The fastest way: Samsung SmartThings or Screen Mirroring
The easiest route is Samsung SmartThings, which works on most Samsung phones and TVs made in the last five years. Open SmartThings on your phone, tap the plus icon, select your TV from the list, and your phone screen appears on the TV within seconds. No pairing code needed if your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
If SmartThings does not find your TV, use Screen Mirroring instead — it is built into both devices and works the same way. Swipe down from the top of your phone twice to open Quick Settings, tap Screen Mirroring, select your TV, and the connection happens automatically. Your TV must be powered on and connected to Wi-Fi.
Both methods let you mirror your entire phone screen or just a single app. The connection stays active until you disconnect, and you can use your phone normally while mirroring — the TV shows whatever is on your phone in real time.
Key Takeaways
- SmartThings and Screen Mirroring both work on Samsung devices without needing a cable, pairing code, or separate app read beyond what is already on your phone.
- Your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network; if they are not, the TV will not appear in the list of available devices.
- Screen Mirroring is accessed through Quick Settings on your phone and takes about five seconds to connect once you select your TV.
- If your TV is older than five years or does not support wireless mirroring, you can use a USB-C cable or an HDMI adapter as a backup.
Setting up SmartThings for the first time
read SmartThings from the Google Play Store if it is not already on your phone. Open the app, sign in with your Samsung account (or create one), and tap the plus icon in the top right corner. The app will scan for nearby devices — your TV should appear in the list within 10 seconds.
Tap your TV name, and the app will ask you to confirm the connection on your TV screen. A four-digit code appears on the TV; enter it on your phone to complete pairing. Once paired, your TV stays in SmartThings, and you can connect to it any time without re-entering the code.
If your TV does not appear, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart your TV and phone, then try again. If the TV still does not show up, check that your TV model supports SmartThings — most Samsung TVs from 2018 onward do, but some older models do not.
Using Screen Mirroring when SmartThings is not available
Screen Mirroring is a backup method that works on nearly all Samsung phones and TVs. Swipe down from the top of your phone screen twice to fully open Quick Settings. Look for Screen Mirroring, Smart View, or Wireless Display — the name varies by phone model and Android version.
Tap it, wait for your TV to appear in the list, and select it. Your phone will connect within a few seconds, and your screen will appear on the TV. If nothing happens, make sure your TV is powered on and on the same Wi-Fi network as your phone.
Screen Mirroring works even if you have never used SmartThings. It does not require an account or any setup beyond turning on both devices. The connection is temporary — when you close Screen Mirroring on your phone, the TV returns to its normal display.
What to do if your TV does not appear in the list
The most common reason your TV does not show up is that it is on a different Wi-Fi network than your phone. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it is connected to the same network as your TV. If you have a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, try connecting your phone to the 2.4 GHz band — older TVs sometimes do not support 5 GHz.
Restart both devices. Turn off your TV completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Restart your phone as well. Then open SmartThings or Screen Mirroring again and look for your TV.
If your TV still does not appear, check whether your TV model supports wireless mirroring. Look up your TV model number on Samsung's website — it will list the features. If your TV is older than 2015 or does not support SmartThings, you will need to use a wired connection instead.
Using a cable if wireless mirroring does not work
If your TV does not support wireless mirroring, you can connect your phone directly with a cable. Most Samsung phones use USB-C; check your phone's charging port to confirm. You will need a USB-C to HDMI adapter — these cost between $15 and $30 and are available at most electronics retailers.
Plug the adapter into your phone's USB-C port, connect an HDMI cable to the adapter, and plug the other end into an available HDMI port on your TV. Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input using the remote. Your phone screen will appear on the TV when ready, and the connection will remain stable as long as the cable is plugged in.
Wired connections do not depend on Wi-Fi, so they work even if your TV is not connected to the internet. The downside is that your phone is tethered to the TV by the cable, so you cannot move around the room while mirroring.
Controlling what appears on your TV
When you mirror your phone, everything on your screen shows on the TV — notifications, incoming calls, and any apps you open. If you want to hide something, swipe down to open Quick Settings and tap Screen Mirroring again to disconnect temporarily.
Some apps, like Netflix and YouTube, do not allow screen mirroring for copyright reasons. If you try to mirror while one of these apps is open, the TV will show a black screen or a message saying the app cannot be mirrored. Close the app and try again with a different one.
You can adjust the brightness and volume on your TV using the TV remote while your phone is mirrored. The TV remote does not control your phone — it only controls the TV itself.
Troubleshooting connection drops and lag
If your connection drops frequently, move your phone and TV closer together. Wireless mirroring works best when both devices are within 30 feet of your Wi-Fi router and there are no thick walls between them. If you have a microwave or cordless phone running nearby, it can interfere with the Wi-Fi signal — move away from it or turn it off while mirroring.
If the picture lags or stutters, restart your Wi-Fi router. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart. Then reconnect your phone and TV. If lag continues, your Wi-Fi signal may be too weak — check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and look for a stronger network if one is available.
Close any apps running in the background on your phone that you are not using. Apps like email, messaging, and social media can use Wi-Fi bandwidth and slow down mirroring. Swipe up from the bottom of your phone to see all open apps and close the ones you do not need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Samsung account to use Screen Mirroring?
No. Screen Mirroring works without an account. SmartThings requires a Samsung account, but you can use Screen Mirroring as a free alternative if you do not want to create one.
Can I mirror my phone to a non-Samsung TV?
SmartThings only works with Samsung TVs. Screen Mirroring may work with some non-Samsung TVs if they support Miracast, which is a standard wireless mirroring protocol. Check your TV's manual to see if it supports Miracast. If not, a wired USB-C to HDMI adapter will work with any TV that has an HDMI port.
Will mirroring drain my phone battery?
Yes, mirroring uses more battery than normal because your phone is constantly sending video to the TV over Wi-Fi. If you are mirroring for more than an hour, plug your phone into a charger. Wired connections use slightly less battery than wireless mirroring.
Can I use my phone while it is mirroring?
Yes. You can open apps, take calls, and use your phone normally — whatever you do will appear on the TV in real time. If you receive a call while mirroring, the TV will show the incoming call screen.
What if my TV is too old to support mirroring?
If your TV does not have built-in mirroring, use a USB-C to HDMI adapter and cable. This works with any TV that has an HDMI port, regardless of age or brand. The adapter is inexpensive and does not require any setup beyond plugging it in.