By Klaus Jakobsen, developer of A Decent Remote An Android TV with no remote isn’t off-limits; it’s one physical button, one CEC trick, or one previously-paired phone away from turning on. The catch worth knowing up front: the phone route has to be set up while the TV is still on.
Where is the physical power button hiding?
Manufacturers vary, but it’s always one of three spots: behind the bottom-center of the panel (a small button or joystick), on the bottom edge under the logo (common on Sony), or on the rear right edge near the HDMI ports (common on TCL and Thomson). One press powers on; on joystick types, holding or nudging navigates too.
How does the HDMI-CEC trick work?
Wake anything plugged into the TV. A PlayStation or Xbox controller press, a Fire TV or Apple TV waking from its own remote or app: each announces itself over HDMI-CEC and most Android TVs power on and jump to that input. If your console turns the TV on but a streaming stick doesn’t, CEC is enabled for one port and not the other in the TV’s inputs settings.
How do I make my iPhone the power button?
- While the TV is on, pair A Decent Remote: the TV shows a 6-digit code, you type it on the phone, one minute total (full steps).
- In the TV’s power settings, make sure networked standby (“Remote start” on many models) is enabled, not the deepest eco mode.
- From then on, the app wakes the TV over Wi-Fi, along with everything else: inputs, volume, apps, and typing.
Two platform quirks to know: Android TV’s power command is a toggle, so if HDMI-CEC already woke the set, a power tap can turn it off instead (tap again); and after a full mains cut, most sets need one physical press before network wake resumes. The deeper standby mechanics are in the wake guide.
