What Connecting Alexa to Your TV Actually Does
A lot of the seniors I visit in Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch already have an Echo on the counter for reminders or calling family, and once they see it can also run the TV, that’s usually the next thing they want set up. Once it’s connected, you can turn the TV on, change the channel, adjust the volume, or open a show, all without hunting for the remote.
If you use Alexa for phone calls already, this pairs naturally with my guide on hands-free calling with Alexa. This one focuses on the TV side.
What You Need
- A Smart TV compatible with Alexa
- The Amazon Alexa app installed on your smartphone or tablet
- Your Smart TV and Amazon Echo device connected to the same Wi-Fi network
Most newer TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio work with Alexa. If you are not sure about yours, check the TV’s settings menu for anything mentioning Alexa, or search your exact model online along with the word Alexa.
Steps to Connect Alexa to Your Smart TV
Step 1: Check Smart TV Compatibility
Before starting, confirm your TV is on the list of Alexa-compatible sets. This matters because a TV that is not on the list will not show up no matter what you try in the app.
Step 2: Enable Your TV’s Alexa Skill
- Open the Alexa app on your phone.
- Tap the “More” icon at the bottom right of the screen.
- Select “Skills & Games.”
- Search for your TV brand’s Alexa skill, for example “Samsung SmartThings” or “LG ThinQ.”
- Tap the skill and select “Enable to Use.” You will likely need to log into your TV’s account to link it with Alexa.
Step 3: Let Alexa Discover Your TV
- Once the skill is enabled, go back to the Alexa app.
- Tap “Devices” at the bottom of the screen.
- Select “Add Device,” then choose “TV” from the list.
- Follow the prompts and give it a minute to find your television.
What You Can Say, Including Opening Netflix
Once the TV is connected, a few simple commands cover most of what people actually use day to day.
- “Alexa, turn on the TV.”
- “Alexa, change the channel to 7.”
- “Alexa, turn the volume up.”
- “Alexa, open Netflix.”
- “Alexa, play [show or movie name] on Netflix.”
This is the question I get asked most: yes, Alexa can turn on Netflix for you. Whether it works depends on what your TV actually is. If you have a Fire TV or a TV with Fire TV built in, this works right out of the box, no skill needed. On other smart TVs, app-launching commands work through the same skill you enabled in Step 2, but not every TV brand supports launching a specific app by voice the same way it supports power and volume. If “Alexa, open Netflix” does not work on your set, turning the TV on with Alexa and then picking Netflix with the remote is a reliable fallback.
If your household uses Google Assistant instead of Alexa, the same idea works differently: “Hey Google, open Netflix” is built in on Android TV, Google TV, and Chromecast with Google TV. It is not something you add on with a skill the way Alexa requires.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Make sure both the Smart TV and Echo device are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Restart the Smart TV and the Echo device.
- Double check that you enabled the correct skill for your exact TV brand.
- Check for pending updates on both the TV and the Alexa app.
Local Help Setting This Up
I help seniors across Manatee and Sarasota County, including Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, and Parrish, get their Echo working with their TV during an in-home visit. If you already have an Echo and want to add calling to the mix, my guide on hands-free calling with Alexa walks through that setup, and if Netflix is part of what you want to control, my guide on finding movies and shows you’ll enjoy on Netflix is a good next stop. You can also visit my Manatee County tech support page to get in touch.