I’m juggling multiple remotes for my TV, soundbar, and streaming devices, and it’s getting frustrating. I’m looking for a reliable universal TV remote that’s easy to set up, works with most brands, and is durable for everyday use. What models or features should I be focusing on, and are there any you’d personally recommend or avoid based on your experience?
Hi all,
I got fed up with hunting for TV remotes at home. We have two TVs, Samsung and LG, and the remotes seem to migrate to random rooms like they pay rent there. At some point I stopped bothering and decided to swap to phone-based remotes only.
So I went through a bunch of universal remote apps on iPhone, Android, and even Mac. Used them for a bit, tried to watch some stuff, switched inputs, changed volume, the usual. Below is what I ran into, without the “this changed my life” fluff.
I’ll break it down by platform.
TV REMOTE APPS FOR IPHONE
I tried four iOS apps from the App Store:
• TVRem Universal TV Remote
• TV Remote – Universal Control
• Universal Remote TV Smart
• TV Remote – Universal
Here is how they behaved in normal daily use, not in a perfect demo scenario.
TVRem Universal TV Remote – my main iPhone pick
This one surprised me a bit. It works with a bunch of brands and platforms: LG, Samsung, Sony, Android TV, Roku, and others. I used it on Samsung and LG, no problems.
The key part for me: it was actually free. No “3 days free, then surprise yearly plan” situation. I tapped around trying to trigger a paywall and did not hit one.
What I used the most:
• Touchpad for navigation instead of arrow spam
• Voice control on supported models (Google Assistant / Alexa)
• Normal keyboard for logins and search
• Simple channel switching and app launching
Pros
- Interface is simple enough for non-techy family members
- Setup took under a minute on my Wi-Fi
- No subscription pressure
- Works with most mainstream TV brands I had access to
- Covers the basics: volume, channels, inputs, mute, playback
Cons
- No Vizio support, so if your main TV is Vizio, this one will not help
Price: free
Link: TVRem Universal TV Remote App App - App Store
Verdict:
If your TV is supported, this is an easy default choice. It replaced the Samsung and LG remotes in our living room without drama.
There is also a Reddit thread where people argue over these apps vs physical remotes, pretty detailed:
https://www.reddit.com/r/DataRecoveryHelp/comments/1qqa2bh/best_universal_tv_remote/
Video about this TV remote:
Product page:
TV Remote – Universal Control
This one looks decent on the surface. It connects over Wi-Fi and works with a lot of TV brands. The basics are all there: touchpad, voice control, app / channel launcher, keyboard. It also offers media casting, which I personally did not care about much since I mainly wanted a clean remote.
The issue hit as soon as I started prodding around.
Pros
- Has all the usual modern-remote features
- Broad support for TVs and platforms
Cons
- Ads inside the app
- Most of the normal stuff lives behind a paywall
- It crashed for me a few times while opening menus
Price: from $4.99 and up
Link: TV Remote - Universal Control App - App Store
Verdict:
Functional, but every second tap felt like the app trying to sell me something. I used the free trial to see all features, then removed it. If you do not mind paying and you like the UI, it is decent, but it did not win me over.
Universal Remote TV Smart
This one lost me fast. It works with many brands, same as others, but the layout felt off. Buttons did not feel placed where my thumb expected them. It did not give that “this feels like a real remote” sense.
It still has the core stuff: keyboard, volume, basic navigation, channels.
Pros
- Wide device support list
Cons
- Interface feels awkward and crowded
- No voice control
- Ads are aggressive, including forced video ads
- Most useful functions kick you into payment screens. I hit OK to open YouTube and got dragged to an offer instead
Price: from $7.99 and up
Link: Universal remote tv smart App - App Store
Verdict:
For me this was the weakest of the iPhone apps. UI irritated me, and the monetization got in the way of doing anything quickly. There are much better picks above.
TV Remote – Universal
This one turns your iPhone or iPad into a remote for brands like LG, Samsung, Sony, Vizio, Android TV, and others. So unlike TVRem, it does list Vizio.
