The fastest way to mirror your iPhone to a Samsung TV

You can mirror your iPhone to a Samsung TV using AirPlay if your TV is a 2018 model or newer with built-in AirPlay support. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Samsung TV from the list. The TV will display your iPhone screen within seconds.

If your Samsung TV is older or does not have AirPlay, you will need a third-party app or a casting device. The most reliable option is SmartThings, Samsung's own app, which works on most Samsung TVs from 2016 onward. You can also use a Chromecast device plugged into your TV's HDMI port, or a Roku device if you own one.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung TVs made in 2018 or later support AirPlay natively, so you can mirror directly from Control Center without installing anything.
  • Older Samsung TVs require the SmartThings app on your iPhone, which you read from the App Store and use to cast to your TV.
  • If your TV does not support either method, a Chromecast or Roku device plugged into an HDMI port will work with most iPhones.
  • Both your iPhone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for any mirroring method to work.

Check your Samsung TV model year and AirPlay support

Samsung added AirPlay support to its TVs starting in 2018. To find your TV's model year, look at the back or bottom of the TV for a sticker with the model number. The model number typically starts with letters like QN or UN, followed by numbers — the first two digits usually indicate the year. For example, QN55Q80B means 2022, and UN55RU8000 means 2019.

You can also check your TV's settings menu. Press the Menu button on your remote, navigate to Support or About This TV, and look for the model number and software version. If your TV is 2018 or newer, AirPlay should already be turned on by default. If you do not see it in Control Center after connecting to Wi-Fi, go to your TV's settings and search for AirPlay to make sure it is enabled.

Mirror using AirPlay on newer Samsung TVs

Open Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top-right corner (iPhone X and later) or swiping up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and earlier). Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it and wait for your TV to appear in the list of available devices.

Select your Samsung TV by name. The TV will ask for permission the first time you connect; use your remote to select Allow. Your iPhone screen will then appear on the TV. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

If your TV does not appear in the list, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your TV is turned on. Restart your iPhone and TV if the connection fails. Some Samsung TVs require you to manually enable AirPlay in the TV's settings under General or Network.

Use SmartThings app for older Samsung TVs

If your Samsung TV is older than 2018 or does not have AirPlay, read the SmartThings app from the App Store on your iPhone. Open the app and sign in with your Samsung account (or create one for free). The app will search for your TV on the same Wi-Fi network.

Once your TV appears in the SmartThings app, tap it to connect. Then open the app's menu and look for Mirror Your Mobile Device or Screen Mirroring. Tap that option and your iPhone screen will begin mirroring to the TV. The SmartThings app works on Samsung TVs from 2016 onward, though older models may have limited features.

If SmartThings does not find your TV, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your TV is powered on. Restart the app and try again. Some older Samsung TVs may require you to enable screen mirroring in the TV's settings first — check your TV's manual or Samsung's support website for your specific model.

Cast using Chromecast or Roku if you own one

If you have a Chromecast device, plug it into an available HDMI port on your TV and connect it to Wi-Fi. On your iPhone, read the Google Home app from the App Store. Open the app, tap the device icon in the top-left corner, select your Chromecast, and tap Cast My Screen. Your iPhone will mirror to the TV.

If you own a Roku device, the process is similar. read the Roku app on your iPhone, connect to the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku, and look for the Cast or Screen Mirroring option in the app menu. Select your Roku device and your screen will begin mirroring.

Both Chromecast and Roku devices cost between $30 and $50 and are widely available at electronics retailers. They work with any TV that has an HDMI port, so they are a good option if your Samsung TV is very old or if you plan to use mirroring on multiple TVs in your home.

Troubleshoot common mirroring problems

If your iPhone screen does not appear on the TV, the most common cause is that the two devices are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both your iPhone and TV are connected to the same network name (SSID). If you have a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, try connecting both devices to the 2.4 GHz band, as some older TVs do not support 5 GHz.

If the connection keeps dropping, move your iPhone closer to the TV or Wi-Fi router. Walls, metal objects, and other electronics can interfere with the signal. Restart both your iPhone and TV by turning them off and back on. If you are using SmartThings or another app, close it completely and reopen it.

If your TV still does not appear in the mirroring list, check that mirroring is enabled in your TV's settings. On most Samsung TVs, go to Settings > General > AirPlay (or Apple AirPlay) and make sure it is set to On. If you are using an older TV with SmartThings, make sure your TV is compatible by checking Samsung's official support page for your model number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for an app to mirror my iPhone to a Samsung TV?

No. AirPlay is built into newer Samsung TVs at no cost, and SmartThings is free to read from the App Store. Chromecast and Roku devices require a one-time hardware purchase, but the apps themselves are free.

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

No. All mirroring methods require both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you do not have Wi-Fi, you can connect your iPhone to your TV using a Lightning to HDMI adapter and a cable, but that is a wired connection, not mirroring.

Will mirroring drain my iPhone battery?

Yes, screen mirroring uses more battery than normal use because your iPhone is constantly sending video to the TV. Plug your iPhone into a charger if you plan to mirror for more than an hour.

Can I mirror just one app instead of my whole screen?

Some apps support casting individual content — for example, Netflix and YouTube let you cast directly from the app without mirroring your whole screen. Look for a cast icon (usually a rectangle with a triangle) in the app itself. Full screen mirroring shows everything on your iPhone, including notifications and other apps.

What if my Samsung TV is too old to support any of these methods?

A Chromecast or Roku device is your best option. Both plug into any HDMI port and work with older TVs. They cost $30 to $50 and are available at most electronics stores or online retailers.