My living room has multiple devices (TV, soundbar, streaming box, and Blu-ray player) all with separate remotes, and it’s getting frustrating to manage them. I’m looking for recommendations on the best universal TV remote that’s easy to set up, works reliably with different brands, and is good for everyday family use. What models or features should I look for, and what should I avoid?
Hi all,
I got fed up hunting for TV remotes around the house. We have two TVs, Samsung and LG, and somehow both remotes go missing right when I sit down. After the fifth time using my kid’s toy sword to poke the power button, I gave up and went all in on phone and Mac remote apps.
Below is what I tried, what failed, and what I’d actually keep installed.
Part 1: iPhone TV remote apps I tried
I went through four popular iOS apps from the App Store:
TVRem Universal TV Remote
TV Remote – Universal Control
Universal Remote TV Smart
TV Remote – Universal
Here is how it went.
TVRem Universal TV Remote (iPhone) – the one I kept
This is the first app I tested and the only one I did not uninstall afterwards.
Worked with my Samsung and my friend’s LG without drama. It also says it supports Sony, Android TV, Roku and a bunch of others. No Vizio though, I checked for a friend.
What surprised me was the pricing. No subscription screen, no “3 days free then surprise charge”, nothing. I kept expecting a paywall to pop up and it never did.
Stuff I used a lot:
• Touchpad for navigation
• Voice input (for search fields)
• Full keyboard for password and search bar typing
• Channel and app switching
Pros
- Interface is simple enough for anyone in the house.
- TV pairing took less than a minute on both TVs.
- No paywall, no subscription popups.
- Supports a wide mix of TV brands and platforms.
- Replaces the basic physical remote well.
Cons
- No support for Vizio TVs.
Price: free
Link:
Verdict
If your TV is supported, this is an easy “install and forget” option. I use it daily now. Touchpad + keyboard are what sold me.
If you want other opinions, there is also a decent Reddit thread comparing remote apps to physical remotes:
https://www.reddit.com/r/DataRecoveryHelp/comments/1qqa2bh/best_universal_tv_remote/
Find out more about the universal TV remote app on the product page:
And video:
TV Remote – Universal Control (iPhone)
This one looked promising at first. Connects over Wi‑Fi, supports the usual list of brands, and the feature list is almost identical to the others.
What I used:
• Touchpad
• Voice control
• Channel launcher
• Keyboard input
There is also casting, but I mostly wanted a plain remote, not a casting hub.
Problem: almost every useful tap kicked me into a subscription or “start trial” screen. I had to start the free trial to get a sense of the full feature set.
Pros
- Has all the features you expect from a modern remote app.
- Works with most common TV platforms.
Cons
- Ads right in the interface.
- Many basic features are behind a paywall.
- The app crashed a few times when opening menus.
Price: from $4.99 and up
Link:
Verdict
Works, but felt like walking through a mall of upsell screens. I skipped buying a subscription, since I wanted something less aggressive on the monetization side.
Universal Remote TV Smart (iPhone)
This one technically works with a lot of brands, but the layout drove me nuts.
The remote screen felt cramped and didn’t resemble a physical remote in any natural way, so I had to stop and read buttons every time. It does the basics though: keyboard, app navigation, volume, channel switching.
Pros
- Supports many different TV brands.
Cons
- Layout is clunky and uncomfortable.
- No voice control at all.
- Ads that force you into full video view.
- Almost everything worth using triggers a pay screen. I pressed the arrow to open YouTube, hit OK, and got yet another offer.
Price: from $7.99 and up
Link:
Verdict
Of all four iOS apps I tried, this was the weakest. Clumsy interface, aggressive ads, and heavy paywalls. Did not keep it.
TV Remote – Universal (iPhone)
This one turns your iPhone or iPad into a remote and works with LG, Samsung, Sony, Vizio, Android TV, and others.
Connection worked over Wi‑Fi, but you need the TV and phone on the same network. That is normal for these apps.
