Phone-to-TV login and setup for Android TV

Feature requests
1

Feature description

Please add the ability to log in and set up the Android TV version of Symfonium directly from the mobile app (assuming the mobile app is already fully configured). This could be done via a QR code scan, local network discovery, or a short link code.

Problem solved

Setting up media servers on a TV currently requires typing long URLs, usernames, and passwords using a clunky TV remote. This process is very tedious, time-consuming, and prone to typos.

Brought benefits

It would massively improve the onboarding and initial setup experience for TV users, making it fast, modern, and frustration-free.

Other application solutions

Apps like Plex, Emby, and Jellyfin use a simple PIN code screen (e.g., Link | Plex) or QR codes to quickly authenticate the TV app using a smartphone.

Device type

Android TV

Additional description and context

I mentioned this in a recent support email but wanted to create a proper feature request for others to vote on. Since many of us already use the mobile app as our primary player, linking the TV app directly to the mobile setup would be a huge quality-of-life improvement for the whole community.

I searched existing feature requests

on

2

Sounds like a neat idea.

This doesn’t affect me personally but I wanted to chip in with a workaround, at least. If you’re able to transfer files to your TV, you can easily make a Symfonium backup on your phone and then use it to restore the Media Providers on the TV. This should quickly “transfer” the info without the keyboard hassle.

3

As restoring a phone backup to the TV app CAN lead to a non-working interface, I’d like to point out that backing up the phone theme is a big no-no here!

Luckily, you can backup just the Media Providers, so please do pay attention to this :stuck_out_tongue:

1 Like
5

Good catch! Thanks to both of you for the tips.

Backing up just the Media Providers is a solid workaround for now, but the fact that a user could accidentally break their TV interface by restoring a phone theme just proves the point! It makes the whole process a bit of a minefield for less technical users.

A simple, foolproof “login via phone” or QR code feature would completely eliminate these risks and make the setup seamless right out of the box.