It absolutely works—your iPhone can be your Roku remote, though it’s not always as magical as it sounds in the commercials. I totally get the saga of remotes going missing. @mikeappsreviewer went deep on the official Roku app and ‘TV Remote – Universal’—all valid, but I’ll shoot straight with a couple of extra pointers and a mild warning.
Yes, the transform your iPhone into a Roku remote thing is real and kinda slick. But here’s the kicker: If your Roku and iPhone aren’t on the exact same Wi-Fi frequency (not just network, but 2.4ghz vs 5ghz can matter), you might sit there staring at the app wondering why it’s not finding your device. The setup is dead easy IF your network isn’t a mess. I also found that after a router reset or firmware update, the app acts drunk and you may have to ‘forget’ the Roku in the app and re-discover it. Basic, but annoying.
If your remote died and your Roku box was set up to only accept Wi-Fi remotes (not IR) but your power went out, you might get stuck in a weird loop where the app can’t find your Roku. In that case you need a real remote, at least to connect back to Wi-Fi.
If you’re on the fence between the two apps, the official one is rarely glitchy, but I don’t love how it handles multiple Rokus in one house—requires a bit of toggling.
Honestly, I keep a backup cheap universal remote around anyway, just because if your phone’s dead, everyone’s stuck staring at the screensaver.
Tl;dr: The iPhone-as-remote idea is solid and often even better for searching, typing, or private listening if you use headphones. Just expect the rare Wi-Fi hiccup, and don’t throw out all your remotes yet unless you wanna risk future frustration.