Smart TVs have advanced significantly in terms of user experience and features, offering conveniences such as AirPlay, voice control, and smart hub functionality. Despite these improvements, the remote control remains a key part of the TV experience. While infrared technology is still used by many remotes, an increasing number now use Bluetooth to send commands. Modern smart TVs often support connectivity standards that allow users to use their smartphones as remote controls. Since most people carry their smartphones with them, it's easy to misplace a TV remote. Additionally, typing on a smartphone to search for content on a TV is typically easier than using an on-screen keyboard with a traditional remote. Some modern Android smartphones include built-in IR blasters and come with a universal remote app preinstalled. If a phone supports this feature, it can be transformed into a TV remote by launching the IR remote app, selecting an "add device" option, and choosing the TV manufacturer. The app then guides the user through testing a few buttons to ensure the correct infrared commands are recognized. This allows users to control their TV using their phone, such as turning it on and off. However, this hardware feature is not common and is not available on mainstream smartphones from Samsung, Google, or Apple. An alternative to using a built-in IR blaster is to use the official app for the smart TV. Many smart TV platforms offer mobile companion apps that provide remote control functionality. TVs running Google TV or Android TV can be controlled through the Google TV app on Android and iOS devices. To use this, the user must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the TV and enable Bluetooth on both devices. Similar apps are available for Roku TVs via the Roku mobile app and for Fire OS devices via the Fire TV app. These apps typically include features like a directional pad, volume controls, and other commonly used functions. When typing on the TV, the remote app on the phone displays the smartphone's QWERTY keyboard, making it easier to type searches and log in. These apps also allow users to search for and organize content, create watchlists, and launch apps directly. Most require users to sign in to an account before pairing the virtual remote with the TV. For Apple TV users with an iPhone, a separate app is not necessary. Users can access the Control Center and tap on the remote icon, or add it if it's not visible. This feature is built into iOS and is not available on Android. However, third-party universal remote control apps are available on both Android and iOS. The "TV (Apple) Remote Control" app is a popular option with over 500,000 downloads and a 4.6-star rating. It features a button layout similar to Apple's own remote and allows users to send commands to the TV over a local Wi-Fi network or via infrared signals. Users are not limited to their TV manufacturer’s official app and may prefer other universal remote options. Some smart TVs can be turned on from standby mode using a phone. Users should look for a feature labeled "Wake-on-LAN" in the TV's network settings and ensure it is enabled. On some models, users may need to navigate to power settings and set the energy mode to "Increased" or "Optimized."