How to Screen Share to Your Samsung TV

The fastest way to screen share to a Samsung TV

Screen sharing to a Samsung TV works through SmartThings, Samsung's built-in casting system, or through standard casting protocols like Miracast and AirPlay depending on your device. The method you use depends on whether you're sharing from a phone, tablet, or computer, and which operating system it runs.

For most Samsung TVs made in the last five years, you'll start by making sure your phone or computer is on the same Wi-Fi network as the TV. Then you open the casting menu on your device, select your TV by name, and the screen appears on the television within seconds. No apps to read, no pairing codes to enter—just a few taps.

Key Takeaways

Your device and Samsung TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can screen share.
Android phones use Google Cast or SmartThings; iPhones use AirPlay; Windows computers use Miracast or the SmartThings app.
The casting option lives in your device's quick settings menu, not in individual apps.
If your TV doesn't appear in the casting list, restart both the TV and your device, then try again.

Screen sharing from an Android phone or tablet

Open the quick settings panel on your Android device by swiping down from the top of the screen twice. Look for a button labeled Cast, Screen Cast, or Smart View—the exact name varies by phone maker. Tap it, and your TV should appear in the list within a few seconds.

Select your Samsung TV by name. Your phone screen will mirror to the TV when ready. To stop sharing, tap the Cast button again and select Disconnect. You can continue using your phone normally while it's casting—the TV shows whatever is on your screen in real time.

If you don't see a Cast button in quick settings, swipe down again to see if there's a button to expand additional options. Some phones hide it behind a More or Additional Settings menu. If it's still not there, read the SmartThings app from Google Play, open it, tap the TV icon at the top, select your Samsung TV, and use the casting controls inside the app.

Screen sharing from an iPhone or iPad

Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your iPhone or iPad. Look for a button labeled Screen Mirroring or AirPlay. Tap it, and a list of available devices appears.

Select your Samsung TV from the list. If your TV doesn't appear, make sure it's powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone. Some Samsung TVs require you to enable AirPlay in the TV's settings first—check under Settings > General > AirPlay and HomeKit on the TV remote.

Once connected, your iPhone screen mirrors to the TV. To stop, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring. AirPlay works with any app on your phone—Safari, Photos, video players, everything.

Screen sharing from a Windows computer

On Windows 10 or 11, open the Action Center by pressing Windows key + A. Click Connect (or Project on some versions). Your Samsung TV should appear in the list within a few seconds.

Click your TV's name. A window appears asking how you want to project—choose Extend to use the TV as a second monitor, or Duplicate to mirror your entire screen. Once you select, your computer connects to the TV.

If your TV doesn't appear, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. If it still doesn't show up, try opening the SmartThings app on your computer (available from the Microsoft Store), signing in with your Samsung account, and using the casting controls there. To disconnect, open the Action Center again and click Disconnect.

What to do if your TV doesn't appear in the casting list

The most common reason a TV doesn't show up is that it's on a different Wi-Fi network than your phone or computer. Check your TV's network settings by pressing the remote's Menu button, going to Settings > General > Network, and confirming the Wi-Fi name. Then check your device's Wi-Fi settings and make sure they match exactly.

If the networks match and the TV still doesn't appear, restart both devices. Turn off the TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Restart your phone or computer as well. Then try the casting process again.

Some older Samsung TVs require you to enable casting in the TV's settings before it will appear. On the TV remote, press Menu, go to Settings > General > External Device Manager, and make sure Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) is turned on. This setting allows the TV to be discovered by casting devices.

Casting video, music, and photos instead of your whole screen

You don't have to mirror your entire screen to send content to the TV. Many apps have their own Cast button built in. Open YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, or Google Photos, and look for a Cast icon—it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner. Tap it, select your TV, and the content plays on the television while you control it from your phone.

This method uses less battery and lets you use your phone for other things while the TV plays video. The Cast button appears in the app itself, not in your device's quick settings menu, so look in the top or bottom corner of the app's screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I screen share if my TV is older than five years?

Older Samsung TVs may not support modern casting standards. Check your TV's model number in the settings menu, then search the Samsung website to see if your model supports SmartThings, Miracast, or AirPlay. If it doesn't, you can buy a separate casting device like a Chromecast or Roku stick and plug it into the TV's HDMI port.

Does screen sharing work over mobile data or only Wi-Fi?

Screen sharing requires a Wi-Fi connection. Both your device and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Mobile data won't work because the TV can't connect to your phone's hotspot through the casting protocol.

Why does my screen share keep disconnecting?

Disconnections usually happen when your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move closer to your router, or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If the problem continues, check if other devices on your network are using a lot of bandwidth—streaming video or large downloads can interrupt casting.

Can I use screen sharing and watch something different on my phone at the same time?

Not with full screen mirroring—whatever is on your phone appears on the TV. However, if the app has its own Cast button (like YouTube or Netflix), you can cast just that app's content to the TV and then switch to a different app on your phone without interrupting the TV playback.

Do I need a Samsung account to screen share?

No. Basic screen sharing through Miracast, Google Cast, and AirPlay works without any account. If you use the SmartThings app, you can sign in with a Samsung account to save your TV as a favorite, but it's optional.

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.