How to Connect Your iPhone to a Samsung TV

The fastest way to connect your iPhone to a Samsung TV

You can connect your iPhone to a Samsung TV using AirPlay, which works on most Samsung models made in 2018 or later. Your iPhone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Open the Control Center on your iPhone (swipe down from the top right), tap Screen Mirroring, select your Samsung TV from the list, and enter the four-digit code that appears on your TV screen. Your iPhone screen will then display on the TV.

If your Samsung TV is older or AirPlay does not appear as an option, you can use SmartThings, Samsung's own app, or connect with an HDMI adapter and a Lightning cable. The method you choose depends on your TV model and what you want to do — mirror your entire screen, stream video, or just play audio.

Key Takeaways

AirPlay works on Samsung TVs from 2018 onward and requires both devices on the same Wi-Fi network.
You access Screen Mirroring through your iPhone's Control Center and confirm the connection with a four-digit code shown on your TV.
Older Samsung TVs may need a physical HDMI adapter with a Lightning cable instead of wireless mirroring.
Samsung's SmartThings app can stream video and audio to compatible TVs without mirroring your entire screen.

Using AirPlay on Samsung TVs made 2018 and later

AirPlay is Apple's wireless standard and Samsung added support for it on most TVs from 2018 onward. To check if your TV supports it, look in the TV's settings menu under Connections or AirPlay Settings. If you see an AirPlay option, your TV is compatible.

Make sure your iPhone and Samsung TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network — they will not connect if they are on different networks or if one is using a guest network. On your iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center. Look for Screen Mirroring (it may appear as a rectangle with an arrow pointing upward). Tap it, wait a moment for your TV to appear in the list, and tap your TV's name.

Your TV will display a four-digit code. Enter this code on your iPhone using the on-screen keyboard. Once you confirm, your iPhone screen will appear on the TV. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

Connecting with SmartThings if AirPlay is not available

Samsung's SmartThings app works on iPhones and can stream video and audio to compatible Samsung TVs without mirroring your entire screen. This is useful if you want to play a specific app or video without showing your home screen, notifications, or other private content.

read the SmartThings app from the App Store and sign in with your Samsung account (create one if you do not have one). Open the app, tap the plus icon to add a device, and select your Samsung TV from the list. Follow the on-screen prompts to connect. Once paired, you can use the app to control your TV and stream content from apps that support SmartThings.

Not all apps work with SmartThings — YouTube, Netflix, and some music apps do, but others do not. Check the app you want to use before relying on this method. If the app does not support SmartThings, use AirPlay or an HDMI adapter instead.

Using an HDMI adapter for older Samsung TVs

If your Samsung TV was made before 2018 or does not support AirPlay, you can use a physical connection. You will need a Lightning to HDMI adapter (made by Apple or a third-party manufacturer) and an HDMI cable. Plug the Lightning connector into your iPhone, connect the HDMI cable to the adapter, and plug the other end of the HDMI cable into an available HDMI port on your TV.

Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input using the remote or the input button on the TV itself. Your iPhone screen will appear on the TV. This method works on all iPhones with a Lightning port and does not require Wi-Fi, so it is reliable if your network is unstable or unavailable.

The downside is that you are tethered to the TV by a cable, which limits how far you can hold or move your phone. Some adapters also charge slowly or not at all while connected, so your battery may drain during long use.

Troubleshooting when your iPhone will not connect

If Screen Mirroring does not show your TV, first check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your iPhone's Settings, go to Wi-Fi, and confirm the network name. Then check your TV's Wi-Fi settings — look in the TV menu under Network or Wi-Fi. If they are on different networks, connect your iPhone to the same network as the TV.

If they are on the same network but your TV still does not appear, restart both devices. Turn off your iPhone completely, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your TV — use the power button on the remote or the TV itself, not just the remote's standby button. Then try Screen Mirroring again.

If your TV is very old or does not have Wi-Fi at all, it will not support AirPlay or SmartThings. In that case, an HDMI adapter is your only wireless-free option. If you have a newer TV and AirPlay still does not work after restarting, check the TV's manual or Samsung's support site to confirm your model supports AirPlay — some regional variants do not.

What to do if you only want to play audio, not video

If you want to play music or podcasts through your TV's speakers without mirroring your screen, use AirPlay audio. Open the app you are using to play audio — Apple Music, Spotify, a podcast app, or another — and look for the AirPlay icon (a triangle with a circle at the bottom). Tap it and select your Samsung TV from the list. The audio will play through the TV's speakers, but your iPhone screen will stay private.

This works on any Samsung TV that supports AirPlay, and it is much faster than full screen mirroring because it uses less bandwidth. You can use your iPhone normally while audio plays on the TV — check messages, browse the web, or lock the screen without interrupting playback.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy anything to connect my iPhone to my Samsung TV?

Not if your TV was made in 2018 or later — AirPlay is built in and wireless. If your TV is older, you will need a Lightning to HDMI adapter and an HDMI cable, which cost between $20 and $40 total. You do not need a subscription or special app beyond what comes with your iPhone.

Can I use AirPlay if my iPhone and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks?

No. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network to connect. If you have a guest network, connect your iPhone to your main network instead. If your TV does not have Wi-Fi, use an HDMI adapter with a cable.

Will my iPhone battery drain faster while mirroring?

Yes, screen mirroring uses more power than normal use because your iPhone is constantly sending video to the TV over Wi-Fi. If you plan to mirror for more than an hour, keep your phone plugged in. Audio-only streaming drains the battery much more slowly.

What if my Samsung TV is not showing up in the Screen Mirroring list?

Restart both your iPhone and TV, then check that they are on the same Wi-Fi network. If the TV still does not appear, look in your TV's settings for an AirPlay option and make sure it is turned on. Some TVs require you to enable AirPlay before it will show up on iPhones.

Can I connect multiple iPhones to the same Samsung TV at the same time?

Only one iPhone can mirror to the TV at a time, but you can switch between devices quickly. If one person is mirroring, another person can tap Screen Mirroring and select the TV to take over — the first connection will stop automatically.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.