It uses Wi-Fi, so your phone and TV need to share the same network.
You get the regular type of controls: switch channels, change apps, play / pause, seek, and keyboard input.
Pros
- It found my TV quickly and connected with no fiddling
- Interface is clear enough
- Basic stuff is there
- Offers a free trial so you can see the full feature set
Cons
- Ads in the free version, removable only with payment
- Almost anything beyond bare basics triggers an upsell screen
Price: from $4.99 and up
Link: TV Remote - Universal App - App Store
Verdict:
I signed up for the trial and used it as my main remote for a bit. Some minor lag on the main screen, but nothing terrible. Overall workable, but I got tired of the constant “premium” pushes. If you intend to pay and then live in the app, it is fine. If you want free with minimal friction, TVRem felt better.
ANDROID TV REMOTE APPS
My wife uses Android, so we turned her phone into the second “remote control lab”. These are the Android apps we tested.
Universal TV Remote Control
This one supports a large list of brands: Sony, Samsung, LG, Philips, TCL, Hisense, Panasonic, and more. It can work either over Wi-Fi or as a traditional IR remote if your phone has an IR blaster.
Feature set is strong on paper:
• Trackpad navigation
• Voice search
• App control
• Keyboard
And it is free.
Pros
- Compatible with a ton of TVs
- Works both as Wi-Fi remote and IR remote
- All key features are available without paying
Cons
- The number of ads is rough. Some were hard to close, borderline “where is the X” territory
- The app crashed multiple times, forcing me to reconnect to the TV
Price: free
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=codematics.universal.tv.remote.control&hl=en
Verdict:
I liked the idea and the feature set, then the ads hit. For occasional quick use it might be tolerable. For daily use during evening shows, it was more annoying than losing the physical remote.
Remote Control For All TV | AI
This one supports a long list of brands too and connects via Wi-Fi.
The free tier gives you a simple remote. That part works, but takes its time detecting and connecting to TVs. You tap, wait, tap again.
Advanced features live behind a paywall:
• Ad removal
• AI assistant
• Keyboard with voice input
• Screen mirroring
Pros
- Broad brand support
- Basic remote features included in the free tier
Cons
- Free version has lots of ads
- TV detection is slow
- Most useful upgrades cost money
Price: from $4.99 and up
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sensustech.universal.remote.control.ai
Verdict:
Works if you only want a simple remote and you are patient with delays and ads. I would not pick it as a main, daily driver remote.
Universal TV Remote Control (Unimote)
This app is similar in idea. It talks to Smart TVs over Wi-Fi and also supports IR if your phone has the hardware.
It spotted our TV quickly, but needed several attempts to form a stable connection. Once I started using it, the ads showed up often enough to break the flow.
Pros
- Simple layout for regular navigation
- Works with both IR and Wi-Fi, so good if you have an older TV
Cons
- Full-screen video ads pop up often
- A lot of features require in-app purchases, so the free version feels limited
- Sometimes loses the connection and needs reconnecting
Price: from $5.99 and up
Verdict:
As a backup remote it is OK. For the main remote job, the instability and ads were too much for me.
Universal TV Remote Control (another one, Uzeegar)
This last Android app also supports multiple brands like LG, Samsung, Sony, TCL and works with both Wi-Fi and IR.
Feature-wise you get:
• A universal main control screen
• Power on / off
• Home / Menu button
• Basic playback controls (Play / Stop / Back / Forward)
Pros
- Covers the essentials
- Has a free trial
Cons
- Packed with ads
- Many features require payment
Price: from $3.99 and up
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.uzeegar.universal.smart.tv.remote.control&hl=uk
Verdict:
Everything you need is technically there, but it feels like a paywall maze with ad breaks. If ads bother you, this will get on your nerves quickly.
For context, my wife ended up sticking with “Universal TV Remote Control” despite the ads, mostly because of habit and IR support on her phone. I would probably switch to something less noisy.
