Check the code printed on the back of your original LG remote before buying anything. Codes starting with AN-MR belong to Magic Remotes, which give you an on-screen pointer and usually voice control, while codes starting with AKB belong to standard infrared remotes. A Magic Remote replacement restores the pointer, and a cheaper IR handset will still drive the same TV for everyday viewing without the voice features.

AN-MR vs AKB: what LG's model numbers mean

Every LG remote carries a small code on the rear casing or inside the battery compartment. The AN-MR prefix marks the Magic Remote range, LG's motion handset that moves a cursor around the screen the way a mouse does. The AKB prefix marks conventional infrared remotes with ordinary buttons only. The distinction matters because Magic Remotes pair with the TV over a radio link, while an AKB remote simply needs a clear line of sight to the sensor under the screen.

If the printing has worn away, the sticker on the back of the TV is your next clue. Note the full TV model, then match it against the compatibility list on each product page.

Magic Remote replacements: AN-MR20GA and AN-MR650A

For recent LG smart TVs such as the 49NANO81ANA, the LG AN-MR20GA voice Magic Remote replacement is the one to pick. It also carries the part number AKB75855501, so if either code appears on your original handset or in your TV manual, this is your match. It brings back the pointer and the microphone button, so searching within apps stays quick.

Owners of earlier Magic Remote generations should look at the LG AN-MR650A replacement with voice function, which restores both the voice button and the mouse-style pointer that generation of webOS sets relied on. As with all Magic Remotes, confirm the exact code because different generations do not pair across years.

The cheaper path: IR remotes that run the same TVs

Plenty of people never use the pointer and just want channel, volume, input and the home menu back. If your OLED originally came with an AN-MR19BA, the AN-MR19BA IR compatible replacement remote is an infrared stand-in built for those smart OLED TVs. You give up voice and the cursor, yet every core function still works, and there is no pairing step at all because infrared needs none.

For older sets, the LG AKB73615309 compatible infrared remote covers smart, 3D, HDTV, LED and LCD models spanning 2000 to 2020, making it a sensible drawer spare even if your main remote still works. Our comparison of universal versus model-specific TV remotes explains when a broad-coverage handset like this beats an exact match.

Which LG replacement fits your TV

Pairing a replacement Magic Remote

A Magic Remote registers to one television at a time. Fit fresh batteries, stand within a couple of metres of the screen, then press and hold the scroll wheel button until the TV reports that registration is complete. If a previous remote was paired, the set may ask you to re-register, which takes only a few seconds. Our step-by-step LG remote pairing guide covers the process in detail, including what to do when the TV refuses to respond.

Voice or no voice: making the call

Buy the Magic Remote version when you genuinely use voice search or the pointer for typing passwords in streaming apps. Go infrared when the TV lives in a spare room, a caravan or a rental, or when the household just wants reliable basic control at a lower outlay. Either way, match the code on your old remote first and the rest is easy.

The Remote Factory is an Australian-based specialist store, so stock ships locally rather than from overseas. Orders are dispatched within 24 hours on business days, and delivery within Australia typically takes 1 to 5 working days. Should a remote not suit your TV after all, 30-day returns apply. Payment is accepted via Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, Shop Pay and Apple Pay, and you can email contact@theremotefactory.com.au with your TV model if you want a compatibility check first.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my LG TV uses a Magic Remote?

Look at the code on the back of your original remote. Magic Remotes carry an AN-MR prefix, such as AN-MR20GA or AN-MR650A, and they control an on-screen pointer. Standard infrared remotes carry an AKB prefix instead. If the remote is lost, check whether your TV showed a moving cursor on screen; if it did, it shipped with a Magic Remote and an AN-MR replacement will restore that behaviour.

Can I use a cheaper IR remote instead of a Magic Remote on my LG TV?

Usually, yes. LG smart TVs retain a standard infrared sensor, so an IR handset such as the AN-MR19BA-style infrared replacement or the AKB73615309 can handle power, volume, channels, inputs and menu navigation. What you lose is the pointer and the voice search button. For many households that trade-off is worth it, particularly for a bedroom or second TV where the advanced features rarely get used.

Do replacement Magic Remotes need pairing with the TV?

Yes. Magic Remotes communicate over a radio link, so a new one must register with your television before the pointer appears. The usual method is to insert batteries, aim at the TV and hold the scroll wheel button until the screen confirms registration. Infrared replacements skip this entirely; they work straight out of the packet because the TV reads their signal through its IR sensor with no pairing involved.

What is the difference between AN-MR20GA and AKB75855501?

They refer to the same remote. LG labels the Magic Remote model as AN-MR20GA, while AKB75855501 is the internal part number that appears in manuals and service documentation. Seeing either code on your original handset or paperwork means the same replacement will suit. This doubling-up of codes is common across LG remotes, which is why product listings often quote both so shoppers can match whichever number they found.