Switching inputs on your LG TV is something most people do multiple times a day — toggling between a cable box, game console, streaming stick, or Blu-ray player. When the remote goes missing or stops working, this routine task suddenly becomes a problem. You know the HDMI port you need, you just can't get to it.
Here are five reliable ways to change the input on your LG TV without a remote, ordered from the simplest to the most convenient for ongoing use.
Method 1: Use the TV's Physical Joystick Button
Every LG TV has a built-in button that can access the input menu. On most 2018–2026 models, it's a small joystick on the bottom-center of the back panel.
How to switch inputs with the joystick
- With the TV on, press the joystick button once to open the quick menu
- Look for the Input icon (it looks like a rectangle with an arrow)
- Move the joystick left or right to highlight it
- Press the joystick to select it
- A list of available inputs appears (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, HDMI 3, USB, etc.)
- Move the joystick up or down to select the input you want
- Press the joystick to confirm
On older LG TVs with a row of physical buttons, look for a button labeled "INPUT" or "SOURCE." Pressing it cycles through available inputs.
Tip: On some models, the quick menu opened by the joystick shows only Power, Settings, Input, and Volume. Input is typically the second or third option when you scroll left/right.
Method 2: Use a Phone Remote App (Recommended)
If your LG TV is connected to WiFi, a phone-based remote app gives you the easiest and fastest input switching experience. LG Remote for iPhone has a dedicated input selector that shows all connected HDMI ports and other sources in a clear list.
How to switch inputs with LG Remote
- Download LG Remote from the App Store
- Connect to the same WiFi as your LG TV
- Open the app — it connects to your TV automatically
- Go to the Apps tab → Inputs section
- Tap the input you want (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc.)
- The TV switches instantly
What makes this better than the physical button is speed and clarity. You see labeled inputs (the app can show what's connected to each HDMI port), and switching is a single tap rather than navigating through a joystick menu.
Switch Inputs Instantly From Your iPhone
LG Remote shows all your HDMI inputs in one clear view. Tap to switch — it's that simple.
Download LG Remote FreeMethod 3: Use HDMI-CEC (Automatic Input Switching)
HDMI-CEC, which LG calls "SimpLink," can automatically switch your TV's input when you turn on a connected device. This means you never need to manually change inputs at all.
How it works
When SimpLink is enabled and you power on your PlayStation, Apple TV, or Roku, the LG TV:
- Turns on automatically (if it was in standby)
- Switches to the HDMI port that device is connected to
This happens without any remote at all — just turn on the connected device.
How to enable SimpLink
You'll need some form of TV control (joystick button or phone app) to enable this the first time:
- Go to Settings → General → HDMI Settings (on some models: Connection → Device Connection Settings)
- Turn on SimpLink (HDMI-CEC)
- Turn on Auto Power Sync
Once enabled, this is the most seamless way to handle input switching. The TV always follows the device you turn on.
Method 4: Use Voice Commands
If your LG TV is connected to Google Home or Alexa:
- "Hey Google, switch to HDMI 1 on the TV"
- "Alexa, change input to HDMI 2 on the living room TV"
- "Hey Google, switch to HDMI 3"
Voice input switching requires your TV to be set up in the Google Home or Alexa app through LG ThinQ. It's reliable once configured but requires the initial setup through the ThinQ app.
Method 5: Use a USB Mouse
Plug a USB mouse into one of the USB ports on the back of your LG TV. A cursor appears on screen, and you can click through the TV's interface just like you would on a computer.
- Plug in a USB mouse
- Move the cursor to the input selector in the TV's home bar
- Click the input you want
This works well as a temporary solution. The cursor behavior is similar to the Magic Remote pointer, so navigation feels familiar.
Which Method Is Best for Regular Use?
- For a one-time fix: Use the joystick button (Method 1) — no setup required
- For daily convenience: Set up LG Remote (Method 2) — fastest switching, always in your pocket
- For automatic switching: Enable HDMI-CEC (Method 3) — the TV follows your devices
- For hands-free control: Use voice commands (Method 4) — works great if you have a smart speaker
For most households, the best approach is to combine HDMI-CEC for automatic switching with a phone remote app as a manual backup. That way, the TV usually switches on its own, and when it doesn't, you can fix it with a tap on your phone.
Preventing Input Confusion
A few settings that make input management easier going forward:
- Rename your inputs: In Settings → General → HDMI Settings, you can label each HDMI port (e.g., "PlayStation," "Apple TV," "Soundbar") so you always know which is which
- Hide unused inputs: If you only use 2 of 4 HDMI ports, hide the unused ones to simplify the input list
- Enable SimpLink: For automatic switching as described in Method 3
Frequently Asked Questions
The quickest way is the TV's joystick button — press it, navigate to the Input icon, and select the HDMI port you want. For a faster experience, use a phone remote app like LG Remote which lets you tap the input directly.
Yes, if HDMI-CEC (SimpLink) is enabled in the TV's settings. When you turn on a connected device like a game console or streaming stick, the TV automatically switches to that HDMI input and can even power on from standby.
This is usually caused by HDMI-CEC. A connected device is sending a signal that tells the TV to switch. If it's unwanted, disable SimpLink for that specific port or turn off Auto Power Sync in Settings → General → HDMI Settings.