The fastest way to cast from your Samsung phone to your Samsung TV

The easiest method is SmartThings Cast, which is built into most Samsung phones and TVs made in the last five years. Open the notification panel on your phone, tap "SmartThings Cast" or "Screen Sharing", select your TV from the list, and your phone screen appears on the TV within seconds. No pairing codes, no apps to read—if both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and your TV supports it, it works when ready.

If SmartThings Cast does not appear in your phone's quick settings, you can cast through the SmartThings app instead. Open SmartThings, tap the TV device, then look for a casting or screen mirroring option in the menu. The result is the same: your phone's display mirrors to the TV.

A second option is Miracast, which is a wireless standard that works across brands. Most Samsung TVs support Miracast even if they are older. On your phone, go to Settings > Advanced Features > Wireless Casting (or "Screen Mirroring"), turn it on, and select your TV. This takes slightly longer to connect than SmartThings Cast but works reliably once paired.

Key Takeaways

  • SmartThings Cast is the fastest method and requires only that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network—no pairing codes or setup steps.
  • If SmartThings Cast does not appear in your quick settings, use the SmartThings app to cast instead.
  • Miracast is a backup option that works on older Samsung TVs and phones that do not have SmartThings Cast.
  • Both methods require your phone and TV to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Once connected, you can mirror your entire phone screen, play videos, or use casting-compatible apps like YouTube or Netflix.

What to do if SmartThings Cast does not show up

SmartThings Cast appears in the quick settings panel only if your phone and TV are both compatible and on the same Wi-Fi network. If it is missing, first check that your TV is powered on and connected to Wi-Fi—a TV in standby mode or on a different network will not appear.

Next, open the SmartThings app on your phone. Tap the plus icon or "Add Device", select your TV from the list of nearby devices, and complete the pairing. Once paired in SmartThings, the Cast option usually appears in your quick settings the next time you open the notification panel. If it still does not appear, restart both your phone and TV, then try again.

If your TV is very old (before 2018) or is not a Samsung model, SmartThings Cast will not work. Use Miracast instead, which is supported on nearly all Samsung TVs regardless of age.

Using Miracast when SmartThings Cast is not available

Miracast is a wireless standard built into most Android phones and Samsung TVs. To use it, go to your phone's Settings app, then navigate to Advanced Features (the exact path varies by phone model—some phones call it "Display" or "Connected Devices"). Look for an option called "Wireless Casting", "Screen Mirroring", or "Miracast".

Turn on wireless casting and wait a few seconds. Your TV should appear in the list of available devices. Tap your TV's name, and your phone will begin connecting. The first connection takes 10 to 20 seconds; after that, reconnecting is faster. Once connected, your phone screen mirrors to the TV, and you can control what appears on the TV from your phone.

If your TV does not appear in the list, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. If the TV still does not show up, restart your TV and try again. Some older Samsung TVs require you to enable Miracast in the TV's settings first—check your TV's menu under "Network" or "Wireless" for a "Miracast" or "Screen Mirroring" option and turn it on.

Casting apps instead of your entire phone screen

If you only want to watch video or use a specific app on your TV, you do not need to mirror your entire phone screen. Many apps—including YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, and others—have a built-in cast button that sends content directly to your TV without mirroring.

Open the app, find the cast icon (usually a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner), tap it, and select your TV. The app will stream directly to your TV, and you can use your phone for other tasks while the content plays. This method uses less battery and is faster than screen mirroring because only the video or audio is sent to the TV, not your entire phone display.

Not all apps support casting. If you do not see a cast button in an app, screen mirroring is your only option.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If your phone and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks, they cannot find each other. Check that both devices are connected to the same network by looking at the Wi-Fi name in your phone's settings and your TV's network settings. If you have a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name, try connecting both devices to the same band (usually 2.4 GHz works more reliably for casting).

If the connection keeps dropping, move your phone and TV closer together. Walls, microwaves, and other wireless devices can interfere with the signal. Restarting both devices also clears temporary connection issues—turn off your TV completely, wait 10 seconds, turn it back on, then try casting again.

If you see your TV in the list but the connection fails, forget the TV from your phone's settings and pair it again. In SmartThings, tap the TV device, then look for a "Remove" or "Unpair" option. After removing it, add it again by tapping the plus icon and selecting your TV from the list of nearby devices.

What you can and cannot do while casting

When you are screen mirroring, everything on your phone appears on the TV—including notifications, messages, and anything else that pops up on your screen. If you want privacy, use app casting instead, which only sends the video or audio to the TV.

While mirroring, your phone remains fully usable. You can answer calls, open other apps, or adjust the brightness without interrupting what is playing on the TV. However, if you open a different app on your phone, that app will appear on the TV instead. To return to the previous app without showing it on the TV, use app casting for that content instead.

Casting does not drain your battery significantly faster than normal use, but it does use Wi-Fi continuously. If you are casting for a long time, keep your phone plugged in to avoid running out of battery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pair my phone and TV every time I cast?

No. After the first connection, your phone remembers your TV. The next time you cast, your TV appears when ready in the list, and connecting takes only a few seconds. You only need to pair again if you remove the TV from your phone's settings or reset your TV.

Can I cast to a Samsung TV that is not on the same Wi-Fi network?

No. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network to cast. If you are away from home, you cannot cast to your TV unless you are on the same network (for example, at a friend's house with their Wi-Fi).

What if my Samsung phone is older and does not have SmartThings Cast?

Use Miracast instead. Go to Settings, find "Wireless Casting" or "Screen Mirroring", and select your TV. Miracast works on most Samsung phones and TVs, even older models that do not support SmartThings Cast.

Can I cast while using my phone for other things?

Yes, but what you do on your phone will appear on the TV if you are screen mirroring. If you want to use your phone privately while content plays on the TV, use app casting (like YouTube's cast button) instead of screen mirroring.

Why does my TV not appear in the casting list?

Check that your TV is powered on, connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone, and that casting is enabled in the TV's settings. Restart both devices and try again. If the TV still does not appear, move your phone closer to the TV to rule out Wi-Fi signal problems.