Can You Use A Samsung TV Without a Remote?

Remote controls seem to have a mind of their own. No matter how hard you try to make sure they don’t get lost, they always seem to be missing! If you have a Samsung TV, and you have misplaced the remote, you are probably curious, can you use a Samsung TV without a remote?

Good news: you can use a Samsung TV without a remote, and there are a couple of ways to do it. You can either control the television itself directly from the controls on the device, or you can use your phone via the SmartThings app. 

If you are not reading this article as a simple curiosity, but because you actually want to get back to controlling your Samsung television without a remote, don’t worry! We are going to explain these two very simple options so you can return to your entertainment of choice within just a few minutes. Or if you are simply preparing for when it does eventually happen, you will definitely be able to remember these easy instructions!

How to Use a Samsung TV Without a Remote

As you now know, there are two ways to use your Samsung TV without a remote, either by using the buttons on the television itself or with the SmartThings app on your phone. Both options have a few pros and cons, so let’s figure out which choice is best for you and of course, how to actually use them. 

How to Use the SmartThings App to Control a Samsung TV

Using the SmartThings app is certainly the most efficient way to control your Samsung TV without a remote as it is essentially like having the original remote but on your phone. 

If you have already set up your SmartThings app and connected it to your Samsung TV, simply open the app and start controlling! It’s as easy as that. 

However, if you have not already connected them,  and your Samsung was manufactured after 2017, you will most likely need your remote in order to finalize the connection. 

So if you have already lost your remote, and you have not already paired your television with the SmartThings app, this may not be a valid option. But remember, there is another option! Simply skip ahead to the next section to find out more.

How To Connect a Samsung Smart TV to the SmartThings App

If you are being proactive and simply want to learn how to connect your phone to your television before you have lost your remote, you can follow these simple instructions to pair the two. 

• Download the SmartThings app on your smartphone.
• Turn on your smart Samsung TV.
• Click the DEVICE tab, then select the “+” icon.
• Then select ADD DEVICE.
• Choose the options for BY DEVICE TYPE and select TV.
• Next, click SAMSUNG.
• Click TV, and then click START.
• You will need to choose a location and room in your home.
• Your Samsung model name should appear.
• The next steps will be displayed on your phone or television.

If your Samsung television was manufactured before 2017, you may still be able to connect your phone with the TV by pressing the “OK” option on the screen with one of the built-in buttons on the TV. It may just be worth a try if you are going crazy without your remote. 

Using a Samsung TV with the Built-In Buttons

You may or may not have noticed that your Samsung television has buttons under, in the back of, or next to the screen. 

You may have to do a little exploring before you find them, but once you do, you will see a power button, volume and channel options, and an input source button. 

Unfortunately, because most TVs are now smart TVs, the channel buttons won’t do you much good unless you are watching free over-the-air television. 

However, here is what you can use these buttons for:

• The power button will turn the TV off and on.
• The volume keys can still adjust your sound. 
• The input option should be used to change the source to which external device you want to see on the screen.

From there, if you have a cable box, you may be able to use the channel buttons located on that device to make your selection, enabling you to continue watching the program of your choice.

If you have a streaming device hooked up, and you still have the remote for that machine, as long as you put the TV on the appropriate input, you can then use it to control your entertainment options. 

So while the buttons are in fact limited, you can realistically continue enjoying your program if you have either a cable box or streaming device that you can continue to control, but you might not be able to do everything. 

So Can You Use a Samsung TV Without a Remote?

You already know the answer to this one, you definitely can control your Samsung TV without a remote. 

If you already have the SmartThings app on your phone and it is connected to your TV, you have nothing to worry about, you already have a fully functioning remote in your hands!

However, if you don’t, you will need to use a combination of the buttons on the television itself, as well as those on your cable box or the remote of your streaming machine to pick your next game, movie, or TV show. 

If worse comes to worst, you can always get a brand new Samsung remote on Amazon!

If you do want to troubleshoot if you have a broken remote, here are some things you can do: