The fastest way: use AirPlay with a compatible Samsung TV

If your Samsung TV was made in 2018 or later, it likely has AirPlay 2 built in, which means you can mirror your iPhone screen or stream video directly without buying anything extra. 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 display appears on the TV within seconds.

Older Samsung TVs do not have AirPlay built in. If your TV is from 2017 or earlier, you have two other routes: buy a separate device like an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible adapter, or use Samsung's own SmartThings app to cast certain content. The device route costs money upfront but works reliably; the SmartThings route is free but only works with apps that support it.

Before you start, make sure your iPhone and Samsung TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. If they are on different networks — one on your main Wi-Fi and one on a guest network, for example — the connection will not appear as an option.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung TVs made in 2018 or later have AirPlay 2 built in, so you can mirror your iPhone screen for free using Control Center.
  • Older Samsung TVs need either an Apple TV, an AirPlay-compatible adapter, or the SmartThings app to connect to an iPhone.
  • Your iPhone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network before you attempt to connect.
  • Screen mirroring shows everything on your iPhone, while casting sends only the app or video you choose, and uses less battery.

Checking whether your Samsung TV supports AirPlay

The easiest way to know is to look at your TV's model number and year. Samsung printed AirPlay 2 support into most TVs sold after January 2018. You can find the model number on a sticker on the back of the TV or in the TV's settings menu — go to Settings, then About This TV, and look for Model.

If you are not sure, try connecting anyway. Open Control Center on your iPhone, tap Screen Mirroring, and wait a few seconds for the list to populate. If your Samsung TV appears in the list, it supports AirPlay. If it does not appear after 10 seconds, your TV does not have AirPlay built in.

You can also check Samsung's support website by searching for your model number, but the quickest test is straightforward to attempt the connection and see whether your TV shows up.

How to mirror your iPhone screen to a Samsung TV with AirPlay

Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Then on your iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it.

A list of available devices appears. Select your Samsung TV by name. Your iPhone will ask you to confirm; tap Start Mirroring. Within a few seconds, your entire iPhone screen appears on the TV. Everything you do on your iPhone — opening apps, typing, scrolling — shows up on the TV in real time.

To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring. Your iPhone screen goes back to showing only on your phone.

Casting apps instead of mirroring your whole screen

Screen mirroring sends everything from your iPhone to the TV, which drains your battery faster and ties up your phone — you cannot use it for other things while mirroring is active. If you only want to watch video or listen to music, casting is more efficient. Casting sends just the app's content to the TV while your iPhone stays free to use for other tasks.

Many apps — Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Apple TV+, Disney+ — have a cast button built in. Look for an icon that looks like a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner, usually in the top-right or bottom-right of the app. Tap it, select your Samsung TV, and the content plays on the TV while you control it from your phone.

Not all apps support casting to Samsung TVs. If the cast button does not appear in an app you use, that app does not support it, and you will need to use screen mirroring instead.

If your Samsung TV is older than 2018

Older Samsung TVs do not have AirPlay built in. Your options are to buy an external device, use Samsung's SmartThings app for supported content, or connect via HDMI with an adapter.

An Apple TV (the small box, starting around $99) connects to your TV via HDMI and adds AirPlay to any TV. Once set up, you can mirror or cast from your iPhone exactly as described above. This is the most reliable option if you plan to use AirPlay regularly.

AirPlay-compatible adapters from third-party makers cost less than Apple TV but vary in quality and reliability. Search for "AirPlay 2 adapter" or "AirPlay receiver" to see current options. Read reviews carefully, as some adapters have connection issues or limited app support.

Samsung's SmartThings app is free and works on older Samsung TVs. Open the app on your iPhone, select your TV, and look for a cast or share button within supported apps like YouTube or Spotify. This route works but is slower and less stable than AirPlay, and not all apps support it.

Troubleshooting when your iPhone will not connect

If your iPhone does not see your Samsung TV in the Screen Mirroring list, restart both devices. Turn off your iPhone completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same for your TV. Then try Control Center and Screen Mirroring again.

If restarting does not work, check that both devices are truly on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your iPhone and confirm the Wi-Fi network name. On your Samsung TV, go to Settings, then Network, and check the connected network. If they do not match, connect your iPhone to the TV's network.

If your TV is on a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band and your iPhone is on 2.4 GHz (or vice versa), they may not see each other. Most modern routers broadcast both bands under the same network name, but some split them. If your router has separate network names for each band, connect both devices to the same one.

If you have tried all of this and the connection still does not work, your TV may not actually support AirPlay, or there may be a software issue. Check your TV's manual or Samsung's support site for your specific model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPlay if my iPhone and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks?

No. Both devices must be on the same network. If you have a guest network separate from your main network, connect your iPhone to the same network as your TV. Some routers let you bridge networks in settings, but the simplest fix is to use the same Wi-Fi for both.

Does screen mirroring work over cellular, or do I need Wi-Fi?

You need Wi-Fi. AirPlay does not work over cellular data. Both your iPhone and TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for mirroring or casting to function.

Will mirroring drain my iPhone battery quickly?

Yes, screen mirroring uses more battery than normal because your iPhone is constantly sending video to the TV. If you are watching video or listening to music, use casting instead — it sends only the app content and uses much less power.

What if my Samsung TV is too old to have AirPlay and I do not want to buy Apple TV?

You can use an HDMI adapter that connects your iPhone to the TV's HDMI port, though this requires a cable and limits your movement. You can also try Samsung's SmartThings app for free, which works with some apps but is slower and less reliable than AirPlay.

Can I connect multiple iPhones to the same Samsung TV at the same time?

Only one device can mirror or cast at a time. If two people want to use the TV, one person must stop mirroring before the other can start. Some apps allow multiple users to control playback, but only one device can send video to the TV simultaneously.