Tech tips: How to turn your smartphone into TV remote

We have all been in situations where we lose our TV remote on a daily basis. Sometimes it ends up under the sofa or the bed, and sometimes our little furry buddies hide it in an extra safe place. Losing a remote can be irritating as it prevents us from using the TV. But what if we told you that you can use your smartphone as your TV remote? Yes, you heard that right.

With the Google TV app, you can control your Android-powered TV using your smartphone. This means you can change channels, adjust the volume, and even launch your favorite apps, all without having to get up and find the remote. And the app works on both Android and iPhone.

Here is a step-by-step guide to setting up the Google TV app on your Android phone or iPhone and using your smartphone as a TV remote.

How to make your Android phone a TV remote

• Open the Google Play Store and install the Google TV app.
• Make sure your TV and phone are on the same Wi-Fi network. If your TV doesn't have Wi-Fi, you can also use Bluetooth to connect your phone and TV.
• Open the Google TV app. Once the app is open, tap the Remote button in the bottom right corner.
• The app will start scanning for devices. Once your TV is found, select it from the list.
• A code will appear on your TV screen. Enter the code into the app and tap Pair.
• Once your phone is paired with your TV, you can use it to control the TV just like you would with a regular remote.

How to turn your iPhone into a TV remote

• Make sure that your iPhone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• Download and install the Google TV app from the App Store.
• Open the Google TV app on your iPhone.
• Tap on the TV Remote icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.
• The app will automatically start looking for your TV. If it doesn't find your TV, tap on the Scan for devices button.
• Once your TV is found, select it and enter the 6-digit code that appears on your TV screen.
• Tap on Pair to connect your iPhone to your TV.

Once your iPhone is connected to your TV, you can use it to control your TV just like you would with a regular remote control. You can use the app to change the channel, adjust the volume, control playback, and more.