CouchiusQuick answer: Put your iPhone and the LG TV on the same Wi‑Fi, open a remote app, and pick the TV. The first time, the TV shows a message asking to allow the phone: choose Accept with the TV’s remote or its own button. LG’s free ThinQ app includes a remote for recent LG TVs; Couchius is the premium option with a clicking volume dial and a touchpad that moves LG’s on-screen pointer.
How a phone controls an LG TV
LG smart TVs run webOS, which listens for control apps on your home network. An iPhone has no infrared, so every iPhone remote for LG works over Wi‑Fi. That means:
- The phone and TV must be on the same network (not a guest network).
- The TV must give the phone permission once, with an on-screen prompt.
- To turn the TV on from the phone, the TV must keep listening while it’s off.
Method 1: LG ThinQ (free)
LG’s own app, LG ThinQ, works as a remote for recent LG TVs alongside LG’s other smart-home products. LG’s 2024 TV guide walks through setting it up on an iPhone. It’s free and a sensible first try if you already use ThinQ for other LG appliances.
Method 2: Couchius (premium remote)
Couchius is a remote first and nothing else. It connects to the TV directly, with no account, and is built to feel like hardware: a turned volume dial with a click per step, keys that vibrate, a touchpad that drives the LG pointer, a keyboard for search, and eight looks.
- Install Couchius and start the free week.
- Couchius finds your LG on the Wi‑Fi. Tap it.
- Look at the TV and choose Accept on the message that asks to allow Couchius. You only do this once.
- The remote opens. Drag on the touchpad to move LG’s pointer; tap to click.
Turn the LG on from your phone
Turning the TV off always works. Turning it on needs a setting, because the TV normally drops off the network when it’s off:
- On the TV, open the settings and find TV On with Mobile. On webOS 6 it’s under General › Devices › External Devices; newer models keep it in a similar place.
- Turn on Turn on via Wi‑Fi.
- If the TV still won’t wake, turn off Quick Start+ under General › Devices › TV Management, which can stop the TV listening for the wake-up signal.
Lost the remote and the TV is off right now? See how to turn on an LG TV without the remote.
Which should you use?
| You want | Best choice |
|---|---|
| A free remote and you already use ThinQ | LG ThinQ |
| No account, just a remote | Couchius |
| A pointer touchpad and a real volume dial | Couchius |
| One app for an LG and a Roku or Sony TV | Couchius |
Not sure your TV runs webOS? The free TV compatibility checker helps.