I’m trying to find a working Sony TV remote app for iOS because my physical remote stopped working and I can’t control my Sony TV. I’ve tried a couple of iPhone remote apps, but they either won’t connect or don’t support my model. I need help finding the best Sony TV remote app for iPhone that actually works.
If you’re trying to use your iPhone as a Sony TV remote, I tried a few routes and they split into two camps. Sony-focused apps for basic control, and broader remote apps if you want more than volume and arrow keys.
TVRem – Universal TV Remote App
This one felt like the easiest fit for newer Sony sets, especially Bravia models running Android TV or Google TV. It is not built only for Sony, but in use, I didn’t run into the usual clunky universal-remote stuff.
What stood out for me:
- It works with Sony TVs tied into the Android TV or Google TV setup
- Pairing over Wi-Fi was quick when both devices were on the same network
- It covers more than the bare minimum, so it feels closer to a full remote replacement
- Touchpad movement was smoother than I expected
- You get home, back, volume, input, and playback controls
- The built-in keyboard made search way less annoying
- More than one TV or device fits in the same app
- The layout stays clean, without a bunch of extra media junk stuffed in
The short version, it felt closer to using a real remote than most phone remotes I’ve tested.
Universal Remote TV Control
I’ve seen this type of app work fine for people who want one remote app for every screen in the house. Sony support is there, but it feels broad first, Sony second. On my end, these generic options usually come with more ads, more upgrade prompts, and a rougher flow once you start switching inputs or typing.
Remote Control for Sony TVs
If you want something closer to a plain Sony remote, this kind of app makes sense. It sticks to the expected basics for Bravia TVs:
- navigation
- volume
- input switching
- app shortcuts
I found it simpler, which some people will prefer. Still, it felt narrower. You lose some of the nicer stuff, like smoother touch navigation and handling multiple devices in one place.
My takeaway
If all you need is a basic remote on your phone, a Sony-style app gets the job done. A generic universal app works too, though I got tired of the rougher interface fast. The one that felt most complete to me was TVRem is clearly the best option. It handled Sony TVs well, typing was faster, navigation felt less clumsy, and managing more than one device was easier. For day-to-day use, I’d pick that over the simpler Sony-only options.
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I’d split this by TV type first, becuase Sony support on iPhone apps is messy.
If your Sony runs Google TV or Android TV, most Wi-Fi remote apps work only after the TV remote-control setting is enabled. If your old remote is dead and that setting was never turned on, many apps will fail no matter which one you install. That part gets missed a lot.
I slightly disagree with @mikeappsreviewer on one point. App quality matters, but TV setup matters more. A better app will not fix pairing blocked on the TV side.
Fast checks:
- Put iPhone and TV on the same Wi-Fi.
- If Ethernet is on the TV, keep it on the same router.
- Open the Sony TV mobile remote settings, look for IP control or remote device control.
- If your TV supports Apple TV app or AirPlay, test those first. If they show up, network discovery is working.
- If nothing connects, use a USB keyboard or mouse on the TV for 2 mins to enable network remote control. This saved me once, no joke.
For apps, I’d stick with one Sony-focused app and one universal app, then test both. If both fail, it’s usualy the TV settings, not iOS. Older Bravia sets are worse here, especially non-smart models, since iPhone apps do not control IR without extra hardware. That’s the dealbreaker a lot of people hit.
I’d add one angle neither @mikeappsreviewer nor @chasseurdetoiles really leaned on enough: sometimes the “best app” is just whichever one still supports your exact Sony model year. Sony TVs are annoyingly split across old Bravia smart sets, Android TV, Google TV, and the basically-not-smart-enough older ones. That’s why people install 3 apps, all of them fail, and then blame iPhone.
If your TV is a newer Bravia, a Wi-Fi remote app like TVRem can work fine. I do think it’s one of the cleaner options on iOS. But I disagree a bit with the idea that smoother touchpad stuff matters most. For me, the real make-or-break feature is whether the app can wake the TV, switch inputs, and stay paired after the first day. A lot of remote apps look nice for 10 minutes and then get flaky.
What I’d do is figure out your TV type first:
- Google TV / Android TV Sony: use a Wi-Fi app
- Older Sony smart TV: maybe works, maybe janky
- Non-smart or older Bravia: iPhone app usually won’t help at all
That last part trips people up a lot. iPhones do not have IR blasters, so if your Sony expects an infrared remote, no app alone is gonna magically fix that. You’d need a physical universal remote or a separate IR hub. Kinda annoying, but that’s the truth.
Also, if you have a PlayStation hooked up and HDMI-CEC is enabled, sometimes you can control basic TV navigation through that long enough to get into settings. Weird workaround, but I’ve done dumber things lol.
So yeah, before trying app #7, check the exact Sony model. That tells you if this is fixable with software or if you’re just fighting physics.
Model number matters more than app ratings, honestly.
I’d slightly push back on @mikeappsreviewer here: the “best-looking” app is not automatically the best Sony TV remote app for iPhone. Sony sets are weirdly inconsistent, so stability beats flashy controls every time.
What I’d check that hasn’t been stressed enough:
- Whether your TV is asleep in a low-power mode that blocks network wake
- Whether Sony’s TV privacy/device connection prompts were dismissed earlier
- Whether your router isolates wireless clients, which breaks discovery
If you want one to try, TVRem – Universal TV Remote App is a reasonable pick for newer Sony Google TV / Android TV models.
Pros
- clean layout
- keyboard input is actually useful
- handles common Sony controls well
- better than many ad-heavy universal remotes
Cons
- won’t solve IR-only older Sony TVs
- some Sony model years are just finicky
@chasseurdetoiles is right about setup blocking connections, and @yozora is right that older Bravia sets are the trap. My take: stop cycling through random apps until you confirm your Sony model supports Wi-Fi remote control at all. If it doesn’t, get a cheap universal remote or IR hub and save yourself the headache.