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Can a phone remote work after a TV factory reset?

After a factory reset, a TV forgets both its Wi-Fi and every phone that was paired with it. The phone app still has a saved entry for the TV, but the TV no longer recognises it. What you can do next depends on what is on the screen, not on which app you have.

By TV Remotely · Updated · Sources and testing policy

Match what you see to what works

  • Language or country picker, or a “Welcome” screen: setup hasn’t finished. Phone remote apps generally can’t help yet, because the TV isn’t on your network. Use the manufacturer’s phone setup if it shows one, or a physical remote.
  • A QR code or “Use your phone to set up”: that is the manufacturer’s setup flow (for example Google TV’s Google Home setup). Scan it with the phone’s camera and the manufacturer’s app, not a third-party remote.
  • A Wi-Fi list: needs a remote. Phone apps can’t reach a TV that hasn’t joined a network. A hotspot with your old Wi-Fi name and password can get the TV online, as described in the change-Wi-Fi guide.
  • The normal home screen with an IP address in network status: setup is finished, and you only need to pair the phone again.

Pair the phone again, the clean way

  1. In the phone app, delete the old entry for that TV (look for Forget, Remove or the trash icon).

    The stale pairing is gone, so the app can’t keep trying credentials the TV has thrown away.

    If the app won’t forget it, remove it from the app’s device list or reinstall the app.

  2. Put the phone on the same network as the TV and add the TV again.

    A fresh PIN or approval prompt appears on the TV. That is expected after a reset.

    If nothing appears, test TV reachability with the checks in the Ethernet guide.

  3. Approve the request using the TV’s remote or on-screen prompt.

    Navigation keys work.

    If keys do nothing after approval, see the found-but-not-connecting guide.

Expect the TV to have a new name and often a new IP address after a reset. If you use manual IP entry in an app, check the address again. If your router keeps a DHCP reservation for the TV’s MAC address, the address stays the same.

How the main platforms differ

  • Google TV and Chromecast with Google TV: Google documents phone setup with a QR code or the Google Home app on certain models, plus manual setup with a remote. The setup guide in the related links explains this.
  • Roku: Roku states that its mobile app can’t detect a Roku that is offline after a reset or still in initial setup. You need a remote (Roku sells inexpensive ones), or the hotspot trick, to get it online first.
  • Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense and TCL: expect to need the physical remote, a USB keyboard/mouse, or the TV’s own control button until the first setup is finished. After that the usual phone apps work.

Related guidance

Sources for these instructions