Modern smart TVs have evolved far beyond simple displays, offering voice control, AirPlay, and sophisticated smart hubs. Yet the humble remote control remains a central part of the viewing experience, and it is all too easy to misplace the physical clicker. Fortunately, the smartphone you already carry in your pocket can step in as a reliable replacement, providing a full‑featured remote without any extra hardware.

Source: engadget.com

Using Built‑In IR Blasters on Android Phones

A handful of Android devices still ship with an infrared (IR) blaster, a small emitter that can send the same signals as a traditional remote. If your phone includes this feature, you can launch the preinstalled IR remote app, tap the “Add Device” button, and select your TV’s brand. The app will guide you through testing a few buttons to confirm it has learned the correct IR codes for your specific model. Once paired, you can change channels, adjust volume, navigate menus, and even power the TV on or off—all from your phone’s screen.

Source: engadget.com

Official Companion Apps for Major Platforms

For phones without an IR blaster, most smart TV ecosystems provide dedicated mobile apps that replicate remote functions over Wi‑Fi.

Source: engadget.com

• Google TV and Android TV devices work with the Google TV app, available on both Android and iOS. After opening the app, tap the “Connect TV” button, choose your television from the list, and ensure both devices share the same Wi‑Fi network with Bluetooth enabled.
• Roku TVs and streaming sticks are controlled via the Roku mobile app, which offers a familiar D‑pad layout, volume controls, and a keyboard that appears whenever you need to type.
• Amazon Fire TV devices pair with the Fire TV app, delivering the same remote‑like experience and allowing you to launch apps or browse content directly from your phone.

These companion apps often double as content hubs, letting you create watchlists, launch streaming services, and browse recommendations—though you can ignore those features if you only need a remote.

Apple TV Remote via Control Center and Third‑Party Options

iPhone users enjoy a built‑in shortcut: swipe to open Control Center and tap the remote icon (add it via the “+” button if it isn’t visible). This native Apple TV remote works over your local Wi‑Fi network and mirrors the layout of the physical Siri Remote. If you prefer an alternative, the Google Play Store hosts the “TV (Apple) Remote Control” app, boasting over 500 000 downloads and a 4.6‑star rating. It can send commands via Wi‑Fi or, on select Android phones with IR hardware, through infrared signals.

Powering On Your TV from Standby

Many modern televisions support Wake‑on‑LAN, a feature that lets a network‑enabled device wake the set from standby. To use this, locate the Wake‑on‑LAN option in your TV’s network settings and make sure it is activated. On some models you may need to adjust the power or energy settings to “Increased” or “Optimized” instead. Once configured, your smartphone remote app can turn the TV on even when it appears to be completely off, eliminating the need to hunt for the physical clicker.

By leveraging IR blasters, official companion apps, or third‑party utilities, you can turn virtually any smartphone into a versatile TV remote. The approach not only solves the common problem of a missing remote but also enhances typing convenience, integrates with content discovery, and, in many cases, adds the ability to power the set on from standby.