What Screen Mirroring is and how do I use it with my 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 TV's manufactured from 2016 onwards. If your TV was made before this, try connecting with the Smart View app instead.

Step 1. Connect your Samsung smart TV and your device to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 2. Download the SmartThings app onto your device.

Step 3. Open the SmartThings app.

Step 4. Tap Add Device.

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.

Step 5. Select your TV or Scan your TV nearby.

Step 6. Tap on your TV and connect to your device.

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.

Step 7. Tap on your connected TV and tap More Options.

Step 8. Select Mirror Screens (Smart View).

The Samsung Smart View app lets you enjoy content stored on your mobile and PC on your Samsung Smart TV. You can also control the TV, using your device as a second remote.

Step 1. Connect your device/PC and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 2. Scroll down Quick Panel on your phone, and turn on Smart View.

Step 3. You will be shown all available devices. Tap on your TV.

Depending on your device you will be asked to allow the connection or enter a PIN code.

Step 4. Select My Photos, My Videos or My Music.

Step 5. Select the content that you wish to play on the TV.

Your device and TV are now connected. This connection will be remembered and established everytime you open the Smart View app. You can now control your TV through the Smart View app and play content from your device. 

If the mirroring image is small on the screen, you can change the aspect ratio.

Step 1. Go to Smart View > Tap on More Options (three vertical dots).

Step 2. Tap Settings > Phone aspect ratio.

Step 3. Select Full screen on connected device to make it a full screen. 

Viewing photos and videos via AirPlay

Step 1. Open the Photos app.

Step 2. Find the photo or video you wish to share.

Step 3. Tap the share icon in the bottom left of the screen.

Step 4. Tap AirPlay.

Step 5. Tap the TV you wish to connect to.

Step 6. If prompted, enter the code shown on the TV on your Apple device.

Playing audio via AirPlay

Step 1. Open the music player on your Apple device.

Step 2. Select a song.

Step 3. Tap the Airplay icon.

Step 4. Tap the TV you wish to connect to.

Step 5. If prompted, enter the code shown on your TV on your Apple device.

Finding AirPlay settings

Step 1. Go to Settings.

Step 2. Navigate to General.

Step 3. Select Apple AirPlay settings.

All recent Samsung smartphones and tablets have an inbuilt feature that allows you display your screen on TV's with a Wi-Fi connection. This connection is established using Wi-Fi direct technology and requires the feature to be enabled on both your TV and device.

Turn on screen mirroring on your TV

The process of turning on screen mirroring will vary depending on the device you are using and the TV you are connecting to. You can find the feature in one of three places.

Older models: Press the Source button, then select the Screen Mirroring source option.

Newer models: Select Menu on your remote then navigate to: Network, then Screen Mirroring

Most recent models will allow you to save a device list in order to view and manage connected devices within the TV. You can do this in the Settings menu at: General > External Device Manager > Device Connection Manager > Device List

Turn on screen mirroring on your device

Step 1. Pull down from the top of the screen to display your quick settings.

Step 2. Tap on Smart View or Quick Connect.

Your device will now scan for all devices which it can connect to. Make sure that the TV your wish to connect to has screen mirroring enabled.

Step 3. Tap on the TV that you want to connect to.

Step 4. As a security feature a PIN may appear on screen. Enter the PIN on your device to confirm the connection.

Quick Connect is a screen mirroring feature on Samsung devices that uses the Android Marshmallow operating system (Android version 6.0) and below. If you're using a more recent version of Android, you can connect using screen mirroring, Smartview or SmartThings instead. 

Your TV will need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your device and screen mirroring will need to be enabled. Follow the steps in Connecting using Wi-Fi Direct to see how to prepare your TV for connections.

Step 1. Pull down from the top of the screen to display your quick settings

Step 2. Tap Quick Connect or Search phone and scan for nearby devices

If this is your first time using Quick Connect you may be asked to update it.

Step 3. Tap ENABLE QUICK CONNECT

Step 4. If the option appears on screen, tap Scan for nearby devices

Step 5.  Tap the device you want to connect to

Your device and TV will now be connected and content can be played from your device on your TV.

To share content, first, find the files you want to view on your device.

Step 1. Tap the share icon

Please note: If the share icon is not available please tap the menu icon. It will appear as three dots in the upper right corner. Then tap Share via.

Step 2. Tap Quick connect or Transfer files to device

Step 3. Your TV may request that you allow the connection. Tap Agree, Allow or OK

Tap View function is a new feature in 2020. Just tap the TV with your phone and it will be mirrored. 

Settings to be prepared in advance

Check if the TV's Smart View function is turned on (Settings > General > External Device Manager > Device Connect Manager > Access Notification). 

How to set up Tap View on your phone

Step 1. On your phone, open the mobile SmartThings app, and tap Menu icon. (the three horizontal lines)

Step 2. Tap Settings icon, and then navigate to Tap view, Tap sound. Tap the switch to turn it on.

Step 3. Bring your phone closer to the TV, and then tap the Allow phone presence detection notification when it appears on your phone screen.

If you're having difficulty connecting wirelessly, you can try using a HDMI adaptor to connect your device to your TV. Official Samsung HDMI adaptors are sold seperately 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.

Step 1. Connect a HDMI cable to the HDMI adaptor.

Step 2. Connect the other end of the HDMI cable to a HDMI port on your TV.

Step 3. Connect the HDMI adaptor to the USB port on your device.

Step 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.

Step 1. Connect your device and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 2. Download the compatible app to your device and TV.

Step 3. Login or create an account. Sign into the same account on both your TV and device.

Step 4. Open the content you want to watch through your device.

Step 5. Tap the Cast icon.

Step 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.