How to connect to a TV via Wi-Fi from a Samsung phone: 3 working methods

Wirelessly casting your smartphone's screen to a big-screen TV is a convenient feature that allows you to watch movies, play mobile games, or display photos without the hassle of wires. If you have a phone Samsung at the base Android and a TV with support Wi-Fi Direct or Miracast, the connection will only take a few minutes. However, not all users know how to properly configure the connection, especially if the device models were released in different years or operate on different protocols.

In this article, we will look at three main connection methods: through the built-in function Smart View (previously - Screen Mirroring), standard protocol Miracast and technology Wi-Fi DirectYou'll also learn how to troubleshoot common issues like no signal, frozen images, or sound problems. If your TV isn't Samsung, and, for example, LG or Sony Bravia, some of the instructions will still remain relevant - the operating principles of wireless technologies are universal.

Before you begin, check two key points: 1) Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (for some methods this is required). 2) The TV is in signal reception mode (usually called Screen Mirroring, Wi-Fi Direct or Miracast).

If any of these are not met, the connection may not be established.

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1. Connecting via Smart View (Screen Mirroring) is the easiest way

Function Smart View (in older models - Screen Mirroring) is a proprietary solution from Samsung, which allows you to mirror your smartphone's screen to your TV without third-party apps. It works on most of the company's devices, starting with Galaxy S6 and TV series QLED/Crystal UHD Released in 2016. The main advantage of this method is minimal setup and a stable connection.

To connect:

  • 📱 On your phone: Pull down the notification shade and find the icon Smart View (or Screen mirror). If it is not there, go to Settings → Connections → Smart View.
  • 📺 On the TV: open the menu (button Source or Home on the remote control), select Screen Mirroring (sometimes hidden in Settings → General → External devices).
  • 🔍 The name of your TV will appear in the list of available devices on your phone (for example, UE55KU6000). Tap on it.
  • ✅ Confirm the connection on both devices (you may need to enter a PIN code from the TV screen).

If your TV does not appear in the list, check:

  • 🔌 Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (for Smart View This is not always necessary, but is recommended).
  • 🔄 The TV is in the "Standby" mode. Screen Mirroring (sometimes it turns off automatically after 5 minutes of inactivity).
  • 📱 It's turned on on the phone Bluetooth (sometimes used for initial synchronization).

Both devices are turned on and unlocked.

TV in Screen Mirroring mode

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on the phone.

The devices are within a 5 meter radius of each other-->

⚠️ Attention: On TVs Samsung 2018 and older function Screen Mirroring can be called Wireless Display or Mirror ScreenIf you can't find the item in the menu, update your TV firmware via Settings → Support → Software Update.

2. Using Miracast for Universal Connection

Miracast — is a wireless image transmission standard supported by most modern TVs and smartphones, including SamsungUnlike Smart View, it is not tied to a brand, so it is suitable for connecting to TVs from other manufacturers (LG, Sony, Xiaomi). However, the method has its nuances: it requires support Wi-Fi Direct and may not work stably on older models.

Connection instructions:

  1. On TV:
    • Go to Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct (or Screen Mirroring → Miracast).
    • Activate connection standby mode (on some TVs you need to select Start searching for devices).
  • On the phone Samsung:
    • Open Settings → Connections → Other connection settings → Wi-Fi Direct.
    • Find the name of your TV in the list and tap on it.
    • Confirm the connection (you may need to enter the PIN code from the TV screen).

    If the connection is not established:

    • 🔄 Restart both devices.
    • 📶 Make sure the distance between your phone and TV does not exceed 10 meters, and there are no obstacles (walls, metal objects) in the way.
    • 🔧 Turn off power saving mode on your phone (Settings → Device Maintenance → Battery → Power Saving Mode), as it can block background processes.
    Problem Possible cause Solution
    The TV is not visible in the list of devices Disabled Wi-Fi Direct on TV Enable the mode in the TV settings
    The connection is lost after 10-20 seconds Weak Wi-Fi signal or interference Move the router closer or change the Wi-Fi channel
    No sound during broadcast The wrong audio source is selected on the TV. Check settings Sound → Sound Source
    The phone screen doesn't fit on the TV. Permissions mismatch Change the scale in the settings Smart View

    3. Connecting via Wi-Fi Direct (direct connection without a router)

    Wi-Fi Direct Allows you to connect your phone and TV directly, without a router. This is convenient if you don't have a home Wi-Fi network or it's unstable. The technology is supported by most devices. Samsung, Released after 2015, but may require additional settings.

