Onn Roku TV Remote App for iPhone: The Best Way to Control Your TV

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Updated on: September 28, 2026
Time to read: 10 minutes
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Lost your Onn Roku TV remote, or prefer using your iPhone? Having tested dozens of virtual remotes, we’ve found that many suffer from hidden paywalls or frequent disconnects. Either way, you’re in the right place.

This guide covers the best Onn TV remote app options for iPhone users, including free picks that work well with Onn Roku TVs – note that newer Onn models may run on Vizio’s SmartCast OS or Google TV instead, so check Settings > System > About on your TV if you’re not sure which platform yours uses.

Table of Contents

Why Remote Apps Got Popular

There is a good reason so many people no longer use a traditional TV remote. Remotes get lost, their batteries die at the worst possible time, and they tend to wear out over time. Since your iPhone is usually nearby, charged, and capable of much more than basic remote control, it makes sense that many people now use it instead of a physical remote.

As smart TVs have become more common in recent years, remote apps have grown in popularity. Modern smart TVs run on platforms that let users control their devices over the internet or Wi-Fi in a more convenient way. Remote apps make it easy to use your smartphone as a TV remote while adding helpful features like a full keyboard for search, voice input for voice search, touchpad navigation, and quick-launch buttons for your favorite streaming services. This is especially useful for Onn Roku TV owners who want to replace their physical remote with an Onn TV remote app for iPhone, since it is often faster, more convenient, and typically free to download.

❗️Important: Check Your Onn TV Model (Roku vs. Vizio SmartCast vs. Google TV)

Before downloading any app, verify which operating system your Onn TV runs. Walmart has sold Onn Smart TVs on three different platforms over the years:

  • Onn Roku TVs: Feature the Roku OS interface and Roku logo on the home screen. These work seamlessly with TVRem and The Roku App. Mainly found on older and some larger (65″/75″) 4K models.
  • Onn Vizio SmartCast TVs: The newest and increasingly primary platform for Onn TVs since Walmart’s 2024 Vizio acquisition – Walmart has said it plans to phase out Roku licensing in favor of SmartCast. These use the Vizio Mobile App as the official remote.
  • Onn Google / Android TVs: Feature the Google TV interface and require TVRem, Google Home, or Google TV remote apps.

Best Onn Roku TV Remote Apps

How to Use a Roku TV Without a Remote (Free Roku Remote App)

1. TVRem – Universal TV Remote App

TVRem is a free ONN Roku TV remote app that turns your iPhone into a full-featured smart TV remote. Built as a universal remote, it works not only with Roku-powered TVs like ONN but also with Samsung, LG, Fire TV, Android TV, Google TV, Apple TV, and more. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars with over 640 reviews, it is one of the most reliable remote apps for ONN Roku TV available today.

TVRem Universal TV Remote App

✔️ Key features:

  • Full TV control. Adjust the volume, switch inputs, navigate menus, and control playback directly from your iPhone
  • Touchpad navigation. Awipe and tap to move through your ONN Roku TV interface, just like using a trackpad
  • Smart keyboard input. Type search queries, passwords, and app names with your iPhone keyboard instead of the slower on-screen one
  • Voice control. Supports voice search through Google Assistant and Alexa on compatible models
  • Quick app launch. Open Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and other streaming apps with a single tap
  • Free to use. No subscription is required to access the core remote features

 

How to Set Up TVRem for Onn Roku TV

1. Download TVRem from the App Store.

Download TVRem from the App Store on your iPhone

2. Make sure your iPhone and Onn Roku TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Connect both your devices to the same Wi-Fi

3. Open TVRem. It will automatically scan for available devices on your network.

4. Select your Onn Roku TV from the list.

Select your ONN TV from the list of devices in TVRem

5. Start controlling your TV: navigate, adjust the volume, launch apps, and use the keyboard.

Setup takes less than a minute, and there is no need to create an account or pair anything manually.

2. The Roku App (Official)

The Roku App by Roku is the official app that will help users of the Onn Roku TV to have a solution that is made by Roku and is free to use. The Official Roku App was designed for all Roku devices, including the Onn Roku TVs that use the Roku Operating System (OS).

