Common questions about TizenPortal.
TizenPortal is a browser shell for Samsung Tizen Smart TVs. It provides a launcher interface to manage self-hosted web apps (like Audiobookshelf, etc.) and injects site-specific fixes to make them work better with TV remote controls.
TizenPortal supports Samsung Smart TVs from 2017-2022 running Tizen OS 3.0 or later. This includes:
Newer models may work but are not officially tested.
Yes! TizenPortal is free and open-source software licensed under the MIT license.
No, TizenPortal runs through TizenBrew, which handles any necessary permissions. You don’t need to enable developer mode on your TV.
axelnanol/tizenportalSee the Getting Started guide for detailed instructions.
TizenBrew automatically serves the latest version. If you need to force a refresh:
axelnanol/tizenportal)axelnanol/tizenportal)Your saved sites are preserved between updates.
No, TizenPortal requires TizenBrew to inject its runtime into web pages. There is no standalone version.
TizenPortal is a software application that doesn’t modify your TV’s firmware. However, consult your warranty terms and use at your own risk.
Press the 🟡 Yellow button on your remote to return to the portal launcher from any site.
Use the D-pad (arrow keys) on your remote. TizenPortal enables spatial navigation that moves focus between clickable elements. Press Enter to activate the focused element.
For sites that require mouse control, press 🟢 Green to enable mouse mode.
Yes! If your TV supports Samsung’s SmartThings remote app, you can use it with TizenPortal. The color buttons may not work depending on the app version.
Text inputs are protected by default to avoid the on-screen keyboard popping up. Navigate to an input and press Enter to activate the keyboard. You can disable this in Preferences → Protect Text Inputs (TV Keyboard).
TizenPortal runs on the TV itself—it’s not a casting receiver. Your self-hosted apps run directly in the TV’s browser.
Most websites work to some degree. Sites with dedicated bundles work best:
| Site | Support Level |
|---|---|
| Audiobookshelf | ✅ Full support |
| Most websites | ⚠️ Basic support |
Common reasons:
Maybe! You can:
default bundle for basic compatibilityThese streaming services have their own Tizen apps and typically block browser access. Use the official apps instead.
Yes! Use the adblock bundle for sites with intrusive ads. It supports Strict Mode, Allowlist URL, Hide Cookie Banners, and Inline Ad Heuristics for better coverage. Ad blocking is still best-effort and may not catch everything.
TizenPortal uses the TV’s built-in browser, which is based on Chrome 47-69 depending on your TV model. TizenPortal doesn’t include its own browser engine.
Settings and saved sites are stored in the TV’s localStorage, which persists between sessions but is cleared if you reset the TV or uninstall TizenBrew.
The runtime is approximately 320KB. Your saved sites use minimal additional storage (a few KB each).
No. TizenPortal runs entirely locally on your TV. It does not collect or transmit any data. The only network requests are to your own self-hosted services.
TizenPortal itself can run offline (after initial load), but you’ll need network access to reach your self-hosted services.
This usually means a JavaScript error crashed the page. Try:
The TV browser is limited. Try:
Some sites have poor accessibility. Try:
Sites are stored in localStorage, which can be cleared by:
There’s no backup feature currently. Consider keeping a list of your sites elsewhere.
Yes! See the Bundle Authoring Guide for instructions.
See the Contributing Guide. We welcome:
Yes, bundles can access the window.TizenPortal API. See the API Reference.
Yes, use npm run watch for auto-rebuilding during development. See the Build System documentation.
TizenPortal was created by axelnanol. See the GitHub repository for contributors.
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