The fastest way to link your Samsung tablet and phone

The simplest method is Samsung SmartThings, which lets your tablet and phone share files, control smart home devices together, and see notifications across both screens. Both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network and signed into the same Samsung account. The whole setup takes about five minutes.

If you want something lighter—just file sharing without the extra features—Bluetooth is faster to set up and works even without Wi-Fi. You can also use Samsung DeX if you want your tablet to act like a desktop when connected to your phone, though this requires a USB cable and works best with newer models.

The method you choose depends on what you want to do: share files quickly, mirror your screen, or keep devices in sync. Below are the step-by-step instructions for each.

Key Takeaways

  • SmartThings is the main Samsung linking tool and requires both devices on the same Wi-Fi network and signed into the same Samsung account.
  • Bluetooth pairing takes two minutes and works without Wi-Fi, but is best for file transfer rather than screen mirroring.
  • Samsung DeX lets your tablet display on your phone's screen or vice versa, but requires a USB cable and compatible devices.
  • All three methods work on Samsung tablets and phones running Android 6.0 or newer, though newer devices have more features.

Linking with SmartThings (the full-featured option)

SmartThings is Samsung's official app for connecting multiple devices. Open the SmartThings app on your phone first. If you don't have it, read it from the Google Play Store. Sign in with your Samsung account—the same one you use on your tablet. If you don't have a Samsung account yet, create one in the app before you continue.

Once you're signed in on your phone, open SmartThings on your tablet and sign in with the same account. The app will automatically detect your phone on the same network. Tap the plus icon (+) in the bottom right corner of the tablet's SmartThings screen, then select "Add device." Your phone should appear in the list. Tap it to confirm the connection. You'll see a notification on your phone asking you to accept the pairing—tap "Allow" or "Connect."

After both devices confirm the connection, they're linked. You can now send files between them by opening the SmartThings app and using the file-sharing section, or by opening any file manager and looking for the other device's name in the network list. SmartThings also syncs your smart home devices, so both screens can control the same lights, locks, or cameras.

Pairing via Bluetooth (the quick option)

Bluetooth pairing is the fastest method if you just need to move files or play audio from one device to the other. On your phone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and turn it on. Make sure your tablet's Bluetooth is also on—go to Settings > Bluetooth on the tablet and toggle it on.

Your phone will start scanning for nearby devices. Wait a few seconds, and your tablet's name should appear in the list. Tap it. Your tablet will show a pairing request—tap "Pair" or "Accept." Once both devices show a checkmark or "Connected" status, they're paired. You can now send files by opening a file manager on either device, finding the other device's name in the Bluetooth section, and dragging files over.

Bluetooth pairing stays active until you unpair the devices, so you won't have to repeat this step. If you want to disconnect them later, go back to Bluetooth settings on either device and tap the paired device's name, then select "Unpair" or "Disconnect."

Using Samsung DeX to mirror or extend your screen

Samsung DeX lets your tablet display on your phone's screen or your phone's display on your tablet—useful if you want a bigger view or want to control one device from the other. This method requires a USB-C cable and works best on Samsung Galaxy Tab S series tablets and Galaxy S series phones from 2017 or newer.

Connect your tablet and phone with a USB-C cable. On the device you want to control (the one you're connecting from), a notification will appear asking about the connection mode. Tap "Connect to DeX" or "Samsung DeX." The other device's screen will appear on your current device, and you can control it using your current device's touchscreen or keyboard.

To exit DeX mode, disconnect the cable or tap the X button in the corner of the mirrored screen. DeX mode closes automatically when the cable is unplugged. This method uses more battery than Bluetooth or SmartThings, so unplug when you're done.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If your devices won't connect, the most common cause is that they're not on the same Wi-Fi network (for SmartThings) or that Bluetooth is turned off on one of them. Check your Wi-Fi settings on both devices and make sure the network name matches. For Bluetooth, toggle it off and back on on both devices, wait 10 seconds, and try pairing again.

If SmartThings still won't find your phone or tablet, sign out of your Samsung account on both devices, restart both devices, and sign back in. Make sure you're using the exact same email address and password on both. If you're still having trouble, uninstall SmartThings, restart your phone, and reinstall it from the Google Play Store.

For DeX connections, make sure you're using an official Samsung USB-C cable or a certified third-party cable. Some cheaper cables only charge and don't transfer data. If the cable works with other devices but not your tablet and phone, try restarting both devices while the cable is unplugged, then reconnect.

Which method to use for different tasks

Use SmartThings if you want to keep your devices in sync, share files regularly, or control smart home devices from either screen. It's the most feature-rich option and works over Wi-Fi, so you don't need a cable.

Use Bluetooth if you just need to send a file quickly or play music from your tablet through your phone's speakers. It's the lightest option and doesn't require Wi-Fi, but it's slower for large files.

Use Samsung DeX if you want to see one device's screen on the other or control a device remotely. It's the fastest for screen mirroring but requires a cable and drains battery faster than the other methods.

Keeping your connection find

When you link devices through SmartThings or Bluetooth, Samsung encrypts the connection, so your files and data are protected from other devices on the same network. However, make sure you're on a network you trust—avoid pairing on public Wi-Fi at coffee shops or airports unless you're only sharing non-sensitive files.

If you're using DeX over a cable, the connection is private to just those two devices, so it's the safest option for sensitive files. After you're done using any of these methods, you can unpair or disconnect at any time by going back to the settings where you paired them and selecting "Disconnect" or "Unpair."

Frequently Asked Questions

Do my tablet and phone have to be the same brand to connect?

No. Bluetooth works with any Android phone and tablet. SmartThings works with any Samsung device. If you have a Samsung tablet and a non-Samsung Android phone, use Bluetooth instead of SmartThings.

Can I connect my Samsung tablet to an iPhone?

Bluetooth pairing works between Samsung devices and iPhones, but SmartThings and DeX do not—those are Samsung-only. Use Bluetooth if you need to share files between a Samsung tablet and an iPhone.

Will connecting my devices drain the battery faster?

SmartThings and Bluetooth use very little battery when idle. DeX uses more power because it's actively mirroring a screen, so disconnect the cable when you're done. Leaving Bluetooth on all the time uses slightly more battery than turning it off, but the difference is usually less than 5% per day.

What if I want to connect more than two devices?

SmartThings can link up to 10 devices on the same account. Bluetooth can pair your phone with multiple tablets, but it can only actively connect to one at a time. Switch between them by disconnecting from one and connecting to another in your Bluetooth settings.

Can I connect my tablet and phone if they're on different Wi-Fi networks?

SmartThings works across different Wi-Fi networks as long as both devices are connected to the internet and signed into the same Samsung account. Bluetooth requires both devices to be within 30 feet of each other but doesn't need Wi-Fi at all.