Alex Ruben
How To Turn Your iPhone into an LG TV Remote Control (Complete Guide)
Finding the actual remote for your LG Smart TV can be a pain. Sometimes it’s buried under stacks of crap or just gone missing, and quick control gets hard. Luckily, your iPhone can step in as a substitute if you set it up right. It’s not rocket science, but there are a few little tricks and gotchas involved — like making sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi, or that the app has the right permissions. Get that setup right, and suddenly controlling your TV is way easier, with touch controls instead of hunting around in couch cushions. It’s not perfect, but hey, it beats searching for the remote every single time.
How to Fix Using Your iPhone as a Remote for LG TV
Ensure Both Devices Are on the Same Wi-Fi Network
Yeah, sounds obvious, but it’s the most common hang-up. The remote apps rely on your phone and TV talking over the same Wi-Fi. If they aren’t, nothing’s gonna happen. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi — see what network you’re on. Make a note of it. Then, on your LG TV, head into Settings > Network > Wi-Fi, and confirm it’s on that same network. Sometimes you think you’re on Wi-Fi but actually aren’t, or maybe your TV switched networks without you noticing. Fix that, and it’s a big step toward getting the remote working.
Download the LG TV Remote App
Next, grab the official LG remote app. It’s available for free in the App Store. Search for LG TV or more specifically, LG ThinQ if you want to get fancy. Sometimes the app you want is just called LG TV Remote. Download, install, and then open it. On one setup I tried, it failed the first time, then worked after a reboot — not sure why, but worth a shot. Apps can be finicky if they don’t get permissions right, so don’t skip that part.
Select Your TV Model Within the App
Once the app’s open, it probably asks you to pick your TV model to tailor the controls. So, check your TV’s model number — typically found on a sticker on the back or inside the settings menu under About This TV. Pick the right one from the list; on some setups, choosing the correct model helps with pairing without adding extra hassle. The app should then say it’s ready to connect, or ask you to scan for devices.
Grant All the Necessary Permissions
Sometimes the app will silently ask for permissions — like local network access or Bluetooth, depending on what features you’re using. Make sure to approve all prompts; otherwise, the app might just sit there, thinking it can’t connect. This is especially true if you’re running newer iOS versions with stricter privacy settings. Giving permission makes your iPhone more willing to talk to the TV.
Pair Your iPhone with the LG Smart TV
Turn on your TV, make sure it’s on the same Wi-Fi, and wait for the app to detect the device. It often does this automatically, listing your TV in a menu. Select it, and a six-digit code should appear on your TV screen. Enter that code into the app and tap Submit. Sometimes this step fails if you’re not on the same Wi-Fi or if the TV isn’t fully on. If that happens, double-check network connections and restart both devices.
Start Using Your iPhone as a Remote
After pairing, things should be smooth sailing. The app offers buttons for volume, channels, input switching, and some smart features like screen mirroring or app controls. Honestly, it’s a lot better than trying to type on the TV’s tiny remote or resorting to voice — though that’s an option too. One weird thing is that sometimes the app disconnects after a while, so you might have to re-pair periodically. Not sure why that happens, but closing and reopening the app usually fixes it.
Extra Tips & Common Woes
If it’s not working, double-check these: ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi, restart Wi-Fi on your iPhone or re-select the network if needed, restart your TV, and make sure you’re using the latest version of the app. Also, try re-pairing if the device list looks weird or isn’t showing your TV. On some setups, the app won’t find the TV until you disable and re-enable the TV’s network connection or reset the app permissions in iOS Settings.
Wrap-up
Getting your iPhone to act as a remote isn’t 100% foolproof, but once it’s set up, controlling your LG TV is way less annoying. It’s kind of weird how sometimes the pairing just doesn’t work, or the app needs a quick reboot, but in the end, it’s usually fixable. Just play around with Wi-Fi, permissions, and re-pair info, and the magic should happen. Now, no more lost remotes — never again.
Summary
- Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network
- Download the official LG remote app from the App Store
- Select your TV model and grant permission requests
- Pair with a six-digit code matching your TV screen
- Control the TV using your iPhone’s touch interface
Conclusion
In the end, it’s surprisingly doable to turn your iPhone into a remote, even if it sometimes takes a few tries. Keep an eye on Wi-Fi connections and permissions, and most issues clear up after a restart or re-pair. Once it’s working, it really simplifies the whole “find the remote” game, especially if your TV is standalone in another room. Just something that worked on multiple setups — fingers crossed this helps someone save time instead of wasting it.