I’m looking for a reliable universal TV remote that can control a few different brands of TVs, a soundbar, and a streaming box in one place. My current remotes are either missing or partially broken, and juggling multiple ones is getting frustrating. What models or brands have worked well for you, especially for easy setup and compatibility with older and newer devices?
Hi all,
I got fed up hunting for TV remotes in couch cushions, under blankets, in the kitchen, everywhere. We have two TVs at home, Samsung and LG, so there are two separate remotes to lose. At some point I gave up and decided to turn my phone into the only “remote” I bother with.
My phone is always somewhere near me, so turning it into a universal remote made more sense than buying more plastic sticks from Amazon.
I went through a bunch of apps on iPhone, Android, and even on Mac. Below is how it went, what worked, and what I would avoid next time.
PART 1: iPHONE TV REMOTE APPS
I tried four iOS apps from the App Store:
• TVRem Universal TV Remote
• TV Remote – Universal Control
• Universal Remote TV Smart
• TV Remote – Universal
All tests were on a Samsung TV and an older LG in the bedroom.
TVRem Universal TV Remote – best iPhone option I found
I’ll start with the one that stayed on my phone.
TVRem is a universal remote app for iPhone. It worked with my Samsung and LG. The app claims support for LG, Samsung, Sony, Android TV, Roku and a few others. I did not hit a brand it refused, except Vizio.
The strange part, in a good way, is the pricing. There is no pricing. No subscription. No popups asking for money.
Stuff I used a lot:
• Touchpad style navigation instead of directional arrows
• Voice input, plus integration with Google Assistant or Alexa on supported models
• On-screen keyboard for passwords and search fields
• Simple channel and app switching
PROS
- Interface is straightforward, nothing weird or flashy
- TV connection took a few seconds, no manual IP hassle
- Free, not “fake free”
- Handles multiple TV platforms
- All standard remote actions are covered
CONS
- No Vizio support
Price: free
Link: TVRem Universal TV Remote App App - App Store
Verdict
If your TV brand is supported, this feels like what stock TV apps should have been. I did not hit any paywalls or ads and did not feel limited at any point.
There is also a Reddit thread where people compare universal remotes to physical ones, which helped me filter out some trash apps:
Product page:
Product video:
TV Remote – Universal Control
Next one, similar idea. One app, many brands. It connects through Wi‑Fi. If your phone and TV are not on the same network, you are stuck.
Features I tested during the free trial:
• Touchpad navigation
• Voice control
• Channel launcher
• Built‑in keyboard
• Media casting
Feature set looked fine on paper. In practice, almost every useful tap pushed me into a pay screen. To try those features I had to turn on the free trial.
PROS
- Has all the controls I expect from a smart TV remote
- Broad brand support
CONS
- Ads all over the place
- Most of the “basic” looking buttons are locked behind a subscription
- The app crashed on me when I opened the side menu a few times
Price: from $4.99 and up
Link: TV Remote - Universal Control App - App Store
Verdict
If you are fine paying and you like the layout, you will get a workable app. I skipped buying it because every second tap pushed me to a subscription screen and I wanted something less aggressive.
Universal Remote TV Smart
This one felt the most like someone skinned a remote without ever using one.
The layout on my iPhone was cluttered. Buttons were crammed into weird spots and the whole thing did not feel like holding a remote, more like using a random dashboard.
It still had:
• Keyboard
• App navigation
• Volume and channel control
So in terms of what it does, it ticks boxes. The experience was not pleasant.
PROS
- Supports many TV brands
CONS
- Interface is not comfortable to use
- No voice control
- Ads are aggressive, with forced video interruptions
- A lot of actions trigger upsell screens, even something trivial like trying to open YouTube
Price: from $7.99 and up
Link: Universal remote tv smart App - App Store
Verdict
Out of the iPhone apps I tried, this one landed at the bottom. It feels like an app built around monetization first and usability second.
