Power on
Can you turn on a TV with your phone?
Often, yes, but only after a one-time setting on the TV. Turning a TV off is an ordinary command. Turning it back on is harder, because most TVs switch their network connection off in standby, so there is nothing for the phone to talk to.
Streaming devices behave differently. A Roku, Fire TV or Android TV / Google TV device usually stays on the network with its screen dark, so a phone remote can reconnect and send Power.
How a phone wakes a TV
Most smart TVs can listen for a “wake” message, known as Wake on LAN, while in standby. The message is addressed to the TV’s network hardware (its MAC address), so the phone must have connected to that TV before. TV Remotely learns the address when it connects, sends the wake message when you ask, then waits for the TV to answer so it can tell you whether it worked.
Turn on the wake setting for your TV
| TV | Setting to turn on |
|---|---|
| Samsung | Settings → General → Network → Expert Settings → Power On with Mobile |
| LG | Settings → General → Devices → TV Management → Mobile TV On → Turn on via Wi-Fi |
| Sony | Settings → Network → Remote start (or Home Network Setup → Remote start) |
| Hisense | Settings → Network → Wake on LAN or Wake on Wireless Network |
| Vizio | Menu → Network → Wake on LAN |
| TCL | Settings → System → Power → Fast TV Start |
| Roku, Fire TV, Android TV / Google TV | Usually nothing: the device stays on the network in standby |
Menu paths change between model years and software versions. If yours differs, search the TV’s settings for “mobile”, “Wake on LAN”, “Wi-Fi” or “remote start”.
Turn your TV on with TV Remotely
- Turn on the wake setting on the TV using the table above.
- Connect to the TV once while it is on so the app can learn its network address.
- Turn the TV off from the app or with its own remote.
- Wake it from the app. If you turned it off from the app, the power button wakes it. Otherwise, choose the TV in the device list. The app tells you if the TV does not respond and names the setting to check.
Why won’t my TV turn on from my phone?
| Cause | What to do |
|---|---|
| The wake setting is off | Turn it on, then try again. |
| The app has never connected to this TV | Connect once while the TV is on. |
| The TV was switched off at the wall or lost power | Wake messages need standby power. Use the TV’s power button. |
| The phone is on a different network or guest Wi-Fi | Join the same network as the TV. |
| The TV is on Wi-Fi and its model ignores wake over Wi-Fi | Some sets wake only on Ethernet. Try a wired connection, or use another control. |
Does the wake setting use more power?
Slightly. The TV keeps part of its network hardware running in standby so it can hear the wake message. Some TVs show an energy notice when you turn the setting on. If you rarely need it, leave it off and use the TV’s own power button.