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You can use an older smart TV to control some smart-home devices, but its age alone does not make it a compatible hub. The practical options are to enable Google Home on an eligible TV, connect a Google TV Streamer (4K), install Homey on a supported TV, or use a TV browser for controls the service explicitly supports. First decide whether you need an on-screen control panel or a hub that also supports the network protocols your devices require.
Choose the right role for the TV first
A TV can display controls without being the hub that connects devices or runs automations. Before choosing an approach, check the exact TV model, operating system, region, software, available HDMI inputs, and the ecosystem your devices use. If your setup includes Matter devices, find out whether they use Wi-Fi or Thread: Google says Google Home needs a Matter hub to manage Matter devices, and a home using both Thread and Wi-Fi Matter devices needs a hub that also acts as a Thread border router. Google’s Matter hub guidance lists Google TV Streamer (4K) for Matter over Wi-Fi and Thread; it describes select TVs as Wi-Fi hubs and directs readers to manufacturers for current technical specifications.
- Need a screen for controls? Check whether the TV itself, an HDMI-connected device, or a supported TV app can display and operate the controls you want.
- Need a hub? Confirm that the proposed device supports your ecosystem and the required protocols; a visible control panel does not prove that it does.
- Need the TV always ready? Check whether the necessary standby or quick-start setting changes power use.
1. Enable Google Home directly on an eligible TV
Some TVs that support Google services can be enabled as Google Home hubs. Google’s example is a 2024 LG TV with Google Home listed in its Home Hub menu; that example does not establish support for every LG television or every smart TV. Check the exact model and its menu rather than relying on brand or age alone. Google’s TV hub setup instructions describe the eligibility and setup requirements.
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- The TV must be eligible for the Google Home feature, and Google Home must appear in the TV’s Home Hub menu.
- The TV and the phone or other mobile device running Google Home need to be on the same network, and you need a Google account.
- The Wi-Fi setup must meet Google’s security requirements. The TV may also need high-energy mode, Always Ready, or an equivalent setting.
- Set up non-Matter third-party devices in their manufacturer’s app first if required.
After setup, supported TVs can expose Google Home devices through Google Home or supported apps, and some models allow direct on-screen interaction. The exact controls depend on the TV and the devices. An always-ready setting can affect standby power use, so weigh the convenience against the TV’s power settings.
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2. Add a Google TV Streamer (4K) over HDMI
If the TV lacks a supported built-in Google Home feature but has an available HDMI input, a Google TV Streamer (4K) is a more direct add-on option. Google lists it as a Google Home hub supporting Matter over Wi-Fi and Thread. It needs an HDMI-capable display, power, a network connection, and a Google account; verify the current model and regional requirements before buying. Google’s hub compatibility information and Google’s product page provide the relevant details.
Set up the Google TV home panel
- Set up the smart-home devices you want to control in Google Home first.
- Make sure the Google TV profile belongs to a Google Home and that the device is in standard mode.
- Enable the home panel, then check that the devices you want to use are compatible and appear there.
The home panel can control compatible Google Home devices such as lights, thermostats, locks, cameras, plugs, vacuums, TVs, and speakers. It is not an unrestricted interface for every smart device: Google’s setup documentation lists profile and mode requirements, and requires at least one other smart-home device in the Home. Google’s instructions for controlling smart-home devices on Google TV explain the conditions.
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3. Install Homey on a compatible Android TV or LG webOS TV
Homey offers a TV app for Android TV and LG webOS. Its support page says the LG webOS app is for LG Smart TVs released in 2021 or later, with availability varying by model and country. It lists Homey Cloud, Homey Pro, Homey Pro mini, and Homey Self-Hosted Server as compatible Homey systems. Check your TV’s platform, release year, model, country, and Homey setup before relying on this route. Homey’s TV support page and its announcement describe the app and its supported features.
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4. Use the TV browser only for controls the service supports
A browser may provide a quick control interface when the TV browser and service work together. Homey says you can open homey.tv in a browser, and its TV support article describes browser access for quick actions. But Homey’s feature limits matter: Dashboards and Energy are available only in its mobile app, while its web app supports device control and management. Homey’s TV support page, Dashboards documentation, and Energy documentation clarify those distinctions.
For another service, verify that the exact TV browser can open its interface and operate the controls you need. Browser support and remote usability vary by TV and service; do not assume that a web dashboard will work just because the TV has a browser. The available evidence does not establish general support for Home Assistant on legacy smart-TV browsers, so check the specific model and setup rather than assuming compatibility.
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Compare the four options against your setup
| Approach | Compatibility check | What it can provide | Key trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Home on the TV | Eligible TV with Google Home listed in its Home Hub menu; Google gives a 2024 LG TV as an example. | Access to supported Google Home devices, with direct on-screen interaction on some TVs. | Model eligibility is specific; an always-ready setting may affect standby power. |
| Google TV Streamer (4K) | HDMI input, power, network, Google account, compatible devices, and required Google TV setup. | Google TV home panel; Google lists Matter over Wi-Fi and Thread support. | Requires an additional device and the Google Home profile and mode conditions. |
| Homey TV app | Android TV or supported LG webOS; Homey lists LG Smart TVs released in 2021 or later, with model and country variation. | Homey favorites, devices, Flows, and Moods using a TV and remote. | Platform, model, region, and Homey system must all be supported. |
| TV browser | Browser and service must support the intended controls on that TV. | Potential access to supported web controls or quick actions. | Features vary; Homey Dashboards and Energy are mobile-app-only. |
Verify compatibility before you depend on it
- Find the TV’s exact model number, operating system, software version, and country or region.
- Decide whether you need only an on-screen control surface or a hub with Matter, Thread, or other protocol support.
- Check the official compatibility and setup instructions for the specific feature or app, including account, profile, network, and operating-mode requirements.
- Test the controls you expect to use with the TV remote, and confirm any standby behavior you plan to leave enabled.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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