Unimote : smart TV remote Reviews

by Starbar5

Hard to believe Sony put their name on this. The frequent and intrusive ads are one of the most annoying for any app, but I would not mind paying the $5.99 ransom if it just worked. TV and iPhone are on same Wi-Fi and Unimote can see TV and confirm IP address, even confirm a 4-digit pin that came on TV screen. But nothing works. Every button I try gets the same message “Is your TV turned on and are you connected to the same wi-fi...” Yes and Yes, but no luck.
I recommend buying Samsung next time. I have theirs in bedroom and SmartView app works perfectly with no ad ransom.

by Nicknameshmickname123456789

Don’t do it! I’m telling you - multiple one-Star reviews exist for a reason! I don’t care how lazy/irresponsible you are with keeping track of a real remote. Put a Lo Jack on that thing instead, it’ll be way more worth it than downloading Unimote.

I downloaded and connected Unimote to my tv and now my regular actual Sony remote does NOT work at all with it! I replaced the batteries but it’s something to do with Unimote itself. And my tv is a brand new X850G. I have to do a hard restart on the tv and re-do all my app passwords on the tv itself.

Obnoxious, aggressive ads that do not go away after one click, can barely function to press 5 buttons in succession before another ad comes up. Whoever created Unimote needs to be jailed for their poor workmanship.

by Iceman850

iPhone 12 Pro Max, the free program is completely useless because the ads make it impossible to use. For example trying to pair it with the TV triggers an add. I figure “heck I just spent a grand on a TV, what’s another 7 dollars” a complete waste is what it is. The program sees my TV just fine, it just won’t connect to it. Trash programming and the free app is designed to be useless so you buy Unimote and it still won’t work. Has the look and feel of a beta design program where they are still arguing over the scope of the product. I will be asking Apple for my money back. Get your crap together Sony. If you are going to nickel and dime us on everything, at least make sure it works.

by Dgp1

Full screen pop-up video ads, unskippable, with sound...that come up every 4-5 button presses. Imagine trying to adjust a menu or something and these ads pop up every time as you're pressing buttons while looking at the TV to try to use it. No thanks.

At least give a trial for a week or something. Or have the ads somewhere they don't completely cripple Unimote . Hell, devote half the screen to them for all I care, you gotta eat. Just don't pop them up full screen and make me wait. An app shouldn't be utterly unusable just because you don't do an in-app purchase. But this is unusable.

The ads are just insulting.

by Mkmlyon

Everytime I click an option on the remote, and ad pops up, so I never get to use it! Example: I try to change the input, I click the “input” button, and an ad comes up, so now I have to wait for the ad (which half the time when I click the X at the top of the ad when it’s finished won’t even exit out) to finish and by then the input has disappeared from the tv and I’m unable to change it and go through the same process over and over again. I could see an ad popping up every so many uses, but every time I click a button an ad pops up. Not worth it.

by Fkarbarz

I used this only because the SONY remote included with my TV would not navigate the GCN+ app that I use frequently. SONY support said to use a bluetooth/software app remote. Unimote does “fix” what the real SONy remote does not.

Unimote is a workaround for a problem that should not exist from a global company with deep pockets.

Yes, is does work, yet the frequent delivery of ads is intolerable. Why, because Ads appear every few minutes and they cover every key even if you are in the middle of pressing keys. It took 15 minutes and then resorted to paying $8.99 to end the torture.

by 72748293

Every time your TV turns off you have to re scan and reconnect it. This is more of an annoyance than an issue, but when half the time the correct tv doesn’t even show up or scan correctly, it’s bothersome.

Now don’t even get me started on the ads. I just tried to fast forward through an episode and had about 15 ads before completely giving up on it (i was only like 15 mins into the episode yet!). Not to mention all of the ads I had getting to the episode itself.

I checked to see how much it would cost to remove ads all together because, due to a wild toddler in the home, the remote is gone forever I assume. 😂 And it was 7 BUCKS? To just remove ads? That’s absurd.

This is how it is with all the remote apps you guys run, and it’s terrible.

by Ryan McMorris

If the creators weren’t so desperate to sell Unimote that an add popped up every few clicks I would have probably bought it. Best of all its any click, you can’t even turn the volume up a few clicks with out an pop up. Trying to get a decent feel for Unimote is completely ruined by constant pop up ads. I was so annoyed that I made my first ever app review. There is absolutely no way I will ever pay for Unimote because of the ridiculous amount of pop ups. I’d rather buy a remote, heck a new tv, that’s how completely annoyed. Whoever made the call should be fired.

by RCT0626

Unimote works, but honestly this is the most ad saturated app I’ve ever seen. They make it nearly impossible to use Unimote - you will literally get a screaming ad, sometimes 2 or 3, EVERY TIME you push a button, before the function occurs. You have to pay the $8.99 to be able to use it at all because the ads are impossible to navigate. The remote does work, but I’m giving it one star because of the ads, and the fact that it isn’t really free. They should just say it cost $9 right up front,

by Asd23(8c$v

Absolutely ridiculous that after spending more than 1k on a tv Sony still tries to nickel and dime you. I cant use Unimote for more than 6 seconds without getting an ad. Of course you can remove them for $6 but the remote doesn’t work with every streaming service so you still have to use the remote. The interface isn’t very beautiful overall I think this would be an ok app if not for the ads and the price for ad free

by Andromache00

I was so annoyed with the ads from the free version.. they’d pop up and practically force you to go to the ad’s website each time, so I finally paid to have the ads removed. The next day, the remote app stopped working for me completely. There is no way to reset it. Pressing the “start scan” button in hopes of perhaps getting the connection to work did absolutely nothing. I am so frustrated. I have asked for a refund since it is not working at all. I may have to open a case directly with Apple/App store

by Melip3

I will be happily deleting Unimote when my new remote comes in! Yes, it works, and it was extremely simple to set up. That is why it has 2 stars. The problem is, unless you pay for it you get an ad every few clicks. Want to turn up your volume (maybe 3 clicks) you get an ad! Want to channel surf? Forget it you’ll have to watch an ad every few channels. Want to turn on Netflix on your smart tv? You have to watch 2 ads just to get to your profile, then searching for your show is a nightmare because, you guessed it ad after ad!! The creators of Unimote are obviously just money hungry with how many ads they have set up. That’s why I was happy to pay for a new remote, rather than pay the greedy app creators.

