About Remote Control for TV – All TV
I’ve lost more physical TV remotes than I can count, so I was desperate when my Samsung’s remote finally gave out. I found Remote Control for TV – All TV by Hitchhike Tech and figured I’d give it a shot. Honestly, I was skeptical—most of these apps are flaky. But after a week of using it as my primary remote, I’m genuinely impressed. It’s not magic, but it’s a seriously practical tool that saved me a trip to the store.
Features & Highlights
The main feature is the massive database of TV and set-top box codes. I entered my Samsung model (UN55NU7100), and it connected on the third try. What I didn’t expect were the extra controls. Beyond power and volume, I can directly access Netflix and YouTube buttons, which my original remote had but I thought I’d lose. I also use the “Mouse” feature for my Android TV box to navigate menus when the trackpad is finicky. The ability to save multiple devices is a lifesaver in my living room, where I have the TV, a soundbar, and a Fire Stick. I can switch between them without re-configuring.
User Experience
The first setup was straightforward. I opened the app, granted permission to use the IR blaster (my phone has one), and it walked me through selecting my device brand. The “auto-search” function is where I had my “wow” moment. It cycled through codes, and my TV turned off on code 005. From there, the layout felt intuitive. The buttons are large and spaced well—I’m not fumbling to hit volume up. One night, my partner was napping, and I used the “Silent Mode” to turn off all button sounds, which was a thoughtful touch. The only hiccup was my soundbar; I had to manually teach it a few commands from its original remote, which took an extra five minutes.
Pricing
The app is completely free with no hidden subscriptions, which is its biggest selling point. There are banner ads at the bottom of the remote interface, but they’re static and not video ads, so they’ve never interrupted me mid-use. For a free app, it feels incredibly generous. There’s no “pro” version being pushed, which is refreshing. Is it worth it? Absolutely, especially as a free, immediate backup remote. I’d have paid a few bucks for an ad-free version just to support the devs, but the current model works perfectly fine.
Updates & Support
Looking at the update history on the Play Store, Hitchhike Tech pushes an update every 4-6 weeks, mostly adding new device codes and minor bug fixes. I haven’t needed support, but the in-app FAQ section is surprisingly detailed, covering issues from connection problems to specific brand troubleshooting. It feels like the developers are actively maintaining it, which gives me confidence it won’t just stop working after my next phone update.
Security & Privacy
I downloaded this directly from the Google Play Store. The app requires permission to use the IR transmitter (obviously) and network access to download updated device code databases. It doesn’t ask for contacts, location, or storage. The privacy policy is standard and states they don’t collect personal data. Since it’s a hardware controller at its core, there’s no account to create or data to sync, which minimizes privacy concerns. The ads appear to be generic network ads; I haven’t noticed any creepy, targeted advertising following my use of the app.
How does the auto-search feature work for connecting to my TV?
The app uses an auto-search function that cycles through a massive database of IR codes for your TV brand. Once you select your device brand, it sends codes one by one until your TV responds (like turning off), and you can save that code. In the review, the user’s Samsung connected on code 005 after just a few tries.
Can I control multiple devices like a TV, soundbar, and streaming stick with one app?
Yes, the app lets you save multiple devices and switch between them without re-configuring. You can set up your TV, soundbar, and Fire Stick all in one interface, making it easy to control your entire entertainment setup. The reviewer even used the “Mouse” feature for their Android TV box to navigate tricky menus.
What should I do if the app doesn’t automatically find the correct code for my device?
If the auto-search doesn’t work, you can manually teach the app commands using your original remote. The reviewer had to do this for their soundbar, which took about five extra minutes. Just point your original remote at your phone’s IR blaster and follow the in-app prompts to learn the specific buttons.
Why does the remote sometimes not respond, and how can I fix it?
This usually happens if your phone doesn’t have an IR blaster or if the app’s permissions aren’t granted. Make sure your phone model supports IR (like many older Android phones) and that you’ve allowed the app to use it. If it still fails, try restarting the app or re-running the auto-search—the reviewer connected on their third try.
How does Remote Control for TV compare to other free remote apps like SURE Universal?
While both are free and use IR blasters, Remote Control for TV stands out with its huge device database and extra features like direct Netflix/YouTube buttons and a Mouse mode for Android TV boxes. The reviewer found it more intuitive and reliable than other apps they’d tried, and it’s completely free with no hidden subscriptions—just static banner ads.
