Screen casting to a Samsung TV works through built-in wireless features on both the TV and your device
Samsung TVs made in the last five years have screen casting built in, which means you can send video, photos, or your entire screen from a phone or computer without plugging in cables. The method depends on what device you are casting from — iPhones use AirPlay, Android phones use SmartThings or Miracast, and Windows computers use the built-in Cast feature. Your TV and device must be on the same WiFi network for any of these to work.
You do not need to read an app on the TV itself. Samsung TVs come with the casting receiver already installed. You may need to turn on the feature in the TV's settings the first time, but after that it works automatically when you try to cast from your phone or computer.
Key Takeaways
- Android phones cast through SmartThings or Miracast; iPhones cast through AirPlay; Windows computers cast through the built-in Cast feature in Windows 10 and 11.
- Your TV and device must be connected to the same WiFi network before you can cast anything.
- On Samsung TVs, screen casting is turned on by default on newer models, but you may need to enable it in the TV's settings menu under Network or Smart Features if it does not appear.
- Casting does not require an app read on the TV — the feature is built in and ready to use.
- If casting fails, restart both the TV and your device, then check that they are on the same WiFi network.
How to cast from an Android phone to a Samsung TV
Open the notification panel on your Android phone by swiping down from the top of the screen twice. Look for a button labeled Cast, Screen Share, or SmartThings. Tap it, and your phone will search for nearby devices. Your Samsung TV should appear in the list within a few seconds. Tap the TV name, and your phone screen will appear on the television.
If you do not see a Cast button in your notification panel, your phone may use a different casting system. Open the SmartThings app instead — read it from the Google Play Store if you do not have it. Tap the plus icon to add a device, select your TV from the list, and follow the on-screen steps. Once your TV is added to SmartThings, you can cast from the app's menu.
Some Android phones also support Miracast, an older wireless standard. To use Miracast, go to Settings, then Display, then look for Screen Mirroring or Wireless Display. Tap it and select your Samsung TV. Miracast works on older Samsung TVs that do not support SmartThings casting.
How to cast from an iPhone to a Samsung TV
iPhones do not cast to Samsung TVs through the standard AirPlay feature — AirPlay only works with Apple TVs and some third-party devices. Instead, you will need the SmartThings app on your iPhone. read it from the App Store, open it, and tap the plus icon to add a device. Select your Samsung TV from the list and follow the setup steps.
Once your TV is added to SmartThings, open the app you want to cast from — YouTube, Netflix, or your Photos app. Look for a Cast icon (usually three curved lines with a dot) and tap it. Select your TV from the list. The video or photo will appear on your television.
If you want to cast your entire iPhone screen rather than just one app, SmartThings does not support full screen mirroring. You will need to use AirPlay with an Apple TV instead, or use a physical HDMI cable connected to your Samsung TV.
How to cast from a Windows computer to a Samsung TV
On Windows 10 or 11, right-click the Start button and select Settings. Go to System, then Display, then scroll down to find Cast or Connect to a wireless display. Click it. Windows will search for nearby devices. Your Samsung TV should appear in the list. Click the TV name, and your computer screen will appear on the television.
If your TV does not appear, make sure both your computer and TV are on the same WiFi network. Restart both devices and try again. Some older Samsung TVs may not support Windows casting — check your TV's manual to confirm it has Miracast or wireless display support.
You can also cast individual apps or browser tabs without mirroring your entire screen. In Google Chrome, click the three-dot menu, select Cast, and choose your TV. Only the Chrome tab will appear on the television, leaving the rest of your desktop private.
Turn on screen casting in your Samsung TV settings
Most Samsung TVs have screen casting turned on by default. If you cannot find your TV when you try to cast, you may need to turn it on manually. Pick up your TV remote and press the Home button. Go to Settings, then select Network or Smart Features (the exact name varies by model year). Look for an option called Screen Mirroring, SmartThings, Miracast, or Wireless Display. Toggle it on.
If you cannot find these settings, check your TV's model number on the back or in the manual. Samsung's support website has step-by-step instructions for each model. The model number usually starts with QN or UN followed by numbers and letters.
What to do if casting is not working
The most common reason casting fails is that your TV and device are not on the same WiFi network. Check your phone or computer's WiFi settings and make sure it is connected to the same network name as your TV. If you are on a guest network or a different band (2.4 GHz versus 5 GHz), switch to the main network.
Restart both your TV and your device. Unplug the TV for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot up. Then try casting again. If that does not work, forget the WiFi network on your phone or computer and reconnect to it. This refreshes the connection and often fixes casting problems.
If your TV is very old — more than seven or eight years — it may not support modern casting standards. Check your TV's manual or Samsung's support page for your specific model to see which casting methods it supports. Older TVs may only work with Miracast or may not support wireless casting at all.
Casting versus connecting with a cable
Wireless casting is convenient but uses WiFi bandwidth and can sometimes lag or drop the connection. If you are watching a movie or playing a game where lag matters, a physical HDMI cable is more reliable. Samsung TVs have at least one HDMI port on the back. Most phones and computers need an adapter to connect to HDMI — check what ports your device has before you buy a cable.
Casting also drains your phone's battery faster than watching on the phone itself, because the WiFi radio stays active the whole time. If you plan to cast for more than an hour, plug your phone in or have a charger nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cast to a Samsung TV that is not on the same WiFi network?
No. Your TV and device must be on the same WiFi network to cast. If you are away from home, you cannot cast to your TV unless you have a way to connect to your home network remotely, such as a VPN. Some newer Samsung TVs support remote casting through the SmartThings app if you are signed into the same Samsung account, but this is not available on all models.
Does casting work if the TV is in standby mode?
Yes. Your TV does not need to be fully on — it can be in sleep mode. When you cast to it, the TV will wake up automatically. However, screen casting must be turned on in the TV's settings even when the TV is off.
Can multiple people cast to the same TV at the same time?
No. Only one device can cast to a Samsung TV at a time. If someone else tries to cast while you are already casting, they will see a message that the TV is in use. The current cast will stop, and the new one will start.
What is the difference between casting and screen mirroring?
Casting usually means sending one app or video to the TV while your phone or computer stays unlocked and usable. Screen mirroring means your entire screen appears on the TV, and everything you do on your device shows up there. SmartThings casting is app-based; Miracast and Windows Cast are full screen mirroring.
Do I need a Samsung account to cast to my TV?
No. Basic casting does not require a Samsung account. You only need a Samsung account if you want to use advanced SmartThings features like remote casting or automation. For local casting on the same WiFi network, no account is necessary.