Losing the remote in the cushions is almost a household ritual, but today we have a backup plan on our wrist: the smartwatch. With the right combination of devices and apps, a Smartwatch can control your TV and other home functions without getting up from the sofa or depending on batteries.
The key is in the compatibility of the TV, the clock system, and the available apps. If you choose each piece well, you'll be able to set up your device in minutes. navigate through menus, raise and lower the volume, open apps and even take photos with your phone's camera. from your wrist. And in ecosystems like Google TV, Samsung SmartThings, or Apple TV, the options multiply with highly polished integrations.
What you need: compatibility and key parts
For the clock to act as a remote control, three conditions must be met. First, the TV: ideally it should work with Google TV on models from brands such as Sony, TCL, Hisense, or PanasonicIn these cases, pairing with Bluetooth accessories (such as a trackpad/mouse) is straightforward and stable.
If your TV uses proprietary systems like Tizen (Samsung) or WebOS (LG), this "Bluetooth mouse"-style pairing isn't available natively in the same way. Still, there are very effective alternative routes within each ecosystem, as well as a universal method, which we'll discuss below.
Does your TV not have Google TV? No problem: you can add it with a Chromecast with Google TV or other TV box/TV stick with Google TVBasically, you turn any HDMI into a Google TV-enabled TV ready to pair devices and take advantage of wrist controls.
Second requirement: a watch with Wear OS (Google's wearable system, present in many Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, and OnePlus models depending on the generation). Without Wear OS, the touch-control app won't work the same or won't be able to be installed at all.
The third piece is the app: WowMouse (for Wear OS)This tool turns your watch into a Bluetooth trackpad/mouse controller with clicks, scrolling, and arrow navigation. There's a free version and a paid version with extras like Double-click, smoother scrolling, and improved arrows for greater precision.
Pair a Wear OS watch with Google TV using WowMouse
Once the requirements are confirmed, the watch is linked to the TV as if it were a Bluetooth mouse or keyboardThe process is quick, and after pairing, you can navigate, select items, and adjust the volume from your wrist.
- Turn on your TV with Google TV and verify that the Bluetooth is active.
- Open the Play Store on your Wear OS watch and search for the app WowMouse.
- Install and open WowMouse on your watch to start detection.
- Wait for nearby devices to appear and locate your TV.
- Select the TV from the clock screen to start pairing.
- On TV you will see an authorization notice; accept it to complete the pairing.
- Done: you can now navigate through menus, open apps and control the basic volume from the wrist.
If you need extra precision or additional gestures because you scroll a lot or use dense interfaces, the premium version of WowMouse Unlock advanced gestures and improve the experience In day to day.
What if your TV is Samsung or LG? Practical alternatives
On Samsung TVs with Tizen and LG with WebOS, the WowMouse + Google TV formula is not replicated exactly. However, if you have Samsung TV and a Galaxy Watch, the most polished route is SmartThings, the brand's connected home platform, which puts key controls directly on the watch.
- Install SmartThings on the mobile and on the Galaxy Watch.
- Add the Samsung TV to your home in the app and define the user role.
- Open SmartThings on your watch and link it to your home setup.
- On your mobile, mark the TV as Favorite to have it at hand.
- On the clock, go to favorites, select your TV and accept the pairing code if it appears.
- You will have on/off controls, channels and volume, as well as quick access.
If your TV is LG, the way goes through the WebOS ecosystem apps and its integration with your phone. While they don't mirror the SmartThings experience with the Galaxy Watch, they do allow for effective basic control. In any case, if you want the most universal route across brands, adding a Chromecast with Google TV and use Wear OS + WowMouse It is once again the most versatile bet.
Control your TV from Pixel Watch with the Google Home app
Another very convenient way is native control from the wrist with Google Home in the Google Pixel Watch; if you need voice, you can set up OK Google. It allows you to turn on the TV, control playback, navigate with the virtual D-pad, and adjust the volume from a dedicated card.
- Add the card Television remote control from the clock's card library.
- If you already have a home and TV created in Google Home, the card is ready: choose the TV to control.
- If you have multiple homes, tap Select, choose the address, and then the TV you want to control.
- If you use multiple Google accounts on your watch, scroll to the bottom of the screen, tap Select, choose account, home and TV.
The card offers playback controls, volume and crosshead, plus direct access to the Google Home app on your watch. If you experience volume issues, check on your TV: Settings > Remotes & accessories > Configure remote buttons > Volume control, and select your preferred TV.
Use your watch as a remote control for your mobile camera
In addition to replacing the TV remote, a smartwatch can act as a remote camera shutter release and viewfinder from the phone. In Wear OS environments, the most direct option is to use the Google Camera app on the watch, with requirements depending on the version.
