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

LG's Magic Remote is clever until the pointer drifts off or it stops responding. Most of the time it just needs re-pairing — and if it's lost, your iPhone replaces it, pointer and all. LazyBinger controls LG webOS over Wi-Fi.

Quick fixes for an LG Magic Remote

1. 1Re-pair: point at the TV and hold the wheel (OK) button for about 5 seconds until it registers.
2. 2Pointer gone? Give the remote a gentle shake to wake the motion sensor, or press the wheel.
3. 3Fresh batteries.
4. 4Restart the TV: unplug it for 60 seconds.

Or use your iPhone — pointer included

LG webOS is auto-detected by LazyBinger, and LG is the one platform where the app also gives you a trackpad pointer — the Magic Remote's whole trick, on your phone — alongside a D-pad, volume and one-tap apps.

Set up in under a minute

1. 1Open LazyBinger — it finds the TV on your Wi-Fi.
2. 2Tap your LG TV.
3. 3Accept the one-time prompt on the TV, then swipe to move the pointer.

Frequently asked

Does the iPhone replace the Magic Remote's pointer? Yes — swipe on the phone to move the on-screen cursor, the same way the Magic Remote does.

Works if the remote is lost? Yes — control is over Wi-Fi, no remote required (set up while it still works once to clear the first prompt).

See also: lost your TV remote? and using your iPhone as a TV remote.