In This Article
Remote control apps split into four categories in 2026: smart-TV remotes (WiFi-based, replacing the lost physical remote), universal IR remotes (for the old TV, air conditioner, or fan that uses infrared), smart home controllers (Google Home, Apple Home, SmartThings, Home Assistant), and PC remote tools (mouse, keyboard, presentation control). The right app depends entirely on what you are trying to control and how that device speaks.
Here are the best picks in each category, tested on a Pixel 8a, a Galaxy S24, and a OnePlus 12, with notes on which Android phones still ship with an IR blaster (the answer is: almost none, but there is a workaround).
TL;DR
The pick: Google TV app is the cleanest remote for any Google TV or Android TV device, and it works for Chromecast with Google TV out of the box.
Runner-up: For universal IR, AnyMote and the Xiaomi Mi Remote app are the leaders, but you need an IR blaster, either built in (Xiaomi phones) or via a Bluetooth IR dongle.
Skip if: Skip the all-in-one ‘Universal Remote 5000’ apps in the Play Store, they are mostly ad-bloated repackages of one or two SDKs and they cannot beat the dedicated apps from TV makers.
Smart-TV remote apps (WiFi-based)
Google TV from Google: works with any Google TV, Android TV, or Chromecast with Google TV. Includes voice search, D-pad, and keyboard input over WiFi. Apple TV Remote on iOS has an Android equivalent through unofficial apps, but for an Apple TV, the cleanest path is to add the Remote shortcut in Google Home if you have HomeKit Hub support, or use the physical Siri Remote.
Samsung SmartThings: doubles as the official Samsung TV remote with full keyboard and trackpad support. LG ThinQ: the LG TV remote, also doubles as a smart appliance controller for newer LG OLEDs. Vizio SmartCast: for Vizio TVs. Roku app: free, and one of the best remote apps in the category, includes private listening (headphones plug into the phone, audio streams from the TV).
Universal IR remotes (for the old TV, AC, fan)
IR blasters in phones have nearly disappeared. Pixel and Samsung Galaxy S-series do not have them. The remaining phones with built-in IR are mostly Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO. If you have one of those, the Mi Remote app is the strongest universal IR controller, supporting tens of thousands of devices including ACs, fans, set-top boxes, projectors, and DSLR cameras.
If your phone does not have IR, you have two options: a Bluetooth-to-IR dongle (the Switchbot Hub Mini works well, and there are cheaper generic options) plus an app like Switchbot, or buy a dedicated universal IR remote separately. The dongle approach also brings the device into your smart home ecosystem.
Smart home controllers
Google Home: the broadest cross-brand Android smart home app, supports Nest, Philips Hue, TP-Link, Wyze, hundreds more. Apple Home (via the Android-side Matter compatibility shim or shared family hub): works with Matter-compatible devices regardless of brand. SmartThings: Samsung’s app, exceptional for Samsung appliances, also covers Zigbee and Z-Wave through a SmartThings hub. Home Assistant: open-source, requires a self-hosted server, but the most powerful for power users.
If you are building a smart home in 2026, look for Matter compatibility on every device. Matter is the cross-vendor standard, supported by Google, Apple, Amazon, and Samsung. Apps that speak Matter let you mix and match devices across brands without compatibility headaches.
PC remote apps (mouse, keyboard, presentation)
Unified Remote: the classic PC remote app, controls Windows, macOS, and Linux machines on the same network. Free tier handles basic mouse, keyboard, media keys. Paid tier adds power management, file transfer, and a remote terminal. AnyDesk and TeamViewer Remote: for full desktop control, fine for occasional use but heavier than a true mouse-and-keyboard remote.
PowerPoint Remote and Google Slides Remote: built into the host apps, free, simple. If you only need to advance slides during a presentation, no extra install needed, the host app handles it through the system Bluetooth or web link.
At a glance
| App | Platform | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google TV | Android, iOS | Google TV, Chromecast | Free |
| Roku | Android, iOS | Roku devices, private listening | Free |
| SmartThings | Android, iOS | Samsung TVs and appliances | Free |
| Mi Remote | Xiaomi phones | Universal IR control | Free, IR blaster required |
| Unified Remote | Android, iOS | PC mouse and keyboard | Free tier, paid upgrade |
| Google Home | Android, iOS | Smart home, Matter devices | Free |
Which remote control app is right for my setup?
- If you want to control a Google TV or Android TV: Google TV app, official, free.
- If you have a Samsung TV: SmartThings app, doubles as a TV remote.
- If you have a Roku: Roku app, includes private listening through your phone.
- If you have an old IR-only device: Mi Remote on Xiaomi or Switchbot Hub with Switchbot app on non-Xiaomi.
- If you want a single app for the whole home: Google Home plus Matter-compatible devices wherever possible.
- If you want to control your PC: Unified Remote for input, AnyDesk for full screen control.
FAQ
Do any 2026 flagship phones have IR blasters?
Almost none. Xiaomi 14 and 15 series, and some POCO and Redmi models, still ship with IR. Pixel, Samsung Galaxy S, OnePlus, and Sony Xperia do not.
Can I use my phone as a TV remote without WiFi?
Only if you have an IR blaster phone and the TV is an older IR-controlled model. Smart-TV remote apps all require the phone and TV to be on the same WiFi network.
Will Matter make all these apps interchangeable?
Increasingly yes for smart home devices. For TV remotes specifically, Matter does not standardize, so the TV-maker’s app is still the cleanest path.
Are the universal remote apps worth paying for?
Mostly no in 2026. The free apps from the TV manufacturers cover the main use cases, and the paid universal remote apps are often glorified ad wrappers.
Bottom line
The remote control app category has split cleanly in 2026: a free, official app from each TV maker for smart TVs, the Google Home app for the smart home backbone, dedicated IR remotes for the dwindling category of phones that have an IR blaster, and Unified Remote for PC input. The all-in-one universal remote apps that dominated the Play Store in 2018 to 2020 are mostly obsolete, the official apps from each platform do the job better and free.