    Step-by-step instructions:

    1. On TV:
      • Go to Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct.
      • Select Turn on and wait until the TV starts searching for devices.
  • On the phone:
    • Open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct.
    • In the list, find the name of the TV (for example, Samsung_UE65_TV) and tap on it.
    • Confirm the connection on both devices.
    • Once connected, start broadcasting via Smart View or a third-party application (eg LocalCast).

    Important: When using Wi-Fi Direct, your phone will not be able to access the internet via a mobile network or another Wi-Fi network at the same time. To access online content (YouTube, browser), you will need to disable Wi-Fi Direct.

    ⚠️ Attention: Some TV models Samsung (for example, series J 2016) may limit the data transfer speed Wi-Fi Direct, which is why the video is in resolution 4K will slow down. In this case, it is better to use Miracast or wired connection via HDMI.
    What should I do if Wi-Fi Direct doesn't find my TV?

    1. Make sure your TV is in the "Power" mode. Wi-Fi Direct (sometimes it is hidden in Settings → General → Network Settings).

    2. Restart both devices.

    3. Turn off the phone Adaptive Wi-Fi (Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → Advanced → Adaptive Wi-Fi), as it may interfere with a direct connection.

    4. If nothing helps, update the TV firmware via USB or a service center.

    4. Troubleshooting connection issues: errors and lags

    Even with proper settings, the connection may be unstable. Let's look at the most common errors and how to fix them.

    4.1. The TV is not visible in the list of devices

    Reasons and solutions:

    • 🔌 No power: Make sure the TV is turned on and not in standby mode.
    • 📶 Weak signal: Move the router closer or reduce the distance between devices.
    • 🔄 IP address conflict: Restart your router and try connecting again.
    • 📱 Outdated firmware: Update your TV and smartphone software.

    4.2. The image is slow or choppy

    This is a typical problem when streaming high definition video (1080p or 4K). To fix:

    • 🎞️ Reduce the video resolution on your phone before broadcasting (in the player settings).
    • 📶 Switch the router channel 5 GHz (if supported) - it is less loaded.
    • 🔌 Connect your TV to your router via Ethernet (if there is a port) to reduce the load on Wi-Fi.
    • 📵 Close background applications on your phone that consume the Internet (for example, downloads in Google Play).

    4.3. No sound during broadcast

    If there is a picture, but the sound is not transmitted:

    • 🔊 Check if the sound on your TV is muted (button Mute on the remote control).
    • 🎧 Make sure that headphones (Bluetooth or wired) are not connected to your phone.
    • 🔄 In the settings Smart View select Stream sound to your TV (if the option is available).
    • 📱 Restart the broadcast or reconnect your devices.

    5. Alternative connection methods (if Wi-Fi doesn't work)

    If you are unable to set up a wireless connection, consider these alternatives:

    5.1. Connecting via HDMI (with adapter)

    For phones Samsung with port USB-C (starting from Galaxy S8) you will need an adapter USB-C → HDMIThis method guarantees a stable, lag-free connection, but requires purchasing an adapter (costing from 500 rubles).

    How to connect:

    1. Insert the adapter into the port USB-C phone.
    2. Connect the adapter to the TV via HDMI-cable.
    3. On the TV, select the appropriate signal source (button Source on the remote control).

    5.2 Using Google Chromecast

    Device Google Chromecast (or its analogues, for example, Xiaomi Mi TV Stick) connects to HDMI-TV port and allows you to stream your screen via Wi-Fi. To do this:

    1. Connect Chromecast to the TV and set it up through the app Google Home.
    2. On the phone in the application (for example, YouTube or Google Photos) click the broadcast icon and select your Chromecast.

    5.3. Screen mirroring applications

    If built-in features don't work, try third-party apps:

    • 📱 ApowerMirror — supports broadcasting with sound, but requires installation on both devices.
    • 📺 LocalCast — allows you to stream local files (photos, videos) without duplicating the entire screen.
    • 🎮 TeamViewer QuickSupport - suitable for remote assistance, but not for multimedia.
    ⚠️ Attention: When using third-party screen mirroring apps, there may be a lag of up to 1-2 seconds. This is critical for gaming or watching movies—it's best to use Smart View or HDMI.

    6. Optimize your connection for games and videos

    If you plan to stream to TV mobile games (For example, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact) or watching movies in high definition, a regular Wi-Fi connection may not be enough. Here's how to improve quality:

    6.1 Router settings

    • 📶 Switch to range 5 GHz (less congested, higher speed).
    • 🔄 Turn on the mode WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia) in the router settings to prioritize multimedia traffic.
    • 📡 Place the router closer to the TV or use Mesh system to enhance the signal.