✔️ Some of the main features of the app include:

  • Remote control. Standard D-Pad navigation and Playback/Volume buttons
  • Private listening. If you plug in a pair of headphones to your iPhone, you will be able to listen to your TV audio through your iPhone
  • Keyboard and voice search. Search for content using the keyboard or by using voice recognition through the iPhone
  • Channel browsing. Browse and add additional channels directly from the app on your phone
  • Screen mirroring. Cast content from your iPhone onto the Onn Roku TV

 

How to Set Up the Roku App for Onn TV

1. Download the official Roku app from the App Store.

2. Open the app and sign in to your Roku account, or create one for free.

3. Make sure your iPhone and Onn Roku TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Connect your devices to the same local network

4. Tap the Remote tab. The app will automatically find your Onn Roku TV.

Select your ONN TV from the list of devices in the official Roku app

5. Use the on-screen remote to control your TV.

Interface screenshots of the official Roku app

How To Select Your Onn Roku TV's Remote App

The main factors to consider when choosing an Onn Roku TV remote app are compatibility, ease of setup, features, and reliability.

First, the app should work with your Onn Roku TV and any other TVs or streaming devices you use. Some remote apps only support specific brands and may not work with other TVs or Roku players. If you replace your TV or add another device to your setup, a limited app may no longer meet your needs.

Second, the setup should be simple. If you do not want to deal with a long installation or pairing process, choose an app that connects quickly without requiring account creation or repeated setup. The best free Onn Roku TV remote apps are the ones that work almost immediately.

It is also worth looking at features beyond basic navigation. Options like keyboard input, voice control, and quick-launch buttons for streaming apps can make everyday use much easier.

Reliability matters just as much. If the app disconnects often or responds slowly to button presses, it can become more frustrating than helpful.

This is where TVRem has an advantage over the official Roku app. While the official Roku app is limited to Roku devices, TVRem also works with Samsung, LG, Fire TV, Android TV, and Google TV. That means you can use one app to control multiple devices instead of switching between different remote apps.

Troubleshooting: Why Can't the App Find My Onn Roku TV?

If your remote app fails to discover your TV during setup, check these common network settings:

  1. Disable Active VPNs: Active VPN services on your iPhone block local network scanning. Turn off any VPN before pairing.
  2. Check iOS Local Network Permissions: Go to iPhone Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network and ensure permissions are toggled ON for your remote app.
  3. Verify Wi-Fi Frequency (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz): Dual-band routers sometimes isolate devices on 2.4 GHz from those on 5 GHz. Ensure both your iPhone and Onn TV are connected to the exact same Wi-Fi band.
  4. Disable Router AP Isolation / Guest Network: Guest Wi-Fi networks block devices from communicating with each other. Connect both devices to your main home network.
  5. Enable Mobile Access in Roku OS: On your TV, navigate to Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Control by mobile apps > Network access, and set it to Enabled (allows apps on your home network to connect) or Permissive (allows connections even from outside your network – only needed for advanced setups).

Conclusion

You do not need a physical remote to control your Onn Roku TV. Both TVRem and the official Roku app offer solid free Onn Roku TV remote app options for iPhone users. The Roku app is a reliable choice if you are fully within the Roku ecosystem. But if you want one app that works across different brands and devices without limitations, TVRem is the better option. It is free, easy to set up, and rated 4.8 stars for a reason.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, TVRem is free to download and use as an Onn TV remote app at no cost. Core remote features such as navigation, volume control, keyboard input, and app launching are available without a subscription or payment.

TVRem works with a wide range of smart TVs and streaming devices beyond Onn Roku TVs. Supported brands include Samsung, LG, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Google TV, including Chromecast with Google TV, and Roku-based devices of all kinds. It is a true universal remote, which is one of its biggest advantages over brand-specific apps.

Onn TVs that run Roku OS do not have a separate official Onn remote app. Instead, they can be controlled with Roku-compatible apps, including the official Roku mobile app. Some third-party remote apps may also work, but compatibility depends on your specific Onn TV model.

Wi-Fi remote apps require the TV’s network chip to remain active. If your Onn TV is in Standby mode, the remote app can turn it on over Wi-Fi. However, if the TV is completely unplugged or in Deep Sleep mode, network remotes cannot wake it. Use the physical power button located on the back or bottom center panel of your Onn TV to power it on first.

Yes. As long as your Onn TV is already connected to your home Wi-Fi, you can download a universal remote app like TVRem on your iPhone to immediately control navigation, volume, and playback.

If your TV is not connected to Wi-Fi and you lost the remote, connect an Ethernet cable directly from your router to the TV (if supported), or set up a mobile hotspot on a secondary phone using the exact SSID and password of your previous home Wi-Fi network.