The best remote for LG OLED TVs in 2026
Which remote to buy when the Magic Remote breaks, and when a universal remote is the better fit.
If the LG TV is the only thing you control, buy a genuine LG Magic Remote for your TV's model year so the pointer, scroll wheel and voice button keep working. If you also run a soundbar and a streamer, the SofaBaton U3 handles all three. Until it arrives, the free LG ThinQ app works as a remote on your phone. If you dislike the Magic Remote's missing play and mute buttons, a $20 One For All LG replacement adds them back.
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What you need to know
LG OLED owners with a lost, broken or disliked Magic Remote.
If you mostly use an Apple TV, Roku or Fire TV, its remote can run the TV through SimpLink. Tonight, the LG ThinQ app works as a remote.
Model-year compatibility, pointer and voice support, and control of other devices, checked against Gagadget, Wirecutter and owner forums.
Magic Remotes are made for specific years. The MR26GA fits 2026 TVs; check your model number before buying.
The picks
LG Magic Remote
The remote your TV was designed around, with the on-screen pointer, scroll wheel and voice search. LG makes a version for each model year; the MR26GA covers 2026 OLED TVs such as the C6 and G6.
Model years do not always mix. Match the remote to your TV's model number before buying.
SofaBaton U3
Controls an LG OLED, a soundbar, an Apple TV and a Blu-ray player from one set of real buttons. It replaced the popular SofaBaton U3, which has sold out.
No pointer, so webOS menus take more clicks.
SofaBaton X2
The pick when the TV anchors a receiver and gear in a cabinet. The hub and IR blasters reach devices the remote cannot see.
Costs far more than a replacement Magic Remote.
Third-party Magic Remote replacement
Unbranded replacements on Amazon copy the Magic Remote's pointer and voice button for well under the price of LG's own.
Quality varies, and many remotes labeled "LG compatible" are IR-only with no working pointer or voice. Pick one with a warranty and reviews that mention your model year.
GE Backlit Universal Remote
Lit buttons you can find in a dark room, with codes for LG TVs, soundbars and most cable boxes, for about $15. Gagadget ranks GE's universal remote first for LG TVs.
IR only, so no pointer, voice search or webOS shortcuts. Wirecutter also found GE's backlit remotes can't learn commands, so the Insignia 8-Device Backlit (about $30) is the better pick if a button doesn't work.
One For All LG TV Replacement Remote
Works out of the box with LG TVs and adds real play, pause and mute buttons, which some newer Magic Remotes lack. An Ars Technica forum member who hated the pointer on a C2 switched to one and reported it "worked just fine, no pointer." About $20 to $25 at Target and Amazon.
No pointer or voice, so typing in apps takes longer.
Find the right model year
Your TV's model number is on a sticker on the back and under Settings > Support > TV Information. The letter after the screen size shows the year: for OLED, B6, C6 and G6 are 2026 models; C5 and G5 are 2025.
Test a remote with your phone camera: point it at the lens and press a button. If you see a faint flash on screen, the IR side works and the problem is likely Bluetooth pairing.
To pair a new Magic Remote, turn on the TV, point the remote at it and press the Wheel (OK) button. If that fails, hold Home and Back together for five seconds to reset it.
- 2026 TVs: MR26GA
- 2025 TVs: MR25GA
- Older TVs: check LG's support page for your model; most 2019 and later TVs share a Bluetooth pairing method
If you don't like the Magic Remote
The Magic Remote's pointer and app buttons divide owners. On Reddit's r/LGOLED, new C5 owners complain that their remote has no dedicated play/pause or mute button. If that's you, there are four easy fixes.
- Ignore the pointer: it can't be turned off, but pressing any arrow key hides it and switches to normal button navigation until you shake the remote again.
- Use your streamer's remote: turn on SimpLink (HDMI-CEC) and an Apple TV, Roku or Fire TV remote will control the TV's power and volume. This is the most common answer from owners.
- Get a button remote: the One For All LG replacement or GE Backlit add real playback and mute buttons.
- Control everything from one remote: the SofaBaton U3 runs the TV, soundbar and streamer together.
The best LG remote for each setup
- LG TV only: an LG Magic Remote for your TV's model year.
- TV, soundbar and streamer: SofaBaton U3.
- Receiver or gear in a cabinet: SofaBaton X2.
- Remote lost tonight: the free LG ThinQ app on your phone.
- Streamer is your main device: use the Apple TV, Roku or Fire TV remote and turn on SimpLink so it controls TV power and volume.
- Older LG TV without webOS: LG's basic IR remote.
How we picked
We compared published lab tests, owner reports and maker specs, and ranked on:
- Compatibility with LG model years
- Pointer, voice and app buttons
- Control of other devices
- Price and warranty
More on our process is in how we research.
Others we considered
- Insignia 8-Device Backlit: Wirecutter's budget universal pick; like the GE but with a learning feature, about $30.
- Philips Universal Remote: a cheap multi-device IR remote that works with LG TVs; Gagadget's budget pick.
- LG basic IR remote (such as AKB76037605): LG's plain factory remote, about $10. Owners report it works with webOS menus and settings, with no pointer or voice.
- SofaBaton X1S: A cheaper hub option if you need cabinet control without the X2's touchscreen.
- Fire TV Cube: Controls an LG TV by voice if Fire TV is your main streamer.
Questions
Can I use my phone as an LG TV remote?
Yes. The LG ThinQ app turns your phone into a remote when it is on the same Wi-Fi as the TV.
Does any Magic Remote work with any LG TV?
No. Newer remotes often work on older TVs, but not always. Check the model list in the product description.
Why does my LG remote not work?
Replace the batteries, then re-pair it by pointing it at the TV and pressing the wheel. A dead remote is often just a lost pairing.
What is LG SimpLink?
LG's name for HDMI-CEC. With it on, a streamer or soundbar remote can turn the TV on and off and change its volume.
Can the LG Magic Remote control a cable box or soundbar?
Often, yes. webOS has a universal control setup that adds many set-top boxes and soundbars to the Magic Remote. Check Settings > Connections on your TV.
What batteries does the LG Magic Remote take?
Most models take two AA batteries. Weak batteries are the most common reason the pointer stops working.
What is the best app to control an LG TV?
LG's free ThinQ app. It works as a remote and keyboard over Wi-Fi. Third-party remote apps exist, but many show ads or charge a subscription.
Why doesn't my Magic Remote have play/pause or mute?
Some newer Magic Remotes, including the one sold with the C5, dropped dedicated buttons for them. A button remote such as the One For All LG replacement adds them back.
Can I use a game controller with an LG TV?
Yes. Recent webOS TVs pair Bluetooth controllers such as Xbox and PlayStation pads for cloud gaming apps like GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
- LG Electronics, Magic Remote product and support pages, checked Oct 19, 2026
- Gagadget, "Best Universal Remote for LG TV"; The New York Times, "The 3 Best Universal Remote Controls of 2026," Jun 2026
- Universal Remote Reviews, "7 Best Remotes for LG TVs in 2026"; r/LGOLED owner discussion of Magic Remote alternatives
- Wirecutter, "The Best Universal Remote Control," Jun 2026; Ars Technica OpenForum, "LG Magic Remote Replacement," Apr 2023
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.