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How to Use the Android TV Remote App for iPhone to Control Your TV

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Updated on: August 31, 2026
Time to read: 8 minutes
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You can stop worrying about a missing, broken, or disconnected physical remote for your Android TV. Using a mobile app, you always have control of your TV at your fingertips. Here are the best Android TV remote apps for iPhone, along with their features and how to connect them.

Table of Contents

Essential Prerequisites for Connecting iPhone to Android TV

  • Enable Local Network Access on iOS: When opening your remote app for the first time, iOS will ask for permission to find devices on your local network. If you accidentally tap “Don’t Allow”, the app will never find your TV. To fix this, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network on your iPhone and toggle permission ON for your remote app.
  • Same Network, Different Bands: Ensure both your iPhone and Android TV are on the exact same Wi-Fi network/SSID. On most home routers, 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands under the same SSID share the same local subnet, so band differences alone rarely cause discovery issues. If problems persist, check your router for “AP Isolation” or “Client Isolation” settings and make sure they are disabled – not enabled – since this setting blocks device-to-device communication when turned on.
  • Disable Active VPNs: Active VPN services on iOS create a virtual network tunnel that blocks local subnet scanning. Always disconnect VPNs (or configure split-tunneling) during the initial pairing phase.

Why Use an Android TV Remote Control App for iPhone

Although you have a physical remote, there are times when an Android TV remote app for iOS makes sense. If you misplace your remote control or don’t have replacement batteries on hand, a mobile app gives you back control of your TV in just minutes.

You can also consider downloading a free Android TV remote app as a backup or to take advantage of extra features that your physical remote doesn’t offer.

NOTE: The Google TV app (below) has replaced the Android TV Remote app.

1. TVRem Universal Remote App

Try TVRem – The Free Universal Remote App for iPhone & iPad

The TVRem app is a universal remote for iPhone that allows you to connect to various TV brands, along with Android TV. You can also use it for Roku and streaming players, Amazon Smart TVs and those with Fire TV built in, Google TV Streamers, Samsung TVs, LG TVs, Apple TV, and many more.

You can use the buttons, touchpad, or voice controls for flexible navigation options. Adjust the volume, change channels, control playback, and search for shows with your iPhone keyboard. You can also use the quick app launch for viewing Netflix, YouTube, or Prime Video.

To connect the TVRem app to your TV:

Step-by-step guide

1. Download TVRem to your iPhone and power on your TV.

Download TVRem from the App Store

2. Open the app and connect it to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV.

3. When prompted, grant the necessary permissions.

4. Tap Choose a TV.

Select your Android TV from the list of devices in TVRem

5. Select your Android TV from the device list.

Android TV is connected to the TVRem app

6. You can then check out your favorite shows and channels on your Android TV.

TVRem is completely free and available for both iPhone and iPad without subscriptions or in-app purchases.

Real-World Performance & Typing Efficiency

  • Input Speed Gains: Entering complex Wi-Fi passwords, email logins, or long movie titles via a traditional TV D-pad (selecting each character one by one) is slow and error-prone. Using your iPhone’s on-screen keyboard through a remote app is significantly faster, since you can type naturally instead of navigating a virtual keyboard with directional arrows.
  • Touchpad vs. D-Pad Navigation: Standard directional arrows require multiple discrete taps to move through streaming app grids. Touchpad mode allows smooth swipe gestures, making complex layouts (like Netflix or YouTube homepages) significantly faster to navigate.

2. Google TV App

The Google TV app (formerly, Play Movies & TV) lets you control your Android TV from the palm of your hand. This option provides additional features such as finding shows across streaming apps, creating a Watchlist, and accessing a Library of recommendations and downloads.

You can also use your iPhone keyboard to easily search for movies and TV shows or enter your passwords on Android TV and Google TV.

To connect the Google TV app to your TV:

Step-by-step guide

1. Download Google TV to your iPhone and power on your TV.

Download Google TV from the App Store

2. Open the app and connect it to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV.

3. Tap Connect TV near the bottom.

Tap on the Connect TV button in Google TV and select your device

4. Choose your Android TV from the device list.

5. Enter the code from your TV screen and tap Pair.

Your Android TV is connected to the Google TV app

6. You’re then ready to use the Google TV app as the remote for your Android TV.

Google TV is available for free on both iPhone and iPad without in-app purchases for extra features.

Which is the Best Android TV Remote App?

From the options above, you might be wondering which is the best Android TV remote control app. Let’s look at the pros and cons of the free TVRem and Google TV apps for iPhone.

TVRem is a universal app that works with many TV brands. This allows you to use it for your Android TV along with other TVs and streaming players in your home for an inclusive remote-control solution. It provides an intuitive interface for easily navigating, searching, and controlling playback for your preferred shows and channels.

  • This is the ideal option if you’re looking for a reliable remote control without unnecessary or distracting features.

 

Google TV is a solid remote app for your Android TV. It lets you browse shows and genres across your streaming apps, with how/where to watch and ratings from IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes. You also have a dedicated tab for your Watchlist and Library for quick access and simple controls for navigating your TV and adjusting the volume.

  • This is a good option if you want a guide and a Watchlist with the remote control as a secondary tool.

 

While both apps provide control of your Android TV, their differences are apparent. 

TVRem provides a true remote experience and is universal to work with most any TV in your home, while Google TV is more of a streaming platform offering its remote-control option as an additional feature, not its purpose, for Android TV and Google TV. 

Conclusion

Going without a remote for your TV is frustrating when you’re ready to binge-watch that highly-anticipated drama or gather the family around the TV for movie night. With an Android TV remote control iOS app, those must-watch shows are only a few taps away.

Even though the Google TV app is a sensible choice, it’s not intended to be a dedicated remote control, but instead, an Android TV guide and show organizer.

If you’re looking for a replacement or backup for your Android TV remote, then TVRem is definitely the way to go. You don’t have to fish through tools or tabs to arrive at the control features and can use it for most any other TV in your home, giving you features that you do need rather than those you don’t. 

Frequently Asked Questions

To control your Android TV, you can look at the Google TV or TVRem mobile app. With Google TV, you can find shows and use basic navigation features for control. With TVRem, you can enjoy an intuitive remote-control experience for all major TV brands and streaming players.

Yes, Android TV works with iPhone for streaming, casting, mirroring, and navigation using apps and Wi-Fi. While not specifically designed to integrate with each other, you’ll find many mobile apps to assist with what you need.

Yes, you can control a Sony Android TV using a universal remote app, such as TVRem, offering dedicated control features and functionality for other TVs and players in your home.

A remote app for your mobile device is beneficial as both a backup and a replacement. You won’t lose it, break it, or need batteries for it. Plus, remote control apps often provide extra features that many physical remotes do not, such as voice input with a smart keyword.

If your phone asks for a pairing code during setup but no code appears on your TV screen, try resetting the pairing service:

  1. On your Android TV, navigate to Settings > Apps > See all apps.
  2. Enable “Show system apps” and locate Android TV Remote Service.
  3. Select it, then choose Clear Data (or Clear Storage) and Force Stop.
  4. Restart your TV and re-open the remote app on your phone to trigger a fresh pairing prompt.