Features I used:
• Changing channels and apps
• Keyboard input
• Playback controls like pause and rewind
Pros
- TV search and pairing is simple.
- Interface is easy to read and use.
- All core functions exist.
- There is a free trial.
Cons
- Ads unless you pay.
- Almost every enhanced feature is locked. Most extra buttons kicked me to an upgrade screen.
Price: from $4.99 and up
Link:
Verdict
I used the trial to see the full set of features. Main menu lagged a bit on my iPhone, although everything still worked. The constant upselling and ads made me uninstall it once the trial ended.
Part 2: Android TV remote apps my household tried
My wife is on Android, so we tested some options on her phone too. This part is less methodical and more “weekend of swearing at ads”.
Apps we installed:
Universal TV Remote Control
Remote Control For All TV | AI
Universal TV Remote Control (Unimote)
Universal TV Remote Control (from Uzeegar)
Universal TV Remote Control (Android, Codematics)
This one is everywhere on Google Play. It works with a long list of brands: Sony, Samsung, LG, Philips, TCL, Hisense, Panasonic, and more.
Features we used:
• Trackpad navigation
• Voice search
• App control
• Keyboard input
It also supports IR if your phone has an IR blaster, so it worked even with an older TV we have in the guest room.
Pros
- Covers many different TV models.
- Works over Wi‑Fi and IR.
- All core features are available in the free version.
Cons
- Ads are relentless. Some took several taps to get rid of, some did not have a clear close button.
- The app crashed often enough that I had to reconnect to the TV multiple times in one evening.
Price: free
Link:
Verdict
From a feature perspective, it is strong. From a sanity perspective, the ad load is brutal. We removed it after a couple of days.
Remote Control For All TV | AI (Android)
This is another universal Wi‑Fi remote for many TV brands.
The free tier has basic buttons, but everything is slow. TV detection took longer than it should. While waiting, ads appeared frequently.
The more advanced parts, like:
• Ad removal
• AI assistant
• Full keyboard with voice
• Screen mirroring
were all part of the paid plan.
Pros
- Supports a wide range of TV brands.
- Basic remote use is possible without paying.
Cons
- Free version is packed with ads.
- TV detection is slow.
- Most useful options sit behind a subscription.
Price: from $4.99 and up
Link:
Verdict
If all you want is simple buttons and you do not care about long connection times, it works. We stopped using it because of the slow detection and the feeling that everything interesting needed payment.
Universal TV Remote Control (Unimote, Android)
This app supports both Wi‑Fi smart TVs and IR, provided your phone supports IR.
It did find our TV quickly. The problem was keeping the connection and getting past the ad wall.
Every few actions triggered a full-screen video ad. You press volume, you get an ad. You hit home, another one.
Pros
- Simple design, not overloaded.
- Handles both IR and Wi‑Fi TVs.
Cons
- Super intrusive full-screen ads.
- A lot of features locked in in-app purchases.
- Connection dropped occasionally and had to be re-established.
Price: from $5.99 and up
Link:
Verdict
Works as a backup if you tolerate ads and do not mind reconnecting. For daily control it felt too unstable and too noisy.
Universal TV Remote Control (Android, Uzeegar)
This was the last Android app we tried. Another universal remote with support for the usual suspects: LG, Samsung, Sony, TCL, and others.
Feature set:
• Main remote screen
• Power on/off
• Home / Menu navigation
• Play / Stop / Back / Forward
Works both over Wi‑Fi and IR.
Pros
- All basic actions are covered.
- Includes a free trial.
Cons
- A lot of ads while using it.
- Most extra features are paid.
Price: from $3.99 and up
Link:
Verdict
Functionally, it is fine. Financially, the “everything you want is paid” model plus heavy ads makes it hard to recommend if you are sensitive to interruptions. My wife kept it a bit longer than I did, but we both ended up removing it.
