The fastest way: use SmartThings or Screen Mirroring

Samsung phones and TVs talk to each other through SmartThings, Samsung's built-in casting system, or through Screen Mirroring, which mirrors your phone's display directly to the TV. Both are free and built into your devices—you don't need to read anything extra or buy hardware. SmartThings works best for sending video, music, or photos to your TV; Screen Mirroring works best when you want to see everything on your phone appear on your TV screen, including apps and web pages.

The two systems use the same wireless connection and work on the same home network. Your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for either to work. If they are, casting takes about 10 to 15 seconds from the moment you start the process.

Key Takeaways

  • SmartThings and Screen Mirroring are both free and built into Samsung phones and TVs—no apps or hardware needed.
  • Your phone and TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can cast.
  • SmartThings is faster for sending videos, music, or photos; Screen Mirroring shows your entire phone screen on the TV.
  • If casting fails, restart both devices and check that Wi-Fi is on and both are on the same network.
  • Older Samsung TVs may not support casting—check your TV's manual or settings to confirm.

How to cast using SmartThings

Open the app or video you want to cast on your Samsung phone. Look for a cast icon—it looks like a rectangle with a curved line in the bottom left corner. Tap it. Your phone will search for nearby Samsung devices on your network. When your TV appears in the list, tap it. The video, photo, or music will start playing on your TV within a few seconds.

Not every app supports SmartThings casting. YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and Samsung's own apps (like Samsung TV Plus and Samsung Music) all support it. If you don't see the cast icon in an app, that app does not support casting through SmartThings. In that case, use Screen Mirroring instead.

To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Disconnect," or straightforward turn off the TV. The content will stop playing on the TV but will keep playing on your phone if you were using an app.

How to use Screen Mirroring to show your entire phone screen

Screen Mirroring copies everything on your phone's screen to your TV—apps, web pages, text messages, all of it. Open the notification panel on your Samsung phone by swiping down from the top of the screen twice. Look for Screen Mirroring or Smart View (the name varies by phone model). Tap it. Your phone will search for nearby Samsung TVs. When your TV appears, tap it to connect.

Once connected, your phone screen will appear on the TV. Everything you do on your phone—opening apps, typing, scrolling—will show on the TV in real time. The TV remote will not control your phone; you control everything from your phone. To disconnect, swipe down the notification panel again, tap Screen Mirroring or Smart View, and select "Disconnect."

Screen Mirroring uses more battery than SmartThings casting because it is constantly sending your entire screen to the TV. If you are mirroring for more than an hour, plug your phone in.

Make sure your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network

Both SmartThings and Screen Mirroring require your phone and TV to be on the same home Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings by opening Settings, tapping Connections, then Wi-Fi. Note which network you are connected to. Then go to your TV's settings—use the remote to navigate to Settings, then Network or Wi-Fi—and confirm the TV is on the same network.

If your home has a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network (often shown as the same network name with "-5G" added), make sure both your phone and TV are on the same one. Some older Samsung TVs only support 2.4 GHz, so if your phone is on 5 GHz, they will not see each other. Check your TV's manual or your router's settings to see which bands your TV supports.

What to do if your phone and TV are not finding each other

Restart both devices. Turn off your TV completely using the remote, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Restart your phone by holding the power button, selecting "Power off," waiting 10 seconds, and turning it back on. Once both are back on, try casting again.

If they still do not find each other, check that Wi-Fi is turned on on both devices. On your phone, open Settings, tap Connections, and make sure Wi-Fi is toggled on. On your TV, use the remote to go to Settings, then Network, and confirm Wi-Fi is on. If Wi-Fi is off on either device, turn it on and wait 10 seconds for them to reconnect to the network.

If restarting and checking Wi-Fi do not work, forget the Wi-Fi network on your phone and reconnect to it. Open Settings, tap Connections, Wi-Fi, hold down your network name, and select "Forget." Then tap the network again and enter your Wi-Fi password. Once your phone reconnects, try casting again.

Older Samsung TVs and casting support

Not all Samsung TVs support SmartThings or Screen Mirroring. Most TVs made after 2016 support it, but some older models do not. If your TV is more than 8 years old, check your TV's manual or look up your model number on Samsung's website to confirm it supports casting.

If your TV does not support SmartThings or Screen Mirroring, you have two alternatives. You can buy a Samsung Media Streamer or Chromecast with Google TV and plug it into your TV's HDMI port—both allow you to cast from your phone. Or you can use an HDMI cable to connect your phone directly to the TV, though this requires a USB-C to HDMI adapter and will drain your phone's battery quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast to my Samsung TV if I am not home?

No. SmartThings and Screen Mirroring only work when your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. If you are away from home, they cannot find each other. Some Samsung TVs support remote casting through the SmartThings app if you set it up in advance, but this requires extra configuration and is not available on all models.

Why does my phone keep disconnecting from the TV?

Disconnections usually happen when Wi-Fi is weak or unstable. Move closer to your router or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If the problem continues, restart both your phone and TV. If one device is on 5 GHz and the other is on 2.4 GHz, they may also disconnect—check your Wi-Fi settings and make sure both are on the same band.

Can I use SmartThings casting while using my phone for something else?

Yes. Once you cast a video or song through SmartThings, it plays on the TV independently. You can close the app, open another app, or even lock your phone, and the content will keep playing on the TV. Screen Mirroring is different—your phone screen must stay on and unlocked, or the TV will go blank.

Does casting use a lot of data?

No. Casting works over your home Wi-Fi network, not your phone's data plan. You will not use any cellular data. If you are streaming video from YouTube or Netflix, those services use data, but the casting itself does not.

What if my Samsung TV is very old and does not have Wi-Fi?

If your TV has no Wi-Fi built in, you cannot use SmartThings or Screen Mirroring. You can plug a Samsung Media Streamer or Chromecast into the TV's HDMI port to add casting, or use an HDMI cable with a USB-C adapter to connect your phone directly to the TV.