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Home › Pay › Common problems › TV remote apps
Apps

TV remote apps

Losing a TV remote is frustrating, and app stores are full of remote apps that promise a quick fix. Some of them work only after you start a costly weekly subscription, even though your TV maker's own app may do the same job for free. This page explains what to watch for, which free options to try first, and how to stop a subscription you no longer want.

Common problems to watch for

  • A 'free' download that asks for a weekly payment before any buttons work
  • A short free trial that quietly turns into a paid plan
  • Ads that make the app look like it comes from your TV's maker
  • Basic buttons locked behind a 'premium' upgrade
  • Full-screen ads that push you toward the subscribe button

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Free and low-cost alternatives

Apple TV Remote in Control CenteriPhones and iPads include a built-in Apple TV Remote you can add to Control Center. It works with Apple TV and many AirPlay-compatible smart TVs.
Google TV app remoteGoogle's own Google TV app includes a phone remote for Chromecast with Google TV, Google TV Streamer and many Google TV or Android TV sets.
Roku's official mobile appRoku's own free mobile app can control Roku TVs and Roku streaming players on the same Wi-Fi network.
Samsung SmartThings appSamsung's free SmartThings app includes a remote for many Samsung smart TVs once the TV is added to your account.
A replacement remoteIf you prefer real buttons, a replacement remote from your TV maker or a basic universal remote is a one-time purchase, not a subscription.

Availability depends on your device and model. AblePro has no relationship with any company named here.

What fair pricing looks like

Basic remote features are commonly free from the TV or streaming device maker. Paying weekly for a phone remote rarely makes sense when a one-time replacement remote is also an option.

Before you pay

  • Check whether your TV or streaming device maker offers its own free app
  • Look at the developer name to see if it is really your TV's maker
  • Read the subscription price and billing period on the purchase screen
  • Search your phone's built-in features, such as Control Center on iPhone
  • Compare the cost with a one-time replacement remote

How to cancel

  1. On iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions, and cancel there. Deleting the app does not cancel it.
  2. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile picture, then Payments & subscriptions, then Subscriptions, and cancel.
  3. Cancel at least a day before a free trial ends to avoid the first charge.
  4. Save the cancellation confirmation email or a screenshot in case a charge appears later.

Step-by-step cancel guide for iPhone, Android and PayPal →

Common questions

Can my phone control my TV without a paid app?

Often, yes. Many TV and streaming device makers offer their own free app with a remote built in, and iPhones include an Apple TV Remote in Control Center. Your phone and TV usually need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your TV's brand first before paying for any remote app.

I deleted the remote app. Why am I still being charged?

Deleting an app does not cancel its subscription. The subscription is tied to your Apple or Google account, not the app on your phone. Go to your App Store or Google Play subscription settings, find the app, and cancel there. The charges should stop at the end of the current billing period.

How can I tell if a remote app is from my TV's maker?

Look at the developer or seller name on the app's store page and compare it with your TV's brand. Official apps are usually linked from the maker's own website or support pages. Be cautious with apps that use a brand's name in the title but list a different company as the developer.

General consumer information, not legal or financial advice. Reports reflect the experiences and opinions of their writers, not AblePro, Inc. We check reports against our posting rules but do not verify them.