How to Stream to Your Samsung TV From Your Phone, Laptop, or Tablet

The fastest way to get video on your Samsung TV screen

Most Samsung TVs made in the last five years can receive video from your phone, laptop, or tablet without an extra box or cable. The method depends on what device you are sending from and what you want to watch. Samsung's own SmartThings app works for casting from Android phones and some tablets. AirPlay works from iPhones and iPads. Miracast works from Windows laptops and some Android devices. Some apps — Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu — have a built-in cast button that sends video directly to your TV without needing a separate casting app at all.

The TV and the device sending the video must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If they are, you can start streaming in under a minute. If they are not, the TV will not see the sending device, and nothing will happen when you press cast.

Key Takeaways

Samsung TVs use SmartThings for Android phones and tablets, AirPlay for iPhones and iPads, and Miracast for Windows laptops.
Your TV and sending device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can cast.
Many streaming apps have their own cast button built in, so you do not need a separate casting app to use them.
If casting does not work, restart both the TV and the sending device, then check that Wi-Fi is still connected on both.

Casting from an Android phone or tablet using SmartThings

Open the SmartThings app on your Android device. If you do not have it, read it from the Google Play Store. Tap the plus sign or "Add device" button, then select your Samsung TV from the list of devices on your network. Once the TV appears in your SmartThings home, open any video app — YouTube, Netflix, or your phone's photo gallery — and look for the cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner). Tap it and select your TV.

The video will appear on your TV screen within a few seconds. You can control playback from your phone while the video plays on the TV. If the cast icon does not appear in the app you are using, that app does not support casting, and you will need to use Miracast instead (see the Windows section below for how Miracast works — it is the same on Android).

Casting from an iPhone or iPad using AirPlay

Open the app with the video you want to watch — YouTube, Netflix, Apple TV, or your Photos app. Look for the AirPlay icon, which looks like a triangle with a filled circle below it. Tap it and select your Samsung TV from the list. The video will start playing on your TV within a few seconds.

If you do not see the AirPlay icon in the app, swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone or iPad to open Control Center. Look for the Screen Mirroring option and tap it, then select your Samsung TV. This will mirror your entire screen instead of just the video, which uses more battery but works with any app. When you are done, tap Screen Mirroring again and select "Stop Mirroring."

Casting from a Windows laptop using Miracast

On your Windows laptop, press the Windows key and the K key at the same time to open the Quick Settings menu. Click "Connect" and wait for your Samsung TV to appear in the list. Click your TV to connect. Your laptop screen will appear on the TV, and you can play any video from your browser or any app.

If your TV does not appear, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. If they are and the TV still does not show up, restart your laptop and try again. Some older Samsung TVs do not support Miracast — if your TV is more than six years old and does not appear, check your TV's manual or the Samsung support website to see if Miracast is available on your model.

Using the cast button built into streaming apps

Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and most other major streaming apps have a cast button you can use without downloading a separate app. Open the app on your phone or tablet, start playing a video, and look for the cast icon (a rectangle with curved lines). Tap it and select your TV. The app will send the video directly to your TV and remember your choice the next time you use it.

This method is faster than using SmartThings or AirPlay because the app handles the connection itself. If the cast button is greyed out or does not appear, the app may not support casting on your device, or your TV may not be on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your Wi-Fi connection first, then restart the app.

What to do if casting is not working

The most common reason casting fails is that the TV and the sending device are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check the Wi-Fi settings on both devices and make sure they are connected to the same network name. If they are on different networks — for example, if your TV is on the 5 GHz band and your phone is on the 2.4 GHz band — they will not see each other. Most routers broadcast both bands under the same network name, so this is usually not a problem, but if your router has separate names for each band, connect both devices to the same one.

If both devices are on the same network and casting still does not work, restart both the TV and the sending device. Turn off the TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your phone, laptop, or tablet. Then try casting again. If it still does not work, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in, then wait for it to reconnect before trying again.

Connecting a Samsung TV to Wi-Fi if it is not already connected

If your TV has never been connected to Wi-Fi, you will need to do that before you can cast to it. On your TV remote, press the Home button and go to Settings. Select Network, then Wi-Fi. Your TV will show a list of available networks. Select your network name and enter your Wi-Fi password. The TV will connect and show a confirmation message.

If your TV is already connected to Wi-Fi but you are not sure, press Home on the remote, go to Settings, and select Network. You will see the name of the network your TV is connected to. If it shows "Not connected," follow the steps above to connect it. Once your TV is on Wi-Fi, you can cast to it from any device on the same network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special device or cable to cast to my Samsung TV?

No. If your Samsung TV was made in the last five years and is connected to Wi-Fi, you can cast to it from your phone, tablet, or laptop using only the apps already on your device. You do not need to buy a Chromecast, Apple TV, or any other hardware.

Can I cast to my Samsung TV if I do not have the SmartThings app?

Yes. If you have an Android phone, you can use Miracast instead by going to Settings, Display, and Cast Screen. If you have an iPhone, use AirPlay. If the streaming app you want to use has a built-in cast button, you do not need SmartThings at all.

What if my Samsung TV is too old to support casting?

Samsung TVs made before 2018 may not support SmartThings casting or Miracast. Check your TV's manual or the Samsung support website for your model number to see what casting methods are available. If your TV does not support any casting method, you can buy a Chromecast, Fire Stick, or Apple TV to add casting to it.

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

No. Casting requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you are away from home, you cannot cast to your TV unless you connect to the same network using a VPN or mobile hotspot, which is not practical for most people.

Does casting use a lot of data or battery?

Casting uses very little data because the video streams directly from the internet to your TV, not through your phone. Your phone only sends a small control signal. Battery drain is minimal when you are casting, especially if you turn your phone's screen off while the video plays on the TV.

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.