What Samsung Remote does and where to find it

Samsung Remote is the control app that comes built into Samsung phones and tablets. It lets you use your phone as a remote control for Samsung televisions, soundbars, and other Samsung devices on the same network. You do not need to read anything — it is already installed on most Samsung devices made in the last five years.

To open it, swipe down from the top of your phone twice to open the full Quick Settings panel. Look for a tile labeled "Remote" or a remote control icon. Tap it. If you do not see it, you can also open Samsung's SmartThings app (the home control app that comes pre-installed), and the remote function is built into that app as well.

The app works only when your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. If they are on different networks or your TV is not a Samsung model, the remote will not connect.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung Remote is built into your phone and opens from Quick Settings or the SmartThings app — you do not need to read anything.
  • Your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for the remote to work.
  • The app sends commands over your home network, not through a separate connection, so your TV must be powered on and connected to Wi-Fi.
  • If the remote does not appear in Quick Settings, check that your phone model and TV model are both Samsung and made within the last five years.

Opening Samsung Remote from Quick Settings

The fastest way to open the remote is through Quick Settings. Swipe down from the top of your screen once to see the notification panel, then swipe down again to expand the full Quick Settings grid. You will see a row of tiles — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane Mode, and others.

Scroll right through the tiles until you find one labeled "Remote" with a remote control icon. Tap it. Your phone will search for Samsung devices on your network. When it finds your TV, the name will appear on the screen — usually something like "Living Room TV" or "Samsung 55 inch." Tap the TV name to connect.

If you do not see a Remote tile in Quick Settings, your phone model may not have it enabled by default. Move to the SmartThings app method instead.

Opening Samsung Remote through SmartThings

SmartThings is Samsung's home control app and comes pre-installed on all Samsung phones. Open it by finding the SmartThings icon in your app drawer or on your home screen — it looks like a stylized home with a dot in the center. Tap it.

When SmartThings opens, you will see a home screen with any devices you have already added. At the bottom of the screen, look for a tab or button labeled "Devices" or a remote control icon. Tap it. Your phone will show a list of Samsung devices on your network. Find your TV in the list and tap it. A remote control interface will appear on your screen with buttons for power, volume, channel, and navigation.

If your TV does not appear in the list, make sure it is powered on, connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone, and that it is a Samsung model. Older Samsung TVs (before 2018) may not support this feature.

Connecting your phone to your TV for the first time

When you open the remote for the first time, your phone and TV must complete a pairing process. Both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network — check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and your TV's network settings to confirm they are connected to the same network name.

Open the remote app and select your TV from the list. Your TV screen may show a pairing code or a prompt asking you to allow the connection. On some models, you will need to press a button on your TV remote to confirm. Once confirmed, the pairing is saved and you will not need to do this again unless you reset your TV or phone.

If your TV does not appear in the list after 30 seconds, restart your TV and try again. If it still does not appear, check that both devices are on the same network by looking at the network name in your settings.

Using the remote controls once connected

Once your phone is connected to your TV, the remote interface shows a virtual remote with buttons for power, volume up and down, channel up and down, and a directional pad for navigating menus. The layout mimics a physical remote so the buttons are in familiar places.

Tap any button to send that command to your TV. The response is usually when ready if your Wi-Fi connection is strong. If commands are slow or do not register, move your phone closer to your TV or router — Wi-Fi range and interference can affect responsiveness.

Some Samsung TVs also let you use your phone's keyboard to type in search boxes or enter text. When a text field is active on your TV, your phone's remote will show a keyboard icon. Tap it to type instead of using the directional pad.

Troubleshooting when the remote will not open or connect

If the Remote tile does not appear in Quick Settings, open SmartThings instead — the remote function is always available there. If SmartThings itself will not open, restart your phone and try again.

If your TV does not appear in the device list, check three things: your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network (not a guest network), your TV is powered on, and your TV is a Samsung model made in 2018 or later. If all three are true and the TV still does not appear, restart both your phone and TV, then try again.

If the remote connects but commands do not work, your Wi-Fi connection may be weak. Move closer to your router or TV. If the problem continues, restart your TV and phone, then reconnect the remote.

Privacy and security when using Samsung Remote

Samsung Remote sends commands over your home Wi-Fi network, not through Samsung's servers. This means your TV commands stay on your local network and are not recorded by Samsung. However, your TV itself may collect viewing data depending on your TV's privacy settings — that is a separate setting you control on the TV itself, not through the remote app.

If you are concerned about what data your TV collects, open your TV's settings menu and look for "Privacy" or "Data Collection." You can usually turn off ad tracking and viewing history there. The remote app itself does not add any additional data collection beyond what your TV already does.

If you share your Wi-Fi network with others, anyone on that network can potentially use the remote to control your TV. If this concerns you, you can remove your TV from the SmartThings app or disable the remote feature in your TV's settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Samsung Remote if my TV is not on the same Wi-Fi network?

No. The remote works only over your home Wi-Fi network. If your TV is on a different network or not connected to Wi-Fi at all, the remote will not function. Both devices must be on the same network name.

What if I have an older Samsung TV that does not show up in the app?

Samsung Remote works with most Samsung TVs made in 2018 or later. Older models may not support Wi-Fi remote control. Check your TV's manual or settings to see if it has Wi-Fi capability. If it does not, you will need to use a physical remote or a universal remote app instead.

Can I control my TV from outside my home using Samsung Remote?

No. The remote works only when your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as your TV. You cannot control your TV from work or while traveling. Some Samsung TVs support remote access through the SmartThings cloud service, but that requires a separate setup and Samsung account configuration.

Does Samsung Remote work with non-Samsung devices like soundbars from other brands?

Samsung Remote works with Samsung soundbars and some other Samsung devices, but not with soundbars or devices from other manufacturers. If you have a non-Samsung device, you will need its own app or a universal remote.

What happens if I reset my phone or TV?

If you reset your phone, you will need to pair it with your TV again the next time you open the remote app. If you reset your TV, the pairing is erased and you will need to go through the pairing process again. The process takes less than a minute.