Ai Smart Remote is a tools app designed to make controlling your TV and other devices simple and fast. I found it on Google Play while searching for a way to replace my lost TV remote. The app is free to download and doesn't need any registration to get started. You can install it on your Android phone, and I think it also works on the App Store for iPhone users, but I have only used it on my Android. It has over a million downloads, which gave me confidence to try it. The app does have ads, but they are not too annoying, and there is an option to buy the premium version to remove them. The app works with many brands, so I was hopeful it would work with my older TV.

Using the app is really easy. When you open it, it asks you to pick your TV brand and then it tries to connect to your Wi-Fi. If your TV is smart, like mine, it connects pretty fast. You just tap the buttons on your phone screen, and it works just like a real remote. I mostly use it for changing channels and adjusting the volume. One tip I have is to make sure your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network, otherwise it will not find the TV. Another tip is to save your TV setup as a favorite in the app, so you don't have to search for it every time you open the app. It's also handy to use the app when you lose your remote under the couch, which happens to me all the time.

I have tried a few other remote apps, like Universal TV Remote and Remote Control for TV, but I like this one the most. The main reason is that it feels cleaner and less confusing than the others. Some apps ask for too many permissions, which is annoying. This app just asks for Wi-Fi access and that's it. The layout is also more simple, with big buttons that are easy to tap. The other apps sometimes have too many options that I don't need. This one just does what it says and works reliably. It's not perfect, but for a free app, it does the job well, and I have kept it on my phone since I downloaded it.

• 📱 The app's main function is to turn your phone into a universal remote control. You can control your TV, set-top box, and even some AC units. It uses your Wi-Fi to send signals, so you don't need to point your phone at the TV like you would with an IR blaster. This is much more convenient because you can control the TV from anywhere in the room, even if your phone is in your pocket.
• ⚙️ Another great feature is the ability to add multiple devices. I have my living room TV and my bedroom TV both saved in the app. I can switch between them with just a tap. The app remembers the settings for each device, so you don't have to reconfigure everything every time. This is something I found missing in other apps, where you have to pick a new brand every time you open the app.
• 🔊 The app also has a dedicated volume control that is easy to reach. You don't have to swipe or go to a different screen just to change the volume. It's right there on the main screen, which is very handy when watching a movie. The buttons are big and responsive, and I haven't had any lag issues with it.

• ⭐ It's very fast to set up. I connected my TV in less than two minutes, which is faster than any other app I tried.
• ⭐ The interface is very clean and not cluttered. This makes it easy for my parents to use as well, without any confusion.
• ⭐ The connection is stable. I don't have to reconnect often, which is a big plus compared to other apps I have used.

• ⚠️ The ads can sometimes be intrusive, appearing over the remote buttons, which is annoying when you are in the middle of using it.
• ⚠️ It doesn't work with all TV models. My older TV in the garage doesn't have Wi-Fi, so this app is useless for that one, unlike some IR-based apps.