SmartThings stopped working reliably as my TV remote, and now I’m constantly fighting with laggy controls and random disconnects. I’d like suggestions for stable apps, hubs, or universal remotes that work well with modern smart TVs, ideally with good mobile control and automation options. What alternatives are you using that actually work day to day?
For anyone stuck with Samsung SmartThings as a “remote” and getting annoyed by lag, random disconnects, or three-tap delays on basic stuff like volume, here is what I ended up doing after getting fed up.
I use a Samsung TV daily. SmartThings looked like the obvious choice at first, then over time it turned into that app I opened only when nothing else worked. Slow loads, weird UI, does fifteen things I never touch and stumbles on the one thing I need: change channel now.
So I went hunting for apps that behave like a normal remote, nothing more.
TVRem – Universal TV Remote
Link: TVRem Universal TV Remote App App - App Store
This is the one I ended up keeping on my home screen.
What I noticed after installing it:
• It found my TV over Wi‑Fi in under 10 seconds. No weird account linking.
• The layout looks like a remote, not like a smart home dashboard.
• Buttons react fast. Tap volume, it moves. Tap again, it moves again. No “loading spinner” vibe.
Stuff you get in practice
• Volume, channels, mute, power
• Navigation arrows and OK
• Menu access and input switching
It behaves like the stock remote you lost under the couch, not like a smart home console trying to be clever.
YouTube demo if you want to see it before installing:
Pros I noticed
• Interface is clear. You do not hunt through layered menus to find volume.
• Setup is fast if your TV and phone are on the same Wi‑Fi.
• It feels light. No big delays when you open it.
• Not locked to Samsung only, so it works in mixed-brand homes.
• Free to download, so low risk to at least try.
Real downside
• Your phone and TV need to stay on the same network. If your TV is wired to a different subnet or you use guest Wi‑Fi on your phone, nothing works until you fix the network.
Samsung Smart TV Remote Plus
If your setup is Samsung-only and you want every button the original remote had and a few extra tricks, this app is decent.
It turns your iPhone or iPad into a full Samsung remote. When I tested it on a newer Samsung set, it felt smoother than SmartThings for pure TV control.
What it does
• Full remote buttons for channels and volume
• Settings and menu navigation
• On-screen keyboard, which helps when logging into apps
• Gesture controls for some models
Where it works well
• If all your main screens are Samsung and you do not care about controlling other brands from the same app.
• If you type a lot on the TV, since the text input is easier than using arrow keys.
Pros
• Feels close to a real remote in terms of control set.
• Plays nice with many Samsung Smart TV models.
• Keyboard and gesture support make tedious navigation quicker.
• Interface is focused on the TV, not on other devices.
Cons
• It is aimed at Samsung only. It will not replace SmartThings for lights, plugs, sensors or mixed ecosystems.
• Some parts of the app lock useful features behind in‑app purchases, so it is not fully free in practice.
Other universal remote apps worth a look
If you have a mix of devices, or your TV is not Samsung, some older-school style universal apps still help.
-
Sure Universal Smart TV Remote
Works with a range of brands. It supports both IR and Wi‑Fi on phones that support those features. If you have an older TV without network control but a phone with infrared support, this is handy. -
IR-based remote apps (phones with an IR blaster)
Examples: Peel Smart Remote and similar apps.
These talk to TVs and set-top boxes through the phone’s IR hardware. It feels closer to an old infrared remote. You point and hit the button. No Wi‑Fi needed, no “same network” problem, but it depends on your phone having IR, which many newer phones dropped.
Why these help
If you have TV plus set‑top box plus receiver, juggling three remotes gets old fast. A decent universal app lets you stash the hardware remotes in a drawer and live in a single screen, even if it is not perfect.
What I ended up sticking with
I tested SmartThings, Samsung Smart TV Remote Plus, TVRem, and a couple of IR apps.
If your goal is simple:
• Open phone.
• Tap app.
• Change volume or channel.
• Done.
Then this is how it breaks down.
In daily use TVRem felt like the best option.
• It does not care what TV brand you end up buying next year as long as it supports network control.
• It focuses on fast response and a plain layout, not on scenes or automation.
• Setup took me under a minute on each TV.
• Channel changes and volume moves felt more responsive than SmartThings on the same Wi‑Fi.
If your phone is your main remote and you are tired of SmartThings delays or bloated interfaces, TVRem is the closest thing I found to a “normal remote on a phone” that behaves consistently.
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SmartThings as a TV remote drove me nuts too. Lag, random disconnects, then the TV decides to ignore power commands for no reason.
Since @mikeappsreviewer covered phone apps like TVRem and Samsung Smart TV Remote Plus, here are options that move away from SmartThings-style control and focus on stability.
- Real universal remotes (hardware)
a) Sofabaton U2 or X1
• U2 uses IR and supports a lot of TVs, soundbars, receivers.
• X1 is WiFi plus IR with a small hub, closer to old Harmony.
