The fastest way: use AirPlay with AirPlay 2 support

If your Samsung TV was made in 2018 or later, it likely has AirPlay 2 built in, which means you can mirror your iPhone directly without extra hardware. Open Control Center on your iPhone (swipe down from the top right), tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Samsung TV from the list. Your iPhone screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds.

This method works best when your iPhone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. If your TV doesn't appear in the list, make sure both devices are connected to the same network and that your TV's AirPlay setting is turned on (check your TV's settings menu under General or Connections).

AirPlay 2 is the simplest route because it requires no apps, no cables, and no setup beyond the first time. Once your TV is recognized, you can mirror again anytime by opening Control Center and tapping Screen Mirroring.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung TVs made in 2018 or later support AirPlay 2, which lets you mirror directly from Control Center without extra hardware.
  • Both your iPhone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for mirroring to work.
  • If your TV is older or doesn't have AirPlay, you can use a third-party app like SmartThings or a streaming device like Apple TV or Chromecast.
  • Mirroring drains your iPhone battery faster than normal, so plug in your phone if you plan to mirror for more than an hour.
  • If the connection drops, restart both devices and check that your Wi-Fi signal is strong.

Check whether your Samsung TV supports AirPlay 2

Not all Samsung TVs have AirPlay built in. The feature rolled out starting in 2018, but some older models and budget models still lack it. The easiest way to check is to look in your TV's settings: press the Home button on your remote, go to Settings, then General, then look for AirPlay or Apple TV. If you see it, your TV supports it.

You can also check Samsung's support website by searching for your TV model number (usually on the back of the TV or in the manual). Look for "AirPlay 2" in the specs. If your TV doesn't support it, the next section covers your alternatives.

Using the SmartThings app if your TV doesn't have AirPlay

If your Samsung TV is older or doesn't have AirPlay, you can use Samsung's SmartThings app to mirror your iPhone. read SmartThings from the App Store on your iPhone, open it, and add your TV to the app by following the on-screen steps. Once your TV is added, open the app, select your TV, and look for a Mirror or Screen Sharing option.

SmartThings mirroring is less reliable than AirPlay 2 and sometimes lags behind what you're doing on your phone. It also requires the app to stay open on your iPhone, which uses more battery. But it works on older Samsung TVs that don't have AirPlay built in.

Using an Apple TV or Chromecast device

If you already own an Apple TV (4th generation or newer) or a Google Chromecast, you can use either to mirror your iPhone to your Samsung TV. Both devices connect to your TV via HDMI and to your Wi-Fi network. Once set up, open Control Center on your iPhone, tap Screen Mirroring, and select the Apple TV or Chromecast device instead of the TV itself.

This method works with any Samsung TV, regardless of age or model. The downside is that you need to buy the extra device. An Apple TV 4K costs around $130, and a Chromecast device costs $30 to $50. But if you already have one, it's the most reliable way to mirror.

Troubleshooting when your iPhone won't connect

If your iPhone doesn't see your Samsung TV in the Screen Mirroring menu, start by checking that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your iPhone and confirm the network name. Then go to your TV's settings and confirm it's connected to the same network. If they're on different networks, connect your iPhone to the TV's network.

If both are on the same network but your TV still doesn't appear, restart your iPhone and your TV. Turn off your TV completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then try Screen Mirroring again. If it still doesn't work, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

If your TV has AirPlay turned off, you won't see it in the list. Go to your TV's Settings > General > AirPlay and make sure it's set to On. Some TVs also have a setting called Require Code or Require Password — if that's turned on, you'll need to enter a code on your iPhone when you first connect.

What to expect when mirroring

When you mirror your iPhone to your Samsung TV, everything on your phone's screen appears on the TV in real time. This includes apps, videos, photos, and your home screen. The TV shows exactly what your iPhone shows, at the same resolution your phone displays.

Mirroring uses Wi-Fi, not a cable, so there's a slight delay — usually less than a second, but noticeable if you're playing fast games. For watching videos, browsing photos, or giving a presentation, the delay doesn't matter. For gaming, you might notice lag.

Your iPhone's battery drains faster when mirroring because the phone is working harder to send the signal to the TV. If you plan to mirror for more than an hour, plug your iPhone into power. Also, if you move too far from your TV or router, the connection may drop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mirror my iPhone to a Samsung TV without Wi-Fi?

No. AirPlay, SmartThings, Apple TV, and Chromecast all require Wi-Fi to work. If your Wi-Fi is down, you can't mirror. A wired HDMI cable is the only way to connect without Wi-Fi, but iPhones don't have HDMI ports — you would need a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter and a compatible TV input, which most newer TVs don't support.

Why does my screen mirroring keep disconnecting?

Disconnections usually happen because your Wi-Fi signal is weak or your phone moved out of range. Move closer to your router or TV. If the problem persists, restart both devices and check that no one else is using a lot of bandwidth on your network (like streaming video on another device). Also make sure your iPhone and TV software are up to date.

Can I use my iPhone while I'm mirroring?

Yes, but what you do on your iPhone will show on the TV. If you want to use your phone privately while the TV is on, you can stop mirroring by opening Control Center and tapping Screen Mirroring again, then selecting Stop Mirroring.

Does mirroring work with all apps?

Most apps work fine when mirrored. Some apps, like Netflix and Disney+, may block mirroring for copyright reasons — if you try to mirror them, you'll see a message saying the app doesn't support it. In those cases, you can often open the app directly on your TV instead by downloading it from the TV's app store.

What's the difference between mirroring and casting?

Mirroring sends your entire phone screen to the TV. Casting sends just one app or video to the TV while you use your phone for other things. Chromecast and Apple TV support both. AirPlay on Samsung TVs primarily mirrors, though some apps have built-in casting features.