LG TV Plus

LG TV Plus is the app that turns your smartphone into a remote for your LG TV set, ad your TV into an external media device. You can download LG TV Plus for Android or iOS and enjoy the extended possibilities of controlling it with maximum comfort.

Design 4/5

The app is made following the traditional LG style, regardless of the platform. It mirrors the most basic remote, to provide compatibility with most TV models. When it comes to content on your phone, it’s again looking like a simple file browser, but it’s only meant to redirect the content to your TV.

Usability 5/5

Though some Android phones are nowadays equipped with IR ports for using as remotes, the app requires Wi-Fi as a generic method to get two devices connected. You start setting it up with finding the TV in your local network, and when you find your TV, you proceed to fine tuning. You may need to go to Settings on your TV to make it discoverable on your local network.

The remote lets you swap channels, control the volume, go to certain channels directly, and navigate through menus in different ways: with virtual joystick, or with touch surface, similar to Apple Magic Mouse or the original remote to Apple TV.

There is some delay as you broadcast data to your TV from the phone. But when you send commands from a remote, it works very quickly. Still, it’s all very individual, and there are multiple reports about issues with both Android and iOS versions of the app.

Features 5/5

Along with default TV remote, the app is capable of streaming your music or videos to your TV and display photos on the screen. It needs the permissions it requires at the first launch to access the content on your phone. Maybe you will have to enter some settings on your TV to enable its detection. There have been reports about routers not supporting this method of control; probably you will have to upgrade if you want to benefit from network features with your TV.

In-app Purchases 5/5

If you own an LG TV, you don’t have to pay anything for the app. It’s provided as a part of TV experience by the manufacturer. Your Android phone doesn’t have to be by LG: it’s enough to have a TV by this brand (alas, it doesn’t work the other way).

Conclusion

This app turns your phone (or tablet, if you wish) into a remote for your TV, and your TB becomes an external display and speaker for your phone. Even if you prefer your original remote, you better download LG TV Plus in advance, just in case your remote is lost or batteries run out of power. This integration is only here if you have a TV manufactured in 2014 or later.

• Graphics 4
• Gameplay 5
• Controls 5
• Replay Value 5

Pros

Lets you control TV easier;
Better integration with smart features and third-party apps;
Lets you play music and videos and watch photos from your phone on TV;
Compatible with various versions of webOS;
Compatible with tablets.

Cons

Only works with TVs made in 2014 or later;
May require some fiddling with settings;
Bugs reported frequently.