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How to control multiple TVs from one phone

One phone can control several TVs, but each TV is paired separately, and the real risk is pressing a key on the wrong one. Setting this up well takes ten minutes and means you never have to guess which “Living Room TV” the app is talking to.

By TV Remotely · Updated · Sources and testing policy

Give every TV an unmistakable name first

Remote apps list TVs by the name the TV announces. Most TVs default to a model string such as “[TV] Samsung Q60 Series” or “webOS TV OLED55C1”, and two identical models look identical in the list. Before pairing, change the name on each TV in its own settings (usually under General, System, About or Device name; on Android TV and Google TV: Settings → System → About → Device name). Use rooms, not models: “Bedroom”, “Kitchen”, “Garage”.

Then reserve each TV’s IP address in the router (DHCP reservation). That keeps the saved connection stable, and it makes the router’s device list readable as well.

Pair them one at a time

  1. Turn off the other TVs, or stand in front of the one you are pairing.

    Only the intended TV shows the PIN or approval prompt.

    If two prompts appear at once, decline the one you don’t want and start again.

  2. Pair, and name or favourite the TV in the app if it offers that.

    The app lists the TV under the name you chose.

    If it still shows the model name, rename the TV on the TV, then forget and re-add it.

  3. Send a harmless Home or arrow key and watch which screen reacts. Repeat for the next TV.

    Each saved entry controls the room you expect.

    If the wrong TV reacts, delete that entry, and re-pair with only the target TV powered.

Never test with Power. If you send Power to what you think is the bedroom TV and the living-room TV turns off in the middle of a film, you’ll remember it.

Mixing brands and apps

Manufacturer apps (SmartThings, ThinQ, Roku, Fire TV, Google TV) each control their own brand’s TVs, so a household with a Samsung, an LG and a Roku needs three apps. A general multi-brand remote app can cover them with one list, but only for features its protocol supports; check Input, Power-on and Keyboard on each model rather than assuming. Each person’s phone is paired separately, so a partner’s phone does not inherit your pairings.

Related guidance

Sources for these instructions