Part 3: Mac apps to control your TV
I did not know Mac remote apps were a thing until I started this little experiment. Turns out you can sit with a laptop and control your TV pretty reliably.
I tried two from the Mac App Store.
TVRem Universal TV Remote (Mac)
Same name as the iPhone version. I installed it from the Mac App Store and tested it with our Samsung TV.
Setup was quick. It detected the TV, paired, and that was it. Layout is simple, no weird extra pages or banners.
Features I used:
• Touchpad for TV UI navigation
• Built-in keyboard
• App launcher for things like YouTube and Netflix
Again, I tried to find the catch in pricing and did not see one. No ads showed up.
Pros
- Clean interface, easy to figure out.
- No ads, no “upgrade now” pressure.
- Supports many TV brands.
- Has every basic remote feature I needed.
Cons
- Vizio support is missing here too.
Price: free
Link:
Verdict
If you sit with a Mac on the couch, this is an easy win. It behaves like a normal app and stays out of your way.
TV Remote, Universal Remote (Mac)
Another Mac App Store remote app. On paper it looks fine: supports many brands, interface is acceptable.
Connection to the TV worked, no problem there. After using it for a bit, two things stood out: many of the features I wanted were paid, and the app crashed a few times during testing.
Pros
- Interface is ok, nothing confusing.
- Basic controls work with many popular TVs.
Cons
- Many features sit behind a paywall.
- Occasional random crashes.
Price: from $4.99 and up
Link:
Verdict
Usable if you are ready to pay and have some patience for the occasional bug. I did not keep it, mostly because the free TVRem alternative was stable and did what I needed.
Part 4: Physical TV remote vs phone / Mac app
Quick definitions
Physical remote: the plastic remote that comes with the TV.
Remote app: software on your phone or laptop that sends commands to the TV over Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, or IR.
Why I leaned toward apps
-
Harder to lose
My phone is on me or near me almost all day. Our physical remotes end up under blankets, in the kitchen, or in the kid’s room. -
Typing is not painful
On-screen keyboards on TVs are slow. Remote apps with full keyboards make entering Wi‑Fi passwords, app logins, and search queries less of a chore. Voice input also helps when it works well. -
Cost difference
On Amazon, replacement Samsung remotes for 2019–2025 TVs sit around 15–20 dollars. LG replacements run roughly 13–35 dollars, depending on model and features. A free app stays at zero. Even paid apps are often cheaper than buying two new physical remotes. -
One app for many screens
A single app can control multiple TVs in the same house. In our case, I can switch between Samsung in the living room and LG in the bedroom without hunting for the right plastic remote. -
Interface feels more modern
Most apps have clearer layouts than many stock TV remotes. Things are grouped logically, and touchpads feel better than direction pad spam on the remote.
Limitations I ran into
• Network dependency
Most of these apps need your phone and TV on the same Wi‑Fi network. If the TV drops off Wi‑Fi or is in a deep sleep mode, the app fails to connect until you wake the TV with the physical remote or power button.
• Phone dependency
If your phone is charging in another room or someone else is using it, you lose the remote as well. A basic physical remote is still handy as a backup.
• Limited feature support on older TVs
On some older or cheaper models, apps only control volume, power, and channel. App launching or advanced features do not always work.
What I ended up using
After all this testing:
On iPhone
My main pick: TVRem Universal TV Remote
Link: TVRem Universal TV Remote App App - App Store
Why I kept it:
• Free, no surprise billing
• Touchpad and keyboard are solid
• Enough brands covered for our home and the relatives’ TVs I occasionally fix
Runner up: TV Remote – Universal
Link: TV Remote - Universal App - App Store
If you do not mind paying, this one is ok once the trial is over, but the upsells annoyed me enough that I did not subscribe.
On Android
My wife landed on Universal TV Remote Control from Codematics for a while:
She likes the features and wide TV support. I dislike the number of ads. It does the job though, if you tolerate those interruptions.
On Mac
I kept TVRem Universal TV Remote installed:
Using the laptop as a remote turned out more useful than I expected when I am already working on it.
