Best LG TV Remote Apps for iPhone in 2026: An Honest Comparison

Your LG TV comes with a physical remote, but there are real advantages to controlling it from your iPhone instead. You always have your phone within reach, app-based remotes offer features that physical remotes can't match, and you never have to deal with dead batteries or lost controllers.

But not all LG TV remote apps are created equal. Some are slow, some are cluttered with ads, and some barely work at all. We tested every major option available on the App Store in 2026 and put together this objective comparison so you can pick the right one for your setup.

What We Tested

We evaluated each app on five criteria that actually matter for daily use:

• Connection speed — How fast does the app discover and connect to the TV?
• Remote responsiveness — Is there noticeable lag when pressing buttons?
• Feature set — Does it offer touchpad, app launch, full D-pad, volume control?
• User interface — Is it clean and easy to navigate?
• Reliability — Does it maintain connection and work consistently?

All testing was done on an iPhone 15 Pro connected to an LG C4 OLED (2024) and an LG UR8050 (2023) over a standard home WiFi network.

1. LG Remote – Best Overall LG TV Remote App

LG Remote is a dedicated remote control app built specifically for LG webOS TVs. It's not trying to be a smart home hub or a general-purpose remote for every TV brand — it's laser-focused on giving you the best LG TV remote experience on iPhone.

What stood out

• Fastest connection: The app discovered our LG TV in under 3 seconds every time we opened it. No manual IP entry, no scanning delays
• Smart touchpad: The touchpad navigation is remarkably smooth and closely mirrors the LG Magic Remote pointer experience
• One-tap app launch: Quick launch buttons for Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and other streaming apps. You can configure up to 4 favorites in the quick launch bar
• Clean interface: The dark UI is well-organized with clear tabs for Remote, Apps, Advanced, and Settings
• Advanced controls: Media playback, screen on/off (for using TV as a speaker), pointer mode, and input switching

Pricing

Free to download with core remote features. Premium features available through a one-time purchase or subscription.

Verdict

LG Remote is the app we'd recommend for anyone who wants a reliable, fast, and feature-rich LG TV remote on their iPhone. It's clearly built by people who understand what day-to-day TV control needs to feel like.

2. LG ThinQ – Official LG App

LG ThinQ is LG's official smart home app. It does much more than TV remote control — it manages LG washers, dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, and other connected appliances. The remote function is one feature within a broader ecosystem app.

Strengths

• Official LG product with guaranteed compatibility
• Integrates with other LG smart home devices
• Free with no in-app purchases for remote functionality
• Supports voice control through built-in AI features

Weaknesses

• Requires creating an LG account before you can use it
• The remote feature is buried within the app — it takes multiple taps to reach
• Connection is slower compared to dedicated remote apps
• The interface is designed for smart home management, not quick TV control
• Touchpad isn't as responsive as dedicated alternatives

Verdict

ThinQ works, and it's serviceable if you already use it for other LG appliances. But as a pure TV remote, it feels like an afterthought within a larger app. The account requirement and slower connection make it less convenient for grab-and-control situations.

3. universalremote – TV Remote Control

This is one of several generic universal remote apps that includes LG TV support. It works through WiFi and can connect to LG webOS TVs.

Strengths

• Works with multiple TV brands (Samsung, Sony, Roku, etc.)
• Basic D-pad and volume controls work reliably

Weaknesses

• Heavy advertising in the free version
• Limited LG-specific features compared to dedicated apps
• No proper touchpad navigation
• Slower to connect and occasionally drops connection
• App launch functionality is limited or missing

Verdict

Functional as a basic remote, but the ad experience and lack of LG-specific features make it a less attractive option when better dedicated alternatives exist.

4. WebOS TV Remote (Various)

There are several apps with similar names that specifically target webOS TVs. Quality varies significantly between them.

Common issues we found

• Inconsistent connection reliability — some wouldn't connect at all to the 2024 LG C4
• Dated interface designs that haven't been updated recently
• Limited feature sets — usually just basic D-pad without touchpad or app launch
• Some require manual IP address entry

If you try one of these and it works well for you, that's great. But in our testing, none matched the reliability and feature depth of the dedicated options above.

Comparison Table

Which LG TV Remote App Should You Use?

• For the best overall experience: LG Remote offers the fastest connection, best touchpad, and most LG-specific features
• For LG smart home users: LG ThinQ makes sense if you already manage other LG devices through the app
• For multi-brand households: A universal remote app works if you need one app for LG, Samsung, and Sony TVs — but expect fewer features per brand

For most iPhone users with an LG TV, a dedicated remote app delivers the best daily experience. It connects faster, responds quicker, and provides features that actually make phone-based control feel better than using a physical remote.

Frequently Asked Questions