TV Remote – Universal
This is another universal iPhone/iPad remote, with support for LG, Samsung, Sony, Vizio, Android TV, etc. That Vizio mention is the one thing TVRem did not offer.
It connects over Wi‑Fi, again your iPhone and TV must share the same network.
Features I used:
• Channel and app switching
• Keyboard input
• Playback control (rewind, pause, etc.)
PROS
- TV detection worked quickly
- Interface is clear and simple
- All core functions are present
- There is a free trial
CONS
- Ads in the free version, removable only if you pay
- Every “advanced” thing is paywalled, almost each tap leads to an offer
Price: from $4.99 and up
Link: TV Remote - Universal App - App Store
Verdict
I ran the trial to poke at everything. Main screen was a bit laggy on my phone, but nothing broke. The upsell pressure and ads made it feel heavier than it needed to be. If you already intend to subscribe, it is usable. I stayed with TVRem instead.
PART 2: ANDROID TV REMOTE APPS
My wife is on Android, so I tried a few things on her phone and then she kept using one of them day to day.
Universal TV Remote Control
This one supports a lot of TV brands. I tested it on Samsung and a neighbor’s TCL. The Play Store page lists Sony, LG, Philips, TCL, Hisense, Panasonic, and others.
Key features:
• Trackpad navigation
• Voice search
• App control
• Keyboard input
It also works in two ways:
• Over Wi‑Fi
• As an IR remote if your phone has an IR blaster
Everything I cared about was available in the free version, which looked promising at first.
Then the ads hit.
PROS
- Wide device support
- Wi‑Fi and IR support both included
- All main features are free
CONS
- Way too many ads, some are hard to dismiss
- App crashed several times, I had to reconnect to the TV again and again
Price: free
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=codematics.universal.tv.remote.control&hl=en
Verdict
I liked the idea, not the execution. If you are patient with ad spam, the feature set is strong. I personally dropped it because the interruptions were constant.
Remote Control For All TV | AI
This is another universal Android remote over Wi‑Fi.
The free tier gives you:
• Basic buttons for volume, channels, etc.
What you do not get for free:
• Ad removal
• “AI assistant”
• Built‑in keyboard with voice input
• Screen mirroring
Detection of our TV was slow. Sometimes I waited long enough that I reached for the physical remote out of habit.
PROS
- Handles many brands
- Basic controls exist in the free version
CONS
- Ad load is high
- TV discovery is slow
- More advanced features are locked into paid plans
Price: from $4.99 and up
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sensustech.universal.remote.control.ai
Verdict
If you only want simple controls and you are tolerant of ads and slow connection, it is acceptable. For frequent channel swapping or app hopping, the delays get old fast.
Universal TV Remote Control (Unimote)
Unimote works both over Wi‑Fi and with IR, similar to the first Android app. My phone does not have IR, so I stuck to Wi‑Fi.
The app spotted my Samsung TV fast, but took several tries to finally pair. After pairing, the connection would drop here and there, which you notice when volume stops reacting halfway through an ad.
Ads are strongly pushed with full‑screen video spots.
PROS
- Simple layout for basic navigation
- Supports IR and Wi‑Fi setups
CONS
- Full‑screen ads appear often and get in the way
- Many options are locked to in‑app purchases
- TV connection is not stable
Price: from $5.99 and up
Verdict
This fits better as an emergency backup. If you use it twice a week, the ads and dropouts might be tolerable. As a daily driver it felt too unreliable.
Universal TV Remote Control (another one)
Last Android app on my list. Different developer, same name pattern.
Supported brands include LG, Samsung, Sony, TCL and others. It supports both Wi‑Fi and IR control.
Features on the main screen:
• Power toggle
• Home/Menu button
• Basic playback controls (Play, Stop, Back, Forward)
• A generic main remote screen with arrows and OK
PROS
- All basic remote things are there
- There is a free trial
CONS
- Plenty of ads
- Most extended controls 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 expect from a simple remote is implemented, but not truly free. While I tested it, ads popped up often enough that I uninstalled it after a few days.
