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Our smartphones can do many amazing things, including replacing a TV remote control. How often have you found yourself searching for the remote, and it was nowhere to be found?
Perhaps it was within your reach, but the batteries gave up just as you were about to turn up the volume. On the other hand, your phone is likely to be close to you when you’re watching TV, so having it as a backup remote comes in handy.
Before you can use your phone to control the TV, you need to set it up properly. There are several ways you can do this, and we’ll guide you through all the solutions.
How to Control a Samsung TV With a Samsung Phone
Smart TVs are quickly becoming the norm these days, and Samsung is one of the leading manufacturers in the industry. If you have a Samsung smart TV at home and use a Samsung smartphone, you’ve hit the jackpot regarding device compatibility.
Samsung has a designated app for controlling smart home devices, including TVs. It’s called SmartThings, and it is integrated into all Samsung smartphones. You might not have used it before because you didn’t need to, but if you want to control your Samsung TV, you will need to set it up.
Make sure your TV is turned on, and follow these steps.
- Locate and launch the SmartThings app on your Samsung phone.
- Tap on the “Devices” icon at the bottom of the screen.
- To add your Samsung TV, tap the “+” symbol in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Tap “Scan Nearby” to allow the phone to find the TV.
- Select your Samsung TV from the devices the phone has found.
- When you see a PIN on the TV screen, enter the same numbers into your phone.
- Tap “Done.”
Now that your Samsung TV and phone are connected via the SmartThings app, you can use it as the remote.
Here’s how:
- Launch the SmartThings app on your Samsung phone.
- Choose your Samsung TV from the list of connected devices and select “Remote.”
This remote has all the TV remote’s functions and will allow you to control your TV until you find the remote or replace the batteries.
How to Control a Samsung TV With an iPhone
If you have a Samsung smart TV and an iPhone, you can still connect them and control the TV. The good news is that iOS devices are compatible with the SmartThings app, so all you need to do is download it from the App Store and get started.
- Launch the newly installed SmartThings app on your iPhone.
- Switch to the “Devices” tab.
- Select the “+” symbol.
- Tap your Samsung TV from the list.
- A PIN will appear on the TV screen. Enter that number in your iPhone.
- Select “Done.”
Control your Samsung TV with an iPhone by following these steps.
- Relaunch the SmartThings app.
- Select your Samsung TV from the list of devices.
- Select the “Remote” option.
That’s it. You’re good to go. Your iPhone can now control your Samsung TV.
Note: You must ensure your Samsung TV and phone use the same wireless connection.
How to Control a Samsung TV With an Android Phone
Even with an Android phone, using it to control your Samsung TV is straightforward. Smartphones from different brands, like LG, run on Android OS.
This is another situation where the SmartThings app saves the day. You can download the Android version of the app from the Google Play store and use it to connect your Android phone and Samsung TV.
Here are all the steps you need to follow.
- Open the SmartThings app on your Android phone. Select the “Devices” tab located at the bottom of the screen.
- Select the “+” symbol.
- Tap “Scan nearby.”
- Make sure your Samsung TV is on. When your Android phone is done scanning, select the name of the TV on the Android device.
- When a PIN appears on the TV screen, enter the digits in your Android phone.
- Tap “Done.”
Your Android phone and Samsung TV are now connected. Here are the two steps to follow to control the TV with your phone.
- Open the SmartThings app.
- Select your Samsung TV from the list and select “Remote.”
Now you can change the volume and channels and navigate smart features on your TV.
How to Control a TV With a Phone Without Wi-Fi
If your remote control is not working, but you also don’t have access to Wi-Fi, how do you control your TV with your phone? Not all is lost, as there is a chance your phone has an integrated IR blaster.
This small device, which allows communication with your TV, used to be very common in Android phones, but newer models don’t support it. And if you have an iPhone, you might be out of luck entirely. To be quite sure, you can check the manufacturer’s website and try to get the info.
Even if your phone has the IR blaster, you will need to download a universal remote app to your phone, utilizing mobile data. So, make sure that fits into your mobile data plan.
You can find many great universal remote apps on both the Google Play Store and App Store, and you can even find a Samsung TV remote app that accurately substitutes for the physical device.
If your smartphone doesn’t have an IR blaster, the only remaining option is to purchase an IR blaster adapter that fits into your phone’s charging port.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to search for an adapter that fits your phone’s model and incorporate that factor into your research. The IR adapters typically cost between $10 and $20.
How to Control TV With Phone Without IR Blaster
Potential solutions are limited if your phone doesn’t have an IR blaster and you’re not keen on getting the IR adapter.
You can purchase a screen-mirroring device, such as Miracast or Chromecast, but these depend on wireless connectivity. Either way, you will need to invest in an external device to get the functionality you need.
Controlling Your TV With a Phone Made Easy
Having a Samsung TV comes with all the benefits of the SmartThings app, designed to allow easy access to smart home devices. If you’re a Samsung phone user, the SmartThings app is already at your fingertips—no need to download it.
iPhone and other Android phone users need to get the free app first. With a quick setup, your smartphone becomes a remote, and you can easily navigate all your TV’s features.
Without Wi-Fi, your best chance is your phone having an IR blaster so you can download a universal remote app and control your TV.
Have you ever used the SmartThings app before? Have you used any of the suggestions in this article to control your TV? Let us know in the comments section below.
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