by 245Reviews

I get having a banner across the bottom, but every so many button clicks (as far as I can tell), a big ad fills the screen forcing you to stop and begging you to buy. Renders Unimote unusable for me - at least the free version - since so many functions on a Sony TV require a sequence of many button pushes. Maybe that’s the developer’s intent (of course it is). Something about this design just seems wrong so I’m on the fence about whether to buy even though the price is reasonable. Otherwise it seems to work fine. Agree with other reviewer, though...Sony should have its own factory app.

by Caycaybear

Has worked fairly well. Has been on and off a bit. Not currently working for my tv is not being detected. Maybe a tv issue because my Roku in the other room is detected... trying for more volume but a message about tv being on for more than 30 seconds and a question of is my device and phone app device connected to the same WiFi. The connection is the same. I have really been enjoying the Sonytvmote app but it is currently not working for me at this time.

by AJHovanec

This is almost unusable without paying for it. The ads may be some of the worst I’ve seen as far as only making a few clicks before another plays full screen. I bit the bullet and paid for it because I like having the remote on my phone. It works well, but know you have to pay to use this more than just once in a while.

by Aquarod

love Unimote it’s even better than the Sony Remote that came with the TV. Would have give it 5 stars but if you loose power you have to delete Unimote then reinstall to get it to work properly. I’d also put a button to switch between stations.

by Bettsmama

We misplaced our Sony remote about a week ago. Looked everywhere. Downloaded Unimote and we were like super excited to finally be able to watch our tv again. Godsend! But.. haha hella ads. It gets the job done for sure as in on/off but if you’re trying to scroll, or fast forward/rewind it will get interrupted with ads!! Haha I rewound and entire episode of Loki trying to get through an ad. Worth it if you’re desperate I suppose. Definitely gives incentive to find the lost one.

by Peps1245855

Unimote works well! I have small kids and the remote is always disappearing. I bought the premium version and it’s completely worth it. You always have your phone on you (admit it) so you’ll always have the remote on you.
Super convenient set up, never had any connectivity issues and always works.

by Ag90

Works exactly like my current remote. The only thing I would add is a keyboard. Sometimes on a smart tv you want to connect applications with your email and password. I have a password manager so passwords are long and complicated. The price to remove ads is reasonable. Less than a physical remote. You’d think the tv manufacturers themselves would have an app to go with their TVs but idk. Thank you to the developers

by 1102$!

My Sony remote stopped working and Unimote saved us the trouble of purchasing a new remote. It works perfectly with my TV. Setup took less than 10 seconds. My only issue were the ad pop ups which are easily removed with a one time purchase. Thank you to the developers of this wonderful app.

by Saccharinedream

I completely understand the need for ads when you’re putting a free version of your app on the market. BUT, the ads in Unimote interrupt your ability to use the remote. It would have been better to have banner ads only. Instead, make a few taps and BAM! Ad pops up for up to 30 seconds, holding you hostage as you’re unable to do anything but sit and stare at your phone. Uninstalled. Basically worthless unless you pay for it.

by Moviefan8475

First off, it is not intuitive and doesn’t really work very well. In addition, during the six seconds I was trying to change volume, ads popped up three times, covering the display and preventing me from using whatever functionality Unimote might have. The only way to remove ads is to pay for Unimote . I would have paid for a decent app, but this one is not good. The developers should 1. try honesty and inform buyers that payment is necessary, and 2. build a better app.

by Filet87

Only download this if you’re willing to pay the $5.99 to remove the ads. Not only are there banner ads(which I am totally ok with) but after a certain amount of “presses” a full screen video ad interrupts your input until it’s over. Entering a password had me sit through 5 ads alone. Overly intrusive and far too frequent. They’re banking on the fact you’ll get frustrated with the ads and buy it, but that mentality led me to delete Unimote and have no desire to support this dev team.

by Taylyn1981

To be honest the adds don't bother me one bit I have pretty good patience, I can find something to do for 10 -30 seconds, but on the other hand my 3 year old has no patience and doesn't understand why I haven't hit the button yet. So in my case your upsetting a small child with no financial rights to upgrade ... Oh well.. lo

by 2manyHumans

Unimote works beautifully. The only catch is the ads on the free version, they’re very intrusive and appear too frequently. I’ve used other free remote apps that don’t bombard you with clickbait ads.

by Jcjcudueh

One thing to know. Do not even waste your time here unless the first thing you do is buy it before actual use.

I read the rants but hey, as obnoxious as the dev. Made the free version... hey... this is a blood and sweat product so just fork out the 5 bucks they deserve for their work and you will get:

A nice working product.

by Snjcoleplus3

Unimote does not work. I scan for my tv and it shows up. I select the tv but when I try to press any button I get a message that asks if my tv has been on for 39 seconds. If the tv was found then why does the tv need to be on for 30 seconds? Junk!!!

by Rob Guess

Worked initially then paid to remove add and it does not connect to tv anymore. Rip off and will contact Apple to get refund if a fix is not made. Then will ask to have them removed to prevent others from getting ripped off also.