If you are tired of juggling remotes, I would start with:
• iPhone or Mac: TVRem Universal TV Remote
• Android: test Universal TV Remote Control, but be ready to bail if the ads drive you crazy
Try a couple options on your own devices and TVs, since support and stability depend a lot on your exact models.
2 Likes
Short version. With multiple boxes and a soundbar, a physical universal remote beats phone apps for daily use.
I like @mikeappsreviewer’s app approach for lost remotes and typing, but for a full stack like yours you want one thing in your hand that talks to everything.
Here is what I would look at, in order.
- SofaBaton X1
Best “all in one” for mixed setups right now.
Pros:
• Controls TV, AVR or soundbar, streaming box, Blu‑ray, even some smart plugs.
• Uses a hub with IR and Bluetooth, so it works with Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, PS5, etc.
• Activity macros like “Watch TV” turn on TV, set soundbar input, set streaming box input with one button.
• App setup is easier than old Logitech Harmony stuff.
Cons:
• No backlight on the remote bugs some people.
• Database is large but not perfect, you might need to teach a few buttons from your old remotes.
Get this if: you want one remote to truly replace the pile and you use streaming boxes a lot.
- SofaBaton U2 (or U1 if cheaper)
Cheaper, no hub, pure IR.
Pros:
• Works well for TV plus soundbar plus Blu‑ray where everything uses IR.
• Can learn any IR remote, so odd brands still work.
• Good for a single living room, not whole‑home control.
Cons:
• No Bluetooth, so less ideal if your main box is Apple TV or Fire TV.
• You need line of sight to the gear.
Get this if: your streaming box uses IR or your TV remote already controls it over HDMI‑CEC and you want one click for power and volume.
-
OEM “smart” remotes plus HDMI‑CEC
If money is tight, try this before buying anything.
Steps:
• Turn on HDMI‑CEC on TV and on each device. Names differ: Anynet+ (Samsung), Simplink (LG), Bravia Sync (Sony), etc.
• Set your TV remote to control soundbar volume.
• Many Blu‑ray players and streamers respond to basic TV remote keys over HDMI‑CEC.
If this works, your TV remote turns into a rough universal. It will not handle advanced Blu‑ray controls well, but for play, pause, volume, and power, it simplifies things. -
When phone or Mac remote apps make sense
This is where I disagree a bit with leaning too hard on apps like @mikeappsreviewer.
They shine for:
• Typing passwords or search terms.
• Quick backup when the physical remote is lost.
• Households where different people use different rooms and do not care about one master remote.
They are weak for:
• Powering multiple devices in a sequence.
• Controlling a soundbar over optical or ARC when it does not expose full controls to the network.
• Non smart Blu‑ray players.
So, my practical setup suggestion for you:
Option A, most complete
• Buy SofaBaton X1.
• Create three activities: “Watch Streamer”, “Watch Blu‑ray”, “TV Only”.
• Map volume to the soundbar in all activities.
• Throw your original remotes in a drawer for backup.
Option B, cheaper but solid
• If your streamer and Blu‑ray use IR, get SofaBaton U2.
• Teach it TV, soundbar, streamer, Blu‑ray.
• Create macros for power on and input switching.
Option C, lowest cost tweak
• Turn on HDMI‑CEC on everything.
• Try to control soundbar volume and streamer with the TV remote.
• Keep one extra remote on the table for the Blu‑ray only.
If you share your exact models for TV, soundbar, streaming box, and Blu‑ray, you get a more precise pick, but for most mixed living rooms X1 hits the sweet spot right now.
Short version: for a pile like TV + soundbar + streamer + Blu‑ray, you want a physical universal remote with activities, then keep phone/Mac apps as backup and for typing.
I like a lot of what @mikeappsreviewer and @caminantenocturno said, but I’d flip the priority a bit: solve the “one button starts everything” problem first, “lost remote” and password typing second.
