How to connect your Samsung smart TV to Alexa | Tom’s Guide

Knowing how to connect your samsung smart tv to alexa means you can use an assistant other than bixby to execute verbal commands.

Alexa settings on your Samsung Smart TV will depend on when your TV was made and how you made it. The best Samsung TVs of 2020 and 2021 ship with the built-in option, for remote or hands-free access, and the 2022 TVs will do the same. however, older samsung smart tvs will need to be paired with an alexa device first (you can take inspiration from our picks for the best alexa speakers or best alexa compatible devices) to send commands.

The functionality offered will also vary depending on your model. newer TVs have a wider selection of capabilities, while the 2018 and 2019 models mentioned here are more limited. That means for those older TVs, Samsung’s Bixby offers more ease of use.

If you want to add Alexa capability to your Samsung Smart TV, here’s how to get it working. Be sure to check out our guide on how to use your Samsung Smart TV for more information on basic setup, configuration, and features.

newer samsung smart tvs have alexa built in

As we mentioned, if you have a newer Samsung TV model, like the one on our list of the best TVs, chances are it already has Alexa built in.

If you’re not sure if your TV is included, here’s the list of compatible TVs:

• all smart tv models 2021 and 2022
• 2020 8k and 4k qled tv
• 2020 the frame, the serif, the sero, and the terrace tv
• 2020 tu8000 and higher glass uhd tvs

With these TVs, there’s no need to use a paired smart speaker, because you can use the microphone on the remote to access the same Alexa skills and voice interactions you’re used to.

This includes checking the weather or asking questions, as well as more TV-focused actions like changing the channel or searching for movies.

To learn how to set up Amazon Voice Assistant on your newer Samsung Smart TVs, check out our guide on how to connect your Samsung TV to Alexa. (and if you’re more of a google fan, check out how to connect your samsung tv to google assistant).

The following advice is strictly for older Samsung Smart TVs that didn’t have this capability built in, but could still connect to an Amazon Smart Speaker for very basic voice control.

how to connect your samsung smart tv to alexa

Step 1: Set up your devices.

First, make sure both your Samsung TV and your Amazon Alexa device are set up and working. Once you complete the initial setup on the TV and Alexa device, you’ll need to make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

more: the best products that work with amazon alexa

If you haven’t already done so, you’ll also need to set up the TV as a thing (samsung’s word for smart device) in the fsmartthings app. To do this, simply sign in to your Samsung account on the TV.

step 2: prepare the applications.

You will also need to prepare your phone to coordinate these two devices. If you haven’t already, download the Samsung SmartThings app (available for iOS (Opens in new tab) and Android) and the Amazon Alexa app (also for iOS (Opens in new tab) or Android).

and if you’re not sure how to use the amazon voice assistant app, check out our handy guides to using alexa on your android phone or using alexa on your iphone.

Make sure you sign in to both apps with the same account information you used for your TV’s Samsung account and your Echo’s Amazon account.

Step 3: Discover your TV in the smartthings app.

First, you’ll need to discover your Samsung TV in the Samsung SmartThings app, which allows you to treat it as a basic connected smart device when you connect it to your Alexa speaker.

To do this, go to the devices menu, which is located in the bottom menu of the application.

On the devices page, select the add device option. With the TV on, it should be easy to find your device in the list.

once you have found the device and paired your phone with the tv, select samsung smart tv and use the toggle button next to its name to enable it to be used as a smart device.

step 4: discover your smart speaker in the alexa app.

Second, you’ll need to make sure your amazon echo, echo dot, or other amazon device has been discovered in the amazon alexa app. if not, or if the device is set up through someone else’s phone, you will need to do the following. (skip to the next step if this does not apply to you).

In the app, select the devices button from the menu at the bottom of the home screen.

if echo (or a similar alexa device) appears in this menu, then you’re all set. if not, open the all devices menu option and find your alexa device in the list of available connected devices.

step 5: connect the applications.

In the amazon alexa app, enable the samsung smartthings skill and sign in with your samsung account to link the accounts.

Step 6: Select your TV in the Alexa app.

once you’ve enabled the samsung smartthings skill, which should automatically pair alexa with the tv, you’re good to go. congratulations, you just connected your samsung smart tv to alexa!

what alexa commands can i use?

Now that you’re all set, the only thing left to know is what exactly you can make alexa do.

listed below are the basic commands you can use via alexa with older samsung smart tvs:

• “alexa, turn [on/off] the TV.”
• “alexa, channel [up/down] on the TV.”
• “alexa, volume [up/down] on TV.”
• “alexa, go to [channel number] on TV.”
• “alexa, switch to [input name] on tv.”
• “alexa, [play/pause/rewind/forward] on tv.”

for more alexa related tips, tricks and how-tos, check out our complete alexa guide. And to go even further, why not check out our guide on how to build an amazing home theater for less?