My wife, after trying several of these, stuck with the first Android one, Universal TV Remote Control, mostly because of the IR support on her phone. She ignores the ads more easily than I do.
PART 3: MAC APPS TO CONTROL YOUR TV
I also wanted to control the TV from my MacBook while working. Two apps from the Mac App Store looked relevant.
TVRem Universal TV Remote (Mac)
Same name as the iPhone app, and it behaved similarly.
I tested it with a Samsung TV. Setup was straightforward. The app found the TV, I confirmed the connection, and that was it.
Features I used:
• Touchpad for navigation
• Built‑in keyboard
• App launcher for switching between Netflix, YouTube, etc.
Interface is simple, no strange menus, nothing overloaded.
PROS
- Easy UI, no learning curve
- No ads, no obvious paywalls
- Multiple popular TV brands supported
- All crucial remote functions are in the free version
CONS
- Same as on iPhone, no Vizio support
Price: free
Link: TVRem Universal TV Remote App App - App Store
Verdict
If you often sit with your Mac open and the remote buried somewhere, this is convenient. I used it a lot to pause or change apps without touching the physical remote.
TV Remote, Universal Remote (Mac)
Second Mac option. Also a universal remote app in the Mac App Store.
Supported my Samsung TV right away. Connection was not an issue. The problem was reliability and pricing.
Many items I tried to use were behind a paywall. On top of that, the app crashed a few times when I switched views.
PROS
- Interface looks decent
- Supports many brands and has basic remote features
CONS
- A lot of features require payment
- Occasional crashes
Price: from $4.99 and up
Link: TV Remote, Universal Remote App - App Store
Verdict
If you do not mind paying and the app is stable on your Mac, it might work for you. On mine it crashed enough that I did not feel like paying to see if it got better.
PART 4: PHYSICAL TV REMOTE VS REMOTE APP
Here is how I see the tradeoff after a few weeks of using only apps.
Definitions
Physical remote: the hardware remote that ships with your TV or one you buy as a replacement.
Remote app: software on your phone or tablet that turns it into a remote.
Why I lean toward remote apps now
-
Less stuff to lose
My phone is always somewhere near me. The original LG remote disappeared for two months, showed up behind a dresser, then disappeared again. My phone does not wander off on its own. -
Faster text input
Typing Wi‑Fi passwords or searching on Netflix with a D‑pad is painful. On an app I get a normal keyboard, sometimes voice input, so I can enter “the bear season 2” in a few seconds. -
Cost difference
Replacement remotes on Amazon are not free:
• Samsung TV replacements for 2019–2025 models usually sit around 15–20 dollars
• LG TV remotes often fall in the 13–35 dollar range
Many remote apps are free or cheap. If you have multiple TVs, that starts to matter.
-
One app for multiple devices
On TVRem I control both the LG and Samsung from the same interface. You avoid the whole “wrong remote for wrong TV” situation. -
UI quality
Some TV makers do not invest much into the remote design. Software remotes sometimes handle layout better, especially for app navigation and text input.
Limitations I ran into with remote apps
• Need Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth
If the TV is offline or Wi‑Fi is acting up, the app will not see it. Some TVs also go into a “deep sleep” where they stop responding over network until you wake them up with the hardware remote.
• Phone dependency
Your phone must be nearby, unlocked, and charged. If your battery hits 3 percent, your remote also hits 3 percent.
• TV feature coverage
Some older or cheaper TV models only expose basic controls to apps. You get volume and power, but not all proprietary functions.
FINAL THOUGHTS AND PERSONAL PICKS
After a few weeks of switching between phones, remotes, and a Mac, I ended up using remote apps most of the time. The physical remotes are now backup devices.
For iPhone, my ranking:
-
TVRem Universal TV Remote
Free, no ads, all the essentials. The lack of Vizio support is the only gap I noticed. -
TV Remote – Universal
Paid, but functional. During the trial I saw enough to say it might be worth it if you are okay with subscriptions and want Vizio or certain extra features.
