Use your phone as a Samsung TV remote
A Samsung smart TV from about 2016 or later runs Tizen and can be controlled from a phone on the same Wi-Fi. Samsung's free SmartThings app includes a remote, and remote-only apps like Zapmio connect directly to the TV. The first time, the TV asks you to allow the phone on screen.
Which Samsung TVs can be controlled from a phone
| Samsung TV | System | Phone remote over Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|
| Smart TVs from about 2016 (K, M, N, R, T, A, B, C, D series and newer) | Tizen | Yes: Zapmio, SmartThings |
| Smart TVs from about 2010-2015 | Orsay (older Smart Hub) | Limited |
| TVs without Smart Hub or network port | None | No; use the button on the TV or an infrared remote |
Set up your phone as a Samsung remote
- Connect the phone to the same Wi-Fi as the TV.
- Turn the TV on. Without a remote, press the control button on the TV, usually under the middle of the bottom edge.
- Open the remote app and pick your TV from the list.
- When the TV shows a prompt asking to allow the device, choose Allow. The phone is remembered afterwards.
Zapmio for Samsung
Zapmio connects straight to your Samsung TV over Wi-Fi and opens to a clean remote with large buttons. You need no Samsung account, and the whole household can use it on their own phones. Try it free, and the app checks your own TV before anything else.
Try it free14 days free · Coming soon to Google PlayYour options compared
| App | Price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| SmartThings (Android, iPhone) | Free | Samsung's smart home app; the remote sits inside the TV's device card. Needs a Samsung account. |
| Zapmio (Android) | Free to try | Remote only, large buttons, no Samsung account, up to three phones per household. |
Let your phone turn the Samsung TV on
A phone can only wake a Samsung TV that keeps its network connection in standby. On most Tizen models the setting is Settings → General → Network → Expert Settings → Power On with Mobile. Menu names vary slightly between years.
Related guides
- How to turn on a Samsung TV without the remote
- Universal remote app or universal TV remote?
- Lost your TV remote? Here is what to do
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Samsung account to use my phone as a remote?
For SmartThings, yes. Apps that connect directly to the TV, like Zapmio, do not need one.
Why does my Samsung TV ask me to allow a device?
Samsung TVs ask before a new phone or app can control them. Choose Allow once; if you choose Deny by mistake, remove the device under Settings → General → External Device Manager → Device Connection Manager → Device List.
Does Zapmio work with my Samsung TV?
Zapmio works with Samsung smart TVs running Tizen, from about 2016 onwards. Try it free on your own TV and see it work straight away.