Setting up a universal remote isn’t difficult, but it requires attention to the right model

You have three remotes on your coffee table, none of them work properly, and you still need two to watch a movie. This problem is more common than it seems, and the solution has existed for decades: the universal remote control. What changed in 2026 is that televisions became much more complex, with Android TV, Google TV, webOS, Tizen and OLED systems that depend on specific buttons to work well. Configuring a universal remote today requires a bit more care than it did in the past.

This tutorial will show you how to configure a universal remote on any TV, regardless of the brand or operating system of the device. You will only need the universal remote you chose, your TV’s manual (or access to the manufacturer’s website to consult the model code) and about fifteen minutes. No additional tools are necessary.

What you need before you start

Before plugging anything in, define what type of universal remote you are using. There are three main categories in the Brazilian market today:

• Code-based universal remote: the most common and cheapest. You type a four or five-digit code corresponding to your TV brand to program it.
• Universal remote with infrared (IR) learning: the remote “learns” each button from your original remote by capturing the IR signal. More flexible, but the process takes longer.
• App-based or Bluetooth/Wi-Fi universal remote: modern models, such as Logitech’s Harmony line or remotes associated with home automation hubs, which connect via app and can also control speakers, streamers and smart lighting.

Identify your remote model and set aside the manual. Most remotes sold in Brazil in the R$ 30 to R$ 150 range use the code method. Remotes with IR learning usually cost between R$ 80 and R$ 200. Solutions like the Harmony line, discontinued by Logitech but still found in resellers, start at higher values and depend on software support.

How to configure using the code method (step by step)

This is the fastest method and works for the vast majority of remotes sold in Brazilian stores, including brands like Multilaser, Intelbras and similar.

1. Turn on your TV normally with its original remote.
2. Get the universal remote manual and locate the code table by brand. Look for your TV brand, for example: Samsung, LG, TCL, Philips, Hisense, Positivo or AOC.
3. Write down the codes listed for that brand. Usually there are two to five options.
4. On the universal remote, press and hold the configuration button (usually called “SET”, “CODE” or “PROG”) for three to five seconds, until the LED flashes or lights continuously.
5. Enter the first code from the list using the remote’s numeric buttons.
6. Point the remote at the TV and press the power button. If the TV turns off, the code is correct. Press the configuration button again to save.
7. If the TV doesn’t respond, repeat the process with the next code on the list until you find the one that works.
8. After saving, test the main buttons: volume, channel change, input/source and, if your TV has it, the home button of the operating system.

An important detail: not all buttons on the universal remote will work perfectly with all TV models. Functions specific to systems like Google TV or Tizen sometimes require the manufacturer’s original remote for full menu access. You may be able to control the essentials, but buttons like shortcuts for voice assistants are rarely mapped on generic universal remotes.

How to configure using the infrared learning method

If you still have your TV’s original remote on hand, but it’s breaking down, this method is ideal. The universal remote “copies” each button directly.

1. Place the original remote and the universal remote pointing at each other, about 5 cm apart between the IR emitters (the small dark tip on the front of each remote).
2. On the universal remote, enter learning mode. This is usually done by pressing and holding two buttons simultaneously, as indicated in the manual. The LED will flash differently to indicate that the mode is active.
3. Press on the universal remote the button you want to program, for example, the volume up button.
4. Next, press and hold the corresponding button on the original remote until the universal remote’s LED flashes confirming the signal capture.
5. Repeat the process for each button you want to configure.
6. When finished, exit learning mode as per the manual and test the buttons with the TV.

This process is time-consuming if you want to replicate many buttons, but it guarantees full compatibility with any TV, regardless of brand or system. It’s the ideal solution for TVs from less common brands in Brazil, such as some imports or regional models that don’t appear in code tables.

Setting up smart app-based universal remotes

Remotes with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity work differently. The most accessible example on the Brazilian market today is the SofaBaton U2, which operates via its own app available for Android and iOS. Similar models from other brands follow the same logic.

