The LazyBinger blog

Practical guides for turning your iPhone into the best remote your TV has ever had — from waking the TV across the room to skipping intros without lifting a finger.

4 min read

The best iPhone TV remote for limited mobility or low vision

Voice control, big buttons and a wrist remote — an accessible way to control the TV when a standard remote is hard to use.

5 min read

How to watch TV in bed without ever touching the remote

Set it up once and never reach for the remote again: voice, your watch, auto-skip and a sleep timer, all from bed.

5 min read

How to control your TV without a remote (5 ways that actually work)

No remote? Here are the 5 real ways to control any TV without one — and which is the least painful.

5 min read

Are TV remote apps safe? What they can and can't access

Do remote apps spy on you or need an account? Here's what they can really access — and how to choose a private, ad-free one.

4 min read

How to type on your TV using your iPhone's keyboard

On-screen TV keyboards are torture. Here's how to type — and dictate — on your TV using your iPhone's keyboard instead.

4 min read

VIZIO TV remote not working? Control your VIZIO from your iPhone

VIZIO remote dead or missing? Fixes that work — plus how to control your VIZIO SmartCast TV from your iPhone.

4 min read

LG TV remote not working? Use your iPhone (Magic Remote pointer included)

LG Magic Remote losing the pointer or dead? Fixes that work — plus a full LG remote, pointer included, on your iPhone.

4 min read

Fire TV remote not working? Control your Fire TV from your iPhone

Fire TV remote frozen or lost? The re-pair trick that works — plus how to run your Fire TV from your iPhone.

4 min read

Roku remote not working? Use your iPhone as a Roku remote

Roku remote not responding or lost? Fixes for both remote types — plus how to turn your iPhone into a full Roku remote.

4 min read

Samsung TV remote not working? Control your TV from your iPhone

Samsung remote dead, unpaired or lost? Quick fixes that work — plus how to run your Samsung TV from your iPhone in the meantime.

5 min read

How to skip intros and recaps on every streaming app

Every streaming app hides its skip button somewhere. Here's the one way to auto-skip intros and recaps across all of them on a real TV.

4 min read

How to auto-skip Amazon Prime Video intros on your TV

Prime Video makes you tap “Skip Intro” every episode. Here's how to skip them automatically on a real TV — Fire TV included.

4 min read

How to auto-skip Disney+ intros and recaps on your TV

Bingeing The Simpsons or all of Marvel? Disney+ replays the same intro every episode. Here's how to skip them automatically on a real TV.

5 min read

How to auto-skip Netflix intros, recaps and “Are you still watching?”

“Skip Intro”, “Skip Recap”, “Next Episode”, “Are you still watching?” — Netflix makes you tap all night. Here's how to auto-skip them on a real TV.

4 min read

Control your TV from your Apple Watch

Your TV remote, now on your wrist. D-pad, volume, play/pause and one-tap apps from your Apple Watch — across 12 TV platforms, free.

6 min read

The best iPhone TV remote apps, compared

Auto-skip intros, voice, Wake-on-LAN, no ads: the features that actually separate iPhone TV remote apps — and how to choose.

5 min read

How to turn your TV on from your phone

Most remote apps can turn a TV off but not on. Wake-on-LAN fixes that — here's how to power your TV back on from your iPhone.

6 min read

How to automatically skip intros and recaps on your TV

Browser add-ons only skip intros on a computer. Here's how to auto-skip intros on your actual TV — no button-pressing.

5 min read

How to control your TV with your voice from your iPhone

Talk to your TV from your iPhone — even screen-locked. On-device “magic words”, no Alexa or account needed.

6 min read

TV remote app says “No devices found”? How to fix it

Remote app can't find your TV? It's usually Wi-Fi, not the app. A step-by-step fix for “No devices found”.

5 min read

Lost your TV remote? How to use your iPhone instead

Lost or broken remote? Your iPhone can replace it in minutes — and even turn the TV back on. Here's how.

5 min read

How to set a sleep timer on any TV from your iPhone

Fall asleep mid-episode without the TV running all night. Here's how to add a sleep timer to any TV from your iPhone.

6 min read

How to use your iPhone as a TV remote (step by step)

Turn your iPhone into a remote for almost any TV in two minutes — plus voice, auto-skip intros and Wake-on-LAN.

5 min read

The best ad-free TV remote app for iPhone (no account, no tracking)

Tired of remote apps full of ads and sign-ups? Here's what an ad-free, private TV remote looks like — and why it's rare.