• You program activities like “Watch TV” so it powers TV, sets input, controls volume on receiver.
• Response is instant since it is local, no cloud login delays.
If you want something Harmony-like without spending Harmony money on eBay, Sofabaton is the closest thing.
b) Used Logitech Harmony
• Even though Logitech stopped making them, used units still work.
• Harmony Companion or Elite with a hub is great if you have a mix of devices.
• Strong device database and activity logic.
• Once set up, the reliability beats SmartThings by a large margin.
Downside, setup software feels old and you rely on a dead product line.
- Local hubs with IR and network control
a) Broadlink RM4 Mini or RM4 Pro
• Little hub that talks IR to your TV and other gear.
• Broadlink app is basic but does TV, set top boxes, AC, receivers.
• You teach commands or pick from the cloud database.
• Works without Samsung accounts or SmartThings cloud.
You can later tie it into Home Assistant or Alexa if you want automations like “TV off at midnight”.
b) Home Assistant with IR bridge
• If you like tinkering, this is the most “do what you want” option.
• Home Assistant running on a Raspberry Pi or mini PC.
• Add Broadlink or a similar IR bridge.
• Control TV over network if supported, or over IR.
You get a web based remote on phone, tablet, or PC and no “Samsung app had a bad day” issues. It takes time to set up though.
- TV vendor apps that are simpler than SmartThings
Since you mentioned “modern TVs”, most have their own focused remote apps that work better than SmartThings.
a) LG TV
• LG ThinQ is still a bit bloated, but for TV only it tends to be faster than SmartThings.
• Local network control.
• On screen keyboard is handy.
b) Sony / Google TV
• Google TV app on Android and iOS acts as a remote for Chromecast with Google TV and newer Google TV sets.
• Fast navigation and keyboard.
• Tight integration if you already use Android.
c) Roku or Fire TV based sets
• Roku app or Amazon Fire TV app are usually quicker than SmartThings style stuff.
• Focused on simple navigation and playback.
I do slightly disagree with leaning only on phone apps like @mikeappsreviewer suggested. Phone remotes are fine for occasional use, but for daily channel surfing or volume changes a physical remote wins. Less friction, no screen unlock, no app switch.
If your priority is “works every time” over “cool automations”, I would rank options like this:
-
Physical universal remote
• Sofabaton U2 if you use IR only and want cheap and simple.
• Sofabaton X1 or used Harmony if you have multiple devices and inputs. -
Broadlink RM4 Mini
• If you want to keep using your phone but cut Samsung’s cloud out of the loop. -
Vendor direct app
• Google TV, LG ThinQ, Roku, Fire TV app, depending on brand.
For a Samsung TV plus other gear, I would do:
TV power and volume on Sofabaton.
Apps or typing on phone through a focused Samsung remote app if you like what @mikeappsreviewer suggested, or something similar.
Forget SmartThings for TV control and keep it only for sensors and plugs, if at all.
SmartThings as a TV remote is like using a refrigerator as a bookshelf: it can work, but eventually something stupid happens and all your food melts.
You already got solid app picks from @mikeappsreviewer (TVRem, Samsung Smart TV Remote Plus) and the hub/remote angle from @mike34 (Sofabaton, Harmony, Broadlink). I’ll throw in stuff that fills the gaps they didn’t lean on as much:
1. Skip SmartThings, talk to the TV directly
If your TV is from the last ~5–7 years, it probably speaks its own IP control protocol. The idea is: control it on the local network, no cloud drama.
a) Home Assistant + TV integration (no IR)
If you are willing to tinker a bit:
- Run Home Assistant on a Pi or old mini PC
- Add the integration for your brand:
- Samsung: “Samsung Smart TV” / “Samsung TV” integration
- LG: “webOS TV”
- Sony: “Bravia TV”
- You get a simple web remote: power, volume, inputs, some app launch
Pros:
- Local control, way more reliable than SmartThings cloud
- Works from any phone browser, no app bloat
- You can force the TV off or on schedules
Cons:
- Initial setup is not “two taps and done”
- Overkill if all you want is volume and power
I’d use this if you already hate vendor apps and want something you own and control.
2. Use HDMI-CEC properly instead of chasing every TV app
Most folks ignore CEC, but it quietly fixes a lot of nonsense:
- Enable CEC on TV and on your main box (Apple TV, Fire Stick, Shield, Roku)
- Then use the streaming box remote as your only remote
- TV power, volume, and input switching often follow it automatically
Why this helps:
- Your “remote app” becomes, say, the Apple TV Remote on iPhone
- You control the box, and the box controls the TV via CEC
- It tends to be snappier than SmartThings because it’s pure HDMI signaling
Example:
- Turn on Apple TV with phone app
- TV wakes, input switches to the right HDMI, volume keys control TV/receiver
- No Samsung accounts, no SmartThings, no random cloud funk
This is honestly the least painful solution if you mainly watch through one HDMI device.
