When we think about smart homes, we often picture smartphones, voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant, or dedicated smart displays controlling the show. But what if your TV — the centerpiece of your living room — could do more than just stream Netflix?
That’s exactly what I discovered when I turned my ordinary smart TV into a fully functional smart home hub. It didn’t just improve my daily routine — it actually simplified my entire home setup. Here’s how I did it, and how you can too.
📺 Why Use a TV as a Smart Home Hub?
Modern smart TVs are no longer just for watching shows. With built-in platforms like Google TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, or Samsung Tizen, they’re equipped with enough processing power and connectivity to control smart devices.
By using your TV as a central dashboard for smart lights, cameras, thermostats, and more, you can:
-
View live security footage
-
Adjust lighting without reaching for your phone
-
Control appliances via voice or remote
-
Get contextual suggestions (like turning off lights when watching a movie)
🛠 What You’ll Need
Here’s what I used to get started:
-
A smart TV with Android TV or Google TV (other platforms like Fire TV or Samsung Tizen also work)
-
A Google Account (for syncing smart devices and apps)
-
Compatible smart home devices (bulbs, plugs, cameras, etc.)
-
The Google Home app or Amazon Alexa app on my phone
-
A Wi-Fi connection with stable internet
🔧 Step-by-Step Setup
1. Connect and Configure the TV
I began by ensuring my TV was connected to Wi-Fi and signed into my Google Account (you can use an Amazon account for Fire TV).
Then I updated the firmware to the latest version — this is important for compatibility with newer smart home APIs.
2. Install Google Home or Alexa
Since my TV runs Google TV, I went with the Google Home ecosystem:
-
I opened the Google Play Store on the TV and installed the Google Home app.
-
On my phone, I synced all my smart devices (lights, plugs, cameras) with the Google Home app.
-
The TV automatically recognized them through the linked account.
If you’re using Fire TV, the process is similar with the Amazon Alexa app.
3. Use Voice Control with the TV Remote
Most smart TV remotes today include a microphone button. With this, I could say:
-
“Turn off the living room lights”
-
“Set thermostat to 72 degrees”
-
“Show front door camera”
No need to grab my phone or yell across the room at a smart speaker.
4. Create Scenes and Automations
This is where the magic happened. I created custom routines in the Google Home app that synced perfectly with my TV.
For example:
-
“Movie Night” scene: Turns off all lights except soft LED strips, closes smart blinds, and opens Netflix
-
“Morning Mode”: Turns on lights, starts the coffee machine (smart plug), and plays YouTube news on TV
All triggered with one button on my remote or a voice command.
🔐 Bonus: Use Your TV as a Security Monitor
I integrated my smart cameras with the TV using Google Nest and Arlo apps. With a simple voice command like “Show backyard camera”, I could view a live feed without pulling out my phone — especially useful at night or when I hear a noise.
📈 The Real Benefits I Noticed
-
✅ Simplified daily routines with one-click or voice-activated control
-
✅ Less clutter — no need for extra smart displays or remotes
-
✅ Enhanced security awareness via on-screen camera feeds
-
✅ Improved energy savings through automation
-
✅ Centralized control from the most-used screen in the house
📝 Final Thoughts
Turning my TV into a smart home hub was one of the smartest upgrades I’ve made in recent years. It proved that the devices we already own can become powerful tools with just a little effort and planning.
