The fastest way to mirror your iPad to a Samsung TV
The easiest method is AirPlay, which works if your Samsung TV was made in 2018 or later and has AirPlay 2 built in. Open Control Center on your iPad (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 iPad display will show on the TV within seconds.
If your Samsung TV is older or does not support AirPlay, use SmartThings, Samsung's official app. read SmartThings from the App Store, sign in with a Samsung account, add your TV to the app, then open any app on your iPad and look for the cast or AirPlay icon — most streaming apps have one built in. Tap it, select your TV, and the content plays on the larger screen.
A third option that works on any Samsung TV is a physical HDMI cable with an adapter. Connect an iPad-to-HDMI adapter (USB-C or Lightning, depending on your iPad model) to your iPad, plug an HDMI cable into the adapter, and connect the other end to any HDMI port on your TV. Switch the TV to that HDMI input and your iPad screen appears when ready. This method has no lag and never drops connection, but it requires you to stay tethered to the TV.
Key Takeaways
- AirPlay 2 is built into Samsung TVs from 2018 onward and requires only your iPad's Control Center and a four-digit code.
- SmartThings app works on older Samsung TVs and lets you cast individual apps rather than your entire screen.
- An HDMI adapter and cable work on any TV model and provide a rock-solid connection with zero lag.
- All three methods are wireless except the HDMI option, which requires a physical cable but never disconnects.
Which Samsung TVs support AirPlay
Samsung added AirPlay 2 to its TVs starting in 2018. If you own a Samsung TV from that year or newer, AirPlay is already there — you do not need to read anything or pay for a subscription. Check your TV's model year by looking at the sticker on the back or in the TV's settings menu under About.
If your TV is older than 2018, AirPlay will not appear as an option in your iPad's Control Center. In that case, use SmartThings or the HDMI adapter method instead. Samsung has not added AirPlay to older models through software updates, so upgrading the TV's firmware will not help.
Setting up AirPlay on your iPad and Samsung TV
Make sure your iPad and Samsung TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. This is the most common reason AirPlay does not work — if your iPad is on your main network and your TV is on a guest network, they cannot see each other.
On your iPad, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center. Look for Screen Mirroring (it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom). Tap it, and a list of nearby devices appears. Your Samsung TV should show up by name — tap it. A four-digit code will appear on your TV screen. Enter that code on your iPad using the on-screen keyboard, then tap Connect. Your iPad screen will mirror to the TV in about five seconds.
Once connected, anything you do on your iPad shows on the TV — opening apps, scrolling, typing, all of it. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring. The TV will return to its last input.
Using SmartThings to cast apps to your Samsung TV
SmartThings is Samsung's official app for controlling and casting to Samsung devices. read it from the App Store on your iPad, then open it and sign in with a Samsung account (create one for free if you do not have one). Tap Add Device, select your TV from the list, and follow the on-screen steps to connect it to your home Wi-Fi.
Once your TV is added, open any streaming app on your iPad — Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Disney+, or others. Look for the cast icon, which usually looks like a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol or a triangle in the corner. Tap it, select your Samsung TV, and the video will play on the TV while your iPad acts as a remote. You can pause, rewind, or change the volume from your iPad without touching the TV remote.
SmartThings works on Samsung TVs from 2016 onward, even if they do not support AirPlay. The downside is that you can only cast apps that have a cast button built in — you cannot mirror your entire iPad screen the way you can with AirPlay or HDMI.
Connecting with an HDMI adapter and cable
This method works on any Samsung TV, regardless of age or model. You will need an adapter that matches your iPad's charging port — either USB-C (iPad Pro 2018 and newer, iPad Air 2022 and newer) or Lightning (older iPad models). Buy a USB-C-to-HDMI or Lightning-to-HDMI adapter from any electronics retailer for $15 to $30.
Plug the adapter into your iPad's charging port, then connect a standard HDMI cable to the adapter. Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into any HDMI port on the back or side of your Samsung TV. Turn on the TV and use the remote to switch to that HDMI input (usually labeled HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc.). Your iPad screen will appear on the TV when ready.
The advantage of this method is reliability — there is no Wi-Fi to drop, no pairing codes to enter, and no lag. The disadvantage is that your iPad is tethered to the TV by a cable, so you cannot move around the room. This works best if you plan to watch something for a while and do not need to move your iPad.
Troubleshooting when mirroring does not work
If your iPad does not see your Samsung TV in the AirPlay menu, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your iPad, tap Wi-Fi, and note which network you are connected to. Then check your TV's Wi-Fi settings (usually under Network or Wi-Fi in the TV menu) and make sure it is on the same network. If your TV is on a guest network and your iPad is on the main network, they will not see each other.
If both devices are on the same network but still do not connect, restart both. Turn off your iPad and TV, wait 30 seconds, and turn them back on. Then try AirPlay again. If that does not work, forget the Wi-Fi network on your iPad (Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network name, tap Forget), then reconnect to it and try again.
If you are using SmartThings and the cast button does not appear in your app, the app may not support casting. Not all apps have a cast button — check the app's settings or help section to confirm it supports casting to Samsung TVs. If it does not, use AirPlay or HDMI instead.
Comparing the three methods side by side
| Method | Works on all Samsung TVs? | Setup time | Connection type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirPlay | 2018 and newer only | 1 minute | Wi-Fi | Full screen mirroring, any app |
| SmartThings | 2016 and newer | 5 minutes | Wi-Fi | Casting individual apps |
| HDMI adapter | Yes, all models | 30 seconds | Wired | Reliability, no lag |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mirror my iPad to a Samsung TV without Wi-Fi?
Yes, but only with an HDMI adapter and cable. AirPlay and SmartThings both require Wi-Fi to work. If you do not have Wi-Fi available, the HDMI method is your only option.
Does screen mirroring drain my iPad battery?
Yes, Wi-Fi mirroring uses more battery than normal use because your iPad is constantly sending video to the TV. If you plan to mirror for more than an hour, plug your iPad into power. HDMI mirroring also drains the battery slightly, but less than Wi-Fi does.
Can I use my iPad as a remote while mirroring?
With AirPlay, your iPad shows the same thing as the TV, so you can control apps normally. With SmartThings, your iPad acts as a remote for the app you are casting. With HDMI, your iPad is just a display — you will need the TV remote to control the TV itself.
What if my Samsung TV does not appear in the AirPlay list?
Your TV is either not on the same Wi-Fi network as your iPad, or it does not support AirPlay (older than 2018). Check your TV's model year and Wi-Fi connection first. If both are correct, restart the TV and try again. If it still does not appear, use SmartThings or an HDMI adapter instead.
Is there a lag when I mirror my iPad to the TV?
AirPlay and SmartThings have a delay of one to two seconds, which is fine for watching video but noticeable if you are playing games. HDMI has almost no lag and is the best choice if you plan to play games on the big screen.