The fastest way to mirror your phone or computer to a Samsung TV

Screen mirroring to a Samsung TV works through SmartThings, the built-in casting system on most Samsung models made in the last five years. On Android phones, you swipe down from the top of the screen, tap "Screen Share" or "Smart View", select your TV from the list, and your phone display appears on the TV within seconds. On iPhones and iPads, you swipe down from the top right corner, tap "Screen Mirroring", choose your Samsung TV, and enter the PIN that appears on your TV screen. Windows and Mac computers can also mirror through the SmartThings app or through built-in casting features.

The process requires your phone, computer, and TV to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If they are not connected to the same network, mirroring will not work. Older Samsung TVs (before 2018) may use a different system called Miracast instead of SmartThings, though the steps are similar.

Key Takeaways

  • Android phones use Screen Share or Smart View from the quick settings menu; iPhones use Screen Mirroring from Control Center.
  • Your phone, computer, and TV must all be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for mirroring to work.
  • Most Samsung TVs made after 2018 use SmartThings for casting; older models may use Miracast instead.
  • If your TV does not appear in the list, restart both devices and check that Wi-Fi is turned on.

How to mirror an Android phone to your Samsung TV

On most Android phones, open the quick settings panel by swiping down twice from the top of the screen. Look for a button labeled "Screen Share", "Smart View", "Cast", or "Wireless Display" — the exact name depends on your phone brand. Tap it, and your phone will search for nearby devices. Your Samsung TV should appear in the list within 10 seconds.

Tap your TV's name. Your phone screen will appear on the TV in landscape mode. The mirroring will continue until you disconnect by tapping the same button again and selecting "Disconnect" or "Stop Casting". Your phone will continue to work normally while mirroring — you can open apps, take screenshots, or adjust volume without interrupting the connection.

If your TV does not appear, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and your TV's network settings to confirm they are connected to the same router. If they are on the same network and the TV still does not show up, restart your phone and TV, then try again.

How to mirror an iPhone or iPad to your Samsung TV

On an iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open Control Center. Tap "Screen Mirroring" (on newer models) or "AirPlay" (on older models). A list of available devices will appear. Select your Samsung TV from the list.

Your TV will display a PIN code on the screen. Enter this PIN on your iPhone or iPad when prompted. Once you enter the correct PIN, your screen will appear on the TV. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap "Screen Mirroring" or "AirPlay", and select "Stop Mirroring".

If your Samsung TV does not appear in the list, check that your iPhone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. iPhones can only mirror to devices on the same network. If the TV is still not showing up after confirming the network connection, restart your iPhone and your TV, then try again.

How to mirror a Windows computer to your Samsung TV

On Windows 10 or 11, right-click the Windows logo in the bottom left corner and select "Settings". Go to "System" and then "Display". Scroll down and click "Connect to a wireless display". Your computer will search for nearby devices. Select your Samsung TV from the list.

Alternatively, press the Windows key and the P key at the same time. A menu will appear on the right side of your screen with options including "Extend", "Duplicate", and "Second screen only". Select "Duplicate" to mirror your entire screen to the TV. Your computer and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for this to work.

If your TV does not appear, make sure both devices are connected to the same network. Restart your computer and TV, then try the connection again. Some older Samsung TVs may require you to read the SmartThings app on your computer instead of using the built-in Windows casting feature.

How to mirror a Mac to your Samsung TV

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings". Go to "Displays" and look for an "AirPlay" option. Click the dropdown menu and select your Samsung TV. Your Mac screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds.

If you do not see an AirPlay option in Displays, read the SmartThings app from the Mac App Store. Open the app, sign in with your Samsung account (or create one), and your TV should appear in the list of devices. Click your TV to begin mirroring.

Your Mac and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your TV does not appear after confirming the network connection, restart both devices and try again. Some Macs may require you to enable AirPlay in System Settings under "AirPlay and Handoff" before the option becomes available.

What to do if your TV does not appear in the device list

The most common reason a Samsung TV does not show up is that it is not on the same Wi-Fi network as your phone or computer. Check your TV's network settings by pressing the Menu button on your remote, navigating to "Network", and confirming that it is connected to your Wi-Fi. Then check your phone or computer's Wi-Fi settings and make sure they are connected to the same network name.

If both devices are on the same network and the TV still does not appear, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. While the TV is restarting, restart your phone or computer as well. Once both devices have restarted, try searching for the TV again.

If the TV appears but the connection fails, make sure your TV's SmartThings feature is turned on. On most Samsung TVs, press the Menu button on your remote, go to "General", and look for "SmartThings" or "Wireless Display" settings. Make sure it is set to "On". If it is already on, try turning it off and back on again.

Mirroring versus casting: what is the difference

Screen mirroring displays everything on your phone or computer screen on the TV in real time — every tap, swipe, and notification appears on the TV. Casting sends specific content (like a video or photo) to the TV without mirroring your entire screen. On Samsung TVs, both features work through SmartThings, but they are used for different purposes.

Use screen mirroring when you want to show your entire screen — for example, when presenting slides, playing a mobile game, or showing photos from your phone. Use casting when you want to send just one app or video to the TV while keeping your phone free for other tasks. Many streaming apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify have built-in cast buttons that let you send content directly to your TV without mirroring your whole screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Samsung account to screen mirror?

No. Screen mirroring through SmartThings does not require a Samsung account. Your phone and TV just need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. However, if you use the SmartThings app on a computer, you may need to create or sign in to a Samsung account to access certain features.

Can I mirror to my Samsung TV if I am on a different Wi-Fi network?

No. Your phone, computer, and TV must all be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If you are away from home or on a different network, mirroring will not work. Some newer Samsung TVs support remote casting through the SmartThings app, but this requires a Samsung account and internet connection on both devices.

Why does my screen mirroring keep disconnecting?

Disconnections usually happen when your phone or computer moves too far from the TV or when the Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move closer to the TV and router. If the problem continues, restart both devices and check that your Wi-Fi router is working properly. Interference from other devices can also cause drops; try moving your router away from microwaves, cordless phones, or other wireless devices.

Can I use screen mirroring while charging my phone?

Yes. You can charge your phone while mirroring to your TV. The mirroring connection uses Wi-Fi, not a cable, so charging does not interfere with the connection. Your phone will continue to mirror until you manually disconnect.

What if my Samsung TV is older than 2018?

Older Samsung TVs may use Miracast instead of SmartThings. The steps are similar: on Android, open Screen Share and select your TV; on Windows, use the wireless display feature. If your TV does not support either system, you can purchase a separate casting device like a Chromecast or Roku to add mirroring capability.