The fastest way depends on what TV and phone you have

Samsung phones connect to TVs through three main methods: wireless casting (the easiest for most people), HDMI cable with an adapter (the most reliable), or Samsung SmartThings (if you have a Samsung TV). Wireless casting works with almost any TV made in the last five years. HDMI adapters work with older TVs. SmartThings is fastest if both devices are Samsung.

The method you choose depends on whether your TV has built-in casting, how far your phone is from the TV, and whether you need a permanent connection or just occasional screen sharing. Most people start with wireless casting because it requires no cables and works when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Wireless casting (Miracast or Chromecast) works with most TVs made after 2018 and requires only that your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • HDMI adapters (USB-C to HDMI) let you connect any Samsung phone to any TV with an HDMI port, but cost $15 to $40 and require a cable.
  • Samsung SmartThings is the fastest method if you own a Samsung TV, but only works between Samsung devices.
  • Casting video plays smoothly, but casting games or apps with heavy graphics may lag depending on your Wi-Fi signal strength.

Wireless casting with Miracast or Chromecast

Most Samsung phones support Miracast, a wireless standard that works with LG, Sony, Hisense, TCL, and many other TV brands. To cast, open the Quick Settings panel on your phone (swipe down twice from the top), look for "Smart View" or "Wireless Display," tap it, and select your TV from the list. Your phone will ask for permission on the TV screen — select Allow. The connection takes about five seconds.

If your TV does not have Miracast built in, you can add it with a Chromecast device (a small stick that plugs into an HDMI port) or a similar adapter from Amazon, Roku, or another brand. Chromecast works the same way: open Quick Settings, tap "Cast," and select your Chromecast device. Chromecast costs $30 to $50 and works with any phone, not just Samsung.

Wireless casting works best when your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network and within 30 feet of each other. If the connection drops or lags, move closer to your router or check that both devices are connected to the same network band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).

HDMI adapter for a wired connection

If you want a permanent connection or your TV does not support wireless casting, use a USB-C to HDMI adapter. Most Samsung phones made after 2018 have a USB-C port. Plug the adapter into your phone, connect an HDMI cable to the adapter, and plug the other end into your TV. Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input, and your phone screen appears on the TV when ready.

HDMI adapters cost $15 to $40 depending on the brand and whether they include a cable. Popular options include Belkin, Anker, and Samsung's own adapter. The advantage of HDMI is that it never drops the connection and does not depend on Wi-Fi — your phone charges while connected if you use an adapter with a power input.

The disadvantage is that you have a cable running from your phone to the TV, which limits where you can hold your phone. HDMI is best for presentations, watching videos from your phone on a larger screen, or situations where you need a rock-solid connection.

Samsung SmartThings for Samsung TV owners

If you own a Samsung TV made after 2016, you can use the SmartThings app to cast without Miracast. Open SmartThings on your phone, tap the TV icon at the top, select your TV, and tap the cast icon. Your phone screen appears on the TV. SmartThings is faster than Miracast because it skips the pairing step — if your phone and TV are already connected to SmartThings, casting is one tap.

SmartThings also lets you control your TV from your phone (volume, channels, input) and set up automations (turn on the TV when you arrive home, for example). However, SmartThings only works between Samsung devices. If you have a Samsung phone and a non-Samsung TV, use Miracast or Chromecast instead.

Casting video, photos, and music

Once your phone is connected to your TV, you can cast video from YouTube, Netflix, or other apps. Open the app, tap the cast icon (usually in the top right corner), select your TV, and the video plays on the big screen while you control it from your phone. Your phone screen goes dark — you are not mirroring your entire phone, just the video.

You can also cast photos from your Gallery app or music from Spotify. In the Gallery app, open a photo, tap the three-dot menu, select "Cast," and choose your TV. In Spotify, tap the cast icon at the bottom of the now-playing screen. Casting music lets you control playback from your phone while the TV shows album art or a screensaver.

Casting is different from screen mirroring, which shows everything on your phone screen on the TV. To mirror your entire screen, use Smart View (Miracast) or the HDMI adapter. Casting individual apps is smoother because it sends only the video or audio, not your entire phone display.

Troubleshooting a connection that will not work

If your phone does not find your TV, first check that both are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your phone, go to Wi-Fi, and confirm the network name. On your TV, go to Settings, Network, and check the Wi-Fi name. If they do not match, connect your phone to the TV's network.

If they are on the same network but casting still does not work, restart both devices. Turn off your phone and TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on. Then try casting again. If that does not work, go to your TV's Settings, look for "Miracast" or "Screen Mirroring," and make sure it is turned on.

For HDMI adapters, make sure your TV is set to the correct HDMI input. Use your TV remote to switch inputs until you see your phone screen. If you see nothing, try a different HDMI cable or adapter — some are defective out of the box.

Casting games and apps with heavy graphics

Casting works well for video and photos, but games and graphics-heavy apps may lag over wireless. The lag happens because your phone is sending the entire screen image to the TV over Wi-Fi, which uses more bandwidth than casting a video file. If you play games on your TV often, use an HDMI adapter instead — it has no lag because the connection is wired.

If you must cast a game wirelessly, move your phone and TV closer to your router, or switch to the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band if your router supports it. 5 GHz is faster but has shorter range. You can also close other apps on your phone to free up processing power, though this helps less than a better Wi-Fi signal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special cable to connect my Samsung phone to my TV?

Only if you use an HDMI adapter. Wireless casting (Miracast or Chromecast) needs no cable. If you choose HDMI, you need a USB-C to HDMI adapter ($15 to $40) and an HDMI cable, which most people already have.

Can I cast to a TV that is not on the same Wi-Fi network?

No. Miracast and Chromecast both require your phone and TV to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you are away from home, use an HDMI adapter instead, or ask the TV owner to connect you to their network.

Will casting drain my phone battery?

Yes, casting uses more battery than normal use because your phone is sending video to the TV constantly. If you plan to cast for more than an hour, plug your phone into a charger. HDMI adapters with power input can charge your phone while you cast.

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

Use an HDMI adapter for a wired connection, or buy a Chromecast device ($30 to $50) and plug it into your TV's HDMI port. Chromecast adds wireless casting to any TV with an HDMI input, regardless of age.

Can I cast to multiple TVs at the same time?

No. Your phone can only cast to one device at a time. If you want to show the same content on multiple TVs, you would need to cast to each one separately, or use a different method like HDMI splitters (which require a cable setup).