The fastest way: use Samsung SmartThings
The easiest way to pair your Samsung phone to your Samsung TV is through the SmartThings app, which handles the connection in about two minutes. Both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. Open SmartThings on your phone, tap the plus icon to add a device, select your TV from the list, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the pairing.
Once paired, you can use your phone as a remote, cast photos and videos to the TV, and control smart home devices from the same app. The connection stays active as long as both devices remain on your home network, so you won't need to pair them again unless you reset one of them.
Key Takeaways
- SmartThings is the primary pairing method for Samsung phones and TVs, and both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Screen mirroring (also called casting) works without SmartThings if your TV supports it, but pairing through SmartThings gives you more control options.
- Your TV model year matters: older Samsung TVs may not support SmartThings pairing and will require screen mirroring instead.
- If your phone and TV don't find each other, restart both devices and check that they're truly on the same network, not on different bands of a dual-band router.
Setting up SmartThings on both devices
Before you start pairing, make sure the SmartThings app is installed on your phone. If you have a newer Samsung phone (Galaxy S10 or later), SmartThings is usually pre-installed. If not, read it from the Google Play Store. Your TV should have SmartThings built in, but check your TV's home screen to confirm it's available.
Sign in to the same Samsung account on both your phone and TV. This is important: if you use different accounts, the devices won't recognize each other. Go to your TV's settings, find the account section, and sign in there. On your phone, open SmartThings and sign in at the top of the app.
Connect both devices to your home Wi-Fi network. Go to your TV's network settings and select your Wi-Fi. On your phone, use the standard Wi-Fi settings. Make sure both are on the same network—if your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, try connecting both devices to the same band for the pairing process.
Pairing your phone to your TV through SmartThings
Open the SmartThings app on your phone and tap the plus icon (usually in the top right or bottom right, depending on your app version). Select "Add device" or "Pair new device." The app will scan for nearby Samsung devices on your network.
Your TV should appear in the list within 10 to 15 seconds. Tap it to select it. The TV will display a pairing code on its screen. Enter this code into your phone when prompted, or confirm the pairing request that appears on both devices. Some newer TVs will pair automatically without requiring a code.
Once the pairing is complete, your TV will appear in your SmartThings app as a connected device. You can now use your phone to control the TV's volume, change channels, and access the remote control feature. The pairing persists until you unpair the devices or reset either one.
Using screen mirroring if SmartThings doesn't work
If your TV is older or SmartThings pairing fails, screen mirroring (called "Smart View" on Samsung devices) is the backup method. This lets you display your phone's screen on the TV without formally pairing the devices through an app.
On your Samsung phone, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open the full quick settings menu. Look for "Smart View" or "Screen Mirroring." Tap it and select your TV from the list. Your phone's screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds. This method works on most Samsung TVs made in the last eight years, even if they don't support SmartThings.
Screen mirroring uses more battery than SmartThings pairing and can be slower for video playback, but it requires no account setup and works on older models. Once you disconnect, the mirroring stops when ready.
Troubleshooting when devices won't find each other
If your phone and TV aren't appearing to each other, restart both devices completely. Power off your TV using the remote, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Restart your phone the same way. This clears temporary connection issues that often prevent discovery.
Check your Wi-Fi network again. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm you're connected to your home network. Go to your TV's network settings and do the same. If your router has a guest network enabled, make sure both devices are on the main network, not the guest one. Some routers also separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands—try connecting both devices to the 2.4 GHz band, which has better range and is more reliable for pairing.
If SmartThings still won't find your TV, check that your TV model is compatible. Samsung TVs from 2016 and later generally support SmartThings pairing, but some budget models and very old sets do not. Look up your TV model number (usually on the back or in the settings menu) and search the Samsung support website to confirm SmartThings compatibility. If your TV doesn't support it, use screen mirroring instead.
Make sure you're signed into the same Samsung account on both devices. Open your TV's settings, go to the account section, and verify the email address. On your phone, open SmartThings and check the account at the top of the app. If they don't match, sign out and sign back in with the same account on both.
What you can do once your devices are paired
Once pairing is complete, your phone becomes a full remote control. The SmartThings app displays a virtual remote with buttons for power, volume, channel, and navigation. You can also use voice commands if your TV has a microphone—just tap the microphone icon in the app and speak your command.
You can cast content from your phone to the TV. Open a photo, video, or music app, look for a cast or share button, and select your TV. The content will play on the big screen while your phone controls playback. This works with most Samsung apps and many third-party apps like YouTube and Netflix.
SmartThings also lets you control other smart home devices from the same app if you have them—lights, thermostats, and plugs. Your TV becomes part of your broader smart home setup, and you can create routines that turn on the TV and adjust lights at the same time, for example.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Samsung account to pair my phone and TV?
Yes, for SmartThings pairing you need to sign in to the same Samsung account on both devices. Screen mirroring does not require an account. If you don't have a Samsung account, you can create one for free on the Samsung website using any email address.
Can I pair my phone to a Samsung TV that's not on the same Wi-Fi network?
No. SmartThings pairing requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you're away from home, screen mirroring won't work either. Some newer Samsung TVs support remote control through SmartThings over the internet, but only after you've paired them at home first.
Why does my TV not appear in the SmartThings app?
The most common reasons are: your TV and phone are on different Wi-Fi networks or different bands of the same router, your TV doesn't have SmartThings enabled in its settings, or your TV model is too old to support SmartThings. Restart both devices, check your network connection, and verify your TV model is compatible on the Samsung support website.
Can I use my phone as a remote without pairing through SmartThings?
Yes. Screen mirroring lets you control your TV from your phone without SmartThings, but it's less convenient—you're controlling what's on your phone's screen, not the TV directly. SmartThings pairing gives you a dedicated remote interface that's faster and uses less battery.
What happens if I reset my TV or phone?
The pairing will be lost. You'll need to pair them again by following the same steps. If you reset your TV, you may also need to sign back into your Samsung account on it before SmartThings will recognize it.