MAC APPS TO CONTROL YOUR TV
This is where it got fun for me. I sit at my Mac a lot, so being able to control the TV from there felt handy. We tested these from the Mac App Store.
TVRem Universal TV Remote (Mac)
This is basically the Mac version of the iPhone app I mentioned earlier.
I tried it with a Samsung TV. It paired without hassle, the UI stayed simple, and I did not have to read any manual or FAQ.
Features I used:
• Touchpad for navigation
• Built-in keyboard
• App launcher for jumping straight to YouTube, Netflix, etc.
• Basic controls like volume and input
Pros
- Clear and easy interface
- No ads, no upgrade prompts
- Works with a lot of common brands
- Has all the remote features most people need
Cons
- No Vizio support
Price: free
Link: TVRem Universal TV Remote App App - App Store
Verdict:
If you use your Mac while something plays in the background, this is very convenient. It quickly became my go-to when I am working and the TV is on in the same room.
TV Remote, Universal Remote (Mac)
Another Mac remote app from the App Store, also listing many popular brands.
Connection went smoothly. It saw my TV without manual fiddling. The interface is OK, nothing confusing. The pain point came after a bit: features I wanted to try were paywalled, and it crashed occasionally.
Pros
- Interface is acceptable and not bloated
- Works with many brands and includes the usual controls
Cons
- A chunk of functions lives behind paid tiers
- The app crashed from time to time during my tests
Price: from $4.99 and up
Link: TV Remote, Universal Remote App - App Store
Verdict:
It works, but you need to be fine with paying and possibly dealing with crashes once in a while. TVRem on Mac felt more reliable and calmer to use.
PHYSICAL TV REMOTE VS REMOTE APP
Quick breakdown from someone who has both in the same room.
Physical remote
The regular plastic thing that came with your TV or replacement bought on Amazon.
Remote app
Software on your phone or tablet that turns it into a remote, normally via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, or sometimes IR.
Why a lot of people prefer remote apps
-
Less chance of “where did it go again”
My phone sits near me 90 percent of the time. The TV remote likes to vanish under blankets or behind cushions. Once I stopped relying on the physical remote, that small daily irritation dropped a lot. -
Typing feels human
Typing Wi-Fi passwords or search queries using directional arrows on a stock remote is slow. With a phone app, you get a regular keyboard. Sometimes a touchpad. Login screens stop feeling like punishment. -
Cost
Phone apps are often free or cheap. Meanwhile, replacement physical remotes for Samsung TVs from around 2019 to 2025 go for around 15 to 20 dollars on Amazon. LG replacement remotes sit around 13 to 35 dollars depending on the model. If one family member loses remotes often, apps save money over time. -
One remote for multiple devices
Instead of a separate remote for every TV in the house, you set everything up in one app. I use my iPhone with the living room TV and the bedroom TV without needing to remember which remote belongs to which room. -
Interface balance
Some TV brands ship clunky remotes with awkward layouts. Phone apps sometimes clean this up with better grouping and faster access to common actions.
Limitations of remote apps
• Need Wi-Fi or Bluetooth working
Most of these apps need the TV and the phone on the same Wi-Fi network. If your router is acting up or the TV is in some weird power state, the app will not connect. IR-based remotes are a bit more forgiving here but require hardware support on the phone.
• Your phone becomes part of the workflow
If your phone is on low battery, with screen locked, or your kid is watching something on it, using it as a remote gets annoying.
• Some TVs offer limited app control
Older models or budget TVs might expose only basic commands through network control. So you get power, volume, inputs, but nothing deeper.
MY TAKEAWAYS AFTER LIVING WITH THESE
After bouncing between all of these, my setup ended up like this:
On my iPhone
TVRem Universal TV Remote is my main pick.
