How to Screen Mirror Your iPad to a Samsung TV

The fastest way to mirror your iPad to a Samsung TV

You can mirror your iPad to a Samsung TV using Samsung SmartThings, which works on most Samsung TVs made in 2016 or later. Open the SmartThings app on your iPad, select your TV from the device list, tap the remote icon, then swipe up from the bottom of your iPad screen and tap Screen Mirroring. Select your Samsung TV from the list and enter the PIN that appears on your TV screen. Your iPad display will then appear on the TV within a few seconds.

If your Samsung TV is older or you don't have the SmartThings app, you can use AirPlay instead, which works on Samsung TVs made in 2018 or later that have AirPlay built in. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPad, tap Screen Mirroring, select your TV, and enter the four-digit code shown on your TV. Both methods work wirelessly and don't require any cables or additional hardware.

Key Takeaways

SmartThings is the primary mirroring method for Samsung TVs and works on models from 2016 onward by connecting through your home WiFi network.
AirPlay mirroring works on Samsung TVs from 2018 or later and requires you to enter a PIN code that appears on your TV screen.
Both methods require your iPad and TV to be on the same WiFi network, and mirroring will stop if you disconnect from that network.
If mirroring fails, restart both your iPad and TV, then check that they are connected to the same WiFi network before trying again.

Using SmartThings to mirror your iPad

read the SmartThings app from the Apple App Store if you don't already have it, then open it and sign in with your Samsung account. If you don't have a Samsung account, you can create one for free inside the app. Once you're signed in, the app will search for devices on your WiFi network and display your Samsung TV in the device list.

Tap your TV's name to open its control panel. You'll see a remote icon at the bottom of the screen—tap it to open the remote interface. From there, swipe up from the bottom of your iPad screen to reveal the Control Center, then tap Screen Mirroring. A list of available devices will appear; select your Samsung TV. Your iPad will display a PIN code on the TV screen—enter this code on your iPad to confirm the connection. Mirroring should begin within 5 to 10 seconds.

Once mirroring is active, everything on your iPad screen will appear on the TV. You can open apps, watch videos, browse photos, or present documents. To stop mirroring, swipe up from the bottom of your iPad again, tap Screen Mirroring, then tap Stop Mirroring.

Using AirPlay if your TV supports it

AirPlay is Apple's built-in mirroring technology and works on Samsung TVs manufactured in 2018 or later. To check if your TV supports AirPlay, look in your TV's settings menu under Connections or Smart Features—if you see an AirPlay option, your TV is compatible.

To mirror using AirPlay, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPad to open Control Center. Tap Screen Mirroring, then select your Samsung TV from the list of available devices. A four-digit PIN will appear on your TV screen—enter this code on your iPad within 30 seconds. Mirroring will start automatically once the PIN is verified. To disconnect, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

AirPlay typically offers a faster connection than SmartThings and uses less battery power on your iPad. However, it only works on newer Samsung models, so SmartThings is the better choice if your TV is older.

Making sure your iPad and TV are on the same network

Both mirroring methods require your iPad and Samsung TV to be connected to the same WiFi network. Check your iPad's WiFi settings by swiping down from the top-right corner and confirming the network name. Then check your TV's network settings—on most Samsung TVs, go to Settings, then Network, then WiFi, and confirm it shows the same network name.

If your iPad and TV are on different networks, disconnect your iPad from its current network and reconnect to the same network as your TV. If you have a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name, connect both devices to the same band—most older Samsung TVs work better on 2.4 GHz, while newer models handle 5 GHz well. Once both devices show the same network, try mirroring again.

Troubleshooting when mirroring won't start

If your iPad doesn't see your TV in the Screen Mirroring list, restart both devices. Turn off your Samsung TV completely, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. Restart your iPad by holding the power button and sliding to power off, then turn it back on. Once both devices have restarted, check that they're on the same WiFi network again and try mirroring.

If the PIN code doesn't appear on your TV, or if you enter it but mirroring doesn't start, the connection may have timed out. Try again from the beginning—open Control Center on your iPad, tap Screen Mirroring, select your TV, and wait for the new PIN to appear. You have 30 seconds to enter it. If this happens repeatedly, restart both devices and check your WiFi connection.

If your TV appears in the list but won't connect, try forgetting the TV from your iPad's Bluetooth settings and reconnecting. Go to Settings on your iPad, tap Bluetooth, find your TV's name, tap the info icon next to it, and select Forget This Device. Then try mirroring again—your iPad will re-pair with the TV during the connection process.

What to do if your TV is too old for wireless mirroring

Samsung TVs made before 2016 don't support SmartThings mirroring, and models before 2018 don't support AirPlay. If your TV is older than these dates, you can use a third-party adapter like an Apple TV, Chromecast, or HDMI adapter to enable mirroring.

An Apple TV connects to your TV's HDMI port and your home WiFi network, then lets you mirror from any iPad using AirPlay. A Chromecast works similarly but uses Google's casting technology instead. HDMI adapters like the Lightning Digital AV Adapter plug directly into your iPad's charging port and connect to your TV with an HDMI cable—this method doesn't require WiFi but does require a cable connection. All three options cost between $30 and $200 depending on the model and features you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does screen mirroring work over a guest WiFi network?

No. Your iPad and TV must be on the same primary WiFi network to mirror. Guest networks are isolated from the main network, so mirroring won't work if one device is on the guest network and the other is on the main network. Connect both devices to the same network before attempting to mirror.

Will mirroring drain my iPad battery quickly?

Yes, screen mirroring uses more battery power than normal use because your iPad is constantly sending video and audio to your TV. Expect your battery to drain 10 to 15 percent faster than usual. Plug your iPad into power if you plan to mirror for more than an hour.

Can I use my iPad while it's mirroring to the TV?

Yes. Whatever you do on your iPad will appear on the TV in real time. You can open apps, type, swipe, and interact normally—all actions will be mirrored. If you want to use your iPad privately without showing the TV, stop mirroring first.

What if my Samsung TV doesn't appear in the SmartThings app?

Make sure your TV is powered on and connected to the same WiFi network as your iPad. If it still doesn't appear, restart the SmartThings app by closing it completely and reopening it. If your TV is very old or not a smart TV, it may not be compatible with SmartThings—check your TV's manual or settings to confirm it has WiFi capability.

Can I mirror from multiple iPads to the same TV at the same time?

No. Only one device can mirror to a Samsung TV at a time. If another device is already mirroring, you must stop that connection before starting a new one. The TV will show a prompt asking you to confirm the new connection.

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.