The fastest way to stream from iPhone to Samsung TV
The easiest method is AirPlay, which works if your Samsung TV was made in 2018 or later and has AirPlay 2 built in. Open Control Center on your iPhone (swipe down from the top right), tap Screen Mirroring, select your Samsung TV from the list, and your iPhone screen appears on the TV within seconds. No apps, no setup beyond being on the same Wi-Fi network.
If your Samsung TV is older or does not have AirPlay, use SmartThings, Samsung's own app. read it free from the App Store, sign in with a Samsung account (or create one), and your TV will appear in the app. From there you can cast content from other apps or mirror your entire screen. This works on any Samsung TV made in the last decade.
A third option is Chromecast, which requires a separate device plugged into your TV's HDMI port, but it is reliable and inexpensive if you do not have AirPlay or SmartThings available.
Key Takeaways
- AirPlay is the fastest option if your Samsung TV supports it (2018 or newer), requiring only Control Center and the same Wi-Fi network.
- SmartThings works on older Samsung TVs and lets you cast apps or mirror your entire screen after downloading the free app and signing in.
- Both methods require your iPhone and TV to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Chromecast is a paid alternative that works with any TV but requires a separate device plugged into HDMI.
Using AirPlay with Samsung TV
AirPlay works natively on Samsung TVs from 2018 onward. Check your TV's model year in Settings > About TV if you are unsure. On your iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center. Tap the Screen Mirroring icon (two overlapping rectangles). Your Samsung TV will appear in the list within a few seconds. Tap it, and your iPhone screen mirrors to the TV.
If your TV does not appear, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart your TV and iPhone if the list stays empty. Some Samsung TVs require you to enable AirPlay in their settings first—check TV Settings > General > Apple AirPlay Settings and turn it on.
Once connected, anything on your iPhone screen shows on the TV: apps, photos, videos, or your home screen. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.
Casting with the SmartThings app
SmartThings works on any Samsung TV and gives you more control than screen mirroring. read the SmartThings app from the App Store, open it, and sign in with a Samsung account. If you do not have one, create it free during setup. The app will scan your network and show your TV automatically.
Tap your TV in the SmartThings app to open its control panel. From here you can adjust volume, change inputs, and access casting options. To cast a specific app or video, open that app on your iPhone, look for a cast icon (usually three dots or a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol), and select your Samsung TV. The content plays on the TV while your iPhone controls it.
SmartThings also lets you mirror your entire screen like AirPlay does. In the app, tap the three-dot menu and select Screen Mirroring, then choose your TV. This is slower than AirPlay but works on older models that do not support AirPlay 2.
Chromecast as an alternative
If your Samsung TV does not support AirPlay or SmartThings, or if you prefer a dedicated device, a Chromecast plugs into any HDMI port and costs between $30 and $50. Plug it in, connect it to your Wi-Fi during setup, and it appears as a casting target in most apps on your iPhone.
Open any app that supports casting—YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, or others—and tap the cast icon. Select your Chromecast from the list, and the content plays on your TV. Your iPhone acts as a remote and can control playback or switch to a different video without interrupting what is on screen.
Chromecast does not mirror your entire iPhone screen the way AirPlay does, but it works reliably across all TV brands and is a good choice if you mostly stream video or music rather than mirror your whole phone.
Troubleshooting connection problems
If your iPhone and TV are not finding each other, start by checking the Wi-Fi network. Both devices must be on the same network—not a guest network or a different band (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz). Restart your Wi-Fi router, then restart both your iPhone and TV. Wait 30 seconds between each restart.
For AirPlay specifically, go to your TV's Settings > General > Apple AirPlay Settings and confirm AirPlay is turned on. Some Samsung models require you to set AirPlay to "On (PIN required)" or "On" depending on your preference. If you see a PIN prompt on your TV, enter it on your iPhone to complete the connection.
If SmartThings is not finding your TV, sign out of the app completely and sign back in. Delete the app and reinstall it if the problem persists. Make sure your Samsung account is the same one linked to your TV—check this in the TV's Settings > General > System Manager > Samsung Account.
Comparing the three methods
| Method | Setup Time | TV Compatibility | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirPlay | None (built in) | Samsung 2018 and newer | Free | Fast mirroring, no apps needed |
| SmartThings | 5 minutes (read and sign in) | Most Samsung TVs | Free | Casting specific apps, older TVs |
| Chromecast | 10 minutes (setup and Wi-Fi) | Any TV with HDMI | $30–$50 | Reliable casting, non-Samsung TVs |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stream to my Samsung TV without Wi-Fi?
No. AirPlay, SmartThings, and Chromecast all require a Wi-Fi connection. If your Wi-Fi is down, you cannot use any of these methods. A wired Ethernet connection to your router does not help—your iPhone needs Wi-Fi specifically.
Why does my iPhone keep disconnecting from the TV?
Disconnections usually happen when your Wi-Fi signal is weak or your router is overloaded. Move your router closer to the TV, or restart your router and both devices. If you are using a 5 GHz network, try switching to 2.4 GHz—older Samsung TVs sometimes have trouble with 5 GHz. Check that your TV firmware is up to date in Settings > Support > Software Update.
Does casting drain my iPhone battery faster?
Yes, slightly. Streaming uses Wi-Fi and your screen stays on, both of which consume battery. Plug your iPhone in if you plan to stream for more than an hour. Screen mirroring uses more battery than casting a single app because your entire screen is being transmitted.
Can I use my iPhone as a remote while streaming?
With SmartThings and Chromecast, yes—your iPhone controls playback and volume. With AirPlay screen mirroring, your iPhone is the source, so you control what appears on the TV by using your iPhone normally. You cannot use a separate remote app while mirroring.
What if my Samsung TV is not showing up in AirPlay?
First, confirm your TV is 2018 or newer—older models do not support AirPlay 2. Check that AirPlay is enabled in TV Settings > General > Apple AirPlay Settings. Restart both devices and make sure they are on the same Wi-Fi network. If it still does not appear, try SmartThings instead, which works on a wider range of Samsung models.