How do I control Hulu on my computer from my phone?
Put SofaDeck on the computer and pair your phone with its QR code. Then say "open Hulu" or tap a Hulu button, and use Play/Pause, F11 for fullscreen and the volume buttons from the sofa; the phone trackpad clicks Skip ad, Skip intro and Next episode on screen. Searching works by voice: "search Hulu for Abbott Elementary". It's free on Windows and Mac.
- Install SofaDeck on your PC (free)
- Scan the QR code with your phone
- Tap
Works on iPhone & Android — no app needed. Scan the QR code on your PC with the phone's camera and the remote opens in its browser. On Android you can also add the optional Google Play app.
Hulu has apps for TVs and streaming sticks, each with its own remote. On a PC or a laptop connected to a TV there is no remote at all, only the keyboard and mouse across the room. SofaDeck fills that gap with your phone: it opens Hulu in the PC's browser and gives you big buttons for the things you reach for during an episode.
Because Hulu plays in the browser, the buttons that matter most are the ones that work on any site: the media Play/Pause key, the volume keys, F11 for fullscreen and Esc to leave it.
Set it up in 5 steps
- Install SofaDeck on the PC or laptop you watch Hulu on.
- Scan the QR code with your phone and type the PIN.
- Add a Website button for https://www.hulu.com/ (or say "open Hulu").
- Add Play / Pause, Fullscreen (F11), Exit (Esc), Volume − / + and Mute.
- Open the trackpad on the phone to click Skip and Next episode, or to pick a profile.
Buttons to add for Hulu
| Button | What it sends | What it does | Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu | Website: www.hulu.com | Opens Hulu in the PC's default browser. | Free |
| Play / Pause | Media key: Play/Pause | Media key: pause and resume in Chrome or Edge. | Free |
| Pause (key) | Key: Space | Space pauses most web players while the browser is in front. | Free |
| Fullscreen | Key: F11 | Fullscreen browser window. | Free |
| Exit | Key: Esc | Leaves fullscreen. | Free |
| Volume − / + | Media keys: Volume down, Volume up | The PC's volume. | Free |
| Mute (ad break) | Media key: Mute | Mutes the PC through an ad break; tap again to unmute. | Free |
| Trackpad | SofaDeck's phone trackpad (Windows) | Click Skip, Next episode and menus on the TV. | Free |
| Keyboard | SofaDeck's phone keyboard (Windows) | Type in Hulu's search box from the phone. | Free |
| Sleep timer | Sleep timer | Sleep, shut-down or screen-off timer with a countdown. | Free |
Hulu's player decides which keys it answers; F11, Esc, media and volume keys work regardless. The free version holds one page of 12 buttons, so start with the ones you reach for most; Pro removes the limit.
Or just say it
Tap the microphone on the phone (or type in the say-or-type bar) and SofaDeck runs the command on the PC. Any button also runs by saying its label. The full voice command list has the rest.
| Say | What happens |
|---|---|
open Hulu | Opens hulu.com on the PC. |
search Hulu for <show> | Opens Hulu search for those words. |
mute / unmute | Toggles the PC's mute. |
pause | Media Play/Pause key. |
What's free and what needs Pro
Everything on this page is in the free version. Pro (from $6.99 once, no subscription) adds more pages, hotkey combos, macros and Smart pages that switch the phone to your Hulu page when Hulu comes to the front (Windows), if you want more later. See Pro.
Limits, honestly
- SofaDeck controls a PC or Mac, not Hulu on a TV, Roku, Fire TV or console.
- Site keys need the browser in front; the media and volume keys don't.
- Hulu + Live TV's guide is easiest with the trackpad or Screen view (Pro); there's no channel list on the phone.
- No video goes to the phone: it's a remote, not a second screen.
SofaDeck runs on Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit) and on the Mac (macOS 11 Big Sur or later, on Apple silicon or Intel). The phone needs only a browser: iPhone or Android, no app to install, on the same Wi-Fi as the PC.
Other ways to control Hulu from your phone
On a TV with the Hulu app, or with a streaming stick, use that device's remote. SofaDeck is for Hulu in a browser on a computer, where it also handles Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, the PC's volume and shutting down at night.
Hulu is a trademark of its owner. SofaDeck is made by Dixon App Studio and isn't affiliated with or endorsed by the makers of Hulu. Shortcuts listed are the app's defaults at the time of writing and can change.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Hulu remote app for a laptop?
Hulu doesn't make one for computers. SofaDeck turns your phone into a remote for the laptop instead: open Hulu, pause, fullscreen, volume, trackpad and voice search. The free version covers all of it.
Can I skip ads or the intro from my phone?
When Hulu shows a Skip button, the phone trackpad clicks it. SofaDeck can't remove ads; the Mute button just silences the break.
Do I need the same Wi-Fi?
Yes. The phone and the computer must be on the same home network; SofaDeck never relays through the internet.
Related
- Disney Plus remote control for a PC: your phone
- Prime Video remote for a PC: your phone
- Media keys on your phone for your PC
- How to Control Netflix on Your PC From Your Phone
- How to Control Your PC From Your Phone (Windows 10 & 11)
- Can I Use My Phone as a Trackpad? Yes, Here's How (Free)
- All remotes by app