3. Pair a Bluetooth keyboard / remote directly to the TV
This gets weirdly ignored, but it works surprisingly well on many modern sets.
- Check your TV’s Bluetooth settings
- Pair a small Bluetooth remote or mini-keyboard with media keys
- Map the keys: volume, arrows, OK, back, home
Pros:
- Zero WiFi or app issues
- Response time is usually instant
- Great for entering passwords and searching
Cons:
- Some TVs have garbage Bluetooth stacks and randomly forget devices
- You might need to re-pair after firmware updates
I like this more than phone remotes if more than one person in the house uses the TV. No one has to find the “right app.”
4. IR-only approach, but minimal drama
@mik34 already covered Broadlink and IR hubs. I’ll add one specific twist:
Micro IR blaster + extremely simple app
Look for:
- Tiny USB-powered IR blaster that learns commands
- Paired with a barebones app that just has big buttons, no “smart home” fluff
Use it like this:
- Teach it: Power, Vol+, Vol−, Mute, Input
- Put the blaster in front of the TV and forget about it
This works best if you’re sick of Samsung’s ecosystem, don’t care about IP control, and just want a reliable, dumb remote that happens to live on your phone.
5. Re-evaluate what you actually need
SmartThings failed as a remote partly because it tries to be everything. Before replacing it, decide:
- Do you just need: Power / Volume / Input?
- Or do you really use: app launching, typing, settings, etc?
If it’s only basic controls, I honestly think the most stable stack is:
- CEC properly enabled
- One hardware universal remote (Sofabaton or used Harmony)
- Optional: vendor’s own app only for typing and rare stuff
If you enjoy using your phone as the main remote (which personally drives me nuts for daily use), then:
- Pick one focused app
- Back it up with either CEC or a dirt-cheap IR blaster for when the network misbehaves
6. One thing I actually disagree on a bit
Both @mikeappsreviewer and @mike34 lean reasonably heavy into phone-based control. For casual use that’s fine, but if you are:
- Watching TV every day
- Frequently adjusting volume
- Channel surfing or jumping apps
then fishing out your phone, unlocking it, hoping the app didn’t get killed in the background, and waiting for it to reconnect is more annoying in practice than people admit.
My bias:
- Phone remotes: great backup / secondary option
- Physical remote or a rock-solid HDMI box remote with CEC: primary
If you share your exact TV brand/model and what you actually watch on (built‑in apps vs Apple TV / Roku / etc), it’s possible to narrow this down to “do this one thing and forget the rest” instead of throwing a dozen gadgets and apps at you.
Skip SmartThings entirely and think in terms of “who’s actually in charge of the TV” rather than “which app replaces it.”
1. Put one box in charge (HDMI‑CEC route)
If you mainly watch through Apple TV, Fire TV, Shield or Roku, let that be the brain.
- Turn on CEC in the TV and in the box.
- Use that box’s remote for everything: it sends power / input / volume over HDMI to the TV.
- On your phone, control the box with its companion app, instead of the TV directly.
Compared to what @mikeappsreviewer suggested with dedicated TV apps, this offloads the hard part to a device that is usually more responsive than the TV’s own OS. It also dodges some of the lag and random disconnects that SmartThings introduced.
2. “Dumb pipe” IR blaster plus simple app
@mike34 covered Broadlink and Harmony style setups. If that all feels like too much, a tiny IR blaster with a barebones remote app can be the middle ground:
- Teach it just the essentials: Power, Vol+, Vol−, Mute, Input.
- Stick the blaster in front of the TV and forget it.
Pros:
- No accounts, no smart home scenes, very little that can randomly break.
- Instant response because it is just IR.
Cons:
- One‑way control, no fancy feedback or app launching.
- Needs line of sight, unlike Wi‑Fi based apps.
This is the polar opposite of SmartThings: intentionally dumb, which usually means stable.
3. Bluetooth keyboard / remote straight to the TV
Where I disagree slightly with @ombrasilente is on leaning heavily into software hubs. For a lot of people, a small Bluetooth remote or mini‑keyboard paired directly to the TV is “boring but bulletproof.”
Pros:
- No Wi‑Fi, no cloud, no TV app deciding to log you out.
- Instant navigation and proper keys for volume and playback.
- Huge upgrade for password entry and search.
Cons:
- Some TV firmware updates can forget paired devices.
- Button layout is not as TV‑specific as a true universal remote.
4. Mixing phone and physical control without going full hub
Between what @mike34 and @mikeappsreviewer already laid out, you basically have two main philosophies:
- Phone as the main remote.
- Physical remote as the main remote, phone only for typing / rarely used functions.
In practice, the second model tends to be less irritating. Use a universal remote or even the TV’s own remote for daily stuff, then a focused app for when you need a keyboard or app shortcuts. That balance avoids SmartThings‑style bloat while keeping the convenience of your phone handy when it actually helps.