Lost your TCL TV remote?

Don't panic. Your phone works as a full TCL Roku TV or Google TV remote in under 30 seconds.

Download Free App

No 2-tap paywalls · No credit card · Basic controls free forever

★★★★★ 4.8 170+ App Store ratings Works with 16+ TV brands

Universal TV Remote App — control your TCL TV from your iPhone

4.8 ★

App Store

FREE

No paywall

16+

TV brands

Complete TCL TV Remote Replacement

Every function of your lost TCL TV remote — volume, navigation, HDMI switching, app launching — now on your iPhone over Wi-Fi.

Free

No trial
No subscription

★★★★★

4.8

App Store
170+ ratings

Auto-Discovery. Zero Config.

Free wireless remote replacement iOS app for TCL Roku TV. Connects over HTTP REST (Roku ECP) (port 8060) via SSDP auto-discovery. No pairing code required — connection is instant. Complete replacement for a lost TCL physical remote — D-pad, volume, input switching, and media controls. No subscription, no credit card.

How it works

Control Your TCL TV Without a Remote

Step 1

Power On Your TCL TV

Press the physical power button on the rear center panel of your TCL TV to turn it on.

Step 2

Download the App

Get the Universal TV Remote app for free. No credit card required.

Step 3

Join the Same Wi-Fi

Make sure your phone and TCL TV are on the same home Wi-Fi network.

Step 4

Select TCL and Control

The app auto-discovers your TCL Roku TV or Google TV. Tap to connect and control instantly.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Specific answers for TCL TV users.

How do I know if my TCL TV is a Roku TV or a Google TV model?

Look at the remote. TCL Roku TVs (5-Series: 55S555, 65S555; 6-Series: 55R655, 65R655, 75R655) ship with the RC825 remote and boot to the Roku OS purple startup screen. TCL Google TVs (QM8: 55QM850G, 65QM850G; QM7: 55QM750G; S5: 43S550G) ship with the RC902V Google TV remote and boot to the Google TV interface. The protocol is also printed on a sticker on the back of the TV (Roku OS vs. Google TV).

Can my iPhone control a TCL Roku TV without the RC825 remote?

Yes. TCL Roku TVs use the standard Roku ECP (External Control Protocol) over Wi-Fi — the same as standalone Roku streaming devices. As long as your TCL Roku TV (5-Series, 6-Series, or 4-Series) is powered on and connected to your home Wi-Fi, the app discovers it automatically and provides full navigation: Home, search, streaming apps, volume, input selection, and playback controls.

Can my iPhone control a TCL Google TV (QM8, QM7) without the RC902V remote?

Yes. TCL Google TV models support IP-based remote control using the Android TV / Google TV LAN protocol. Enable IP Control on the TV: Settings → Device Preferences → IP Control → Simple IP Control → On. Once enabled, the app connects over Wi-Fi and provides full Google TV navigation, Google Assistant search, app launcher, picture settings, and HDMI input control — all functions of the RC902V remote, from your iPhone.

Which TCL remote did I actually lose — and does it matter?

It matters for the replacement price, not for the fix. TCL Roku TVs ship the RC282 IR remote (no pairing, ~$10 to replace); TCL Google TVs ship the RC902V Bluetooth voice remote (~$25+, needs re-pairing). Either way your iPhone replaces both today: TCL Roku TVs connect instantly with no pairing at all, and TCL Google TVs pair once with a 6-digit PIN. The app stays useful even after you buy a physical replacement — nobody loses the phone behind the couch cushions for long.

Is the official Roku app enough for a TCL Roku TV, or do I need this one?

The official Roku app works on TCL Roku TVs only. If every TV in the house is a TCL Roku model, it covers you. Our app covers the TCL Roku TV and everything else — Google TV models, the bedroom Samsung, the cottage Vizio — from one interface, with basic controls free forever. One app to find at 11 pm beats four brand apps.