GoKawiilRoku's free mobile app turns any smartphone into a full remote control
Roku offers a free companion app for iOS and Android that lets users control their Roku devices directly from a smartphone, connecting over the same home Wi-Fi network. It replicates the core functions of the physical remote, including navigation, playback and volume controls, without requiring any purchase or subscription.
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For anyone who has lost a remote or run out of batteries, this app offers an immediate fallback that costs nothing to use. It also adds conveniences the physical remote lacks, such as a full keyboard for text entry, showing how software-based controls can outperform dedicated hardware accessories.
- The Roku app is free and works on both iOS and Android.
- It connects via home Wi-Fi to control Roku devices like a standard remote.
- It adds features like phone-keyboard text input not available on the physical remote.
Roku Voice Remote Pro — If you'd rather have a physical remote that never disappears into the couch, the Roku Voice Remote Pro is the upgrade: it's rechargeable, so no more hunting for AAA batteries, and it has hands-free voice control plus a lost remote finder. It pairs nicely with the free Roku app as a backup when the remote wanders off.
See Roku Voice Remote Pro on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Gabriela Vătu, 2026-09-01
Published there as: “You can use your phone as a Roku remote (and it's free)”
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