Comparison

TV Remote vs Universal Remote・TV Control

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

TV Remote

This application allows you to control your television and access its applications and settings quickly. It supports a wide range of TVs, including Philips, and offers features like wake-on-LAN and multi-device management.

Highlights
  • Control your TV
  • Wake on LAN support
  • Multi-device support
  • Quick access to TV apps
  • Device discovery
Features
Read full description

Your phone becomes the remote for the television you already own. Point it at a Samsung, an LG, a Sony BRAVIA, a Roku, a Philips or anything running Android TV or Google TV. The app works out which remote protocol your set speaks and opens the keypad for it: arrows, OK, back, home, volume, channels, playback and power. FINDING YOUR TV IS FREE Searching your Wi-Fi costs nothing, so you can see whether this app finds your television before you decide anything at all. Most sets turn up by themselves. If yours stays out of sight, type its IP address — it is in the television's own network settings — and the app reaches it anyway. WHAT THE REMOTE DOES • The full keypad for your brand, drawn from what your set actually answers — no keys that do nothing • Type into the TV's search box with your phone's keyboard, instead of pecking out letters with the arrows (Samsung, LG, Roku, Android TV and Google TV) • Open an app from the list the television itself reports • Wake a set from standby over Wi-Fi, which its own remote is usually the only thing that can do • A number pad for channels, and the red, green, yellow and blue keys for teletext and set menus • A trackpad for televisions with a pointer • Every television you own, remembered and one tap apart WHICH TELEVISIONS Samsung — 2016 and newer (Tizen), and the encrypted 2014–15 and pre-2014 protocols. LG — 2014 and newer (webOS), including the on-screen keyboard and the pointer. Sony BRAVIA — the four-digit code the set shows you, or a Pre-Shared Key. Roku — every model, and no pairing at all. Philips — over JointSpace, which is what reaches the sets that speak nothing else. Android TV and Google TV — any make: Philips, TCL, Hisense, Xiaomi, the NVIDIA SHIELD, and Google's own Chromecast with Google TV and Google TV Streamer. An Apple TV and an Amazon Fire TV cannot be driven by another app on the network at all. This app says so rather than pretending otherwise — and the compatibility screen inside it tells you what has been tested on real televisions and what has not. PAIRING, ONCE Some televisions show a PIN, some ask you to allow the phone on their own screen, and a Roku asks for nothing. Whichever yours does, it happens the first time only: the app keeps the key and reconnects by itself afterwards. The phone and the television have to be on the same Wi-Fi. This app is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Samsung, LG, Sony, Roku, Philips, Google or Amazon; those names appear only to say which televisions the app can drive. THE SUBSCRIPTION Finding televisions is free, and so is the compatibility list. The remote itself is the full version, opened by a monthly or yearly auto-renewing subscription — or by a one-off lifetime purchase for anyone who would rather not subscribe. The free trial opens every part of it. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before that. You can manage the subscription and turn auto-renewal off in your Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when a subscription is bought. Privacy Policy: https://sblinov.com/applications-privacy-policy/ Terms of Use (EULA): https://sblinov.com/applications-terms-of-usage/ Support: https://sblinov.com/contact-us/

About

Universal Remote・TV Control

Transform your iPhone into a powerful remote for your smart TV and gaming console. Control channels, volume, navigate menus, cast media, and even use voice commands for a seamless entertainment experience. Ideal for lost remotes or consolidating device control.

Highlights
  • Smart TV remote replacement
  • Xbox game controller
  • Voice control
  • Cast photos and videos
  • Magic remote & touchpad
  • Quick keyboard input
Features
Read full description

