What Does That Button Do?
Identify every button on your remote. No more guessing. Pick your remote below and we'll walk through each key in plain English.
Pick your remote
Not sure which one you have? Jump to the “Which remote is which?” section below for a quick check.
Streaming stick or box
Smart TV built-in
Cable or satellite
Universal remote
Soundbar or speaker
Not sure which remote you have?
Here are four quick checks to identify your remote in under a minute.
1. Flip it over
The brand name is almost always printed on the back or under the battery cover. Look for “Roku”, “Amazon”, “Samsung”, “LG”, or a cable provider’s logo.
2. Count the buttons
Roku ~11 buttons · Fire TV ~9 · Apple TV only 6 plus a touch ring · Samsung Smart ~15 · Cable remotes 20+ · Universal remotes 30+.
3. Look for a microphone dot
Voice-enabled remotes have a tiny pinhole near the top. If you see one, the remote supports voice — press and hold that button to talk.
4. Check for a ring
Apple TV’s Siri Remote has a unique touch ring at the top — round and matte. LG’s Magic Remote has a scroll wheel in the middle. Rings and wheels are brand-specific clues.
Lost or broken remote — what to do
Almost every modern TV, streamer, and soundbar has a free phone app that works as a backup remote. Here’s the quick list.
Roku
Install the free "Roku" app on your iPhone or Android. It acts as a full remote on the same Wi-Fi, with a keyboard for typing.
Order a replacement on roku.com (around $20) or Amazon. Match your Roku model before buying — Voice Remote Pro pairs with any newer Roku, but some old sticks need older remotes.
Apple TV
Swipe down from the top right of your iPhone to open Control Center. Tap the Apple TV Remote icon (a remote shape). Pick your Apple TV and use your phone as a remote.
Apple.com or any Apple Store. The Siri Remote costs around $59. Certified-refurbished saves about $10.
Fire TV
Install the free "Amazon Fire TV" app on your iPhone or Android. Open it, pick your Fire TV, and use phone as remote.
Amazon.com — the replacement remote is around $30. Look for "Alexa Voice Remote 3rd Gen" (the current version).
Samsung TV
Install the "SmartThings" app. Link your TV and use it as a touch remote with a keyboard.
Samsung parts store at samsung.com or Amazon. Universal replacements from GE or RCA work too for basic TV control.
LG TV
Install the "LG ThinQ" app. Works as a remote with a keyboard.
LG parts online or Amazon. The full Magic Remote with pointer runs around $45 — standard LG remotes are $20–30.
Xfinity / Spectrum / DIRECTV
Call your cable provider — they mail free replacement remotes, or you can pick one up at a local store.
Also available on Amazon for a few dollars more than the provider will charge (or for free from the provider).
Program a GE or RCA universal remote to your TV
Follow these 5 steps in order. If Direct Code does not work, fall back to Auto Code Search in the last step.
- 1
1. Find the code list
Open the paper booklet that came with the remote. Find the page for TVs, then the row for your TV brand (Samsung, LG, Vizio, etc.). Write down the first code — for example "0178" for Samsung.
- 2
2. Put the remote into programming mode
Press the device key (TV, CBL, DVD, etc.) once. Then hold the "Setup" or "Code Search" button until the red LED on the remote stops blinking and stays solid. You are now in programming mode.
- 3
3. Enter the brand code
While the LED is solid, type the code from step 1 on the number pad — for example 0, 1, 7, 8. If the code is accepted, the LED blinks twice. If it is rejected, the LED blinks 4 times — try the next code on the list for that brand.
- 4
4. Test the power
Point the remote at the TV and press Power. If the TV turns off, you got the right code. If not, repeat steps 2–3 with the next code in the list.
- 5
5. If no code works — try Auto Code Search
Turn your TV ON manually. Hold Setup until the LED stays solid, then press and release "Power" over and over. The remote cycles through every code in its memory about once per second. When the TV shuts off, press Setup one more time to lock in the code. This takes up to 15 minutes.
Quick Tip
Fix-it: 8 common remote problems
Most remote problems are fixed in under two minutes once you know what to try.
The colored buttons — what they mean
Every remote color-codes buttons a little differently. These are the common meanings, but honestly — learn your specific remote’s logic from the button guides above rather than memorizing colors.
Red
Usually Record or Power-off. On colored-button remotes, red often deletes a DVR recording.
Green
Often Info, Menu, or "start/go". On some cable guides, green jumps to the next time slot.
Yellow
Leftover from European broadcast TV. Rarely used in the US — occasionally favorites or shortcuts.
Blue
Leftover from European teletext. In the US, usually tied to apps or accessibility menus.
Big-button remotes for vision or dexterity challenges
If the standard remote has too many buttons or the labels are hard to read, one of these specialty remotes may help.
Flipper Big Button Universal Remote
Only 6 buttons total. Designed specifically for low vision — volume, channel, power, mute. Sleek and modern.
Tek Pal Remote (Tek Partner)
Giant round buttons and a backlight. Works as a universal remote with simple programming.
SRC Big Button 6-Button Universal
Six huge squishy buttons. Remembers one TV and one cable box.
Solo Remote (by FIA Zubler)
Only 2 buttons — power and channel. Almost nothing to get wrong.
Apple TV Remote with "Hey Siri"
Hands-free: say "Hey Siri, pause" or "Play the news" without touching a remote at all.
Frequently asked questions
Keep going
Related tools and guides that pair well with this one.
Step-by-step setup for Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, and Roku TVs.
Alexa vs. Google vs. Siri — pick one and walk through setup.
Pair headphones, speakers, and hearing aids step-by-step.
Browse every guide on TVs, streaming, soundbars, and DVD.