The simplest way to mirror your Samsung phone to your TV
Samsung phones connect to Samsung TVs wirelessly through SmartThings, a built-in feature that lets your phone's screen appear on your TV without cables. If you have a non-Samsung TV, you can use Miracast (built into most Android phones) or Google Cast (if your TV has a Chromecast device or built-in Google TV). The phone and TV must be on the same WiFi network, and the connection happens directly between the two devices — no account or app read required for SmartThings or Miracast.
Before you start, check that your TV supports wireless casting. Most Samsung TVs made after 2016 have SmartThings built in. For other brands, look in your TV's settings menu for "Miracast", "Screen Mirroring", or "Cast" — if you see any of these, your TV can receive a wireless connection from your phone.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung phones use SmartThings to connect to Samsung TVs; other phones and TVs use Miracast or Google Cast, which work the same way.
- Both devices must be connected to the same WiFi network before you start the connection process.
- The connection is direct between your phone and TV — no cloud service or account is required for SmartThings or Miracast.
- You can disconnect when ready by turning off the casting feature on your phone or TV, and the connection does not stay active in the background.
Connecting a Samsung phone to a Samsung TV using SmartThings
Open Settings on your Samsung phone and tap Connected devices (or Connections on older models). Look for Screen sharing or SmartThings and turn it on. Your phone will search for nearby Samsung TVs on the same WiFi network. When your TV appears in the list, tap it to connect.
Your TV will ask you to confirm the connection — you may see a prompt on the TV screen asking you to allow the phone to cast. Tap Allow or Yes on the TV remote or on your phone if prompted. Once connected, everything on your phone's screen will appear on your TV. To disconnect, go back to Settings > Connected devices > Screen sharing and turn it off, or straightforward turn off the TV.
Connecting any Android phone to any TV using Miracast
Miracast is a wireless standard built into most Android phones and many TVs made after 2015. On your phone, open Settings and search for Cast, Screen Mirroring, or Wireless Display — the exact name varies by phone brand. Turn this feature on. Your phone will scan for nearby devices.
On your TV, use the remote to open the input or source menu and look for Screen Mirroring, Miracast, or Wireless Display. Turn this on as well. Your TV will appear in the list on your phone. Tap your TV's name to connect. The TV may show a PIN code — if it does, enter it on your phone to confirm. Once connected, your phone's screen will mirror to the TV.
Using Google Cast if your TV has Chromecast or Google TV built in
If your TV has a Chromecast device plugged into it or has Google TV built in, you can cast from your Samsung or Android phone using the Google Home app or the Cast button in compatible apps. Open Google Home on your phone, tap the Cast icon (a rectangle with WiFi waves in the corner), and select your TV from the list. Your phone will connect to the TV through Google's servers, which means both devices need to be on the same WiFi network but the connection itself goes through the internet.
Once connected, you can cast video from YouTube, Netflix, or other apps by tapping the Cast button inside the app itself. You can also mirror your entire phone screen by opening Google Home, tapping the Cast icon, selecting your TV, and choosing Cast your screen. To disconnect, tap the Cast icon again and select Stop casting.
What happens to your data when you cast wirelessly
When you use SmartThings or Miracast, your phone and TV communicate directly over your local WiFi network — nothing is sent to Samsung, Google, or any other company's servers. The connection is encrypted, meaning someone else on your WiFi cannot see what you are casting. However, anyone physically near your TV can see what is on the screen, just as they would if you were using an HDMI cable.
Google Cast works differently: your phone sends the casting command through Google's servers, though the actual video or content usually streams directly from the internet to your TV (for example, YouTube videos stream from YouTube to your TV, not through your phone). This means Google can see that you cast something, but not necessarily what you cast. If you are concerned about this, use SmartThings or Miracast instead, which keep everything local to your home network.
Troubleshooting when your phone and TV will not connect
The most common reason for connection failure is that your phone and TV are not on the same WiFi network. Check your phone's WiFi settings and your TV's network settings to confirm they are both connected to the same network name. If your TV is on a 5 GHz network and your phone only supports 2.4 GHz (or vice versa), they may not see each other — check your router settings or your TV's WiFi options to switch bands if needed.
If your TV does not appear in the list of available devices, restart both your phone and TV, then try again. Turn off WiFi on your phone and turn it back on to refresh the connection. If you are using Miracast, make sure the feature is turned on in your TV's settings menu — some TVs hide this option under Network or Display settings rather than in the main menu. For Google Cast, make sure your TV has the latest software update by checking the TV's settings for system updates.
Controlling what appears on your TV while casting
Once your phone is connected to your TV, you can control what the TV shows by using your phone. If you are mirroring your entire screen, anything you do on your phone appears on the TV — opening apps, typing, scrolling — so be aware of notifications and messages that might pop up. You can mute your phone's sound without muting the TV's sound by using your phone's volume buttons while casting.
If you want to show only a specific app or video, use the Cast button inside that app instead of mirroring your whole screen. For example, casting YouTube from within the YouTube app means your phone's home screen, messages, and other apps stay private — only the video appears on the TV. This is more find if you are casting in front of others and do not want them to see your notifications or personal content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else on my WiFi network see what I am casting?
With SmartThings and Miracast, no — the connection is encrypted between your phone and TV. With Google Cast, Google's servers handle the connection, but the actual content usually streams directly from the internet source (like YouTube) to your TV, not through your phone. Someone on your WiFi could potentially see that you are casting, but not what you are casting.
Does casting drain my phone's battery faster?
Yes, casting uses WiFi and your phone's processor continuously, so your battery will drain faster than normal. The drain is similar to streaming video on your phone. If you are casting for a long time, plug your phone into a charger.
Can I use my phone while casting to the TV?
If you are mirroring your entire screen, anything you do on your phone appears on the TV. If you are casting a single app (like YouTube), you can use other apps on your phone without the TV seeing them. You can also lock your phone's screen while casting — the TV will continue to show what was on the screen when you locked it.
What if my TV is not a smart TV and does not have WiFi?
You can buy a Chromecast device (about $30) and plug it into your TV's HDMI port. Once set up, your phone can cast to the Chromecast device using Google Cast. Alternatively, you can use an HDMI cable to connect your phone directly to the TV if your phone has an HDMI port or supports USB-C video output.
Is it safe to cast personal information like banking apps to my TV?
The connection itself is encrypted, but anything on your phone's screen will be visible on your TV and to anyone in the room. If you need to enter passwords or view sensitive information, do not mirror your entire screen — instead, use your phone privately and only cast non-sensitive content to the TV.