Controlling a 2024 Samsung Smart TV with the SmartThings app mobile remote

Last Update date : Dec 03. 2024

Screenshot of the SmartThings app interface showing the mobile remote control options for a 2024 Samsung Smart TV.

With the mobile remote function in the SmartThings app, you can control and navigate your Samsung TV using your phone! You’ll be able to turn on the TV, browse channels, open apps, and play your favorite programs with ease. The mobile remote control can be customized to include your preferred options as well.

Notes:

Make sure the SmartThings app is updated to the latest version. To verify this, open the SmartThings app, then tap the Menu icon (the three horizontal lines), and then tap the Settings icon. Tap About SmartThings at the bottom of the screen.

The supported mobile remote features and UI may vary depending on the SmartThings app version, the remote model, or the TV model.

Before you can use the SmartThings app as a mobile remote control for your Samsung TV, you will need to register the TV to the SmartThings app. Make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network to proceed.

1 Navigate to and open the SmartThings app on your phone, and then tap the Devices tab.

SmartThings app interface open on a smartphone, highlighting the Devices tab with a Samsung Smart TV displayed in the background.

2 Tap the Add device icon (the plus sign), and then tap Add under “Samsung devices”.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone showing the Add device with a Samsung Smart TV in the background.

3 Swipe to and tap TV.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone, showing the TV option being selected, with a Samsung Smart TV in the background.

4 Allow the app to scan for your TV, and then select its name when it appears.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone scanning for devices, with '[TV] 65" Neo QLED 8K' selected from the list, and a Samsung Smart TV in the background.

5 A PIN will appear on the TV’s screen. Enter this PIN into the SmartThings app, and then tap Done.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone displaying a PIN entry screen, with a Samsung Smart TV in the background showing the PIN code.

6 Select OK on the TV.

SmartThings app on a smartphone showing a successful connection message, with a Samsung Smart TV in the background displaying an OK confirmation screen.

7 Adjust the TV’s information in the SmartThings app if desired, and then tap Done.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone showing adjusted TV information, with a Samsung Smart TV in the background.

Usage guide for the mobile remote control

Once your Samsung TV has been added to the SmartThings app, you can begin using the mobile remote control.

You can access the mobile remote control by opening the SmartThings app or by selecting the mobile remote control in the Notification panel on your phone. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Notification panel, and then select the mobile remote control icon on the TV notification to begin using it.

Smartphone screen displaying the Notification panel with the mobile remote control icon selected, and a Samsung Smart TV in the background.

Note: You can also access this option on iOS phones. From the Lock screen, swipe down from the top left corner (on the iPhone 13 Pro Max and earlier iOS models, swipe down from the top center of the screen). Tap Allow on the permission notification, and then tap the mobile remote control to begin using the mobile remote.

1 To use the mobile remote control from the SmartThings app, navigate to and open the SmartThings app on your phone, and then tap the Devices tab.

2 Find the location with your TV, and then tap its card.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone showing the TV's location card being selected, with a Samsung Smart TV in the background.

3 Tap the mobile Remote control icon in the bottom right corner.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone with the mobile remote control icon in the bottom right corner being tapped, and a Samsung Smart TV in the background.

4 Tap the Power icon to turn on the TV, and then swipe up on the mobile remote control screen to expand the options.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone showing the Power icon being tapped to turn on the TV, with the mobile remote control screen expanded.

Note : To turn off the TV, tap the Power icon in the top left corner.

5 The VOL button lets you increase and decrease the volume, as well as mute the TV’s sound.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone showing the volume button being used to adjust the volume and mute the sound.

6 The CH button lets you browse channels and open the Guide.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone showing the channel button being used to browse channels and open the Guide

7 Swipe left on the VOL and CH buttons to view apps, programs, and inputs. Select your desired option to open it on the TV.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone showing apps, programs, and inputs

8 Tap the square icon in the left corner to display the directional buttons. You can tap Left, Right, Up, and Down to navigate the TV’s screen. Tap the square icon again to hide the directional buttons.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone showing the square icon tapped to display directional buttons for navigation.

9 When the directional buttons are hidden, you can navigate the screen using your finger and the touchpad. Swipe in any direction on the touchpad to navigate the TV. You can tap once to select something, and tap twice to return to the previous screen.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone showing touchpad navigation being used with swipe gestures.

10 Tap the 123 icon in the right corner to display the numbers and colors pad.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone showing the 123 icon being tapped to display the numbers and colors pad.

11 Tap the Back arrow in the bottom left corner to navigate back one screen on the TV.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone showing the Back arrow in the bottom left corner being tapped to navigate back one screen.

12 Tap the Home icon in the center to return to the TV’s Home screen.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone showing the Home icon in the center being tapped to return to the TV’s Home screen.

13 Tap the Microphone icon in the bottom right corner to access the TV’s microphone and begin using voice commands with Bixby.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone showing the microphone icon in the bottom right corner being tapped to access the TV’s microphone for voice commands with Bixby

Note: Follow the instructions on your TV to set up Bixby if necessary. This feature may not be supported depending on the region or model.

Customize the mobile remote control

You can adjust the mobile remote control’s options and customize your Samsung TV experience.

1 Navigate to and open the SmartThings app on your phone, and then tap the Devices tab.

2 Find the location with your TV, and then tap its card.

3 Tap the mobile Remote control icon in the bottom right corner.

4 Tap the Power icon to turn on the TV, and then swipe up on the mobile remote control screen to expand the options.

Note: To turn off the TV, tap the Power icon in the top left corner.

5 Tap the More options icon (the three vertical dots), and then tap Edit.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone showing the More options icon to access the Edit menu for customizing the mobile remote control

Note: You can also touch and hold the screen to begin editing the options.

6 Tap the red minus icon to remove an option from the mobile remote control. You can swipe left or right on the top portion of the screen to view the available options, such as programs and apps.

SmartThings app interface on a smartphone showing the red minus icon being tapped to remove an option from the mobile remote control.

7 Tap an option in the bottom portion of the screen to add it to the mobile remote control. For example, you can choose options under “Sources & Apps” or “Media Control”.