Quick answer
- Enable Power On with Mobile on the TV (in the network Expert Settings).
- Keep the TV plugged in and connected to the same network as your phone.
- Tap the power button in your Samsung TV remote app to wake the TV.
To turn on a Samsung TV with your phone, enable Power On with Mobile in the TV's network settings, keep the TV plugged in and on the same Wi-Fi as your phone, then tap the power button in a Samsung TV remote app. Without that setting, the TV ignores the phone while it is in standby.
It is the one feature people discover they need only after the remote is gone, so it is worth setting up today.
Before you start
- The TV is a 2016 or newer Samsung Smart TV connected to your home network (Wi-Fi or cable). Older models can't be turned on from a phone app.
- Your phone has connected to the TV once and you selected Allow on the TV. See how to use your phone as a Samsung TV remote.
- The TV stays plugged in (standby, not unplugged).
How to enable Power On with Mobile on a Samsung TV
2022 and newer models
Open Settings > All Settings > Connection > Network > Expert Settings and turn on Power On with Mobile. If the same menu has IP Remote, turn it on too.
2017–2021 models
Open Settings > General > Network > Expert Settings and turn on Power On with Mobile.
2016 and older models
2016 TVs have a similar option in the network settings, sometimes under a different name. 2015 and older Smart TVs can't be woken from a phone app: the app can turn them off, but you switch them on with the TV's button or remote. Not sure which year your TV is? Check the Samsung TV model number or the compatibility guide.
Turn on your Samsung TV with your phone
- Switch the TV off with the remote or the app, so it is in standby.
- Open Samsung TV Remote on your phone. Your TV stays in the list after the first connection.
- Tap the power button at the top left. The TV switches on within a few seconds.
That is the power on over Wi-Fi feature. The same button turns the TV off.
How it works: Wake-on-LAN in plain English
Samsung TV wake on LAN works like a doorbell. In standby, the TV keeps a tiny part of its network chip listening. When your phone sends a special wake-up message over the home network, the TV recognizes it and powers up. Power On with Mobile is the switch that keeps that "doorbell" connected.
Because the message travels over your local network, the phone and TV must be on the same network, and the TV must have power.
Samsung TV won't turn on from the app? Try this
- Check the setting. Power On with Mobile can turn off after a software update or reset. Open the path above and make sure it is on.
- Wait after unplugging. After a power cut, give the TV a minute to rejoin the network before you try.
- Just switched it off? Samsung TVs can ignore the wake-up signal for up to a minute after they are turned off. Samsung TV Remote keeps trying and shows each attempt.
- Same network. The phone must be on the TV's Wi-Fi, not mobile data or a guest network. Turn off any VPN.
- Turn the TV off normally. If the TV was switched off at the wall or with a power strip, it can't be woken.
- Try a cable. On some models, waking over an Ethernet cable is more reliable than over Wi-Fi. On the other hand, a wired TV with a soundbar on HDMI ARC may not wake over the network.
- Bixby models. On TVs with Bixby, keeping the Bixby wake-up option on in standby (Settings > General > Voice > Voice Assistant) may keep the TV reachable.
- Router power saving. Some routers drop sleeping devices from the network. Restart the router and, if possible, give the TV a fixed (reserved) IP address in the router settings.
If the app can't see the TV at all, follow our guide for when a Samsung TV is not showing up on your phone.
No remote and the setting is off?
Then you need to turn the TV on once by hand. Press and hold the control button on the TV, usually under the Samsung logo or on the back near the bottom right. When the TV is on, connect your phone, use it to open the settings and enable Power On with Mobile. Our guide on how to control a Samsung TV without a remote covers the button in detail.
Conclusion
To turn on your Samsung TV with your phone, you need one setting, Power On with Mobile, a TV that stays plugged in and a phone on the same network. Enable it now while you still have the remote, and your phone becomes a complete replacement, including the power button.
Frequently asked questions
Does it work over mobile data?
No. The wake-up signal travels over your home network, so the phone must be on the same Wi-Fi as the TV. Turning the TV on from outside your home is not supported by phone remote apps that work locally.
Does it work after unplugging the TV?
Not until the TV has power again. When the TV is unplugged or after a power cut, its network chip is off. Plug it in and wait a minute: once it is back in standby and connected to the network, Power On with Mobile works again.
Can I turn off the TV from my phone too?
Yes. The power button in the app turns the TV off like the normal remote. Turning it off works with any connected Samsung Smart TV from 2010 on; turning it back on needs a 2016 or newer TV with Power On with Mobile enabled.
Does it increase standby power use?
Slightly. To hear the wake-up signal, the TV keeps part of its network connection active in standby, which can use a little more energy than a full standby. For most homes the difference is small, and you can turn the setting off at any time.