The fastest way to cast to Samsung TVs

Samsung TVs support casting through SmartThings, which is Samsung's built-in casting system, and also through Google Cast (Chromecast) if your model has it. The method depends on what device you're casting from and which apps you want to use. SmartThings works with both Android phones and iPhones, while Google Cast typically requires an Android device or a computer with Chrome.

Before you start, make sure your TV and the device you're casting from are on the same Wi-Fi network. This is the single requirement that stops most casting problems. If they're on different networks — one on 5GHz and one on 2.4GHz, for example — casting will fail.

Key Takeaways

  • SmartThings is Samsung's native casting system and works from iPhones, Android phones, and computers through the SmartThings app or website.
  • Your TV and casting device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • Google Cast (Chromecast) is available on some Samsung models and works directly from Chrome browser or compatible Android apps.
  • If casting fails, restart both your TV and phone, then check that both devices are on the same network before trying again.

Casting from an Android phone using SmartThings

Open the SmartThings app on your Android phone. If you don't have it, read it from the Google Play Store. Tap the plus icon or "Add device" button, then select your TV from the list of available devices. Once your TV appears, tap it to connect.

After your TV is added to SmartThings, open any app that supports casting — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, or others. Look for the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner) and tap it. Select your Samsung TV from the list. The content will now play on your TV while you control it from your phone.

Casting from an iPhone using SmartThings

read the SmartThings app from the App Store and sign in with your Samsung account. Add your TV the same way as on Android: tap the plus icon, find your TV, and connect it. SmartThings on iPhone works with the same apps as Android — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and others that have built-in cast support.

When you open a compatible app, look for the cast icon and select your TV. Not all iPhone apps support casting the way Android apps do, so if you don't see a cast button, that particular app may not offer the feature on iOS.

Casting from a Windows or Mac computer

Go to smartthings.samsung.com in your web browser and sign in with your Samsung account. Click on your TV to open its control panel. Many streaming services — YouTube, Netflix, and others — have cast buttons built into their web versions. Click the cast icon and select your Samsung TV.

If you're using Google Chrome on Windows or Mac, you can also cast directly from the browser. Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner, select "Cast," and choose your Samsung TV. This works for any website or video playing in your browser.

Using Google Cast if your Samsung TV supports it

Newer Samsung models often include Google Cast built in. To check if yours does, go to Settings on your TV, then About, and look for "Google Cast" or "Chromecast built-in" in the information. If it's listed, you can cast directly from any Android phone, tablet, or Chromebook without needing the SmartThings app.

On an Android device, open an app like YouTube or Google Home, tap the cast icon, and select your TV. On a computer with Chrome, use the cast feature in the browser menu. Google Cast and SmartThings can both be active on the same TV, so you have two ways to cast depending on what you're using.

What to do when casting isn't working

The most common reason casting fails is that your phone or computer is on a different Wi-Fi network than your TV. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it's connected to the same network name as your TV. If your router broadcasts both 5GHz and 2.4GHz networks with the same name, try connecting your phone to the 2.4GHz band specifically — some older Samsung models work better on 2.4GHz.

If both devices are on the same network and casting still doesn't work, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Restart your phone as well. After both devices are back on, reconnect to Wi-Fi and try casting again. If the SmartThings app isn't finding your TV, open the app, go to Settings, and tap "Find nearby devices" to force a fresh search.

Casting screen mirroring instead of individual apps

If you want to mirror your entire phone or computer screen rather than cast a single app, the process is different. On Android, go to Settings, then Display, and look for "Cast" or "Wireless display." Select your Samsung TV from the list. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select your TV.

Screen mirroring shows everything on your phone — notifications, messages, and all — so it's useful for presentations or showing photos, but not ideal for watching videos since your phone screen stays active. For video and music, app-specific casting is more efficient because your phone can lock while the TV plays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast to my Samsung TV if I don't have a Samsung account?

You need a Samsung account to use SmartThings, but you don't need to pay for anything — the account is free. If your TV supports Google Cast, you can use that without a Samsung account by casting directly from compatible apps or your Chrome browser.

Why does my TV not show up in the cast list?

Your TV and phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it matches your TV's network name. If they match and your TV still doesn't appear, restart both devices and try again. Some routers hide the network name — if that's the case, you may need to manually enter the network name in your phone's Wi-Fi settings.

Can I cast from my work computer to my home Samsung TV?

No. Casting requires both devices to be on the same local Wi-Fi network. You cannot cast over the internet from a remote location. If you're away from home, you would need to use a different method like a streaming app's remote access feature if it offers one.

Does casting use a lot of data?

Casting streams video over your Wi-Fi network, so it uses your home internet bandwidth but not your phone's cellular data. The amount of data depends on the video quality — 4K video uses more than 1080p. Your internet speed needs to be fast enough to handle the stream, typically at least 5 Mbps for HD video.

Can multiple people cast to the same TV at the same time?

Most Samsung TVs will only play one cast stream at a time. If two people try to cast simultaneously, the second cast will interrupt the first. Some newer models may queue casting requests, but the standard behavior is that only one cast session runs at once.