    6.2. Phone settings

    • 📱 Turn on the mode Game accelerator (Settings → Device Maintenance → Battery → Game Mode).
    • 🔋 Disable background optimization for the app Smart View (Settings → Apps → Smart View → Battery → Optimize battery usage → Disable).
    • 🎮 Reduce in-game graphics settings (resolution, FPS) to reduce CPU load.

    6.3. TV settings

    • 📺 Turn on the mode Game (Settings → General → Picture Mode → Game) to reduce input lag.
    • 🔊 Disable image post-processing (Settings → Sound and Picture → Dynamic Contrast), as it adds lag.
    Content type Recommended connection method Optimal settings
    Movies (Full HD, 4K) Wi-Fi 5 GHz or HDMI Bitrate: 20-50 Mbps, codec: H.265
    Mobile games HDMI or Wi-Fi Direct Latency: <50ms, FPS: 60Hz
    Photos Smart View or Miracast Resolution: original, uncompressed
    Video calls (Zoom, Skype) Wi-Fi 5 GHz Bandwidth: >10 Mbps

    7. Device compatibility: which models are supported

    Not all phones and televisions Samsung Work equally well with wireless broadcasting. Here are the main compatibility criteria:

    7.1. Samsung phones

    Function Smart View available on all flagships starting from Galaxy S6 (2015), and most mid-range models (Galaxy A, Galaxy M). Full list of supported devices:

    • 📱 Series Galaxy S: S6 and newer (including S23 Ultra).
    • 📱 Series Galaxy Note: Note 5 and newer.
    • 📱 Series Galaxy A: A5 (2016) and newer.
    • 📱 Series Galaxy M: all models.
    • 📱 Series Galaxy Z (folding): all models.

    On phones older than 2015 (Galaxy S5, Note 4) Smart View may be missing. In this case, use Miracast or third-party applications.

    7.2. Samsung TVs

    Wireless streaming is supported on TVs released after 2014. The exception is budget models of the series. J (For example, UE32J4000), where it may be absent Wi-Fi DirectFull support is available from:

    • 📺 Series QLED: all models (2017–2026).
    • 📺 Series Crystal UHD: 2020 and newer.
    • 📺 Series The Frame, The Serif, The Terrace: all models.
    • 📺 Series KU, MU, NU, RU: 2016 and newer.

    For TVs from 2012–2014 (E, F, H series) a firmware update or the use of an adapter may be required Samsung WIS12ABGNX (Wi-Fi module for older models).

    ⚠️ Attention: On TVs Samsung with the operating system Tizen versions below 3.0 (released before 2017) may not be supported MiracastCheck the software version in Settings → Support → About TV.

    8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    Is it possible to connect a Samsung phone to a TV of another brand (LG, Sony)?

    Yes, but the connection methods will differ. For TVs LG use technology Miracast or application LG TV Plus. For Sony Bravia - function Screen Mirroring or Google CastThe main thing is that both devices support one of the wireless broadcast protocols.

    Why is there no sound when connecting via Smart View?

    This is a typical problem if the phone is in sleep mode. Do not disturb or Bluetooth headphones are connected. Check:

    1. Turn off all Bluetooth devices.
    2. Make sure that in the settings Smart View option selected Stream sound to your TV.
    3. Restart the broadcast.

    If the sound still does not appear, try a different connection method (for example, HDMI).

    How to reduce lag when streaming games?

    Latency occurs due to Wi-Fi signal processing. To reduce it:

    • Use wired connection through HDMI (with adapter USB-C → HDMI).
    • Switch the router to the range 5 GHz.
    • Close all background apps on your phone.
    • Reduce the graphics settings in the game (resolution, shadows, effects).

    The minimum delay in a wireless connection is about 50 ms (for comparison: HDMI — 10-20 ms).

    Is it possible to broadcast your phone screen to TV without internet?

    Yes, use it for this Wi-Fi Direct or MiracastThese technologies create a direct connection between devices without a router. However, keep in mind that while broadcasting, the phone will not be able to access the internet via a mobile network (if the function is not supported). Dual connection).

    Why does my TV turn off Screen Mirroring after a few minutes?

    This is related to energy saving settings. To fix:

    1. On the TV, go to Settings → General → Power Saving and turn off the sleep timer.
    2. In the settings Screen Mirroring select Always on (if the option is available).
    3. Update your TV firmware - this has been fixed in new versions.