For Android, my wife’s choice:
• Universal TV Remote Control
She likes the features and IR support. I dislike the ad load, but she tolerates it and did not bother switching.
For Mac:
• TVRem Universal TV Remote
Free, simple, and it did not fail me while working. I can pause or change apps while typing on the same keyboard.
If you are tired of hunting for remotes, I would start with TVRem on iPhone or Mac and one of the universal Android apps above, depending on your phone’s IR support and your patience with ads. Then see which one annoys you the least over a week of regular use.
4 Likes
Short version. For mixed brands and multiple boxes, a good physical universal remote is still the least annoying long term. Phone apps help, but they do not replace a real all in one remote for a whole setup.
You want to control:
• Multiple TVs, different brands
• A soundbar
• A streaming box
Here is what works well in 2026, with tradeoffs.
- SofaBaton X1 (best “all in one” Harmony replacement)
If you want one remote for everything, this is the closest thing to old Logitech Harmony.
What it handles:
• Mixed TVs: Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, etc
• Soundbars: Sony, Samsung, LG, Vizio, Polk and others
• Streaming: Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Shield, Xbox, PS5 (basic), cable boxes
Why it fits your use case:
• Uses a hub with IR blasters and Bluetooth. Good for devices in cabinets.
• App-based setup, but after that you mostly use the physical remote.
• Activities like “Watch TV” that turn on TV, set soundbar input, switch HDMI input, then hand control to the streaming box.
• Replaces 3–6 remotes without weird workarounds.
Cons:
• Setup takes 30–60 minutes if you have a few devices.
• App is fussy sometimes, firmware updates fix some stuff then break others.
• Not cheap, often around 150 dollars.
If you want fewer quirks and better build, Sofabaton U2 is cheaper, but no hub or Bluetooth, so worse for streaming boxes and stuff in cabinets.
- Budget physical: GE Backlit Universal Remote / One For All URC series
If you want cheap and simple, and you do not need fancy activities.
Good for:
• Controlling 2 or 3 TVs and a soundbar with one remote.
• Basic commands on Roku or Fire TV via IR where supported.
Pros:
• Around 10 to 30 dollars.
• Handles “volume on soundbar, channel/input on TV” with device lock.
• No app, no Wi Fi requirement.
Cons:
• No Bluetooth, so no full control of Apple TV or some streaming sticks.
• No smart “scenes”. You switch modes manually.
• Programming codes is old school and annoying.
This is fine if you want one remote that replaces a pile of broken ones, do not care about deep streaming box control, and want to spend little.
- Where I disagree a bit with @mikeappsreviewer
Phone and Mac remotes are handy, but as your main universal remote for a mixed system they get painful.
Issues you will hit:
• Phones go to sleep, so you unlock, open app, wait for connect. Slower than grabbing a physical remote.
• Guests or kids have no idea where the app is or which phone has it.
• Some soundbars and older TVs do not expose full control over network. You still need IR somewhere.
I like TVRem on iOS and Mac, same as they mentioned, but I keep it as a backup or “where did the real remote go” solution, not the core of the system.
Best setup suggestion for you
If you want strong, low frustration control for several brands plus soundbar and a streamer:
Option A, spend more:
• Get SofaBaton X1.
• Add all TVs, soundbar, and streaming box into the app.
• Build “Watch Streaming”, “Watch Cable” activities.
• Put the hub near the TV with line of sight for IR or use the mini blasters.
Option B, spend less:
• Get a GE or One For All universal that supports Audio + TV + Stream.
• Program TV and soundbar so volume always controls soundbar, power controls TV and bar together.
• Let each TV keep its own original remote for advanced features, but use the universal one 90 percent of the time.
If you want to pair this with apps:
• Install TVRem on your main phone for when the physical remote disappears in the sofa.
• Do not rely on the phone app as the only remote for everything, or you end up annoyed again.
