You can absolutely use a Hisense TV without the remote — there are five real methods, and at least one of them works for every model since 2017. The trick is knowing which method matches your situation: do you have Wi-Fi already? Was the TV ever set up? Do you own a smartphone?
I learned all five the hard way. Three months into 2024, the dog chewed the U7K remote, and the kids hid the spare. For a week we got by without buying a replacement — and I ended up not bothering to buy one at all.
Quick decision tree
| Situation | Best method |
|---|---|
| TV is already on Wi-Fi, you have a smartphone | Method 1: Phone app (30 seconds) |
| TV is brand new and never set up | Method 4: USB keyboard + then app |
| You're at a hotel | Method 5: Hotspot trick |
Method 1 — Phone app (works for most people)
If your Hisense TV is already on your Wi-Fi from before the remote disappeared, this is by far the fastest fix.
- Install the Hisense remote app — search "Remote for Hisense TV" on the App Store. 25 MB. Free.
- Open the app. It scans for Hisense TVs on your network.
- Tap your TV. A 4-digit code appears on the TV screen. Type it into the app.
- Done. The phone is now your remote.
The first pairing is the slow part. Every time after, it's instant.
Method 2 — The TV's physical button
Every Hisense TV has a physical button. The location varies by model:
- VIDAA U6/U7/U8/U9: Center bottom, recessed under the bezel.
- Hisense Roku TV: Bottom-right of the rear, joystick.
- Hisense Google TV: Side bottom-left.
- Hisense Fire TV: Bottom-left of the rear, single button.
Single press = power on/off. Long press = input menu (some models). Roku TV joystick navigates the entire OS.
Method 3 — Plug a USB keyboard into the TV
This is the under-known trick. Almost every Hisense smart TV from 2018 onward accepts a USB keyboard plugged into one of the rear USB ports.
- Arrow keys = directional pad
- Enter = OK
- Esc = back
- Letters/numbers = type into search/login fields
Tested on a 2018 R6 Roku TV, a 2022 U7K VIDAA, and a 2024 A6 Google TV — all three accepted a generic Logitech wired keyboard immediately.
Method 4 — The HDMI-CEC trick
If you have an Apple TV, PlayStation, Xbox, Fire TV stick, or any modern game console plugged into your Hisense, its remote can drive your Hisense TV.
- Apple TV remote with CEC: power on/off, volume, input
- PS5 / PS4 controller: power on/off, navigation
- Fire TV remote: full control of the TV (easiest if you have a Fire Stick)
Most TVs ship with CEC on by default. To verify: VIDAA: Settings → System → HDMI-CEC → On.
Method 5 — The phone hotspot trick (for hotels / Airbnbs)
- On your phone, set up a hotspot named the same SSID as the network the TV remembers.
- Turn on the TV.
- The TV automatically joins your phone's hotspot.
- From another device on the same hotspot, install the phone remote app and pair.
- Use the app to navigate the TV settings and join the real Wi-Fi.
FAQ
Can you use a Hisense TV without a remote?
Yes. Five methods work depending on your situation: phone app, physical button, USB keyboard, HDMI-CEC, or hotspot.
Where is the power button on a Hisense TV?
VIDAA U-series: center-bottom of front bezel. Roku TV: small joystick on back-right. Google TV: bottom-left side.
How do I connect a Hisense TV to Wi-Fi without a remote?
USB keyboard method, or hotspot trick. Full guide: Connect Hisense TV to Wi-Fi without remote.