By Klaus Jakobsen, developer of A Decent Remote 
Bush has an official remote app, but it only fits some Bush TVs, because “Bush Smart TV” has meant several different systems over the years. Work out which one you own and the right app is obvious. Many Bush sets are built by Vestel, the Turkish maker that also publishes the free official app.
Which system does my Bush TV run, and how can I tell?
The remote is the quickest tell, then the model number on the sticker on the back. Bush’s codes vary a lot, so treat the examples as a guide.
| Your remote has | System | Phone control |
|---|---|---|
| A Home button, Netflix, Freeview Play, Prime Video and YouTube buttons, and no microphone (DLED43UHDHDRSC) | Freeview Play on Vestel’s own system | Virtual Remote, no code |
| A TiVo button and a Settings button (32HT24CA, 55UT24SB) | TiVo OS with Freeview Play or Freely | Virtual Remote, no code |
| A Google Assistant button, and “Android TV” in the product name (HA24H4212LEKB) | Android TV | 6-character code on the TV |
| A Fire TV home screen (43USF26) | Fire TV | Approval on the TV, or Amazon’s app |
Is there an official Bush TV remote control app?
Yes, for the first two kinds. TV Smart Centre is free, comes from Vestel and runs on iPhone and Android. Its App Store listing names Bush as supported. The remote screen has a touchpad, a keyboard and Netflix and YouTube shortcuts. The app also shows a TV guide, streams live TV to your phone, sends photos and videos to the TV, and records programmes on TVs that support it. What it can do depends on your TV.
A Decent Remote is the other route if you want one app and one layout for every TV in the house, with no ads and no account. It is only a remote: no live streaming to the phone, no recording. If a Bush is your only TV, try the official app first.
How do I pair A Decent Remote with a Bush TV?
Freeview Play and TiVo OS sets (the Vestel kind - try this first)
- With the remote, press Home, open Settings > System > More and switch Virtual Remote on. On TiVo OS sets press Settings and look under Devices instead.
- Put your iPhone on the same Wi-Fi as the TV.
- Open A Decent Remote and tap your Bush in the list.
- The TV flashes its info banner once. That is the pairing: there is no code and no prompt.
If the TV does not appear or pairing fails, check Virtual Remote first, then the checklist for TVs that do not show up. We have not had a Bush confirmed by name yet, so if yours still will not pair, use the official app, which relies on the same setting.
Android TV sets
- Switch the TV on and put the iPhone on the same Wi-Fi.
- Open the app and tap your Bush.
- Type the 6-character code the TV shows (digits and the letters A to F) into the app. The pairing lasts.
More detail is in the Android TV guide.
Fire TV sets
Fire TV accepts the app over ADB debugging. Turn on Settings > My Fire TV > Developer Options > ADB Debugging, then accept Allow USB debugging? on the TV and tick Always allow. If your set has no ADB option, use Amazon’s free Fire TV app instead. The Fire TV guide has the rest.
A Decent Remote is on iPhone today, and the Android version is being built now. Leave your email and you get one message the day it is on Google Play. Android owners can use TV Smart Centre now, or Google’s Google TV app on an Android TV Bush.
How do I turn a Bush TV on without a remote?
Press the TV’s single control button. One press switches the TV on, and its position differs by model, so check your manual’s diagram. To switch off, press it to open the small menu, then hold it for about two seconds on the Standby option and let go.
The same button changes volume, channel and source, but the manuals say it cannot open the main menu. So switch Virtual Remote on while the remote still works.
From the phone, power-on needs the TV’s network awake in standby (Networked Standby Mode in the Network menu). The TiVo OS manual calls the TV Wake-on-LAN compatible, but we have not proved a wake from the app on a Bush. See why a TV will not turn on from an app.
Why is my Bush remote control not working?
Fit two fresh AAA batteries first. It is the only fix Bush’s manuals list for a dead remote. The Freeview Play remote is infrared, so point it at your phone’s front camera and press a button: a working remote shows a flashing light on the screen.
- Android TV remotes: hold Left and Home together until the LED flashes, then choose the remote on the TV.
- TiVo OS remotes: open Settings > Devices > Pair Remote Control or Other Device, set it to Enabled, select Discover, then hold Source on the remote until the LED blinks.
Replacements cost about £6 to £9 on eBay and about £18 to £20 at specialist shops. Match your TV’s model number, because Bush has used many remotes.
What does not work on a Bush TV?
- Bush sets without Wi-Fi cannot be controlled by any phone app.
- The app has no Freeview Play or Freely button. Open them from the Home screen.
- On the Vestel kind, app shortcuts cover Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video only.
- We cannot promise TiVo OS or Fire TV Bush sets until we have seen them pair.