What mirroring is and which Samsung TVs support it

Mirroring means your phone or computer sends its screen display wirelessly to your Samsung TV, so whatever you see on your device appears on the larger screen. Samsung TVs made in 2016 or later support this feature through built-in wireless technology. Older models may not have the hardware needed, though you can check your TV's manual or settings to confirm.

Samsung calls its mirroring feature SmartThings (on newer models) or Screen Mirroring (on older ones). The exact name and steps depend on your TV's model year and which device you're mirroring from — an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac. All of these work, but the setup process differs slightly for each.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung TVs made in 2016 or later have built-in mirroring, but you need to turn it on in the TV's settings first.
  • Android phones and Windows computers usually connect in under a minute once mirroring is enabled on the TV.
  • iPhones use AirPlay, which works on Samsung TVs but requires the TV to have AirPlay support — not all models have it.
  • If your TV is not on the same Wi-Fi network as your phone or computer, mirroring will not work.
  • A weak Wi-Fi signal causes lag and disconnections, so move closer to your router or use a 5 GHz band if available.

How to enable mirroring on your Samsung TV

Before you can mirror from any device, you need to turn on the mirroring feature on the TV itself. On most Samsung TVs made after 2016, go to Settings (the gear icon on the remote), then navigate to General or Connection, and look for Wireless Device Connection, Screen Mirroring, or SmartThings. Select it and turn it on.

On newer Samsung TVs (2019 and later), the setting may be under Settings > Connection > Wireless Device Connection or Settings > Connection > SmartThings. If you cannot find it, check your TV's model number (usually on the back or in the manual) and search "Samsung [model number] screen mirroring" to see the exact path for your TV. Once enabled, the TV will show a message saying it is ready to receive a connection.

Mirroring from an Android phone or tablet

On an Android device, pull down the notification panel from the top of the screen twice to open the full quick settings menu. Look for Cast, Screen Cast, Wireless Display, or Smart View — the name varies by phone maker and Android version. Tap it, and your phone will search for nearby devices. Your Samsung TV should appear in the list within a few seconds.

Tap your TV's name, and the connection will establish in 10 to 30 seconds. Your phone's screen will now appear on the TV. To stop mirroring, open the quick settings menu again, tap the cast button, and select Disconnect. If your TV does not appear in the list, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that mirroring is enabled on the TV.

Mirroring from a Windows computer

On Windows 10 or 11, open the Action Center by pressing Windows key + A on your keyboard. Look for Cast or Connect and click it. Your computer will search for nearby devices. Select your Samsung TV from the list. A window will pop up asking how you want to project — choose Extend (to use the TV as a second screen) or Duplicate (to mirror your main display).

Once you select an option, your TV will display your computer's screen. To disconnect, open the Action Center again, click Cast, and select Disconnect. If your TV does not appear, restart both devices, make sure they are on the same Wi-Fi network, and check that mirroring is enabled on the TV. Windows computers sometimes take longer to find the TV than phones do — wait 30 seconds before assuming it is not available.

Mirroring from an iPhone or iPad

Not all Samsung TVs support AirPlay, Apple's mirroring standard. Newer Samsung TVs (2018 and later) often have AirPlay built in, but older models do not. To check if your TV supports it, go to Settings > Connection > Apple AirPlay Settings. If this menu exists, your TV can receive AirPlay. If it does not, you will need a third-party device like an Apple TV or a compatible streaming box.

If your TV supports AirPlay, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone or iPad to open Control Center. Tap Screen Mirroring, and your TV should appear in the list. Select it, and your device's screen will appear on the TV. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

Troubleshooting common mirroring problems

If your device cannot find your TV, the most common cause is that they are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both are connected to the same network name (SSID). Some homes have separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks — try connecting your phone or computer to the same band your TV is using. You can usually see which band a network is on in your Wi-Fi settings.

If the connection keeps dropping or the picture lags, move your device closer to your router or ask others to stop using bandwidth-heavy activities like video streaming while you are mirroring. A weak signal causes stuttering and disconnections. If mirroring is enabled on the TV but your device still cannot find it, restart both the TV and your device, wait 30 seconds, and try again. If the problem persists, restart your Wi-Fi router as well.

On Android, if you see your TV in the list but the connection fails, try "forgetting" the TV in your device's Bluetooth settings and reconnecting. On Windows, if the Cast option does not appear in the Action Center, make sure your computer's Wi-Fi is turned on and that you are not in airplane mode. If you are using a very old Samsung TV (pre-2016), it may not have the hardware to support wireless mirroring at all.

When to use mirroring versus other connection methods

Mirroring works well for showing photos, videos, or presentations from your device to a group, but it is not ideal for gaming or watching movies for long periods because wireless connections can lag slightly. For those uses, consider plugging your device directly into the TV with an HDMI cable or using a streaming app instead. Many apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ have built-in casting features that are more stable than screen mirroring.

If you frequently mirror the same device, you can also set up a permanent connection through the SmartThings app on your phone or through your TV's settings. This saves you from having to search for the TV every time. For work presentations, test your mirroring setup before the meeting to avoid delays or connection issues in front of an audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be connected to Wi-Fi to mirror to my Samsung TV?

Yes, both your device and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your Wi-Fi is down, mirroring will not work. Some older Samsung TVs can connect via Bluetooth as a backup, but this is rare and much slower than Wi-Fi.

Can I mirror to my Samsung TV if it is not a smart TV?

No, your TV needs built-in wireless capability. If your TV is older than 2016 or is not a smart model, you can buy a streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, or Chromecast and plug it into the TV's HDMI port to add mirroring support.

Why does my screen mirroring keep disconnecting?

Weak Wi-Fi is the most common cause. Move closer to your router, reduce interference from other devices, or switch to a 5 GHz network band if available. Restarting your TV and device also helps. If disconnections happen frequently, consider using an HDMI cable instead.

Can I use my phone while mirroring to the TV?

Yes, you can use your phone normally while mirroring. Whatever appears on your phone's screen will show on the TV, so if you open a different app or lock the screen, the TV display will change accordingly.

Is there a delay when I mirror to my Samsung TV?

A small delay of one to two seconds is normal over Wi-Fi. If the delay is longer, your Wi-Fi signal is probably weak. Wired connections like HDMI have no delay, but wireless mirroring is convenient enough for most everyday uses.