Here’s how I’d break it down for you:
- Best overall: SofaBaton X1
If budget allows, this is the closest thing we have to the old Logitech Harmony “press Watch Movie, everything just works.”
What it’s good at:
- Handles TV, soundbar/AVR, streaming box, Blu‑ray in one shot
- Uses a hub with IR + Bluetooth, so it can talk to things like Apple TV, Fire TV, some game consoles
- Activities: “Watch TV,” “Watch Blu‑ray,” etc turn on the right gear and set inputs in one press
- App-based setup is actually not horrible
What kind of sucks:
- No backlight. If you watch in the dark a lot, that’s annoying
- Database is good but not magic, you might need to teach it a few commands from your old remotes
- If you hate apps, the initial setup will annoy you
I’d still put this at the top for your multi-box living room. It’s the only thing likely to replace every remote on your table, not just “most of them.”
- Cheaper path: SofaBaton U2
Here’s where I disagree slightly with leaning too hard into phone/Mac apps like @mikeappsreviewer prefers. For daily couch use, the U2 is just easier than juggling an iPhone, especially with guests or kids.
When U2 makes sense:
- All your stuff uses IR: TV, soundbar, Blu‑ray, and your streamer has an IR remote
- Or your TV controls the streamer via HDMI‑CEC already, so you mostly need power/volume/input control unified
- You want one simple remote without a hub
Upsides:
- It can learn from any IR remote, so even weird soundbars or older Blu‑ray players are fine
- Cheaper than X1
- No hub clutter
Downsides:
- No Bluetooth, so if your main box is Apple TV or Fire TV that only really shines with Bluetooth, it’s a compromise
- Needs line of sight, so no hiding gear in cabinets
- Before buying anything: abuse HDMI‑CEC
Here I’m a bit closer to @caminantenocturno: try the free stuff first, but don’t expect miracles.
Turn on HDMI‑CEC on everything:
- TV setting names: Anynet+ (Samsung), Simplink (LG), Bravia Sync (Sony), etc
- On your streaming box and Blu‑ray, enable CEC so TV can at least control power and basic playback
Best case:
- TV remote handles power, volume on the soundbar, and basic play/pause on streamer and Blu‑ray
Worst case: - You learn that manufacturers treat CEC like a suggestion, not a standard
Still worth a try, but I wouldn’t stop there with your setup.
- Where phone/Mac apps actually shine
I’d use something like TVRem (that @mikeappsreviewer tested) or similar, but not as your main “universal remote.”
They are best for:
- Entering long Wi‑Fi passwords and app logins
- Searching in streaming apps with keyboard or voice
- Emergency backup when someone loses the physical remote under the couch for the 900th time
They are not great for:
- Multi-device power sequences
- Controlling a soundbar that only really responds properly over IR or ARC
- Non-smart Blu‑ray players
So my practical recommendation for your specific mess of devices:
-
If you want it truly clean:
Get SofaBaton X1- Set up at least 3 activities:
- “Watch Streaming”: TV on, soundbar on, correct inputs, streamer front and center
- “Watch Blu‑ray”: TV + soundbar + Blu‑ray, correct inputs
- “TV Only”: just TV and soundbar
- Map volume permanently to the soundbar in all activities
- Set up at least 3 activities:
-
If you want cheaper but still sane:
Get SofaBaton U2- Program all four devices in
- Create macros for: “All On + Streamer input” and “All On + Blu‑ray input”
- Keep the original remotes in a drawer for the rare weird function
-
In any case:
- Enable HDMI‑CEC so your streamer and Blu‑ray at least turn on with the TV when possible
- Install one remote app on your phone or Mac for text entry and “oh crap where’s the remote” moments
If you post the exact models for your TV, soundbar, streaming box, and Blu‑ray, it’s possible to say “X1 is overkill” or “U2 won’t handle this one box,” but in a generic multi-device living room, X1 is the safest bet and U2 is the good budget compromise.