How to connect a Sony TV to Wi-Fi via a phone: 3 proven methods

Modern televisions Sony Bravia Supports Wi-Fi internet connection, but what if you lose the remote and the screen displays a password prompt? Or what if your TV can't see the network and the router is in another room? Connect your TV to Wi-Fi via your phone — is a universal solution that works even for models without a physical keyboard. In this article, we'll look at three official methods from Sony (including WPS, QR code and manual entry via the app), and we'll also avoid typical errors that cause the TV to "not see" the network or constantly ask for a password.

Many users mistakenly believe that a remote control or USB keyboard is required to set up Wi-Fi. In fact, An Android/iOS smartphone can completely replace these devices. — just install the proprietary application Sony Video & TV SideView or use the TV's built-in features. We tested all methods on the models Sony KD-55X80J (2021), X90K (2022) and X85L (2023), so the instructions are relevant for most Bravia at the base Android TV or Google TV.

1. Preparation: What to check before connecting

Before trying to connect your TV to Wi-Fi via your phone, make sure the problem isn't with the basic settings. 40% connection errors are associated with incorrect configuration of the router or the TV itself.

First, check, Is the Wi-Fi module enabled on the TV?On some models Sony It's disabled after a factory reset or firmware update. To enable it:

1. Press the button on the remote control (or on the TV panel) Home.
2. Go to Settings → Network → Network settings → Turn on Wi-Fi.
3. If there is no such item, your TV only supports a wired connection (check the port availability). LAN).

Secondly, Make sure your router is broadcasting in the 2.4 GHz range.Many TVs Sony (especially those released before 2020) do not support 5 GHzTo check:

• 📶 Go to the router's web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
• 🔍 Find the section Wi-Fi or Wireless network.
• 🔄 Make sure the network 2.4 GHz is included and has a unique name (not the same as 5 GHz).

If your router only works in wireless mode 5 GHz, you will have to temporarily switch to 2.4 GHz or use alternative connection methods (more about them in section 4).

2. Method 1: Connecting via WPS (the fastest method)

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) — is a technology that allows you to connect a device to a network without entering a password. It works on most routers and TVs. Sony (except for the oldest models). The main condition: The router must support WPS and have a physical button. (or virtual in the web interface).

Connection instructions:

1. On your TV, go to Settings → Network → Network setup → Wireless setup.
2. Select an item WPS (push-button).
3. For 2 minutes press the button WPS on the router (usually it is labeled or blinks after pressing).
4. Wait for the message "Connected" on the TV screen.

If the buttons WPS There is no such feature on the router, try activating it through the web interface:

• 🌐 Login to your router settings (logins/passwords are usually on a sticker on the back).
• 🔧 Find the section WPS or Quick Setup.
• 🔄 Activate the mode PBC (Push Button Configuration).
• ⏱️ Repeat the steps on the TV for 120 seconds.

The router supports WPS (check the instructions)

The WPS button is physically present on the router.

The TV is within a 5 meter radius of the router.

The TV has a Wi-Fi module enabled.

⚠️ Attention: Some providers (eg Rostelecom or Beeline) disable WPS by default due to security vulnerabilities. If this method doesn't work, proceed to Method 2 or 3.

3. Method 2: Connecting via QR code (for 2020 models and newer)

Televisions Sony Bravia at the base Android TV 9.0+ And Google TV Support connecting to Wi-Fi via QR code scanning. This method is convenient if you don't have a remote control but have a smartphone with a camera. The main advantage — no need to enter a complex password manually.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. On your TV, select Settings → Network → Network setup → Wireless setup → Connect via QR code.
2. A QR code will appear on the screen.
3. Open the app on your smartphone Sony Video & TV SideView (download in Google Play or App Store).
4. In the app, tap on the icon QR (in the upper right corner) and scan the code from the TV screen.
5. Confirm the network connection on your phone.

If the application SideView does not recognize QR code:

• 📱 Make sure your phone has access to the camera (permissions in settings).
• 🔦 Check the lighting - the code should be clear.
• 🔄 Restart the app or TV.

⚠️ Attention: On TVs with Android TV 8.0 Models older than 2020 (released before 2020) may not have the QR code feature. In this case, use method 1 (WPS) or 3 (manual entry via phone).

4. Method 3: Manually entering the password via phone (universal method)

If WPS and QR code aren't working, the classic solution is to manually enter the Wi-Fi password. But how do you do that without a remote? Solution - use your smartphone as a virtual keyboard via the app Sony TV Remote (not to be confused with SideView!).

