When powering down the Apple TV with the Siri remote, the Frame TV shuts off but does not go into Art Mode. The Frame TV is brand new, 2025 with current firmware (1310). Apple TV 4K with current OS is in HDMI 1. CEC is on for both devices.
I've tried all combinations of CEC on/off settings for both devices, and done resets for both devices. In the Samsung settings, the Samsung remote power button can be assigned to either ON/OFF or ON/Art Mode. Possibly the Frame TV has 3 modes: on/off/art mode, and OFF is not the same as Art Mode; the Apple TV remote only issues an OFF command to the TV. I tried to build a Routine in the Samsung Smart Things app, but there are no commands available for an Apple TV, only the Frame. And there are no commands for the Frame to see power status of HDMI 1 in order to create a condition.
I've seen several posts online with this same issue over the past few years. Previous generations of Samsung firmware have allowed this to work, firmware updates break it, workarounds are figured out, and I've seen a video of it in action. So this is obviously a Samsung firmware/software function that has been altered over the years.
Is there a current collection of settings for this to work?
Yep. Samsung being Samsung. I have had similar issues. It works perfectly on the 2022 model, but haven't had any success with the 2024 models. I was curious about the 2025 ones, hence I've come across your post. Seems like it should be something that you could customise in the Samsung settings, but it is not. And the Smart Things app is a joke of a system. And I would very much doubt they are going to change it now since it appears they've left it that way for the 2025 model.
Expanding on the issue with using an Apple TV remote with this TV:
If the Apple TV goes into sleep mode, and the TV turns off, the Apple TV power button will not turn on the TV. The Samsung remote is required. So there is definitely an issue with the CEC connection on the Samsung Frame TV. My previous setup was with a Panasonic TV, and using the CEC settings for both devices worked without issue.
The Samsung remote is required to use for most power functions on this TV. You cannot keep it in the drawer.
I am in the market for a new Samsung Frame TV 2025 and want to use it with an Apple TV but now I am giving it serious pause given all the issues I am reading about, including this thread, that state the CEC connectivity between the devices is horrible. I do not want to deal with that on a daily basis
I have heard of the workarounds where the Samsung Frame TV remote can be used instead of the Apple TV remote and then everything works correctly. Have you tried this approach with the Samsung Frame TV 2025 and does that work for you with CEC enabled on both devices?
@slippedout Just curious, are you using the regular Samsung Frame TV 2025 or the Pro version with the wireless box?
@bbarber718 Mine is a standard 2025 model, purchased from Costco. The box is not wireless, but has one thin cable connected to the TV.
I believe you are correct that the Samsung white remote can operate the Apple TV. But the Apple TV remote has a way better design and UI. Also, I'm not sure if the Samsung remote can operate the Siri function.
It would be great to have just the Apple TV remote, and it can happen if Samsung brings back the CEC power on/off/Art Mode features. Until then, the white Samsung remote is required to power on/off the TV, and activate Art Mode.
I actually just pulled the trigger on a new Samsung Frame TV (2025) since we're moving to a new house and my wife wanted to have a better aesthetically pleasing TV in the living space. And I've become addicted to using Apple TV to drive our entertainment hub, hardware and software combination cannot be beaten - especially the total lack of ads on the home screen.
It's so frustrating to hear so many complaints about the various TV models and different firmware versions that have broken the CEC feature. Feels ridiculous for a company like Samsung to not have this feature working on this flagship TV model that defeats the entire purpose of the art mode
As a stopgap solution, I will probably just utilize the included Samsung white remote to control the Apple TV and turn on and off the frame so that the art mode properly gets engaged when we shut everything down. I'm 99% sure that the voice controls are not going to be compatible with Siri and you'd have to swap to use the Apple remote if you want to use that
I'll need to figure out how to submit a bug or open a case so that we can start getting more attention around this issue