Short version: if you want one physical remote that handles mixed-brand TVs + soundbar + streamer without drama, you’re basically choosing between a hub-style “Harmony replacement” and a simpler all‑IR universal. Phone apps are fine as backup, not as the main brain.
I’ll break it down a bit differently from @mikeappsreviewer and @jeff:
1. Best all‑in‑one for mixed brands + streamer: SofaBaton X1
If you actually want to stop juggling remotes and not just rearrange the chaos, X1 is still the most complete option right now.
Why it fits your setup:
- Controls:
- Multiple TVs from different brands
- Soundbars from most majors
- Streaming boxes that need Bluetooth (Roku stick, Fire TV stick, Apple TV, Shield, etc.)
- Uses:
- IR for TVs / soundbars
- Bluetooth for streamers
- Activities like “Watch Roku”:
- Power on TV + soundbar
- Set correct HDMI input
- Set soundbar input
- Put the remote into Roku mode
That “activity” thing is the real difference vs cheaper remotes. Press one button and the stack just works.
Where I disagree slightly with the others:
They lean pretty hard on “X1 is a little fussy” which is true, but that’s mostly during initial setup. Once you survive the 30–60 minute setup and a bit of tweaking, day‑to‑day use is actually less annoying than three separate remotes and constant “wrong input” drama.
Downsides:
- App and firmware can be flaky during setup
- Not cheap
- If you hate tinkering, the first hour will feel like a mild tech support job
If you can tolerate some initial nerding around, it’s the best single-remote option for a mixed TV + soundbar + streaming box setup right now.
2. Cheaper but more manual: GE / One For All universal
If you do not care about Bluetooth streaming sticks or fancy macros and just want “one remote that basically works”:
Look for a GE Backlit Universal or One For All URC that supports at least:
- TV
- Audio device
- Streamer / DVD / AUX slot
What you can realistically expect:
- TV power / volume / input on each of your TVs
- Soundbar volume (and usually power)
- Some basic IR control for certain streaming boxes with IR receivers (older Roku, some cable boxes, etc.)
Set it up so:
- Volume is always the soundbar
- Power buttons can turn on both TV + soundbar together (depending on the model’s “master power” / device lock features)
This will not:
- Fully control Bluetooth‑only sticks like Fire TV or Roku Streaming Stick 4K
- Give you activity-style automation
But it is:
- Cheap
- Simple
- Good enough to replace the broken/missing pile you have now
If most of your streaming is from a box that still has IR (like some Roku boxes or cable/sat receivers) this is fine.
3. Where I think phone apps are overhyped
@jeff and @mikeappsreviewer both got some mileage out of apps like TVRem, and they are right that it’s a nice backup. I still would not use a phone or Mac app as your primary remote for a whole multi-device setup.
Stuff that gets old fast:
- Unlock phone, open app, wait for connection
- Someone else in the room cannot use your phone to change volume without bugging you
- Some soundbars and older TVs do not expose inputs or power properly over the network
I keep a phone app installed for “remote vanished into the void” moments, not as the main tool.
If you like their TVRem suggestion, great, install it, but pair it with a real universal remote rather than trying to live app‑only.
4. What I’d actually do in your shoes
Since you have:
- A few TVs, different brands
- A soundbar
- A streaming box
Pick your pain:
If you want it as close to “Harmony” as you can get:
- Get SofaBaton X1
- Put the hub near your main TV
- Create activities like “Watch Streaming” and “Watch TV”
- Use your phone app only as backup
If you want cheaper / simpler and you’re ok with a bit less integration:
- Grab a mid‑range GE or One For All universal
- Program:
- TV 1 on TV button
- TV 2 maybe on AUX or another device slot
- Soundbar on Audio, then set volume lock to Audio
- Accept that the streaming box might still need its own little remote if it is Bluetooth‑only
Either way, going to a single solid physical remote plus one backup phone app is a huge upgrade over juggling half‑broken brand remotes.