{"id":7,"date":"2026-10-23T00:16:36","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T03:16:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/remotapp.com\/blog\/lost-tv-remote\/"},"modified":"2026-10-23T00:16:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T03:16:36","slug":"lost-tv-remote","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/remotapp.com\/blog\/lost-tv-remote\/","title":{"rendered":"Lost Your TV Remote? 7 Ways to Control Your TV Right Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every household has had this moment: the movie is about to start and the remote is nowhere. Before you take the couch apart, know that you can control your TV in under a minute without it. Here are seven ways, from fastest to most permanent.<\/p>\n

1. Turn your phone into the remote<\/h2>\n

If your TV is a smart TV connected to Wi-Fi, your phone is the fastest replacement. Connect the phone to the same Wi-Fi network and open a remote app:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
TV platform<\/th>\nOfficial app<\/th>\nNotes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Samsung (Tizen)<\/td>\nSmartThings<\/td>\nRequires a Samsung account; accept \u201cAllow\u201d on the TV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LG (webOS)<\/td>\nLG ThinQ<\/td>\nRequires an LG account; confirm the request on the TV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Roku and Roku TV<\/td>\nThe Roku app<\/td>\n\u201cControl by mobile apps\u201d must be enabled<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Google TV \/ Android TV<\/td>\nGoogle TV app (or Google Home)<\/td>\nType the code shown on the TV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fire TV<\/td>\nAmazon Fire TV app<\/td>\nType the code shown on the TV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

If you have more than one brand at home, a universal app saves you from installing four apps. RemotApp<\/a> scans your Wi-Fi, lists every Samsung, LG, Roku and Google TV it finds and walks you through pairing. Basic controls are free and you don\u2019t need an account.<\/p>\n

2. Use the buttons on the TV<\/h2>\n

Most TVs have a power button or a small joystick under the bottom edge or on the back. A long press often opens a mini menu with volume, channel and input. It is clumsy for browsing apps, but it gets the TV on. See where the button is on each brand<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3. Control the TV from your streaming stick or console<\/h2>\n

With HDMI-CEC enabled, the remote of your Roku, Fire TV Stick, Chromecast or Apple TV can turn the TV on and off and change its volume. A PlayStation, Xbox or Switch can wake the TV and switch inputs. If you still have one of those remotes, you may not need the TV remote at all.<\/p>\n

4. Plug in a USB keyboard or mouse<\/h2>\n

Many smart TVs accept a USB keyboard or mouse. Google TV and Android TV handle keyboards well, LG webOS supports a mouse pointer, and many Samsung models support both. It is a great stopgap for typing passwords and navigating menus. Roku TVs generally don\u2019t support USB keyboards.<\/p>\n

5. Use a phone with an infrared blaster<\/h2>\n

If your phone has an IR emitter (common on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones), it can act exactly like the original remote, even with TVs that have no Wi-Fi. More in our guide to phones with an IR blaster<\/a>.<\/p>\n

6. Look in the right places<\/h2>\n

Remotes end up in the same few spots: between and under couch cushions, inside the recliner mechanism, in the fridge or pantry, in kids\u2019 toy boxes, in the laundry pile and under the TV stand. Some newer remotes can even make a sound: the Roku Voice Remote Pro has a built-in lost remote finder.<\/p>\n

7. Replace it the right way<\/h2>\n