Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Yes—you can use your phone as a remote for many TVs and streaming devices. The best option is usually the official app for your device: Google TV for Android TV and Google streaming devices, SmartThings for supported Samsung TVs, or the Roku app for Roku players and TVs. Your phone and TV or streaming device often need to be on the same Wi-Fi network, and a phone app cannot always replace a physical remote during first-time setup or recovery.
Choose the app that matches your TV or streaming device
There is no single phone app confirmed here to control every TV. Start with the app made for your device family, then check its setup and control limits.
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| Device | Official phone app | Key requirement or limit |
|---|---|---|
| Android TV | Google TV | Pair with the code shown on the TV; Wi-Fi control requires the phone and TV to be on the same network. Google Android TV Help |
| Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer | Google Home or Google TV | Choose the device or pair with its on-screen code; supported mobile OS and app versions apply. Google Streaming Help |
| Samsung TV or projector | SmartThings | Add the device to SmartThings first; available controls vary by model. Samsung US guidance requires an account and internet for network-based smart services. Samsung Canada Support and Samsung US Support |
| Roku TV or streaming player | Roku mobile app | Phone and Roku must be on the same Wi-Fi; controls vary, and offline or incomplete setup may require a physical remote. Roku and Roku Support |
Set up your phone remote
Android TV
- Connect the phone and Android TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the Google TV app on your Android phone and tap Connect TV.
- Select your television, enter the code shown on its screen, then tap Pair. These steps are from Google Android TV Help.
If pairing does not work, Google recommends checking the Wi-Fi network and restarting Android TV.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsChromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer
Google says either the Google Home app or Google TV app can control these devices. In Google Home, make sure the TV and streaming device are powered on, select the device in the app, and open the remote. In Google TV, choose the device, enter the code displayed on the TV, and tap Pair. Google’s support page lists Android Google TV mobile version 4.27.8.93 or later and iPhone with iOS 14.0 or later among its requirements; check the current Google instructions for compatibility details.
#1 Best Overall
- 【WITH VOICE FUNCTION】Our google chromecast remote with voice function,you can quickly find your favorite programs by the microphone button. use voice search to find your favorite content, control volume, switch input, and play music.
- 【Easy Pairing】Press the pairing button on your device; then Press and hold the Back and Home buttons at the same time for 8-10 seconds until the LED on your new remote starts flashing. (NOTE：2×AAA batteris not included)
- 【COMPATIBILITY】Replacement remote for white Google Chromecast, for Google TV HD/4K Streaming Stick, for Google TV Streamer (4K). Only for Snow Chromecast Google, for Chromecast with Google TV Remote. Only one remote can be paired at a time，Google Chromecast streaming stick is not included. Chromecast remote replacement for G9N9N, GA01920-US, GA01409-US GA01919-US, GA01923-US, GA02463-US, GA02464-US.
- 【Durable Materials】Durable Materials ABS material, intelligent upgrade chip，The replacement remote control of the Chromecast 4K Snow device has the same functions and performance as the original remote control, with comfortable grip and stable signal. 2xAAA batteris (excluding batteris) need to be installed.
- 【Notice】Only one remote can be paired at a time. Chromecast device is not included, Voice Remote Only (without AAA Batteris).If you have any questions, please feel free to Consult us.
Samsung TV or projector
- Add the TV or projector to the SmartThings app.
- Select it in SmartThings to open the on-screen remote.
The documented steps are for Samsung Smart TVs sold in Canada; Samsung notes that screens and settings may differ in other regions. Button availability also varies by TV. Samsung’s US guidance covers TVs and projectors and says a Samsung Account and internet connection are required for network-based smart services. See Samsung Canada Support and Samsung US Support.
Roku TV or streaming player
- Install the Roku app and sign in.
- Connect your phone and Roku to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Select your Roku device in the app, then tap Remote.
The app is available for iOS and Android. Roku lists iOS 14.0 or later for iPhone and iPad; Android compatibility can vary. The available controls depend on the Roku model. Check Roku’s app page for current details.
Rank #2
- 【COMPATIBILITY】 Voice Remote Replacement for Google TV Streamer 4K Remote, for Chromecast with Google TV Remote(4K/HD).
