Platform
Remote app for old Samsung smart TVs (2011–2013)
Yes. Simple TV Remote controls Samsung Legacy Smart TV sets from your iPhone over Wi-Fi. Check yours free, then pay $5.99 once.
- Brands
- 1
- Model lines
- 1
- Model codes
- 68
- Versions listed
- 5
Still watching a Samsung smart TV from 2011, 2012 or 2013? Your iPhone can be its remote over your home Wi-Fi. Simple TV Remote works with Samsung smart TVs from the D, E and F series. You choose Allow on the TV once, with no code to type. Check your TV for free in the app, then unlock it once for $5.99.
What works
Samsung smart TVs from 2011 to 2013 run Samsung's Legacy Platform, often called Orsay, with Smart Hub as the home screen.
- Navigation and OK
- Volume and mute
- Switch inputs
- Turn off
Set up
Pairing takes about a minute, once per TV. Each model line’s page has the exact TV menus.
Put your iPhone and TV on the same network
Connect the TV to the same Wi-Fi network (or the same router by Ethernet) as your iPhone. Menu > Network > Network Settings sets up the connection.
Turn on Network Remote Control (2011 sets)
Set it to On. Samsung's 2011 e-Manual describes it as giving mobile devices permission to connect to and control the TV.
Allow the connection on the TV
The first time a phone connects, the TV shows a pop-up asking whether to allow it. Choose Allow with your Samsung remote. If you choose Deny, the TV blocks that device until you change it in the device list.
If you chose Deny, check AllShare Settings (2012–2013 sets)
Samsung's e-Manual says this lists mobile phones and other devices set up with the TV, each Allowed or Denied. Set your phone to Allowed, or delete it so the TV asks again. We haven't confirmed that this list also covers remote-control apps.
Can’t find your TV? Add it by IP address
If your TV doesn’t show up in the app, tap “Can’t find it?” and type the TV’s IP address. Here’s where the TV shows it.
Find the TV's IP address
Network Status checks the connection. Select IP Settings on that screen to see the IP address; it looks like 192.168.1.23. On some 2013 sets the Menu button is called Screen Menu.
Samsung 2011–2013 versions by model year
The version a TV shipped with. Many TVs get later updates.
| Version | Model years | Home screen | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tizen 2.3 | 2015 | Smart Hub | The OS is Tizen, but phone control uses the older connection shared with 2014 sets. Source |
| Samsung Legacy Platform (TV SDK 5.1) | 2014 | Smart Hub | Source |
| Samsung Legacy Platform (TV SDK 4.5) | 2013 | Smart Hub | Source |
| Samsung Legacy Platform (TV SDK 4.1) | 2012 | Smart Hub | Source |
| Samsung Legacy Platform (2011) | 2011 | Smart Hub | Samsung's legacy SDK pages list an SDK emulator for the 2011 platform. Source |
Troubleshooting
The TV never asks to allow your phone
- On 2011 sets, check Menu > System > Network Remote Control is On.
- Check your phone isn't set to Deny in the device list for your year (see setup).
- Turn the TV off and on, then try again.
The TV isn't on the network
- Go to Menu > Network > Network Status and run the check.
- If it fails, set the connection up again in Menu > Network > Network Settings.
How to use your iPhone as the remote for an older Samsung smart TV
- Put the TV on your Wi-FiIf the TV isn't online yet, set it up in Menu > Network > Network Settings. Use the same Wi-Fi as your iPhone, or plug the TV into the same router.
- Turn on Network Remote Control (2011 TVs)On a 2011 Samsung, go to Menu > System > Network Remote Control and set it to On. 2012 and 2013 TVs skip this step.
- Pick your TV in the appConnect your iPhone to the same Wi-Fi, open Simple TV Remote and tap your Samsung TV in the list.
- Choose Allow on the TVThe TV shows a message asking whether to allow your iPhone. Choose Allow with your Samsung remote. There's no code, and the TV remembers your iPhone after that.
Questions
Is there a old Samsung TV remote app for iPhone?
Yes. Simple TV Remote is a old Samsung TV remote app for iPhone that works with Samsung Legacy Smart TV sets running Samsung Legacy Smart TV. It pairs over your home Wi-Fi and sends real commands in a free check, so you know it works on your exact TV before you pay $5.99, once.