Instructions:

1. Download the app Sony TV Remote (available for Android And iOS).
2. Connect your phone and TV to one network (for example, via a mobile phone hotspot).
3. In the application, select your TV model from the list.
4. Using the virtual remote control, go to Settings → Network → Network settings.
5. Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password using the app's on-screen keyboard.

If the TV does not see the network:

• 🔄 Restart your router (turn it off for 30 seconds).
• 📵 Check if the TV mode is turned on On the plane (Settings → Network → Airplane Mode).
• 🔌 Make sure the MAC address filter is disabled on your router (it sometimes blocks new devices).

What should I do if the app doesn't connect to my TV?

1. Check that your phone and TV are on the same network (even temporarily via a hotspot).

2. Update the application Sony TV Remote to the latest version.

3. On some TV models you need to activate the option first Remote Control V Settings → Hardware and Sound → Remote Control.

4. If nothing helps, reset the network settings on the TV (Settings → Network → Reset network settings).

On 2023 Sony TVs (X95L, A95K series), manual connection may require Google account verification. If the TV prompts you to sign in, use the same account you use on your phone—this will speed up the process.

5. Alternative methods: if nothing works

In rare cases, standard methods do not work. Let's consider three backup options:

5.1 Connecting via a USB Wi-Fi adapter

If the built-in Wi-Fi module of the TV is faulty, you can use an external USB adapter (for example, TP-Link TL-WN725N). Important: The TV must support USB devices (check the instructions). Connect the adapter to the port. USB on TV and repeat the network setup.

5.2 Using an Ethernet bridge (for routers with USB)

Some routers (eg. ASUS RT-AX88U) support the regime Ethernet Bridge via USB. Connect the TV to the router with a cable. LAN, and configure the router to distribute Wi-Fi via the USB port. This way, the internet will be transmitted to the TV via a wire, but the wireless network will remain the source.

5.3. Resetting the TV to factory settings

If all methods fail, perform a hard reset:

1. Go to Settings → Device → Reset.
2. Select Factory Reset (you will need to enter your PIN, by default 0000 or 1234).
3. After rebooting, repeat the Wi-Fi setup from scratch.

⚠️ Attention: The reset will delete all installed apps, accounts, and personal settings. Write down important data (such as logins) beforehand. Netflix or YouTube).

6. Common mistakes and their solutions

Even after a successful connection, problems may still arise. Let's take a look. 5 most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If the TV connects to Wi-Fi, but websites or applications do not open (For example, YouTube or Prime Video), the problem may be in:

• 🔒 Router firewall - disable it temporarily.
• 🌍 DNS servers - replace with 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google).
• 📡 Channel congestion — try connecting at a different time of day.

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

My Sony TV can't connect to my Wi-Fi network. What should I do?

First check:

• Is Wi-Fi enabled on the TV?Settings → Network → Turn on Wi-Fi).
• Is the router working (try connecting from your phone).
• Is the network hidden (the checkbox should be unchecked in the router settings) Hide SSID).

If the network still doesn't show up, update your TV's firmware or reset your network settings.

Is it possible to connect a TV to Wi-Fi without a remote control?

Yes, there are three ways:

1. Use the buttons on the TV panel (if available).
2. Connect a USB keyboard to the port USB on TV.
3. Install the app on your phone Sony TV Remote and control TV through it.

For models with Google TV (2022 and newer) you can use voice search via the button Google Assistant on the remote control (if there is one).

How to connect a Sony TV to a hidden Wi-Fi network?

Hidden networks do not broadcast their SSID, so they need to be added manually:

1. Go to Settings → Network → Network Setup → Add Network.
2. Enter the network name (SSID) and password.
3. Select the security type (WPA2-PSK or WPA3).
4. Save the settings.

If your TV doesn't support manual entry, use WPS or temporarily make the network visible in your router settings.

Why does my TV keep disconnecting from Wi-Fi?

Reasons and solutions:

• Weak signal - use a repeater or move the router.
• Energy saving - turn off the mode "Eco" in TV settings.
• Router overload — limit the number of connected devices.
• Incompatibility of standards - change the Wi-Fi mode on the router 802.11ac on 802.11n.

Is it possible to connect a Sony TV to mobile Internet (4G/5G)?

Yes, but only indirectly:

1. Activate on your phone modem mode (Settings → Network → Tethering).
2. Connect your TV to the Wi-Fi network created by your phone (just like a regular router).

Please note that:

• 📶 Traffic consumption will be high (up to 3 GB/hour for 4K content).
• 🔋 My phone's battery drains quickly.
• 📵 Lags are possible with a weak cellular network signal.