Link again: TVRem Universal TV Remote App App - App Store
Why I stuck with it:
• It is free, no trial ticking away in the background
• It has a touchpad and keyboard, which solved the biggest pain points
• It did not throw ads or upgrade screens at me
• It worked consistently on our Samsung and LG
The only thing that might stop you from using it is if you own a Vizio TV as your main screen.
I also kept TV Remote – Universal installed for a bit to compare. After using the free trial, I felt it was decent enough that some people might pay for it. Good app, but since I already had a free clean option, I did not switch.
On Android
My wife went with Universal TV Remote Control on her phone:
I’m not thrilled about how many ads it throws out, but it works with her phone’s IR, which makes it handy for some older TVs in our family. From a pure comfort angle, I would tell someone to look for an Android app with fewer ads if possible.
On Mac
On my MacBook, I use the TVRem Universal TV Remote Mac app. It is free, has no ads, and does what I need without failing in the middle of a show.
Link again: TVRem Universal TV Remote App App - App Store
If you are tired of physical remotes roaming around your house, switching to one or two of these apps is worth a short test run. Try one free app first, see if the Wi-Fi situation in your home cooperates, then decide if you still want a backup physical remote in a drawer.
3 Likes
You are on the right track looking for one thing to run TV, soundbar, and streamers. I get why @mikeappsreviewer went app heavy, but for daily living room use I still prefer a physical universal remote as the main controller, with apps as backup.
Here is what tends to work best in practice.
- If you want “it just works” and do not mind paying more
Logitech Harmony is discontinued, but still the most solid option if you find one used or old stock.
Look for:
• Harmony Companion or Elite
• Hub included, so it controls TVs, soundbars, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, etc
• Activities like “Watch TV” turn on TV, set input, turn on soundbar, set HDMI, all from one button
Pros
• Handles mixed brands without weird workarounds
• Good build quality, buttons survive kids and couch drops
• Once set up, non techy people use it without thinking about it
Cons
• Setup is slower first time, you do it once then leave it
• Prices on used market can be high
If you find a Companion kit under ~150 USD, it is hard to beat.
- If you want cheaper but simple
Look at Sofabaton:
• Sofabaton U1 if all your stuff uses IR
• Sofabaton X1 if you also have streaming boxes, game consoles, etc
Pros
• Supports many brands
• Mobile app for initial setup
• U1 is around 50 to 60 USD, X1 around 150 to 200 USD
Cons
• Software feels rough compared to Harmony
• Some users report lag on X1 with multiple devices
• Bluetooth device support is not as mature as Harmony
Still, for most living room setups, U1 is enough.
- If your gear supports HDMI CEC
Check your TV settings for something like:
• Samsung: Anynet+
• LG: Simplink
• Sony: Bravia Sync
Turn that on for TV and soundbar.
In many cases the TV remote will then control:
• Soundbar volume
• Power sync between TV and soundbar
• Basic controls for Fire TV, Roku, etc
If CEC works well in your setup, you only need a simpler universal remote, since the TV will pass commands around.
- Simple “learning” remotes that are cheap and tough
If you want something under 30 USD and durable:
• One For All remotes (URC series)
Features to look for:
• Learning function, so you “teach” it buttons from your old remotes
• Separate device modes for TV, Audio, Streamer
• Backlit keys if you watch in the dark
These are boring but reliable. No apps, no accounts, no Wi Fi.
- Setup strategy that avoids pain
This is where I slightly disagree with leaning on apps as the core solution like @mikeappsreviewer did. Apps are nice, but for family use and guests, a physical remote on the table wins most of the time.
Do this:
- Make a list of your exact models: TV, soundbar, streamer
- Decide if you want activities (one button scenes) or just “control everything from one brick”
• Activities needed: Harmony or Sofabaton X1
• No activities needed: Sofabaton U1 or One For All - Turn on HDMI CEC everywhere and test if a single remote already controls volume and basic playback
- Program the universal only with what you use daily:
• Power, Input, Volume, Mute
• Arrows, OK, Back, Home, Play/Pause
Skip weird advanced keys, they confuse other people.
