Use Your Phone as a Smart TV Remote: What to Know

Losing the TV remote is a common frustration, but your phone can often step in. According to a recent Engadget guide, some handsets come with an infrared (IR) blaster, which lets them send the same signals as a physical remote. That hardware makes the phone a direct replacement for the original clicker.

Even if your phone lacks an IR blaster, the guide notes that you can still do quite a lot over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Most smart TVs support app-based control or built-in protocols that work through these wireless connections, so you don't need special hardware to get basic functions like power, volume, and navigation.

The guide doesn't claim this works for every TV model, but it covers the common methods for a wide range of modern sets. For consumers, it's a handy backup option—and a sign that the traditional remote is no longer the only way to change the channel.