- 【VOICE INTERACTION】Control your entertainment hands-free with Google Chromecast Remote—powered by voice interaction. Just speak to search shows, adjust volume, or launch apps instantly.
- 【QUICK PAIR】Quick 2-Step Pairing①Press the button on the back of your Google device ②Hold "Back" + "Home" on the remote for 10 seconds until the LED flashes.
- 【SHORTCUT KEYS】Upgrade your streaming experience with replacement remote featuring dedicated YouTube and Netflx buttons.
- 【RAPID RESPONSE】26 feet long-distance remote control, 0.2 seconds fast response, 50,000 times presses for durability, requires 2 * AAA batteries. (Batteries not included in package)
What a phone remote can—and cannot—do
Phone remotes can be handy for more than navigation. Google lists swipe navigation, playback, settings, bookmarks, inputs and typing with the phone keyboard among its virtual remote functions. Roku lists voice search, keyboard entry and private listening as app features. Samsung’s SmartThings remote can offer functions such as volume, app launch and input switching, but the buttons depend on the TV. The feature lists come from the platforms, not a guarantee that every model supports every control.
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- Power and volume: availability depends on the device. Roku says these controls are not available on every product.
- Same-network access: Android TV Wi-Fi pairing and Roku app control require the phone and device to share a Wi-Fi network. Samsung’s cited US guidance also requires internet for network-based smart services.
- Model-specific controls: Check your device’s app screen and support page if a button you expect is missing.
Can your phone replace a lost Roku remote?
Sometimes, but it is not a universal recovery method. Roku says its app cannot detect a Roku device that is not connected to the internet, including in some first-time setup or post-reset situations. If mobile app control is disabled, a physical remote may also be needed to finish setup or turn app control back on. See Roku’s support guidance.
Rank #3
- 【Compatibility】Voice replacement for white Google-Chromecast-Remote, for Chromecast with Google TV Remote, for Google TV HD/4K Streaming Stick, for Google TV Streamer (4K). Only for Snow Chromecast Google!!
- 【Incompatible Devices】NOT Compatible with Google Chromecast lst Gen, NOT for Google Chromecast 2nd Gen, NOT for Google Chromecast 3rd Gen, NOT for Chromecast Ultra, NOT for Chromecast Audio
- 【Easy to Pair】Pair your new remote ①Press the pairing button on your device; ②Press and hold the"Back" and "Home" buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds until the LED on your new remote starts flashing
- 【Voice Control】Pressing the voice button on the remote, you can use voice to search for specific shows, or by mood, genre, actress, and more. Talk to Google and say, "What should I watch?" And use the remote to control the volume switch inputs, play music, and get answers on-screen
- 【Preferred Features】The replacement remote for Google Chromecast TV has 2 shortcut buttons for popular streaming channels,and needs to install new 2*AAA batteries to use(batteries are NOT included in package)
For a Roku streaming player, the app controls the player, not necessarily the TV itself. TV power and volume may depend on HDMI-CEC and Roku settings; a USB-powered Roku streaming device may not be able to turn on the TV through the app.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 【Compatibility】Replacement for white Google-Chromecast-Remote, for Snow Chromecast with Google TV HD/4K & Google TV Streamer 4K.
- 【Voice Search】Pressing the voice button on the remote, not only can you use voice search to find your favourite entertainment, but you can also use voice to control the volume, switch inputs, play music, and get answers on-screen
- 【EASY TO PAIR】Pair your new remote in just two steps: ①. Press the pairing button on your device; ②. Press and hold the Back and Home buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds until the LED on your new remote starts flashing
- 【BATTERIES COMPATIBLE】Insert 2 * AAA batteries. (Package not included batteries)
- 【FEATURES】32ft Range, 0.2s Response, 120K+ Clicks Tested. Features Anti-Slip Dot Design & Multi-Angle Control for Stable Operation.
If pairing fails
- Android TV: confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi, then restart Android TV, as Google recommends.
- Roku: verify that the Roku is online and that the phone is on the same Wi-Fi. If it is new, reset, or has mobile app control disabled, you may need a physical remote before the app can take over.
- Samsung: confirm the TV was added to SmartThings and is listed in the app. The available controls can vary by model.
- Google streaming device: check that the device is powered on, selected in the correct app, and meets the current app and mobile OS requirements on Google’s support page.
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