Use your phone as a TV remote (iPhone and Android)
Your phone can do what the TV remote does, and some things it can't, like typing into search with a real keyboard. Here's what you need and how to set it up on iPhone and Android.
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What you need
TV makers' own apps usually include a remote for their own TVs, and iPhone has one for Apple TV in Control Center. A separate remote app is worth it when you have TVs of different brands, or want more than the basic keys.
- An iPhone or an Android phone.
- A smart TV or a streaming player that's connected to your home network.
- The phone and the TV on the same Wi-Fi.
- A couple of minutes to pair them, once.
Set it up
- 1
Connect both to the same Wi-Fi
Check the network name on the phone and in the TV's network settings. Use your main network, not a guest network. - 2
Install a remote app
Get Rimokon for iPhone or Android, or another remote app that supports your TV. - 3
Allow local network access
On iPhone, the app asks to find devices on your local network. Allow it, or it can't see your TV. You can change it later in Settings › Privacy & Security › Local Network. - 4
Pick your TV and pair
Choose the TV from the list, then type in the code it shows or accept the connection on screen. More on pairing. - 5
Make the remote yours
Choose a layout, swap the arrows for a trackpad, and add the remote to your home screen so it's one tap away.
On iPhone and on Android
Rimokon has the same remote, lists and Ask on both. With Google TV and Android TV, widgets in small, medium and large sizes work on iPhone and Android. On iPhone the remote is also on the lock screen and in Control Center, and on Apple Watch, with the Digital Crown as volume. On Android, a Wear OS watch gets the same remote, through your phone.
Where Rimokon fits
Rimokon is built to replace the pile of remotes: one app for every supported TV in your home, a remote you can design yourself, and Ask to find something to watch and start it on the TV with one tap.
Your phone and the TV need to be on the same Wi-Fi. It works with Google TV and Android TV, Apple TV, Samsung, LG, Sony, Fire TV, Roku, Philips, Panasonic and VIZIO, but not with every TV: Hisense VIDAA, Titan OS and the newest Fire TV Sticks (Vega OS) aren't supported yet. See which TVs work.