• Activity switching can feel laggy on some setups.
• When it makes sense:
• You have something like Apple TV, Fire TV, PS5, etc and want them all under one remote.
• You’re fine fiddling a little to get it stable. -
Budget but acceptable: GE / One‑For‑All learning remotes
• Pros:
• Cheap and simple. Usually 15 to 30 bucks.
• If you just want: TV power/volume/input + soundbar volume + basic transport controls on a cable box, they’re fine.
• Cons:
• No “activities.” You manually switch device modes on the remote.
• No Bluetooth, usually no fancy macro logic.
• When it makes sense:
• You’re replacing one dead TV remote, and you’re ok doing soundbar volume on the same stick with a couple extra button presses.
• Your streaming box is controlled through the TV using HDMI‑CEC anyway.
Where I slightly disagree with @mikeappsreviewer: phone and Mac remote apps are great extras for typing and when the physical remote is lost again, but as a primary remote for a shared living room they get annoying fast. Screen locks, someone walks off with their phone, battery dies, notifications pop over your “remote,” etc. A dumb plastic wand on the table still wins for most families.
Given what you described, I’d choose like this:
• If you want “set it up once and then it just works” and you can tolerate buying used:
→ Hunt down a Logitech Harmony Companion first.
• If your streaming box has IR or you’re not sure and don’t want to overthink it, but you want something new and reasonably priced:
→ Sofabaton U2.
• If your streamer is definitely Bluetooth‑only (Roku/Fire/Apple TV stick style) and you really want one single remote:
→ Sofabaton X1, accepting the higher price and a bit more tinkering.
If you post the exact models of your TV, soundbar, and streaming box, you can get a much more precise answer, but those three tiers cover like 90 percent of real‑world setups.
Short version: if you hate chasing remotes and also don’t want to live inside an app like @mikeappsreviewer, you basically have three “paths”: cheap IR brick, activity‑style hub, or “use your phone and accept the trade‑offs.”
Since the original brand remote is pricey and you have TV + soundbar + streaming box, activity‑style wins most of the time.
1. Physical universal remote vs app for your case
I actually disagree slightly with leaning too hard on phone apps as a primary controller. They’re great as a backup or for text entry, but for a shared living room:
- Screen lock + notifications quickly get annoying
- Guests/kids never have the app installed
- You still end up keeping at least one “real” remote nearby for power / input / “TV is frozen” moments
So if you want “grab one thing and everything just works,” a real universal wins here.
2. What to look for
For TV + soundbar + streaming box, make sure your universal remote has:
- Activities or macros (one button that turns on TV, sets soundbar input, wakes streaming box)
- Learning feature (so it can copy weird or missing commands from the old remote if it half‑works)
- At least basic support for your streaming box type (IR vs Bluetooth)
A lot of the super cheap universals @andarilhonoturno mentioned miss at least one of those and you fall back to multiple remotes again.
3. Where the “universal TV remote” apps fit
Compared with @viaggiatoresolare and @mikeappsreviewer, I’d treat phone apps as:
- Best for: quick rescue when a remote is lost or batteries die, or for typing searches and passwords
- Not great for: a long movie night where multiple people need to control volume or pause
If you do go the app route, something in the style of a “universal TV remote” that covers your exact TV brand plus soundbar is key. Pros in general:
- Cheap or free versus a branded replacement
- Fast text input
- One interface for multiple TVs
Cons:
- Needs Wi‑Fi and a reasonably smart TV
- Often ad‑heavy or locked behind subscriptions
- Usually does not fully replace a streaming box remote, especially for Bluetooth‑only sticks
4. Practical suggestion
Given what you wrote:
-
If your streaming box can receive IR (some Roku boxes, cable boxes, older Apple TV):
• Get a learning universal remote that supports up to 3–5 devices and has activity / macro support. It will handle TV power/input, soundbar volume, and basic streaming navigation in one shot. -
If your streaming box is Bluetooth‑only and you really want just one thing on the coffee table:
• Consider a hub‑style universal (as @andarilhonoturno hinted). Slightly more setup, but worth it so you are not stuck with two remotes forever.
Then keep one remote app installed on your phone purely as a backup and for typing, exactly like @mikeappsreviewer showed, instead of your main control method.
If you drop your exact TV / soundbar / box models, you can narrow it to a very specific remote in about two candidates.