How to Control Your LG TV With Your Phone: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Using your phone as an LG TV remote isn't just a backup plan for when you lose the physical remote — for many people, it's become the preferred way to control their television. Your phone is always nearby, the app interface can be more intuitive than a physical remote, and you get features like quick app launching that hardware remotes don't offer.

This guide walks you through every way to control an LG TV from your phone, whether you're on iPhone or Android. We'll cover the setup process, which apps to use, what you can control, and how to get the best experience.

What You Need Before Starting

Controlling your LG TV with your phone requires:

• An LG smart TV running webOS — this includes all LG smart TVs from 2014 onward (OLED, NanoCell, QNED, UHD series)
• A WiFi network — both your phone and TV must connect to the same WiFi network
• A remote control app — installed on your phone

That's it. No special hardware, no Bluetooth dongle, no IR blaster. Modern LG remote apps communicate over your home WiFi network, which means they work from anywhere in your home — even from another room.

Method 1: Use LG Remote (iPhone — Recommended)

LG Remote is a dedicated LG TV remote app for iPhone built specifically for controlling LG webOS TVs. It's the fastest way to get phone-based control of your LG television.

Setup steps

1. Download LG Remote — get it free from the App Store
2. Connect to WiFi — make sure your iPhone is on the same WiFi network as your LG TV
3. Open the app — LG Remote automatically scans your network and finds your TV
4. Tap your TV name — a pairing prompt appears on the TV screen
5. Accept on TV — use the TV's physical button or press OK. You only need to do this once
6. Start controlling — you now have full remote access

The entire process takes about 10 seconds after the initial download. From the second time onward, the app connects automatically when you open it.

What you can control

• Power: Turn the TV on and off
• Volume: Adjust volume up, down, and mute
• Navigation: D-pad (up, down, left, right, OK) and back button
• Touchpad: Swipe to move the pointer, tap to select — just like the Magic Remote
• App launch: One-tap buttons for Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Prime Video, and other apps installed on your TV
• Input switching: Switch between HDMI inputs, USB, and other sources
• Media playback: Play, pause, rewind, fast forward, skip
• Advanced features: Screen off (use TV as a Bluetooth speaker), pointer mode, channel list

Method 2: Use LG ThinQ App (iPhone & Android)

LG ThinQ is the official companion app from LG Electronics. It supports both iPhone and Android and provides remote control as one feature within a broader smart home management app.

Setup steps

1. Download LG ThinQ from the App Store or Google Play
2. Create an LG account (required) or sign in if you have one
3. Tap the "+" button to add a device
4. Select TV from the product list
5. Follow the on-screen pairing instructions
6. Navigate to the remote control section within the app

ThinQ provides basic remote controls including D-pad navigation, volume, channel controls, and a simple touchpad. The remote feature is functional but takes more taps to reach compared to a dedicated app, and the interface prioritizes smart home management over TV control.

Method 3: Use AirPlay (iPhone to LG TV)

If your LG TV supports AirPlay 2 (2019 models and newer), you can use AirPlay to stream content from your iPhone to the TV. While this isn't the same as a full remote control, it does let you:

• Mirror your iPhone screen to the TV
• Stream photos and videos directly to the TV
• Cast audio to the TV's speakers
• Control playback from your phone while streaming

AirPlay is complementary to a remote app — it's great for sharing content but doesn't replace the ability to navigate the TV's own interface, switch inputs, or launch TV apps.

Method 4: Use Voice Assistants

If your LG TV is connected to Google Home or Amazon Alexa (set up through LG ThinQ), you can control it with voice commands from your phone:

• "Hey Google, turn off the TV"
• "Alexa, volume up on the living room TV"
• "Hey Google, switch to HDMI 2"
• "Alexa, open Netflix on the TV"

Voice control is convenient for simple commands but impractical for full navigation. It works best as a supplement to a remote app, not a replacement.

Tips for the Best Phone-as-Remote Experience

1. Enable Quick Start+ on your LG TV

Go to Settings → General → Additional Settings → Quick Start+. This keeps the TV's WiFi active in standby mode, allowing your phone to wake it up and connect without having to turn the TV on manually first.

2. Use 5GHz WiFi when possible

If your router broadcasts both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, connect both your phone and TV to the 5GHz band. This generally provides lower latency, which makes the remote feel more responsive.

3. Set up quick launch shortcuts

In LG Remote, configure the quick launch bar with the streaming apps you use most. This way, opening Netflix is literally one tap from the moment you open the app.

4. Keep the app updated

Remote apps regularly update their TV compatibility databases and fix connection issues. Enable auto-updates or check periodically for new versions.

Troubleshooting: Phone Can't Find LG TV

If your remote app isn't discovering your LG TV, try these steps in order:

1. Verify same WiFi network: Check that your phone and TV show the same network name in their WiFi settings
2. Restart the TV: Unplug the TV for 30 seconds, then plug it back in
3. Restart the router: Power cycle your router if multiple devices are having network issues
4. Check TV network settings: Make sure the TV's WiFi is connected and not in airplane mode
5. Disable VPN: If you're running a VPN on your phone, disable it — VPNs can prevent local network discovery

Frequently Asked Questions