Screen mirroring sends your phone or computer display to your Samsung TV wirelessly

Screen mirroring lets you show what's on your phone, tablet, or computer on your Samsung TV without plugging in a cable. Samsung TVs use a built-in feature called SmartThings or AirPlay (depending on your phone type) to receive the wireless signal. The TV and your device must be on the same WiFi network, and the process takes about 30 seconds once you know where to look.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using an Android phone, iPhone, or Windows computer, but the basic idea is the same: you open a menu on your device, find your TV's name, and tap it. Your TV screen then mirrors what you're doing on your phone or computer in real time.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Samsung TV and your phone or computer must be connected to the same WiFi network before you start.
  • Android phones use SmartThings Cast or Samsung SmartThings app to mirror, while iPhones use AirPlay 2 on newer Samsung models.
  • The TV's name appears in your device's screen mirroring menu, and you tap it to connect — no pairing code needed on most models.
  • If your TV doesn't appear in the list, restart both devices and check that WiFi is on for both.
  • Screen mirroring works best when your device and TV are in the same room and not too far from your WiFi router.

Screen mirroring from an Android phone to Samsung TV

Open the Quick Settings menu on your Android phone by swiping down from the top of the screen twice (or once, depending on your phone model). Look for a button labeled Cast, Screen Mirroring, or SmartThings Cast. Tap it, and your phone will search for nearby devices.

Your Samsung TV should appear in the list within 10 to 15 seconds. Tap your TV's name, and the connection will start. You'll see a notification on your phone saying the TV is now mirroring your screen. From that point on, anything you do on your phone — opening apps, scrolling, playing video — appears on the TV.

If your TV doesn't show up, make sure both devices are on the same WiFi network. Check your phone's WiFi settings and your TV's network settings (usually under Settings > Network on the TV). If they're on different networks, disconnect one and reconnect to the other.

Screen mirroring from an iPhone to Samsung TV

iPhone screen mirroring to Samsung TV requires a Samsung TV made in 2018 or later that supports AirPlay 2. Check your TV's model year in Settings > About This TV on the remote. If your TV is older, you'll need to use an adapter like Apple TV or a third-party device instead.

On your iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. Tap Screen Mirroring, and a list of available devices will appear. Select your Samsung TV's name. If prompted, enter the AirPlay code that appears on your TV screen.

Once connected, your iPhone's display mirrors to the TV. You can lock your phone and the mirroring continues. To stop, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

Screen mirroring from a Windows computer to Samsung TV

On Windows 10 or 11, open the Settings app and go to System > Display > Multiple Displays. Scroll down and look for Connect to a wireless display. Click it, and Windows will search for nearby devices.

Your Samsung TV should appear in the list. Click your TV's name to connect. Windows may ask you to confirm the connection on the TV itself — if so, use your remote to select Allow or Yes. Once connected, you can choose to mirror your screen or extend it (show different things on your computer and TV).

If your TV doesn't appear, make sure your computer and TV are on the same WiFi network. Some older Samsung TVs may not support wireless mirroring from Windows — check your TV's manual or Samsung's website to confirm your model is compatible.

Common reasons the TV doesn't appear in the mirroring list

The most common cause is that your device and TV are on different WiFi networks. Check both devices' network settings and make sure they're connected to the same network name (SSID). If you have a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name, try connecting both devices to the 2.4 GHz version — some older Samsung TVs don't support 5 GHz.

Restart both your device and your TV. Turn off the TV completely using the power button on the remote (not just the standby button), wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your phone or computer. Then try the mirroring process again.

Check that screen mirroring is turned on in your TV's settings. On most Samsung TVs, go to Settings > General > External Device Manager and make sure Screen Mirroring is set to On. If it's off, turn it on and try again.

Improving connection quality and reducing lag

Screen mirroring works best when your device and TV are within 15 to 20 feet of your WiFi router. If you're far from the router, move closer or consider moving the router to a more central location. Walls and metal objects between your device and router can weaken the signal.

Close other apps on your phone or computer before mirroring. Apps running in the background use WiFi bandwidth and can cause the mirrored image to stutter or lag. If you're streaming video or playing a game, the lag may be more noticeable — this is normal and not a sign of a problem.

If multiple people are using the WiFi network, the connection may slow down. Ask others to pause large downloads or streaming while you're using screen mirroring. If lag is severe, restart your WiFi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.

Disconnecting and troubleshooting persistent problems

To stop mirroring, open the screen mirroring menu on your device and select Disconnect or Stop Mirroring. On your TV, you can also press the Home button on the remote to return to the normal TV menu — this will end the mirroring session.

If the connection keeps dropping or the TV loses the signal frequently, try these steps in order: first, forget the WiFi network on both devices and reconnect them. Second, update your TV's software by going to Settings > Support > Software Update on the TV. Third, restart your WiFi router. If the problem continues, contact Samsung support with your TV's model number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special app to screen mirror to my Samsung TV?

Android phones have screen mirroring built into the Quick Settings menu — no app needed. iPhones use the built-in Control Center. Windows computers use the Settings app. Some Samsung TVs may have a SmartThings app you can read, but it's optional and not required for basic mirroring.

Can I screen mirror if my TV is not a smart TV?

No, your TV must have WiFi and built-in mirroring support. If you have an older Samsung TV without these features, you can buy a separate device like an Apple TV, Roku, or Google Chromecast and connect it to your TV's HDMI port instead.

Will screen mirroring work if my phone and TV are on different WiFi networks?

No, they must be on the same network. If you have a guest network separate from your main network, both devices need to be on the same one. Check your WiFi settings on both devices to confirm they're connected to the same network name.

Does screen mirroring drain my phone's battery faster?

Yes, screen mirroring uses WiFi and your phone's processor continuously, so battery drains faster than normal use. If you're mirroring for a long time, plug your phone into a charger.

Can I use screen mirroring to watch Netflix or other streaming apps on my TV?

Yes, you can mirror any app on your phone to the TV. However, most streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ have built-in casting buttons that work better — look for a cast icon in the app itself. Using the cast button is faster and uses less battery than screen mirroring.