Is there a remote app for an old Samsung smart TV?
Yes. Simple TV Remote works with Samsung smart TVs from 2011 to 2013, the D, E and F series. Your iPhone and the TV just need to be on the same home Wi-Fi. The free check in the app shows it working on your own TV before you pay.
Which older Samsung TVs does it work with?
Samsung smart TVs from 2011, 2012 and 2013 with Smart Hub. Samsung TVs from 2014 (H series) and 2015 (J series) aren't on our list yet; the free check in the app tells you for sure. Samsung smart TVs from 2016 and later work too.
How can I tell how old my Samsung TV is?
Read the model number on the label on the back of the TV. On older Samsung codes the year letter comes right after the screen size: D is 2011, E (ES, EH) is 2012 and F is 2013. For example, UN55ES8000 is a 2012 TV and UE46F6400 is from 2013.
How do I connect my iPhone to an old Samsung smart TV?
Put your iPhone on the same Wi-Fi as the TV, open Simple TV Remote and pick your TV. The TV then asks whether to allow the connection. Choose Allow with your Samsung remote, and you're done. There's no code to type.
What can I do with my iPhone on an older Samsung TV?
You get the arrows and OK, Back, Home (Smart Hub), volume and mute, and turning the TV off. There are also play, pause, rewind and fast-forward, the number keys, channel up and down, and the Source menu for inputs. The free check shows each control on your own TV before you pay.
Can my iPhone turn on an old Samsung TV?
No. Samsung TVs from these years have no setting that lets a phone turn them on. Press the power button on the TV or use the remote, then your iPhone takes over.
Can I type or open Netflix from my iPhone on these TVs?
Not on these sets. Typing and opening apps directly aren't available on Samsung TVs from 2011 to 2013. Press Home in the app to open Smart Hub, then use the arrows and OK to pick the app and the letters.
How do I switch to HDMI from my iPhone?
Tap Source in the app to open the TV's input menu. Then move to the HDMI input you want with the arrows and press OK. You can't jump straight to one HDMI input on these sets.
What is Smart Hub on a Samsung TV?
Smart Hub is the home screen on Samsung smart TVs from these years, where your apps live. Press Home in Simple TV Remote to open it, then move around with the arrows.
Why doesn't my old Samsung TV ask me to allow my iPhone?
First check that your iPhone and the TV are on the same Wi-Fi, not a guest network. On 2011 TVs, make sure Menu > System > Network Remote Control is On. Then turn the TV off and on and try again; if you chose Deny before, the TV may keep blocking your iPhone until you change it in its device list.
How do I know if my Samsung TV is from 2011–2013?
Check the model number on the label on the back. The letter right after the screen size is the year: D is 2011, E (ES, EH) is 2012 and F is 2013.
About Samsung 2011–2013
On these older codes the year letter comes right after the screen size: D is 2011, E (ES, EH) is 2012, F is 2013, for example UN55ES8000 or UE46F6400.
None of Samsung's manuals for these years has a setting to turn the TV on from a phone, so use the TV's power button or remote to switch it on.
Samsung's 2014 H and 2015 J series use a newer, encrypted pairing and are covered separately.
Other platforms
Sources
Every compatibility fact on this page comes from these sources. Dates show when we last checked each one. How we build the TV list.
- Samsung Developer: TV Model Groups (year, lineup and platform)
- Samsung Developer: Samsung Legacy Platform (SDK emulators for 2010–2014 TVs)
- Samsung 2011 e-Manual (US): Network Remote Control, Network Status
- Samsung 2011 e-Manual (UK)
- Samsung 2012 e-Manual (US): AllShare Settings, Network Status
- Samsung 2013 e-Manual (US): Network menu, IP Settings
- Samsung 2014 e-Manual (US): Multimedia Device Settings, connection allow prompt, Network Status
- Samsung 2015 e-Manual (US): Multimedia Device Manager, Network Status
- samsungctl: legacy remote on TCP 55000 (secondary: open-source code)
- samsung_encrypted_POC: 2014–2015 PIN pairing (secondary: open-source code)
Check your TV free. Pay once if it works.
Simple TV Remote pairs with your TV and sends real commands before you pay anything. If it works, unlock it for $5.99, once.