The fastest way to cast your phone to a Samsung TV

Samsung TVs made in 2016 or later support SmartThings, which is Samsung's built-in casting system. Open the SmartThings app on your phone, select your TV from the device list, and tap the cast icon — your phone's screen or audio will appear on the TV within seconds. If your TV is older or you prefer a different method, you can also use Miracast (built into Android phones) or AirPlay (for iPhones), both of which work without downloading anything extra.

The method you choose depends on what phone you have and what you want to cast. Casting a video or photo is different from mirroring your entire phone screen, and some methods work better for one than the other. Your TV model year and whether it's connected to WiFi also matter.

Key Takeaways

  • SmartThings is the easiest method for Samsung TVs made in 2016 or later — read the free app, find your TV, and tap cast.
  • Miracast works with most Android phones and requires no app, but your TV must support it and both devices must be on the same WiFi network.
  • AirPlay works with iPhones and iPads but only on Samsung TVs from 2018 or newer that have AirPlay built in.
  • Screen mirroring shows everything on your phone; casting a single app (like Netflix) uses less bandwidth and battery.
  • If casting fails, restart both your phone and TV, check that they are on the same WiFi network, and make sure your TV's casting feature is turned on in settings.

Casting with SmartThings on Android and iPhone

SmartThings is Samsung's official casting app and works on both Android and iPhone. read it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, sign in with a Samsung account (or create one free), and your TV should appear in the app automatically if it is on the same WiFi network as your phone.

Once your TV shows up in SmartThings, tap it to open the device card. You will see a cast icon (usually a rectangle with a WiFi symbol) near the top. Tap it, then choose what you want to cast: your phone's screen, a specific app, or audio only. The TV will ask for permission the first time; select allow, and your content will appear on screen.

SmartThings also lets you control your TV's volume and input from your phone, and you can cast to multiple Samsung devices at once if you have them. If your TV does not show up in the app, make sure it is powered on, connected to WiFi, and that you are signed into the same Samsung account on both devices.

Using Miracast to mirror your Android phone

Miracast is a wireless standard built into most Android phones and Samsung TVs made in 2012 or later. You do not need to read an app — the feature is in your phone's settings. Go to Settings > Display > Cast (or Screen Mirroring, depending on your phone brand), and your TV should appear in the list if it is on and connected to WiFi.

Tap your TV's name, and your phone's screen will mirror to the TV. Everything you do on your phone — opening apps, typing, scrolling — will show on the TV in real time. This uses more battery and WiFi bandwidth than casting a single app, so if you are just watching Netflix or YouTube, casting the app itself through SmartThings is more efficient.

Miracast works without a Samsung account and does not require the SmartThings app, which makes it useful if you are having trouble with SmartThings or prefer a simpler setup. The downside is that some Android phones (particularly older models) do not support Miracast, and some Samsung TVs have it disabled by default. Check your TV's settings under Display or Wireless to turn it on if it is not working.

Casting from an iPhone using AirPlay

iPhones and iPads can cast to Samsung TVs using AirPlay, but only if your TV was made in 2018 or later and has AirPlay built in. Older Samsung TVs do not support AirPlay. To check, go to your TV's settings and look for AirPlay under Connections or Smart Features.

If your TV supports AirPlay, open Control Center on your iPhone (swipe down from the top right), tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Samsung TV from the list. Your phone's screen will appear on the TV. You can also cast audio only by opening an app like Apple Music, tapping the AirPlay icon, and selecting your TV.

If your iPhone does not see your TV, make sure both devices are on the same WiFi network and that AirPlay is turned on in your TV's settings. Restart your phone and TV if the connection fails. If your TV is older than 2018, you will need to use SmartThings instead, which works with iPhones as well.

Casting apps versus mirroring your whole screen

Casting a single app (like Netflix, YouTube, or Spotify) is different from mirroring your entire phone screen. When you cast an app, only that app appears on your TV, and your phone acts as a remote. When you mirror your screen, everything on your phone shows on the TV, including notifications, text messages, and anything else you open.

Casting an app is faster, uses less battery, and does not drain your WiFi as much. If you are watching a video or listening to music, cast the app. If you need to show someone photos, navigate a website, or use your phone as a presentation tool, mirror your screen instead.

Most streaming apps (Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu) have their own cast button built in — look for the rectangle with WiFi symbol in the app itself. Tap it and select your TV. This method works even if your phone and TV are on different WiFi networks, as long as both have internet. SmartThings, Miracast, and AirPlay all require the same WiFi network.

What to do if your phone will not cast to your TV

The most common reason casting fails is that your phone and TV are not on the same WiFi network. Check your TV's WiFi settings (usually under Network or Connections) and make sure it is connected to the same network as your phone. If your TV is on a guest network or a 5GHz band that your phone does not support, they will not see each other.

Restart both your phone and TV. Turn off your TV completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Restart your phone the same way. This clears temporary connection problems that prevent casting from working. After both devices restart, try casting again.

Make sure casting is turned on in your TV's settings. On Samsung TVs, go to Settings > Connections > Wireless and check that SmartThings, Miracast, or AirPlay (depending on which method you are using) is enabled. Some TVs have these features turned off by default. If you are using SmartThings, sign out and sign back in on both your phone and TV to refresh the connection.

If you are trying to cast from an iPhone and your TV is older than 2018, AirPlay will not work — use SmartThings instead. If you are using Miracast on an older Android phone, check that your phone actually supports Miracast by looking in Settings > Display or About Phone. Some budget Android phones do not include it.

Casting over the internet when you are away from home

SmartThings can cast to your TV even when you are not on the same WiFi network, as long as both your phone and TV are signed into the same Samsung account and connected to the internet. This is useful if you want to cast something to your TV while you are at work or traveling.

Miracast and AirPlay require you to be on the same WiFi network, so they do not work remotely. If you need to cast from outside your home, use SmartThings. Open the app, find your TV in the device list, and cast as you normally would. The connection may be slower than casting on your home WiFi, but it works the same way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast to my Samsung TV if it is older than 2016?

SmartThings works on TVs from 2016 onward. If your TV is older, try Miracast instead — most Samsung TVs from 2012 onward support it, though you may need to turn it on in settings. If neither works, your TV may not have built-in casting and you would need a separate device like a Chromecast or Roku.

Why does my phone keep disconnecting from my TV?

Disconnections usually happen because your WiFi signal is weak or your phone is switching between networks. Move closer to your router, restart both devices, and make sure nothing else is using a lot of WiFi bandwidth. If you are casting video, lower the resolution in the app's settings to reduce the data load.

Can I cast to my TV while charging my phone?

Yes. Casting uses WiFi, not a cable, so your phone can be plugged in while you cast. In fact, plugging in your phone is a good idea if you plan to cast for a long time, since casting drains battery faster than normal use.

Does casting work if my TV is not connected to WiFi?

No. SmartThings, Miracast, and AirPlay all require WiFi. If your TV is not connected to WiFi, connect it first through your TV's network settings, then try casting again.

Can I cast audio only without showing my phone screen?

Yes. In SmartThings, select your TV and choose "Audio" instead of "Screen Mirroring." Most music and podcast apps also have their own cast button that sends audio only. This uses much less battery and WiFi than casting your entire screen.