The fastest way to cast from your Samsung phone

Samsung phones use SmartThings or Samsung DeX to send video and audio to your TV wirelessly. The simplest method is to swipe down from the top of your phone twice to open the full Quick Settings panel, tap Smart View, and select your TV from the list. Your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. The connection takes a few seconds, and then your phone's screen appears on the TV.

If you don't see Smart View in your Quick Settings, your phone may be an older Samsung model or it may not be enabled. You can also cast through the SmartThings app, which works on most Samsung phones made in the last five years. Open SmartThings, tap the device icon in the top right, select your TV, and choose the casting option.

Not all Samsung TVs support casting the same way. Newer models (2018 and later) work with Smart View directly. Older TVs may need the SmartThings app or may not support casting at all. Check your TV's manual or settings menu to confirm it has casting built in.

Key Takeaways

  • Smart View is the built-in casting method on most Samsung phones and appears in your Quick Settings panel when you swipe down twice.
  • Your phone and TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • The SmartThings app is an alternative if Smart View is not available on your phone model.
  • Older Samsung TVs may not support wireless casting, so check your TV's manual or settings to confirm the feature is available.
  • Once connected, your phone's screen mirrors to the TV, and you can control what appears using your phone.

Setting up your phone and TV on the same network

Casting only works when both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings by swiping down once from the top and looking at the Wi-Fi icon. It should show the name of your home network. Then go to your TV's settings menu, find Wi-Fi or Network, and connect it to the same network using your password.

If your TV is already connected to Wi-Fi, you're ready to cast. If you're not sure, look at your TV's home screen—most Samsung TVs display the network name in the corner or in the settings menu. If your TV is connected to a different network than your phone, casting won't work.

Some older routers or networks with unusual security settings can block casting even when both devices are on the same Wi-Fi. If you've confirmed both devices are on the same network and casting still doesn't appear, restart both your phone and TV, then try again.

Using Smart View to cast your screen

Open the Quick Settings panel on your Samsung phone by swiping down from the top twice. Look for a tile labeled Smart View or Screen Sharing. Tap it, and your phone will search for nearby TVs for about 10 seconds. When your TV appears in the list, tap its name.

Your TV will show a connection request or PIN code. Some TVs connect automatically; others ask you to confirm on the TV remote. Once connected, your phone's screen appears on the TV. Everything you do on your phone—opening apps, scrolling, typing—shows on the TV in real time.

To stop casting, open Smart View again and tap Disconnect, or swipe down and tap the Smart View tile a second time to turn it off. Disconnecting from your phone doesn't affect what's on your TV otherwise.

Casting through the SmartThings app

If Smart View doesn't appear in your Quick Settings, read the SmartThings app from the Google Play Store. Open it and sign in with your Samsung account (or create one if you don't have one). The app will show all compatible devices on your network, including your TV.

Tap your TV in the SmartThings app, then look for a casting or screen-sharing option—the exact name varies by TV model. Some TVs show a Cast button; others show Mirror or Screen Sharing. Tap the option, and your phone will connect to the TV the same way as Smart View.

The SmartThings app also lets you control your TV's volume, input, and power from your phone, even when you're not casting. This can be useful if you want to switch inputs or adjust settings without reaching for the remote.

Casting specific apps instead of your whole screen

Some apps—like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify—have their own built-in cast button instead of mirroring your entire phone screen. Open the app, look for a Cast icon (usually a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner), and tap it. Select your TV from the list. The app will play on your TV while your phone acts as a remote control.

Casting a single app uses less battery and bandwidth than mirroring your whole screen, and it lets you use your phone for other things while the app plays on the TV. You can browse the web, check messages, or lock your phone without interrupting playback.

Not every app supports casting. If you don't see a cast button in an app, you can still mirror your entire phone screen using Smart View instead.

Troubleshooting when casting doesn't work

If your TV doesn't appear in the Smart View list, first check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Then restart your phone and TV—turn them completely off, wait 30 seconds, and turn them back on. This fixes most connection problems.

If the TV still doesn't appear, check your TV's settings to make sure casting or screen mirroring is turned on. On Samsung TVs, this is usually under Settings > General > AirPlay and Bluetooth Settings or SmartThings Settings. The exact path depends on your TV model and year.

If your phone and TV are on the same network and casting is enabled on the TV but it still doesn't work, try forgetting the Wi-Fi network on your phone and reconnecting. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap and hold your network name, select Forget, then reconnect using your password. This refreshes the connection and often solves casting issues.

If you're still having trouble after these steps, check whether your TV model supports casting at all. Very old Samsung TVs (before 2018) may not have the feature built in. You can also call Samsung support or check your TV's manual to confirm.

When to call a professional

Casting is a software feature, not a hardware repair, so you won't need a technician for most problems. If your TV won't turn on, won't connect to Wi-Fi, or has a cracked screen, those are hardware issues that require service—but they're separate from casting.

If you've tried restarting both devices, confirmed they're on the same network, and enabled casting on your TV but it still doesn't work, the issue is likely a network problem rather than a phone or TV problem. Contact your internet provider to check your Wi-Fi signal strength, or consider moving your router closer to your TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for casting or read anything extra?

No. Smart View is built into Samsung phones and TVs at no cost. The SmartThings app is free to read from the Google Play Store. You only need a Wi-Fi network you already have at home.

Can I cast from my Samsung phone to a non-Samsung TV?

Smart View only works with Samsung TVs. If you have a different brand, look for its casting method—LG uses AirPlay or Miracast, Sony uses Bravia Sync, and others may use Google Chromecast or Roku. Your phone may support multiple casting standards depending on the model.

Will casting drain my phone battery quickly?

Casting uses Wi-Fi and your phone's processor, so it does drain battery faster than normal use. If you're casting for a long time, plug your phone in or keep it nearby so you can charge it. Casting a single app (like YouTube) uses less battery than mirroring your entire screen.

What if my TV is too old to support casting?

If your TV doesn't have built-in casting, you can buy a separate device like a Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, or Roku stick and plug it into your TV's HDMI port. These devices add casting to any TV. Check the device's compatibility with your phone before buying.

Can someone else cast to my TV if they're on my Wi-Fi network?

Yes, anyone on your Wi-Fi network can cast to your TV if casting is enabled. If you want to restrict this, go to your TV's settings and look for a Casting Permissions or Screen Mirroring option. You can usually set it to allow only registered devices or require a PIN code before connecting.