Important: Google indicates that this feature is available in Wear OS 2 and later, with information geared toward Wear OS 3 and later. For full compatibility, especially with advanced features, the most reliable combination is a Wear OS watch + Pixel phone.
- Activate the watch and open the app CameraIf it doesn't appear, install it from the Play Store.
- Press the shutter; by default a shutter speed is usually applied. 3 second timer.
From the watch you can switch between front and rear camera, choose 3 or 10 second timers and control the zoom with a slider (up to zoom in, down to zoom out). If you want to disable the timer: Menu > Timer > Deactivate.
With the Galaxy Watch family, starting with the Watch 4, Samsung adopted Wear OS, but camera control flows better in its ecosystem: you'll have a preview, timer and quick review with Galaxy phones. Previous models with Tizen also have remote control, and if your combination isn't Galaxy + Galaxy, you can try third-party apps like CameraOne.
On Huawei watches, remote camera control is available within the brand's ecosystem and with mobile phones with EMUIYou can set timers and view the photo on your watch, useful for group selfies or remote shots.
If you use Apple Watch with iPhone, the remote camera experience is very complete: from your wrist you control timer, burst, HDR, Live Photos and zoom with the Digital Crown. It's one of the smoothest integrations on the market.
Turn your Apple Watch into a remote for Apple TV
With Watch 11 (updated from an iPhone running iOS 18), compatible Apple Watches—SE 2, Series 6 and later, and Apple Watch Ultra—can use the Remote app to control Apple TV without touching the physical remote.
First, make sure your watch, iPhone, and Apple TV are on the same network. Turn on your TV and Apple TV, open the Remote app on your watch, select your Apple TV (or add it with the “+” button), and accept the pairing code that you'll see on screen. In seconds, you'll be able to navigate tvOS, play/pause, and return.
The latest update adds up/down volume, mute, subtitles and on/off Apple TV from your wrist. You can even summon Siri by holding down the watch crown to navigate menus and select content using your voice.
Other options: use your phone as a remote control if you need to
If your remote has broken and you need an emergency solution, your phone can work as a Universal remote control. It's useful while you're setting up your watch or waiting for a new remote.
If your phone has infraredThe Mi Remote Controller is compatible with many brands (LG, Samsung, Sony, Sharp, Haier, Panasonic, etc.) and also controls the Mi Box. It's ideal for powering on/off and basic actions.
For Android TV/Google TV, Android TV Remote Service It allows you to use your phone as a remote control and even enable a keyboard or voice search, connecting through the same network or via Bluetooth.
With the app Google TVJust open it, tap "Remote Control," search for devices, pair, and you're done. You can also manage your TV from Google Home.
If you prefer official brand apps, check if your manufacturer offers their own. own app (e.g., SmartThings on Samsung) to control channel, home, volume and settings from your mobile with greater reliability.
Beyond the living room: opening the garage with the clock
The concept of a “wrist remote” isn’t limited to TVs. There are devices like 1Control Solo (2nd Generation) which allow you to do without the garage remote and open the gate with your mobile phone or watch, without any work, WiFi or electrical installation.
It works with two batteries and lasts about two years. After downloading the app, simply pair your old controller in a simple process. You can place it near the portal and provide access to up to 10 users or install it in the car and add several controls (up to 4) to open different portals from your smartphone.
Its official price is around 119 euros, although it is often found cheaper in online stores or refurbished at a reduced price. It's a practical way to keep access control with you at all times.
Usage tips, limits and tricks
Bluetooth connection can be affected by distance, interference, and the number of devices. If you notice lag or cutsMove closer to your TV or relocate your TV box/Chromecast to improve coverage. On Google TV, turning Bluetooth on and off on your watch and TV usually clears previous pairings.
Keep in mind the watch batteryUsing it as a trackpad or continuous viewfinder consumes more power. Lower the brightness, disable the always-on display when using the remote camera, and close the app when you're done. During long sessions, the savings are noticeable.
With WowMouse, if your TV doesn't appear in the search, go to Google TV Settings > Remote accessories and accessories and force pairing mode to become visible. Renaming the TV to a simple name helps if there are multiple devices nearby.
For long-distance photography, a lightweight tripod and stable support make all the difference. Set the timer 10 seconds If you need time, remember that digital zoom reduces quality: it's best to get physically closer whenever possible. Indoors, activating HDR (Apple Watch or Google Camera) balances light and shadows.
In the Samsung ecosystem, SmartThings provides the finest experience. Make sure your TV is Favorite and the watch account is synchronized with the mobile account. This means quick access is just a tap away on your wrist.
With these options, the watch stops being just a step counter and becomes a personal control center from the living room, your phone's camera, and even your garage. By choosing the right ecosystem—Google TV + Wear OS, Samsung with SmartThings, or Apple—and following the pairing recommendations, you can ditch the traditional remote and gain real convenience in your daily life.