1. Download the official remote app from your smartphone’s store.
2. Connect the remote to your home Wi-Fi through the app, following the configuration wizard.
3. Within the app, select “Add device” and choose the type (TV) and brand of your device.
4. The app will suggest control profiles based on the model. Confirm and sync.
5. If the profile doesn’t work completely, the app usually allows you to edit individual buttons or use IR learning mode directly from the app.
6. Position the remote so that the IR emitter reaches your TV and test the functions.

An advantage of these smart remotes is the ability to create macros: a single button that executes a sequence of actions, such as turning on the TV, switching to the streamer input and opening a streaming app. For those who use multiple devices and want to simplify their room, this is the most efficient approach. If you watch many streaming services and are still unsure which is worth subscribing to, check out which is worth more in Brazil between Amazon Prime and HBO Max to make this decision with more confidence.

Common problems and how to solve them

The remote doesn’t respond to the TV even with the correct code

Check if the batteries are new and properly seated. Then, check if the remote’s IR emitter is unobstructed. A simple test: point the remote at your phone’s camera and press any button. Smartphone cameras can capture infrared light, so you’ll see a purple or white dot flashing on the screen if the emitter is working. If nothing appears, the problem is with the remote.

Basic buttons work, but functions like “Home” or “Smart” don’t respond

This is normal on generic universal remotes. Systems like Google TV, Tizen (Samsung) and webOS (LG) have proprietary buttons that rarely appear in cheap remote code tables. The solution is to use the universal remote only for basic functions and keep the original remote to navigate smart TV menus. Alternatively, remotes with IR learning can copy those specific buttons from the original remote.

The remote forgot the programming after changing the batteries

Some more basic models don’t have non-volatile memory and lose the configuration when they run out of power. This is described in the remote’s manual. If this is your case, the solution is to switch to a model with persistent memory or repeat the configuration process after each battery change.

The lesser-known brand TV doesn’t appear in the code table

TVs from brands like Multilaser, Semp, Philco and some Chinese imports may not be in older remote code tables. In this case, use the IR learning method with the original remote, or check on the TV manufacturer’s website if it has an IR remote from a more well-known brand as a base (many smaller manufacturers use panels and systems from LG or Samsung with their own software on top).

Frequently asked questions about universal remotes

Does a universal remote work with any TV brand?

It depends on the type of remote and the available code database. Code-based remotes work with the most common brands on the Brazilian market, such as Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, Philips and Hisense. For smaller or imported brands, the IR learning method is more reliable, as long as you still have the original remote.

Do I need Anatel approval to use a universal remote in Brazil?

Technically, radiofrequency devices or wireless connectivity devices sold in Brazil need to pass Anatel approval. Purely IR (infrared) remotes don’t transmit radio signals and are outside this requirement. Wi-Fi or Bluetooth remotes need to have the Anatel seal to be sold legally. Check the seal on the product before buying to avoid warranty and import issues.

Is it worth buying an imported universal remote?

Importing can be cheaper, but you lose the national warranty and assume the risk that the product doesn’t have Anatel approval. For basic remotes at R$ 30 to R$ 80, buying from national stores is usually safer. For more sophisticated models, such as home automation hubs with integrated control, importing can make sense if you understand the risks involved.

Can a universal remote control devices other than the TV?

Yes. Many models allow you to configure multiple devices on the same remote, such as sound systems, blu-ray players, TV subscription decoders and IR streamers, like older versions of Amazon Fire Stick. App-based smart remotes usually go further and integrate smart home devices. Each remote has a limit on the number of devices it can support simultaneously, so check the manual before buying.

When the universal remote doesn’t solve the problem

If you use many devices and the specific functions of your TV operating systems are important in your daily life, a generic universal remote will frustrate you. In that case, it’s worth considering home automation solutions with integrated IR control, such as Broadlink hubs or similar, which allow you to create complete routines via your phone. These are products with a higher learning curve, but they deliver much more control over all your room devices.

For most people, however, a good code-based or IR learning universal remote solves the problem at a low cost and with simple setup. Choose the right method for your case, follow the steps in this guide and you’ll be able to simplify your TV experience quite a bit.