What is Screen Mirroring and how do I use it with my Samsung TV and Samsung mobile device?

Screen mirroring allows you to view content from your mobile device on your TV screen. The SmartThings app makes it quick and easy to connect to your Samsung Smart TV, but you can also connect through a Wi-Fi or HDMI connection.  

What is Screen Mirroring and how do I use it with my Samsung TV and Samsung mobile device?

To be able to screen mirror wirelessly, your TV will need to be able to support an internet connection. 

Please note: The following instructions are for sharing the screen of a Samsung mobile device to a Samsung TV. 

SmartThings is Samsung's hub for controlling smart home devices and can be downloaded to both Android and iOS devices. SmartThings can automatically detect and connect to most Samsung TVs manufactured from 2016 onwards. If your TV was made before this, try connecting with Smart View instead. 

1 Connect your Samsung smart TV and your device to the same Wi-Fi network
2 Download the SmartThings app onto your device

Please note: More recent Samsung devices come with the SmartThings app pre-installed

3 Open the SmartThings app
SmartThings app icon
4 Tap +
Plus selected in SmartThings app
5 Tap Add device
Add device selected in SmartThings menu
6 Choose whether to Scan QR code, Scan for nearby devices or Select from list of devices
Different options to add device in SmartThings app

All available devices will be displayed. If you can't see your device, make sure that it is turned on. If it still isn't displayed, try turning it off and on again and restarting the SmartThings app. If it still hasn’t appeared, try rebooting your router.

7 Select your TV
8 A PIN number will be displayed on your TV. Enter the PIN in the app

Your TV is now connected to SmartThings and you can use your device as a second remote for the TV. You can also use Smart View to mirror photos, movies and music from your device.

9 Tap the Menu button (three dots at the top right of the screen)
10 Tap Mirror screen (Smart View)
11 Use your smartphone to select the content that you wish to view on your TV

You can find more information about SmartThings in our FAQ on how to use SmartThings.

You can also connect your smartphone to your TV using Tap View:

1 Open the SmartThings app
SmartThings app icon
2 Tap the Menu icon
Menu icon selected in SmartThings app
3 Tap the Settings icon
Settings icon selected in SmartThings menu
4 Toggle the switch next to Tap View, Tap Sound
Switch next to Tap View, Tap Sound selected in SmartThings settings
5 Tap OK
OK selected in Tap View, Tap Sound popup
6 Tap the back of your phone to the bezel of the TV screen, making sure to tap away from the TV screen and the corners of the bezel
7 Tap Start now on your phone
8 Select Allow on your TV

How to stream via AirPlay to your Samsung TV How to stream via AirPlay to your Samsung TV

You can use AirPlay™ to share content from an Apple device on Samsung TVs manufactured after 2019.

Please note: your TV and Apple device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network

Viewing photos and videos via AirPlay

1 Open the Photos app
2 Find the photo or video you wish to share
3 Tap the share icon in the bottom left of the screen
4 Tap AirPlay
5 Tap the TV you wish to connect to
6 If prompted, enter the code shown on the TV on your Apple device

Playing audio via AirPlay

1 Open the music player on your Apple device
2 Select a song
3 Tap the Airplay icon
4 Tap the TV you wish to connect to
5 If prompted, enter the code shown on your TV on your Apple device

Finding AirPlay settings on your TV

1 On your TV press Home
2 Press the left button and select Menu
3 Select Settings
4 Select All settings
5 Select Connection
6 Select Apple AirPlay settings

If you're having difficulty connecting wirelessly, you can try using a HDMI adaptor to connect your device to your TV. HDMI adaptors are sold separately and offer support for devices with USB-C ports.

If you're using an older device without a USB-C port you may be able to find a compatible third-party adaptor, but its performance cannot be guaranteed.

1 Connect an HDMI cable to the HDMI adaptor
2 Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to an HDMI port on your TV
3 Connect the HDMI adaptor to the USB port on your device
4 Turn on your TV and change the input to the HDMI port you are using

Some apps like Netflix and YouTube have an in built screen casting function that makes it easy to share what you're watching between the big and small screen.

1 Connect your device and TV to the same Wi-Fi network
2 Download the compatible app to your device and TV
3 Login or create an account. Sign into the same account on both your TV and device
4 Open the content you want to watch through your device
5 Tap the cast icon
Cast icon

Please note: the location of the cast icon will differ depending on the app you are using and the orientation of your phone

6 Select the device you want to watch your content on

If your smartphone or tablet isn't connecting, it is likely due to one of the following reasons:

Your devices aren't on the same Wi-Fi network. As a security measure, devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network to allow screen mirroring. This stops your neighbour broadcasting to your TV by mistake.

Both devices do not have screen mirroring switched on. You need to have an open mirroring connection on both your device and the TV for mirroring to work.

Your phone has not received permission from the TV. Restart your phone and TV, then try connecting again. Make sure that you select Allow when it appears on the TV.

If you're experiencing unusual behaviour on Samsung mobiles, tablets or wearables, you can send us an error report or ask us a question in the Samsung Members app.

This allows us to take a closer look at what is happening. The data is anonymised and only held for the duration of the investigation. Find out more about sending an error report through the Samsung Members app.

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