The fastest way to cast to your Samsung TV

Samsung TVs use SmartThings (the built-in casting system) or Miracast (a wireless standard that works across brands) to receive video and audio from your phone or computer. The method depends on what device you're casting from and what's already on your TV.

If you have a Samsung phone or tablet, SmartThings is usually the simplest route—it's already installed and works without extra setup. If you're casting from an iPhone, iPad, or Windows computer, Miracast or a third-party app like SmartThings is your option. Your TV must be powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the device you're casting from.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung phones and tablets cast through SmartThings by opening the app, selecting your TV, and choosing what to share from your device.
  • iPhones and iPads can cast using AirPlay if your Samsung TV supports it, or through the SmartThings app if you install it on iOS.
  • Windows computers cast through the built-in "Cast to Device" feature or by installing the SmartThings app.
  • Your TV and casting device must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and your TV must be powered on and set to an input that accepts casting.
  • If casting fails, restart your TV and the device you're casting from, then check that both are still connected to Wi-Fi.

Casting from a Samsung phone or tablet

Open the app or content you want to cast—this could be YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, or your phone's screen itself. Look for a Cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner) in the app's menu or control panel. Tap it.

A list of nearby devices will appear. Select your Samsung TV by name. The content will begin playing on your TV within a few seconds. While casting, your phone screen stays unlocked and you can control playback from your phone, or use your TV remote to pause, adjust volume, or skip forward.

To stop casting, tap the Cast icon again and select "Disconnect," or straightforward close the app on your phone. The TV will return to its previous input.

Casting from an iPhone or iPad

If your Samsung TV supports AirPlay (newer models do), open the app you want to cast from and look for the AirPlay icon—it looks like a triangle with a line underneath. Tap it, select your Samsung TV, and playback will start on the TV.

If your TV doesn't show up in AirPlay, or if you want to cast your entire screen, read the SmartThings app from the Apple App Store. Open it, tap the plus icon to add a device, select your TV, and follow the on-screen steps to connect. Once paired, you can cast apps and screen content the same way you would from a Samsung device.

Casting from a Windows computer

Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in casting feature. Press Windows key + K to open the Quick Settings panel. Click "Cast to a device" and select your Samsung TV from the list. Your screen will mirror to the TV.

If your TV doesn't appear, make sure both your computer and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. If you prefer more control over what you cast (rather than mirroring your entire screen), read the SmartThings app for Windows from the Microsoft Store. Open it, add your TV, and you'll be able to cast individual apps instead of your whole desktop.

What to do if your TV doesn't appear in the device list

First, confirm that your TV is powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. Check your TV's network settings by pressing the Home button on your remote, going to Settings, then Network, and verifying the connection status. Your TV should show a Wi-Fi network name and signal strength.

Next, restart both your TV and the device you're casting from. Unplug your TV for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot. Then restart your phone or computer. Once both devices are back online and on the same Wi-Fi network, try casting again.

If your TV still doesn't appear, check whether your TV's casting feature is turned on. On most Samsung TVs, press Home, go to Settings, then General, then External Device Manager, and make sure "Wireless Device Connection" is set to On. Some older Samsung models may have this setting under a different menu path—check your TV's manual if you're unsure.

Casting when your devices are on different Wi-Fi networks

Casting requires both devices to be on the same network. If your phone is on a guest network and your TV is on your main network, they won't see each other. Connect both to the same network and try again.

If you have a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, your TV may connect to one and your phone to the other. Log into your router settings and either merge them into a single network or manually connect your phone to the same band your TV is using. Your router's manual or your internet provider's support page will show you how.

Casting audio only (music and podcasts)

If you're casting music from Spotify, YouTube Music, or a podcast app, the process is the same as casting video—tap the Cast icon and select your TV. Audio will play through your TV's speakers. You can lock your phone or switch apps while music continues playing.

Some apps also let you cast to a Bluetooth speaker instead of your TV. If you see a Bluetooth icon alongside the Cast icon, you can choose which device receives the audio. This is useful if you want music in a different room than your TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cast to my Samsung TV if I'm not home?

No. Casting requires your phone or computer and your TV to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you're away from home, they're on different networks and casting won't work. You would need to use a different method, like a streaming app that connects directly to the internet.

Does casting use a lot of data?

Casting streams over your home Wi-Fi network, not your phone's data plan, so it doesn't count against your mobile data. However, if you're streaming video content like Netflix or YouTube, that content still uses your home internet bandwidth the same way it would if you were watching on the TV directly.

Why does casting keep disconnecting?

Weak Wi-Fi signal is the most common cause. Move your phone or computer closer to your router, or move your router closer to your TV. If disconnections continue, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. You can also try forgetting your Wi-Fi network on your phone and reconnecting to it fresh.

Can I cast from multiple devices at the same time?

Most Samsung TVs can only display one cast source at a time. If two people try to cast simultaneously, the second request will either fail or interrupt the first cast. You'll need to disconnect one device before the other can cast.

What if my Samsung TV is very old?

Older Samsung TVs may not have built-in casting support. Check your TV's manual or look up your model number on Samsung's website to see if it supports SmartThings or Miracast. If it doesn't, you can add casting capability by connecting a device like a Chromecast, Roku, or Fire Stick to your TV's HDMI port.