I have a two-year-old Samsung TV that is my companion on most evenings.

It was one such evening of me binging at The Office when my Samsung TV remote stopped working. I tried replacing the batteries and even resetting the remote. Nothing worked. 

My TV was at full volume and without the remote, I had no idea how to lower the volume. So, I just unplugged the TV from the power source. 

But that was never a permanent solution. I still had no idea how to operate the TV and start the show the next day. So, I started looking for solutions to operate my Samsung TV without a remote.

At first, I discovered using the Power button on the TV for basic controls. But that still didn’t allow me to switch through the apps I had on my TV. So, I kept looking for other options. 

That’s when I came across the idea of using my iPhone to control my Samsung TV. All I had to do was download the right app and then, with just a few clicks, I had complete control of my TV right at my fingertips. 

To use your iPhone as a Samsung TV remote, open the Samsung SmartThings app on your phone, go to Menu, click on All Devices, and select your TV from the list of devices. A remote will appear on your screen, allowing you to control the Samsung TV with your iPhone.

Control Your Samsung TV With SmartThings

Samsung SmartThings app allows you to connect and control multiple devices using your iPhone.Previously known as Samsung Connect, this app lets you manage Samsung as well as some compatible third-party smart devices like TV, speakers, home appliances, and others.

You can download the Samsung SmartThings app directly from the app store. 

Note: You should have an iPhone 6 or later and should be running iOS 10 or later for the SmartThings app to work on your iPhone.

To control your Samsung TV with your iPhone, you first need to add the TV to your SmartThings app.

Before starting the pairing process, make sure your TV is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone.

To add your Samsung TV to SmartThings:

1. Download the Samsung SmartThings app on your iPhone.
2. Launch the app.
3. Log into your existing Samsung account or create a new one.
4. When the app starts, tap on the Devices tab.
5. Click Home.
6. Choose the location for your device.
7. Click on Add a Device (plus sign).
8. Scroll down and select TV from the list of all devices.
9. Select your Samsung TV.
10. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.

Once your TV is added to the SmartThings app, you can then use your iPhone as a remote to control your Samsung TV.

To control your Samsung TV using your iPhone:

1. Open the Samsung SmartThings app on your iPhone.
2. Go to Menu.
3. Click on All Devices.
4. Select your Samsung TV from the list of available devices.
5. A TV remote will appear on your phone’s screen.

Using the on-screen remote, you can now control your TV’s volume, change channels, switch inputs, or stream your favorite shows.

Basic buttons like Home, Guide, Back, and Mute are also available on the remote. Additionally, you can also use the arrow buttons to navigate through your TV’s settings. 

In case you are not able to add your TV to SmartThings, you can also stream content from your iPhone directly to your Samsung TV using the AirPlay 2 feature.

Stream From Your iPhone Using AirPlay 2

AirPlay 2 lets you stream movies, shows, music, photos, and videos from your iPhone directly to your Samsung TV. 

Here’s a list of Samsung TV models compatible with AirPlay 2:

Before starting to stream from your iPhone to your TV, you may need to enable AirPlay on your TV.

To enable AirPlay on your Samsung TV:

1. Go to your Samsung TV’s home screen.
2. Navigate to Settings.
3. Click on All Settings.
4. Select General.

Note: For 2023 models, select Connection.

5. Click on Apple AirPlay Settings.
6. Toggle the feature on.

You are now ready to start streaming from your iPhone to your Samsung TV.

Note: Your Samsung TV and iPhone need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network to stream using AirPlay 2.

To stream content from iPhone using AirPlay 2:

1. Open the content you want to stream. 
2. Look for the AirPlay icon (like a TV) on your screen. 

Note: For photos, you will need to click on Share to discover the AirPlay icon.

3. Tap on AirPlay.
4. Select your TV from the list of available devices.
5. Enter the AirPlay code shown on your TV.

Your content will now start streaming on your Samsung TV.

In case you are not able to locate the AirPlay icon in the app you are using, you can also access it through the Control Center by swiping down on your screen from the top-right corner.

No Remote? No Worries!

Losing your TV remote can be a frustrating thing. We have all been there where we’ve either misplaced the remote or the remote is not working for some reason. 

At such times, rather than getting irritated at the situation, you can use your iPhone to easily control your TV. With SmartThings, you can not only control your Samsung TVs but also the other smart appliances in your house.

Moreover, you can also add multiple TVs to your SmartThings app and use a single iPhone to remotely operate all the TVs in your home. 

In case the SmartThings app does not work for you, there are other third-party apps you can use. You can download apps like ControlMeister, Remotie, Remote for Samsung, or any other TV remote app from the app store. 

Depending on the app you download, you will need to perform a sequence of steps to pair your TV to the app. You can then start using your iPhone as a remote control for your Samsung TV. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my Samsung TV remote is not working?

First, make sure the remote has fresh batteries inserted correctly. If the batteries are fine, try pointing the remote directly at the TV’s IR sensor, as obstructions can interfere with the signal. You can also try resetting the remote by removing the batteries and holding down any button for 5 seconds before reinserting the batteries. If the issue persists, consider replacing the remote or contacting Samsung Support for assistance.

Can I use a universal remote to control my Samsung TV?

Yes, you can use a universal remote to control your Samsung TV. Follow the instructions provided with your universal remote to program it for your Samsung TV. This typically involves entering a specific code or using an auto-scan feature to detect the TV model.

Can I use voice control with Samsung SmartThings?

Yes, Samsung SmartThings integrates with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control your smart devices using voice commands. After setting up your voice assistant and linking it to your SmartThings account, you can use voice commands to control your devices or execute automation routines.