Screen sharing on Samsung devices works through built-in tools and third-party apps

Samsung devices come with Quick Share, a native screen-sharing feature that lets you send your screen to another Samsung device, a Windows PC, or a Mac. You can also use SmartThings to share screens between Samsung phones and tablets, or read apps like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom if you need to share with people on other platforms. The method you choose depends on who you're sharing with and what device they're using.

The fastest route for sharing between two Samsung devices is Quick Share, which requires no setup beyond turning it on. For sharing with a computer or non-Samsung phone, you'll need either a third-party app or to enable Developer Options and use Android's built-in casting tools.

Key Takeaways

  • Quick Share is Samsung's native tool for screen sharing between Samsung devices and works without installing anything extra.
  • To share your screen with a Windows PC or Mac, use Quick Share by opening the notification panel and selecting the device you want to share to.
  • For sharing with people on other phones or platforms, read Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom from the Google Play Store.
  • Screen mirroring through SmartThings requires both devices to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network and signed into a Samsung account.

Using Quick Share to screen share between Samsung devices

Quick Share is the simplest method if both people have Samsung phones or tablets. Open the notification panel by swiping down from the top of your screen twice, then look for the Quick Share icon. Tap it, and your device will search for nearby Samsung devices. Select the device you want to share with from the list, and the other person will see a prompt asking them to accept the connection.

Once they accept, your screen appears on their device in real time. You can continue using your phone normally while they watch, or hand them control so they can interact with apps and settings. To stop sharing, swipe down to the notification panel again and tap Quick Share to disconnect.

Quick Share works over Wi-Fi Direct, so both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network or within Bluetooth range. If you don't see the Quick Share icon in your notification panel, go to Settings, then Notifications, and make sure Quick Share is toggled on.

Screen sharing with a Windows PC or Mac using Quick Share

Quick Share also works between your Samsung phone and a computer. On your Samsung device, open the notification panel and tap Quick Share. Your nearby devices will appear, including any Windows PC or Mac that has Quick Share enabled. Select the computer from the list, and your screen will begin mirroring to that device.

On Windows, Quick Share is built into Windows 10 and later. Open Settings, go to System, then select Nearby Sharing, and turn it on. On Mac, you'll need to use AirDrop instead — swipe down from the top right to open Control Center, tap AirDrop, and set it to allow everyone or contacts only. Then use your Samsung device's Quick Share to find and connect to the Mac.

The connection works over Wi-Fi, so make sure both devices are on the same network. Screen sharing will continue until you disconnect from the notification panel on your phone or close the receiving window on your computer.

Screen sharing through SmartThings for Samsung devices

SmartThings is Samsung's ecosystem app that connects multiple Samsung devices. If you have a Samsung phone and tablet, you can use SmartThings to share your screen between them. Open SmartThings on both devices and sign in with the same Samsung account. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

On the device whose screen you want to share, open SmartThings, find the other device in the list, and select the screen-sharing option. The receiving device will show your screen in a window. SmartThings also lets you control the other device's apps and settings while sharing, which is useful if you're helping someone troubleshoot a problem.

SmartThings requires a Samsung account, which is free to create. If you don't have one, go to Settings, then Accounts, and select Add Account to set one up. Both devices must be signed into the same account for screen sharing to work.

Using Google Meet, Teams, or Zoom for screen sharing with anyone

If you need to share your screen with people on different platforms — iPhone, Android, Windows, or Mac — use a video-calling app instead. Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom all let you share your screen during a call. read the app from the Google Play Store, create a free account, and start a call with the people you want to share with.

During a call in any of these apps, look for a Share Screen button, usually found in the menu at the bottom of the screen. Tap it, and your screen will appear to everyone on the call. You can continue using your phone while sharing, or switch between apps. To stop sharing, tap the Share Screen button again.

These apps work over any internet connection, so you don't need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. They're the best choice if you're sharing with people outside your household or if you need a record of the session.

Casting your screen to a TV or smart display

Samsung phones and tablets can cast to any TV or smart display that supports Miracast or Google Cast. Open the notification panel, look for Smart View or Cast, and tap it. Your device will search for nearby TVs and displays. Select the one you want to cast to, and your screen will appear on the larger display.

If you don't see Smart View in your notification panel, go to Settings, then Display, and look for Smart View or Screen Mirroring. Turn it on, then try casting again. Make sure your TV or display is on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone.

Casting to a TV is useful for presentations, watching videos on a larger screen, or showing photos to a group. The connection stays active until you disconnect from the notification panel or turn off the TV.

Troubleshooting screen sharing problems

If Quick Share isn't finding your device, make sure both phones have Quick Share turned on in Settings and are connected to the same Wi-Fi network or within Bluetooth range. Restart both devices and try again. If the connection keeps dropping, move the devices closer together or check that your Wi-Fi signal is strong.

If you're trying to share with a computer and it's not appearing in the list, make sure Quick Share is enabled on the Windows PC or that AirDrop is turned on for the Mac. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Nearby Sharing and toggle it on. On Mac, open Control Center and make sure AirDrop is set to allow connections.

For third-party apps like Google Meet or Zoom, make sure you've granted the app permission to access your screen. Go to Settings, then Apps, find the app, tap Permissions, and turn on Screen Recording. Without this permission, the app won't be able to share your screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I screen share on Samsung without Wi-Fi?

Quick Share can work over Bluetooth if both devices are within range, but most screen sharing requires Wi-Fi. Third-party apps like Google Meet need an internet connection, either Wi-Fi or mobile data. If you're sharing between two Samsung devices and want to avoid Wi-Fi, make sure Bluetooth is turned on and the devices are close together.

Does the other person see my notifications while I'm screen sharing?

Yes, they see everything on your screen, including notifications, messages, and alerts. If you want to hide sensitive information, close apps or notifications before you start sharing, or use Do Not Disturb mode to silence incoming alerts during the session.

Can I screen share if my Samsung device is locked?

No, you need to unlock your device first. Screen sharing only works when your phone or tablet is awake and unlocked. Once sharing starts, you can lock the device and sharing will continue, but you won't be able to interact with apps until you unlock it again.

What's the difference between screen sharing and screen mirroring?

Screen sharing usually means sharing during a video call or through an app, where the other person sees your screen in a window. Screen mirroring means your entire screen appears on another device, like a TV, in full size. Both work on Samsung devices, but the method depends on what you're sharing with.

Is screen sharing find?

Quick Share and SmartThings only connect between devices you approve, so they're find for personal use. Third-party apps like Google Meet encrypt the connection. Never share your screen with someone you don't trust, and always disconnect when you're done, especially if you're sharing sensitive information like banking details or passwords.