- Durability tips
• Avoid remotes with glossy finish, they scratch and feel greasy
• Check reviews for “button failure” after 1 year
• If you have kids, get silicone cover, especially for Harmony and Sofabaton
Short version picks
If you want best overall and are ok with used:
• Logitech Harmony Companion + Hub
If you want new and not crazy expensive:
• Sofabaton U1
If you want cheap, simple, and tough:
• One For All universal learning remote
Use a phone app as a backup for typing passwords and searching, like the ones mentioned by @mikeappsreviewer, but let a single physical remote be the main thing on the couch.
If you’re already drowning in remotes, I’d actually start by not chasing the fanciest “smart” solution like @mikeappsreviewer’s app setup or the super activity-heavy stuff @nachtdromer leans toward. Those are great if you like tinkering, but for everyday couch life they can be overkill.
Here’s how I’d slice it for what you asked: easy, works with most brands, durable.
- Easiest solid choice right now
Since Harmony is dead but still hanging around on the used market, I’d only bother if you’re ok hunting. If not, the most practical current option is:
- Sofabaton U1
- Controls TV + soundbar + most streaming boxes using IR
- Setup through a phone app, but once it’s done you barely touch the app again
- Learning feature lets you copy commands from your original remotes if a code set isn’t perfect
- Physically tough enough for daily use, buttons feel decent, not super premium but not cheap junk either
You do not get super fancy “Watch Movie” macros like Harmony does out of the box, but honestly most people just want one stick that controls volume, power, inputs, and navigation without needing a PhD.
- If you really want one‑button “activities”
Here I slightly disagree with how heavily people push Harmony as the only real answer. It’s great, but not magic. If you find:
- Logitech Harmony Companion + Hub
or - Harmony Elite
in decent condition for a sane price, it will do almost exactly what you described:
- One button to turn on TV, soundbar, set correct HDMI, and wake your streamer
- It handles mixed brands without drama once programmed
Just be aware:
- Initial setup can be annoying, especially on newer OS versions
- If something in your setup changes later, you’ll have to dive back into the config, which some folks absolutely hate
Durability wise, though, Harmony remotes survive a lot of drops. I’ve seen kids treat a Companion like a fidget toy and it still holds up.
- If you want cheap and tough, not clever
If you do not care about apps, hubs, Bluetooth, any of that:
- Look at One For All universal learning remotes (URC series)
- Under 30 bucks, usually
- Set separate modes for TV, Audio, Streamer
- Use learning mode to teach it the few buttons you actually use
This is the “I just want it to work for 5 years and live in the couch” approach. No fancy smart-home energy, but also no random updates breaking stuff.
- Small thing almost everyone skips
Before buying anything, dig into your TV and soundbar settings and turn on HDMI CEC:
- Samsung calls it Anynet+
- LG calls it Simplink
- Sony calls it Bravia Sync
If that behaves, your TV remote by itself might already:
- Control soundbar volume
- Power the soundbar on and off with the TV
- Handle basic playback on your streaming box
If that works cleanly, your universal remote choice becomes easier, because it really only has to boss around the TV reliably. In that scenario, even a simpler universal like Sofabaton U1 or a One For All feels way less fiddly.
- What I’d personally do in your shoes
Given your “TV + soundbar + streaming devices” and wanting reliability and durability:
- Step 1: Turn on HDMI CEC everywhere and test
- Step 2:
- If CEC is decent: get a Sofabaton U1 or a One For All learning remote
- If CEC is garbage or inconsistent: hunt for a Harmony Companion kit with Hub, accept the one-time pain of setup
Then keep one phone remote app around like @mikeappsreviewer suggests, but only for typing passwords and rare stuff. Using an app as your main remote sounds cool until your phone is in the kitchen on 3 percent battery.
So: one sturdy universal on the table, a backup app on your phone, and the original remotes thrown in a drawer for emergencies. That setup tends to survive real households, not just spec sheets.