Screen mirroring sends your phone or computer display to your Samsung TV wirelessly

Screen mirroring on a Samsung TV works by casting whatever is on your phone, tablet, or computer screen directly to your television. Samsung TVs use a built-in feature called SmartThings (on newer models) or Miracast (on older models) to receive wireless signals from your devices. The TV and your device must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and the process takes just a few taps or clicks to start.

The exact steps depend on what device you are mirroring from — iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac — and which year your Samsung TV was made. All Samsung TVs made in the last five years support at least one mirroring method, so you have options even if one method does not work.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Samsung TV and the device you are mirroring from must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you start.
  • Newer Samsung TVs use SmartThings, while older models use Miracast; both are built in and do not require an app purchase.
  • On Android phones, open Settings, find Display or Connected Devices, and look for Screen Mirroring or Wireless Display to find your TV.
  • On iPhones, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Samsung TV from the list.
  • If your TV does not appear in the list, restart both the TV and your device, then try again.

Mirroring from an Android phone or tablet

On most Android phones, the screen mirroring option lives in the Settings app under Display or Connected Devices. Open Settings, then look for a section called Display, Connection, or Device Connection — the exact name varies by phone brand. Inside that section, find Screen Mirroring, Wireless Display, or Cast Screen. Tap it, and your phone will search for nearby Samsung TVs on the same network.

When your TV appears in the list, tap its name. Your phone will send a connection request to the TV, and the TV screen may show a prompt asking you to accept the connection. Once you accept, your phone screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds. Everything you do on your phone — opening apps, scrolling, typing — will show on the TV in real time.

If your phone does not find your TV, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart your phone and your TV, then try again. Some Android phones also have a Quick Settings panel at the top of the screen; you can swipe down twice and look for Cast, Screen Mirroring, or Wireless Display there as a faster route.

Mirroring from an iPhone or iPad

On iPhones and iPads, screen mirroring is built into Control Center. Swipe down from the top right corner of your screen (or swipe up from the bottom on older iPhones) to open Control Center. Look for a button labeled Screen Mirroring or AirPlay and Mirroring. Tap it, and a list of nearby devices will appear.

Find your Samsung TV in the list and tap it. Your iPhone will ask for a code that appears on your TV screen — enter this code on your phone to confirm the connection. Once confirmed, your iPhone screen will mirror to the TV. The mirroring will continue even if you lock your phone or open new apps, so you can browse, watch videos, or show photos without interruption.

If your Samsung TV does not appear in the list, check that your iPhone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. Older Samsung TVs may not support Apple's AirPlay standard; if your TV is more than five years old, try using a third-party app like SmartThings (available free on the App Store) instead. SmartThings works on both older and newer Samsung TVs.

Mirroring from a Windows computer

On Windows 10 and Windows 11, open the Action Center by pressing Windows key + A on your keyboard. Look for a button called Cast or Connect. Click it, and Windows will search for nearby devices that support casting. Your Samsung TV should appear in the list within a few seconds.

Click your TV's name, and Windows will ask whether you want to extend your display (use the TV as a second monitor) or duplicate it (show the same thing on both screens). Choose whichever you prefer. Your TV will then show your Windows desktop, and you can open any program or file to display it on the big screen.

If your TV does not appear, make sure your computer and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. Some older Windows computers may need to enable casting in Settings first; go to Settings > System > Display > Multiple Displays and look for an option to turn on wireless display. If you still have trouble, restart both devices and try again.

Mirroring from a Mac computer

On a Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top right corner of your screen (it looks like a rectangle with sliders). Find Screen Mirroring in the menu and click it. Your Mac will search for nearby devices, and your Samsung TV should appear in the list.

Click your TV's name. If your TV asks for a code, look at your TV screen, enter the code on your Mac, and confirm. Your Mac screen will then appear on the TV. You can use your Mac normally — open files, browse the web, or give a presentation — and everything will show on the TV in real time.

Older Macs may not have a Control Center icon; instead, look for AirPlay in the menu bar at the top of the screen. If you do not see it there, go to System Preferences > Displays and look for an AirPlay Display option. Samsung TVs made before 2019 may not support Mac mirroring natively; in that case, read the SmartThings app from the Mac App Store to mirror instead.

What to do if your TV does not appear in the list

The most common reason a TV does not show up is that it is on a different Wi-Fi network than your device. Check that both your phone or computer and your TV are connected to the same network. Look at your TV's network settings by pressing the Menu button on your remote, going to Network, and checking which Wi-Fi network it is using. Then check your phone or computer and make sure it is on the same network.

If both devices are on the same network, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. While the TV restarts, restart your phone or computer as well. Once both devices are back on, try the mirroring process again. If your TV still does not appear, check that screen mirroring is turned on in your TV's settings. Press Menu on your remote, go to General or Network, and look for a setting called Screen Mirroring, Miracast, or SmartThings. Make sure it is set to On.

Troubleshooting connection drops and lag

If your mirrored screen keeps disconnecting or freezes, move your device closer to your TV and router. Walls, microwaves, and other electronics can interfere with Wi-Fi signals. If you are far from your router, the connection may drop. Moving closer usually fixes the problem within seconds.

Lag — a delay between what you do on your phone and what appears on the TV — is normal for screen mirroring and usually lasts less than a second. If the lag is severe (more than two or three seconds), your Wi-Fi signal may be weak. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If lag continues, try mirroring again after moving closer to the router. Some older Samsung TVs also have a lower mirroring speed; if you are using a TV older than five years, lag may be unavoidable, but restarting both devices often improves it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special app or cable to screen mirror?

No. Screen mirroring is built into Samsung TVs and into all modern phones and computers. You do not need to buy or read anything. The only requirement is that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Can I mirror to my Samsung TV if I do not have a smart TV?

If your Samsung TV is not a smart TV (does not have built-in Wi-Fi), you cannot use wireless mirroring. You would need an HDMI cable to connect your device directly to the TV, or you could buy a separate casting device like a Chromecast or Fire Stick.

Will mirroring drain my phone battery?

Screen mirroring uses Wi-Fi and your phone's display, so it does drain the battery faster than normal use. If you are mirroring for more than an hour, plug your phone in to a charger. The TV itself does not affect battery drain — only the mirroring process does.

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

Most Samsung TVs only allow one device to mirror at a time. If someone else tries to mirror while you are already mirroring, their request will fail. You have to stop mirroring first before another device can connect.

What if my Samsung TV is very old — will it still work?

Samsung TVs made before 2015 may not support wireless mirroring at all. If your TV is older than that, check the model number in your TV's settings and search online for its specs. If it does not list Miracast or SmartThings, wireless mirroring is not available, and you will need an HDMI cable or external casting device instead.