The drawer full of remotes is basically gone, but the phone in your pocket can replace all of them — if you pick the right app for your setup. The catch is that “universal remote app” actually covers two very different technologies: apps that talk to smart devices over Wi-Fi, and apps that send old-school infrared (IR) signals like a traditional remote. Which one you need depends entirely on your phone and your gear.
Table of Contents
This guide walks through how to figure out what your phone and devices support, which apps actually work well for each scenario, and how to set one up in a few minutes without wasting time on apps that can’t control your hardware.
Quick Answer
There’s no single “best” app because it depends on your gear. If your devices are Wi-Fi-connected smart TVs or streaming boxes (Chromecast/Google TV, Roku, Fire TV, most modern smart TVs), the manufacturer’s free app — Google Home, the Roku app, or your TV’s own app like Samsung SmartThings — is usually the most reliable choice. If you need to control older, non-smart gear like a cable box, AC unit, or projector, you need infrared: either a phone with a built-in IR blaster running an app like SURE Universal, or a small Wi-Fi-to-IR hub (such as a Broadlink RM4 mini) paired with its app so any phone, including an iPhone, can send IR commands.
Step 1: Figure Out What Your Phone Can Actually Do
Most current iPhones and flagship Android phones (Pixel, most Samsung Galaxy S models) do not have a built-in infrared blaster — that little sensor was phased out on most brands years ago. If your phone lacks one, no app can turn it into a true IR remote; you’ll need to rely on Wi-Fi control or add external hardware.
The main holdout is Xiaomi’s ecosystem: current Redmi, POCO, and many Xiaomi phones still ship with an IR blaster and come with a built-in remote app (Xiaomi Home / Mi Remote). If you’re not sure about your own phone, check the top edge for a small dark dot near the camera or speaker grille, or search your phone model plus “IR blaster” to confirm.
If your phone does have an IR blaster, you can install a third-party IR app like SURE Universal Remote or a similarly-named “IR Remote” app from the Play Store, point it at your TV, cable box, or AC unit, select the brand, and test the code sets it offers until buttons respond correctly.
Step 2: Use Wi-Fi Control for Smart Devices (No IR Needed)
For anything already connected to your home network, skip IR apps entirely and use the manufacturer’s app — it will be more reliable and gets regular updates. Google Home controls Chromecast and Google TV/Android TV devices over Wi-Fi. The Roku app does the same for any Roku player or Roku TV, adding a keyboard for text search and private listening through headphones.
Most of these apps need your phone and the device on the same local Wi-Fi network to work — the Roku app, for example, won’t connect over cellular data or from outside the house. Samsung’s SmartThings app is a notable exception: once a Samsung TV or projector is linked to your Samsung account during setup (which does require the same network initially), SmartThings can control it remotely over the internet from anywhere, not just at home.
If you own a mix of devices from different brands, a general-purpose universal app like Lean Universal Remote Control or SURE Universal can combine Wi-Fi control for smart gear with IR control for older devices in one interface, so you’re not switching between five different apps.
Step 3: Add a Hub If You Need Full IR Coverage
If your phone has no IR blaster but you still need to control non-smart gear — an older TV, AC unit, sound system, or DVD player — a small Wi-Fi-to-IR bridge is the practical fix. Devices like the Broadlink RM4 mini sit in the room, learn IR signals from your existing remotes (or use a built-in code database), and let its companion app send those signals over Wi-Fi from any phone, including an iPhone. This is also the only way to get true universal remote functionality on iPhone, since iOS devices have never included an IR blaster.
Once the hub is set up, it typically also integrates with Alexa or Google Assistant, so you can add voice control for devices that would otherwise never support it.
Tips and Common Mistakes
Don’t assume any random “universal remote” app in the app store will work — many are IR-only and do nothing on a phone without that hardware; check the app’s description for whether it needs an IR blaster or works over Wi-Fi before installing.
IR still needs line of sight. Even with a working IR app or hub, the blaster has to point roughly at the device — it won’t work through walls or from another room unless the hub itself is in that room.
Watch for ad-heavy or subscription-locked apps. Several popular IR remote apps are free to download but push aggressive ads or paywall basic features like macros; read recent reviews before committing.
If a preset code doesn’t work, look for a “learn” or manual test mode — most decent apps let you cycle through multiple code sets for your brand, or teach the app your original remote’s exact signal.
Be cautious with permissions. Some remote apps request microphone, location, or contacts access that has nothing to do with sending a remote signal — deny anything that isn’t clearly needed for the app’s function.
Explore more: more technology how-to guides.
Universal remote apps FAQs
Can an iPhone work as a universal remote?
Yes, but only for Wi-Fi-connected devices through apps like the Roku app or your TV’s own app, or by using a Wi-Fi-to-IR hub such as a Broadlink RM4 mini. iPhones have never included a built-in IR blaster.
Which phones still have a built-in IR blaster?
Mostly Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones. Most other current Android flagships and all iPhones have dropped the IR blaster in favor of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth control.
Is there a free universal remote app that works on everything?
No single free app covers every device type. Wi-Fi apps like Google Home or the Roku app are free and reliable for smart devices on your network, while free IR apps only work on phones with an IR blaster, and controlling non-smart gear on an IR-less phone requires a paid hardware hub.
Do Wi-Fi remote apps only work at home?
It depends on the app. The Roku app and similar apps require your phone and the device to share the same local network. Samsung’s SmartThings app is an exception — once your TV is linked to your Samsung account, you can control it remotely over the internet from anywhere, not just on your home Wi-Fi.
Why does my universal remote app show the wrong buttons or none respond?
This usually means the app picked an incorrect code set for your device brand and model. Try other code sets listed for the same brand, or use a learning feature to capture the exact signal from your original remote.
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