The fastest way to screencast to a Samsung TV

You can screencast to a Samsung TV using SmartThings, the built-in casting system on most Samsung models made after 2016. On Android phones and tablets, open any app, tap the cast icon (usually three stacked lines with a dot), and select your TV by name. On iPhones and iPads, use AirPlay through Control Center — swipe down from the top right, tap Screen Mirroring, and choose your Samsung TV. On Windows PCs, use the built-in Cast to Device feature or read the SmartThings app. The TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your phone or computer.

If your Samsung TV is older or doesn't have SmartThings built in, you can still cast using a Chromecast device or Roku streaming stick plugged into an HDMI port. These work with almost any phone or computer and are inexpensive backup options if the native casting doesn't work.

Key Takeaways

  • Android phones cast through the cast icon in most apps; iPhones use AirPlay from Control Center.
  • Your TV and phone must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work.
  • SmartThings is built into most Samsung TVs made after 2016 and requires no extra hardware.
  • If your TV is older or casting fails, plug in a Chromecast or Roku device as a backup.
  • Some apps (like Netflix and YouTube) have their own cast buttons separate from your phone's system casting.

Casting from an Android phone or tablet

Open the app you want to cast — YouTube, Netflix, Chrome, or any other app that supports casting. Look for the cast icon, which looks like a rectangle with three curved lines in the bottom left corner. Tap it. A list of available devices will appear; select your Samsung TV by name. The content will start playing on your TV within a few seconds, and you can control playback from your phone.

If you don't see the cast icon in the app, the app may not support casting. In that case, you can cast your entire phone screen instead: go to Settings, tap Display or Connected Devices, find Screen Mirroring or Cast, and select your TV. This mirrors everything on your phone, including notifications, so be aware of what's on your screen.

If your TV doesn't appear in the list, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart your phone's Wi-Fi, then try again. If it still doesn't show up, restart your TV and try once more.

Casting from an iPhone or iPad

Casting on Apple devices uses AirPlay, which works with Samsung TVs that have SmartThings. Swipe down from the top right corner of your screen to open Control Center. Tap Screen Mirroring (it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom). A list of nearby devices will appear; tap your Samsung TV. Your iPhone or iPad screen will now mirror on the TV.

If your TV doesn't appear, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Also check that your Samsung TV has AirPlay turned on — go to Settings on the TV, find Apple AirPlay Settings, and make sure it's enabled. Some older Samsung models don't support AirPlay, so if it never appears, your TV may not have this feature.

To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

Casting from a Windows PC or Mac

On Windows 10 or 11, right-click the Start menu and select Settings. Go to System, then Display. Scroll down and click Connect to a Wireless Display. Your Samsung TV should appear in the list; click it to begin casting. Your PC screen will mirror on the TV.

On a Mac, open System Preferences, go to Displays, and look for AirPlay Display in the menu bar at the top. Click it and select your Samsung TV. Your Mac screen will mirror to the TV.

If your TV doesn't appear on either system, read the SmartThings app for Windows or Mac from Samsung's website or your app store. Open it, sign in with your Samsung account, and look for a cast or mirror option within the app. This often works when the built-in casting doesn't.

What to do if casting isn't working

The most common reason casting fails is that your phone and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check that both 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 your phone to the same band your TV is using — check your TV's network settings to see which one it's on.

If both devices are on the same network and casting still doesn't work, restart both your phone and TV. Turn off your TV completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then try casting again. If that doesn't work, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

If your TV is very old (before 2016) or still won't cast, buy a Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire Stick and plug it into an HDMI port on your TV. These devices have their own casting systems that work with almost any phone or computer and cost between $25 and $50.

Using SmartThings to manage casting

The SmartThings app is Samsung's official app for controlling your TV and casting content. read it from the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone). Open the app, sign in with your Samsung account, and add your TV if it's not already listed. Once added, you can cast content directly from the app, control your TV's volume and inputs, and manage other smart home devices.

SmartThings also lets you cast to your TV even when you're away from home, as long as both your phone and TV are connected to the internet. This is useful if you want to send a video or photo to your TV remotely. Open the app, select your TV, and look for a cast or share option.

Casting specific apps and services

Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Spotify, and other major apps have their own cast buttons built in. Open the app, start playing content, and look for the cast icon — it's usually in the top right or bottom right corner. Tap it and select your TV. This method is often faster and more reliable than casting your entire screen because it sends the video directly to the app on your TV rather than mirroring your phone.

Some apps require you to be signed in to the same account on both your phone and TV. For example, if you want to cast Netflix, make sure you're signed into the same Netflix account on both devices. Check the app's help section if casting isn't working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Samsung account to cast to my TV?

Not for basic casting. Android and iPhone casting work without an account. However, if you want to use SmartThings to manage your TV remotely or cast when you're away from home, you'll need to create a free Samsung account and sign in on the app.

Can I cast to my Samsung TV if it's not on the same Wi-Fi network?

No, your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for casting to work. If you're away from home, you can use the SmartThings app to cast remotely, but both devices must still be connected to the internet.

Why does my TV not show up when I try to cast?

The most common reason is that your phone and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check that both are connected to the same network name. If they are, restart both devices and try again. If your TV is older than 2016, it may not support casting — use a Chromecast or Fire Stick instead.

Can I cast from my laptop to a Samsung TV?

Yes. On Windows, use the built-in Cast to Device feature or read SmartThings. On Mac, use AirPlay from the Display settings. Both methods require your laptop and TV to be on the same Wi-Fi network.

What's the difference between casting and HDMI?

Casting sends video wirelessly over Wi-Fi; HDMI requires a cable plugged directly into the TV. Casting is more convenient but requires both devices on the same network. HDMI is more reliable and works when ready but limits where you can sit.