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How to send links and text to a smart TV

Typing a long web address or a block of text with a TV remote is slow and error-prone. If your TV has a web browser, you can skip the remote and enter a short code instead.

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Text is encrypted in your browser. We can never read it.

Anyone who has the code can read the text. Use a password for anything private.

The problem with a TV remote

Most smart TVs make you move across an on-screen keyboard one letter at a time. That is bearable for a short search word and miserable for a long link, an email address or a paragraph. The same pain applies to TV sticks, streaming boxes and game consoles with a built-in browser.

Sending text from your phone fixes this. You do the typing on a device made for it, and the TV only needs to receive six digits.

What you need

  • A TV, stick or console with a web browser. Look in the apps list for “Browser”, “Internet” or “Web”.
  • A phone or computer to type on.
  • Both devices connected to the internet. They do not have to be on the same network.

Step by step

  1. On your phone, paste or type the text, link or code into the Send text box.
  2. Choose a short expiry. 10 minutes is enough for a TV transfer.
  3. Press Save to clipboard to see a 6-digit code.
  4. On the TV, open the browser and go to this site. Use a bookmark next time so you do not have to type the address.
  5. Select Receive text and enter the 6 digits with the number buttons on the remote.
  6. The text appears on screen. For a link, you can type it into the address bar, or use the on-screen Copy button where the TV browser allows pasting.

Common things to send

  • Long web addresses for pages you want to see on a big screen, such as a recipe, a slideshow or a map.
  • Activation codes and device names shown on one device and needed on another.
  • Meeting links for a video call you want to see on the TV.
  • Subtitles or lyrics copied from a page.
  • A message for guests, such as a Wi-Fi network name and instructions, shown on the TV for a gathering. See how to share a Wi-Fi password safely first.

If the TV browser is limited

TV browsers vary a lot. Some points to keep in mind:

  • Pasting may not work. If so, read the text off the screen and type it, which is still easier if the text is short.
  • Text can be small. Use the TV browser’s zoom, or send the content in short lines.
  • Some TV browsers are old. If the page does not load, try another browser app, or use a streaming stick that has a better one.
  • Bookmarks help. Save the site in the TV browser’s favourites so it takes one click next time.

Make it a one-tap routine

The first time takes a minute. After that it should take seconds.

  1. Bookmark the site in the TV browser. Name the bookmark something short so it sits at the top of the list.
  2. Add the site to your phone’s home screen so it opens like an app.
  3. Keep expiry short. Ten minutes means nothing lingers if you forget to clean up.
  4. Name things on the first line. A heading such as Recipe link or Quiz night rules makes the clip obvious when it appears on the big screen.

If something does not work

The page loads but nothing happens when you press buttons. Some TV browsers need you to move a cursor with the arrow keys and press OK. Look for a pointer mode in the browser menu.

The text is cut off. Ask for the text in shorter lines, or zoom out in the browser.

The code is rejected. Check you are on the Receive text tab and that you entered all six digits. If you used delete after the first view, the clip works only once, so make a new one.

The page is blocked. A few TVs restrict which sites open. Try another browser app, or use a computer or phone with a screen-sharing cable instead.

Casting as an alternative

If your goal is to show a web page, photo or video on the TV, your phone may be able to cast directly to it, which avoids typing anything. Casting is great for media. The online clipboard is better when you need the text itself on the TV or its browser, such as a code or a long address.

Privacy on a shared screen

A TV is a big screen in a room full of people. Before you send something:

  • Do not send passwords or personal data.
  • Turn on Delete after the first view, so the clip is removed as soon as the TV has opened it.
  • Close the page afterwards, so the text is not left on screen.
  • If the TV is in a hotel or rental, clear the browser data and log out of anything you opened.

Quick tips

  • Put your phone and the remote next to each other; you only need six digits.
  • If you will be doing this often, add the site to your phone’s home screen and bookmark it on the TV.
  • Keep clips short-lived so nothing lingers on your account or the TV.
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does this work on every smart TV?

It works on any TV or box that has a web browser and lets you open a website. Some TVs do not include a browser, and some limit what sites can do. Check your TV's apps or settings.

Can I send a video link to my TV with this?

You can send a web address and open it in the TV browser. For streaming services, using the casting feature in their own app is often smoother.

Why use a code instead of the full link?

A 6-digit code is quick to enter with a remote's number keys. The full link may be long, and typing letters with arrows and a grid keyboard takes a long time.

Is it safe to type account details on a TV?

Treat a TV like any shared screen. Do not send passwords, and delete the clip after you have used it.

More guides

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Everyday sharing How to share a Wi-Fi password safely The easiest and safest ways to share a Wi-Fi password with guests, family or your own devices, including how to send it without leaving it lying around. Phone and PC How to send text from your phone to a PC Five ways to move text from your phone to your computer, from an online clipboard with a 6-digit code to messaging yourself. Steps, trade-offs and when to use each. Everyday sharing How to copy text to a public computer safely Need to move text onto a library, school or internet cafe computer? A safe routine that avoids signing in, leaves nothing behind and keeps private text private.

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