You can setup Samsung smart TV without remote by using the Samsung SmartThings app on your smartphone. This method lets you connect your TV to Wi-Fi and control it entirely from your phone, solving the problem of a lost or broken physical remote.
Before you start: locate your Samsung TV's physical buttons
To begin, you need to turn on your TV using its built-in physical buttons, as this is the only way to start the setup without any remote. All Samsung TVs have these buttons, though their location and configuration vary by model. Common locations include the bottom center, bottom right, back panel (bottom-right corner), front panel (center), front bezel (center), or the right side of the bezel. To power on the TV, long-press the center or power button. For navigation, press the button once to cycle through menu options (like Power, Channel Up/Down, Volume Up/Down, Source) and long-press to select an option. Once you have a replacement, you can connect remote to Samsung smart TV to restore full control.
Download the Samsung SmartThings app and sign in
Download the Samsung SmartThings app on your smartphone (Android 6.0+ or iOS 10.0+). A critical prerequisite is that both your phone and the TV need to be signed into the same Samsung account for the SmartThings app to function as a remote. Open the app and sign in with your Samsung account credentials; if you don't have an account, create one during the sign-up process.
Add your TV to the SmartThings app
To connect your TV using SmartThings, turn on the TV, open the SmartThings app, tap 'Add' (+) or 'Add device', then select 'TV', then 'Samsung', then 'TV' again, and tap 'Start'. You will need to select a location and room for the TV, then choose your TV from the list of available devices in the SmartThings app.
Complete the connection with the on-screen PIN
A PIN will appear on the TV screen, which you must enter into your phone to complete the connection with the SmartThings app. This pairing step replaces any separate pairing process and confirms the secure link between your devices.
Connect your Samsung TV to Wi-Fi using the virtual remote
Once connected, the SmartThings app provides a virtual remote interface to control channels, volume, source, apps, and access settings, including connecting to Wi-Fi. Use the virtual remote and its on-screen keyboard to navigate to Network Settings and enter your Wi-Fi password, solving the initial setup problem of getting your TV online.
Control your Samsung smart TV without a remote
The virtual remote in the SmartThings app handles daily functions: navigation, volume control, channel changes, app launching, and input switching. If you're wondering how to use my Samsung smart TV remote, the app's interface mirrors the physical remote's layout, making it intuitive. To turn on Samsung smart TV without remote, use the TV's physical buttons to power it on, then the app takes over all other control.
