Lost or broken Samsung TV remote — what you can do
Breathe: your iPhone can do the remote's job. NoStrings controls Samsung Smart TVs (Tizen, 2016 and newer) over your home Wi-Fi. There is one step that needs a little care: the first time your iPhone connects, the TV shows an “Allow / Deny” request, and Samsung has no code option. Below are several ways to press “Allow” without the original remote. You only do it once.
Connect without the remote
- Make sure the TV is on and connected to the same Wi-Fi router as your iPhone (not a guest network). Turn VPN off on the iPhone.
- Install NoStrings, open it and allow Local Network access when the iPhone asks.
- Tap your Samsung TV in the list.
- The TV shows a request to allow the new device. Press “Allow” using one of the ways below.
If the TV asks to confirm
Samsung asks once per phone, and there is no PIN. The button on the TV itself only opens a small menu (power, volume, channels, source) on most models, so it can't reach “Allow”. What works:
- A USB mouse or keyboard (the easiest). Plug any USB mouse or keyboard into the TV's USB port. A cursor appears: click “Allow”, or press Enter.
- The SmartThings app. If the TV was added to Samsung's SmartThings app (many people do it during setup), open the TV there → Remote and press “Allow”. It works over the internet.
- 2025 models: press the button on the TV, move to “Mobile Remote” and hold the button. A QR code opens the SmartThings remote on your phone; use it to choose “Allow”.
- Another remote: one from another Samsung TV or a cheap universal IR remote. A game console or TV box remote through HDMI-CEC (Anynet+) may also work on some setups.
- An Android phone with an infrared port. Many Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Huawei phones have a built-in remote app: choose Samsung TV in it.
No rush: while NoStrings is open, the request keeps reappearing on the TV for about 3 minutes.
Turn the TV on
NoStrings can switch the TV on over Wi-Fi. Turn this on once on the TV: Settings → General → Network → Expert Settings → Power On with Mobile. Many TVs have it on already.
The TV has to stay on the network in standby (Wi-Fi or cable). Some models switch off completely after the “No signal” auto power-off; then they can't be woken over the network, so use the power button on the TV itself.
Keep in mind: you do this only once. After the first connection the TV remembers your iPhone, and the app connects by itself every time you open it. No remote needed again.
Questions
I pressed “Deny” by mistake. What now?
On the TV open Settings → General → External Device Manager → Device Connection Manager → Device List, find your iPhone and allow it (or delete it and connect again).
The TV doesn't show any request.
Check Settings → General → External Device Manager → Device Connection Manager → Access Notification (set it to “First time only”), and turn on IP Remote under Network → Expert Settings. Then open NoStrings again.
Can the button on the TV press “Allow”?
On most Samsung models, no. It opens a small menu for power, volume, channels and source. Use a USB mouse or one of the other ways above.
Which Samsung TVs work?
Samsung Smart TVs with Tizen, from 2016 on. The iPhone and the TV must be on the same home Wi-Fi.
The basic remote (power, volume, channels, arrows, Home, Back, playback) is free: no subscription, no ads, no account. Pro is a one-time purchase that adds the keyboard, touchpad, TV apps, photos on the TV, widgets, Apple Watch and Siri.
Get NoStrings on the App Store
Still stuck? Write to us: support@nostringsremote.com