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

Screen mirroring on a Samsung TV works by casting what you see on your phone, tablet, or computer to the TV screen without any cables. Samsung TVs use a built-in feature called SmartThings (on newer models) or Miracast (on older ones) to receive the wireless signal from your device. The TV and your phone or computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network for this to work.

The exact steps depend on what device you're mirroring from and which Samsung TV model you own. Most Samsung TVs made in the last five years support at least one mirroring method, but the menu names and button locations vary. This guide covers the most common setups.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Samsung TV and the device you're mirroring from must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Newer Samsung TVs use SmartThings, while older models use Miracast or Samsung's older mirroring protocol.
  • On Android phones, you'll find the mirroring option in Quick Settings under "Smart View" or "Wireless Casting".
  • On iPhones and iPads, you'll use AirPlay, which works on Samsung TVs that support it, though not all models do.
  • If mirroring doesn't appear as an option, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your TV's mirroring feature is turned on.

Mirroring from an Android phone to a Samsung TV

Open the Quick Settings panel on your Android phone by swiping down from the top of the screen twice. Look for an option called Smart View, Wireless Casting, Cast, or Screen Sharing — the exact name depends on your phone's manufacturer and Android version. Tap it.

Your phone will search for nearby devices. When your Samsung TV appears in the list, tap it. The TV will ask you to confirm the connection; select Allow or Start Now. Your phone's screen should appear on the TV within a few seconds. To stop mirroring, go back to Quick Settings and tap the same option again, then select Disconnect.

If your TV doesn't appear in the list, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart your TV's Wi-Fi by going to Settings > Network > Wi-Fi and toggling it off and back on. Then try the search again.

Mirroring from an iPhone or iPad to a Samsung TV

iPhones and iPads use AirPlay to mirror their screens. Not all Samsung TV models support AirPlay — it's more common on newer TVs (2018 and later). To check if your TV supports it, go to Settings > General > AirPlay and HomeKit and look for an AirPlay option. If it's not there, your TV doesn't support AirPlay.

If your TV does support AirPlay, open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad by swiping down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older models). Tap Screen Mirroring. Your Samsung TV should appear in the list. Tap it, and your screen will appear on the TV. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again and tap Screen Mirroring, then select Stop Mirroring.

If AirPlay isn't available on your Samsung TV, you can use a third-party app like SmartThings (available on the App Store) to mirror from your iPhone. The process is similar: open the app, select your TV, and choose the mirroring option.

Mirroring from a Windows computer to a Samsung TV

On Windows 10 or later, open the Action Center by pressing Windows key + A. Click Connect (or Project on some versions). Your TV should appear in the list if it's on the same Wi-Fi network. Click your Samsung TV's name.

A window will pop up on your TV asking you to confirm. Select Allow. Your computer screen will then mirror to the TV. To disconnect, open the Action Center again, click Connect, and select Disconnect.

If your TV doesn't appear, make sure both devices are on the same network. You may also need to enable mirroring on your TV first: go to Settings > General > External Device Manager > Wireless Device Connection and turn it on.

Mirroring from a Mac to a Samsung TV

Macs use AirPlay to mirror to compatible Samsung TVs. Click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of your screen (or use Command + Shift + Q on older macOS versions). Select Screen Mirroring. Your Samsung TV will appear if it supports AirPlay and is on the same Wi-Fi network. Click it to begin mirroring.

To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, click Screen Mirroring, and select Turn Off AirPlay Mirroring. If your TV doesn't support AirPlay, you'll need to use a third-party app or a physical adapter.

Turning on your TV's mirroring feature if it's off

Some Samsung TVs have mirroring disabled by default for security reasons. If your devices can't find your TV, the mirroring feature may be turned off. To turn it on, use your TV remote to go to Settings > General > External Device Manager (or Wireless Device Connection on older models). Look for an option called Miracast, SmartThings, or Wireless Device Connection and make sure it's set to On.

On some newer Samsung TVs, you may also see an option for AirPlay in this same menu. Turn that on if you plan to mirror from an iPhone or Mac. After enabling these settings, restart your TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in.

Troubleshooting common mirroring problems

Your device can't find your TV: The most common cause is that your phone, tablet, or computer is on a different Wi-Fi network than your TV. Check that both are connected to the same network name. If your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, try connecting both devices to the 2.4 GHz band, as older TVs sometimes have trouble with 5 GHz.

The connection keeps dropping: Move your device closer to the TV and router. Walls, metal objects, and other wireless devices can interfere with the signal. If you're far from the router, the connection may be too weak. Restart both your TV and your device, then try again.

The picture is laggy or delayed: Screen mirroring over Wi-Fi always has some delay, especially for video or gaming. This is normal. If the delay is severe, check that no other devices are using a lot of bandwidth (like streaming video or downloading large files). Close those apps and try again.

Audio is out of sync with video: This sometimes happens with older TVs or when mirroring video content. Try pausing and resuming playback. If it persists, restart both devices. Some apps also have their own audio settings that may need adjustment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special app to mirror to my Samsung TV?

No. Most Samsung TVs have mirroring built in. Android phones use the native Smart View feature, and iPhones use AirPlay if your TV supports it. You only need an app if your TV doesn't support the standard mirroring method for your device.

Can I mirror to my Samsung TV if it's not connected to Wi-Fi?

No. Screen mirroring requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your TV isn't connected to Wi-Fi, you'll need to set that up first through the TV's network settings.

Will mirroring drain my phone's battery?

Yes, screen mirroring uses more power than normal because your phone is constantly sending data to the TV. Battery drain is faster than usual, but not extreme. If you're mirroring for a long time, keep your phone plugged in.

Can I use my phone while it's mirroring to the TV?

Yes, but what you do on your phone will appear on the TV. If you want to use your phone privately while the TV shows something else, you'll need to stop mirroring first.

What if my Samsung TV is very old and doesn't support any of these methods?

Older Samsung TVs may not have built-in mirroring. In that case, you can buy a wireless casting device like a Chromecast, Roku, or Fire Stick and connect it to your TV's HDMI port. These devices support mirroring from most phones and computers.