TV remote app says “No devices found”? How to fix it

You open a remote app, it scans, and… “No devices found.” Before you delete it, know this: nine times out of ten it's a network quirk, not a broken app. Here's the checklist, in the order worth trying.

1. Same Wi-Fi — really the same

Your iPhone and TV must be on the same network. The classic trap is a separate “guest” or “IoT” Wi-Fi for smart devices: phone on one, TV on the other, and they can't see each other.

2. Watch the 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz split

Many routers broadcast 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz as two different names. Devices on different bands often can't talk. Give both bands the same network name, or put the phone and TV on the same one.

3. Turn off AP / client isolation

“AP isolation” (a.k.a. client isolation) stops devices on the network from reaching each other — common on mesh systems and guest networks. Switch it off in your router settings.

4. The Ethernet gotcha

Some TVs and streamers treat a wired connection as a separate network from Wi-Fi. If your TV is on Ethernet and your phone on Wi-Fi and discovery fails, try the TV on Wi-Fi instead, or make sure both are on the same router and subnet.

5. Wake the TV and allow “Local Network”

A TV in deep standby can be invisible until you power it on once. And on iOS, a remote app needs the “Local Network” permission — if you tapped “Don't Allow”, enable it in Settings → the app → Local Network.

6. Restart and update

The boring fix that works: restart the phone and the TV, and update both. A surprising share of “can't connect” reports clear up right here.

Still nothing? Use an app that finds TVs for you

Some apps make you type your TV's IP address. LazyBinger instead discovers TVs automatically (Bonjour, SSDP and a network scan), so a TV on your Wi-Fi usually just appears — across Samsung, LG, Roku and 9 more platforms.

Frequently asked

Why won't my remote app find my smart TV? Usually the phone and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks or bands, or AP/client isolation is blocking them.

Do I have to enter my TV's IP address? Not with an app that auto-detects — LazyBinger finds compatible TVs on your network without typing anything.