Karaoke on a Samsung or LG smart TV for free, no app needed

Almost every Samsung and LG smart TV sold in recent years already has everything you need for karaoke at home: a big screen, sound and a web browser. The only missing piece is the microphone, and that one is already in your pocket. This guide shows the right path on each brand, what to do if something goes wrong and how to get better sound.

What you need

• A Samsung or LG smart TV connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or cable).
• One phone per person who wants to sing or pick songs. Android or iPhone both work.
• No app, no account and no extra microphone.

Karaoke on a Samsung smart TV (Tizen)

Samsung smart TVs run Tizen and come with a browser called Internet, with a globe icon.

1. Press the Home button on the remote.
2. Find the Internet app in the apps bar. If it is not there, go to Apps, use the search icon and look for "Internet".
3. In the address bar, type karaoque.com/tv and confirm.
4. Press OK to start. A QR code appears on screen.
5. Scan the QR code with your phone's camera. The first person to scan becomes the party host.

Tip: once it is open, add it to the browser's bookmarks. Next party, just open Internet and pick the bookmark.

What about Samsung's built-in karaoke?

Some newer Samsung TVs include a karaoke app that uses your phone as a mic through a QR code or the SmartThings app. It works with recent phones and TV models only and requires a subscription after the free trial. If you want to sing for free with any phone, the browser route works without depending on any of that.

Karaoke on an LG smart TV (webOS)

LG smart TVs run webOS, which also ships with a built-in browser called Web Browser.

1. Press the Home button (the house icon) on the remote.
2. Open Web Browser from the app list.
3. Click the address bar and type karaoque.com/tv. LG's Magic Remote works like a mouse, which makes typing much faster.
4. Press OK to start and scan the QR code with your phone.
5. That is it: everyone joins through the same QR code and requests songs from their own phone.

How it works once you are connected

• Your phone becomes the microphone: you sing into the phone and your voice comes out of the TV.
• A fair queue: everyone requests songs and Karaoque rotates turns, so nobody sings three in a row while others wait.
• A score from 0 to 100: it combines pitch measured on your phone with the audience vote, cast with cat faces from the audience's phones.
• Unlimited songs: you can find almost any song, from country to rock, since it plays karaoke videos from YouTube.

Samsung vs LG: what is different

Troubleshooting

• I cannot find the browser: search for "Internet" or "Browser" in the TV's app store. On very old TVs without a browser, plug a laptop into HDMI or use a Chromecast. Everything is explained in how to play karaoke on your TV.
• The video plays without sound: press OK on the Karaoque start screen first. That click is what unlocks audio in the TV browser.
• The QR code will not scan: get a bit closer to the TV, raise the screen brightness and wipe your phone's camera lens. If the camera does not open the link, use Google Lens or the iPhone Camera app.
• The voice lags: keep the TV and the phones on the same Wi-Fi and, if possible, close to the router.

How to get better sound

The TV speakers are fine, but a soundbar or speaker connected to the TV changes the party. With a big group, keep the music a little lower than the voice so the singer is heard. And do not sing with the phone right next to the TV, which can cause feedback.

Ready to try? Open karaoque.com/tv on your smart TV now and call your friends. Still building your list? See 50 karaoke songs everyone knows.