Universal Remote・TV Control Replace Your Lost Samsung, LG or Roku Remote. Control Smart TV from your iPhone. Best for: - Anyone who lost their TV remote - Samsung, LG, Sony and Roku TV owners - Xbox gamers needing a controller - Users who want to control TV with iPhone Use this app to: - Replace a lost or broken TV remote instantly - Control Samsung, LG or Roku Smart TVs from your phone - Change channels and adjust volume without a physical remote - Navigate Xbox games using your phone as a controller - Cast photos and videos to the big screen - Search content with voice commands for hands-free control Overview Looking for an app that can replace your TV remote? Universal Remote・TV Control lets you control your Smart TV directly from your iPhone. It connects over Wi-Fi in seconds and works with Samsung, LG, Sony, Roku, Philips, Panasonic, TCL, Vizio, and Toshiba. No more searching for misplaced remotes or changing dead batteries. How It Works - Ensure your iPhone and Smart TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. - Open the app — it will automatically detect your TV. - Select your TV and start controlling it instantly. Key Features - All-in-One TV Remote Replace multiple physical remotes with one app. Control channels, volume, menu, and navigation with an intuitive interface. - Voice Control Use simple voice commands to change channels, search for movies, or adjust settings. Perfect for hands-free operation. - Xbox Game Controller Turn your iPhone into a wireless gamepad to navigate and play Xbox games. - Cast to TV Easily cast photos and videos from your phone gallery to the big screen. - Magic Remote & Touchpad Enjoy motion-based Magic Remote control and a responsive touchpad for effortless browsing. - Quick Keyboard Input Type search queries faster using your iPhone's keyboard instead of struggling with on-screen TV keyboards. Supported Devices Works with Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, Panasonic, Vizio, TCL, Toshiba, Roku, and more. Also supports streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube. Use Cases - Lost your remote? Instantly turn your iPhone into a working replacement. - Too many remotes? Consolidate all controls into one app. - Playing Xbox? Use the built-in game controller mode. - Sharing photos? Cast them directly to the TV screen. FAQ Is there an iPhone app that works as a Samsung TV remote? Yes. This app works as a Samsung Smart TV remote replacement and supports many other brands. Can I use my iPhone as a Roku remote? Yes. Universal Remote: TV Control supports Roku players and Roku TVs with full remote functionality. Do I need infrared or Bluetooth? No. The app connects over Wi-Fi. What if I lost my TV remote? Install Universal Remote: TV Control and connect your phone to your TV over Wi-Fi to start controlling it instantly. *Universal Remote・TV Control is NOT the official application of Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, Hisense, Panasonic, Vizio, Insignia, TCL, Onn, Westinghouse, Skyworth, Element and it is NOT affiliated with or endorsed by these or any other companies. Subscription Information Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off 24 hours before the period ends. Manage subscriptions in your Account Settings. Privacy Policy: https://tvremote-smart.app/pp Terms of Use: https://tvremote-smart.app/tou Support: support@tvremote-smart.app

Screenshots

TV Remote4 screens
Universal Remote・TV Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: TV Remote at 100% against Universal Remote・TV Control's 36%. TV Remote also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Universal Remote・TV Control's advantage is ratings volume (11K vs 1) and chart position (#39 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. TV Remote sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Universal Remote・TV Control sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TV Remote holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal Remote・TV Control has 11K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of TV Remote's written reviews are positive against 36% of Universal Remote・TV Control's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TV Remote ships an update fortnightly, Universal Remote・TV Control every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
TV Remote versus Universal Remote・TV Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTV RemoteUniversal Remote・TV Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.6 (11K ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better36.5% of reviews
Number of ratings111K — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#39 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB172 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSerhii BlinovOzuna Limited

Customer experience

TV Remote

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Universal Remote・TV Control

All ratings11,235 ratings
Positive90.2%
Neutral2.9%
Negative6.9%
Written reviews998 reviews
Positive36.5%
Neutral4.3%
Negative59.2%

Bugs and requests

TV Remote

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Universal Remote・TV Control

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes frequently
  • Unable to connect to TV
  • Subscription issues

Requested features

3 requests
  • Volume control option
  • Input selection feature
  • Compatibility with more TV models

In-app purchases

3 purchases

TV Remote

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly premium access$2.991 Month
  • Annual premium access3 Days trial$11.991 Year
One-time1
  • TV Remote Premium Access$19.99
17 purchases

Universal Remote・TV Control

Subscriptions17
  • Universal TV Remote: 1 Week3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • TV Remote Control: Weekly$5.997 Days
  • TV Remote Control - Weekly3 Days trial$5.997 Days
Show 14 more
  • Smart TV Remote - Weekly$5.997 Days
  • Universal TV Remote - Weekly3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • TV Remote Control3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • TV Remote Control3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Universal TV Remote - Weekly3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Remote TV for 1 Week3 Days trial$8.997 Days
  • TV Remote Control App: 1 Week3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Universal TV Remote - 1 Week3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Smart TV Remote: Yearly Access$14.991 Year
  • Smart Remote Control: Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • TV Remote Control - 1 Year$29.991 Year
  • Universal TV Remote: 1 Year$39.991 Year
  • Remote Control for 1 Year$39.991 Year
  • Universal TV Control - Yearly3 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is TV Remote free?
TV Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Universal Remote・TV Control free?
Universal Remote・TV Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, TV Remote or Universal Remote・TV Control?
TV Remote is rated higher. TV Remote averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Universal Remote・TV Control averages 4.6 from 11K ratings.
Do TV Remote or Universal Remote・TV Control have ads?
Neither TV Remote nor Universal Remote・TV Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TV Remote or Universal Remote・TV Control?
TV Remote ships an update fortnightly, and Universal Remote・TV Control every 9 days. Most recently, TV Remote was updated on October 27, 2026 and Universal Remote・TV Control on October 28, 2026.

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