How to Share Internet from a Samsung Phone to a Samsung TV: 3 Proven Methods

Connecting a TV Samsung Smart TV Connecting to the internet via a smartphone is a convenient solution when you don't have a router or cable connection at hand. This method allows you to stream video from YouTube, Netflix or OKKO directly to the big screen, without using up your TV's mobile data (if it supports a SIM card). However, not all users know that for stable operation, they need to set it up correctly. access point on your phone and select the optimal data transfer protocol.

In this article, we will look at three main methods of distributing Wi-Fi: via mobile hotspot, technology Wi-Fi Direct and function Screen Mirroring (Miracast). We'll pay special attention to the nuances of compatibility—for example, why TVs Samsung series QLED 2020–2023 may not see the access point on smartphones with Android 13+, and how to fix it. You'll also learn how to check your connection speed and avoid dropouts when streaming. 4K HDR.

1. Preparing your Samsung phone for Wi-Fi sharing

Before setting up a hotspot, make sure your smartphone supports the function. mobile hotspotOn most models Samsung Galaxy (starting from Galaxy S8 And Note 8) this option is available by default, but on budget devices (for example, Galaxy A12 or Galaxy M21) there may be restrictions from the telecom operator.

To activate the hotspot:

1. Open Settings → Connections → Mobile hotspot & tethering.
2. Tap on the item Mobile hotspot.
3. Turn on the slider and configure the network settings:
   • 🔄 Network name (SSID): Specify a unique name (eg. Samsung_Hotspot_5G).
   • 🔒 Security type: select WPA2-PSK (the safest option).
   • 📶 Frequency range: for TVs Samsung better to use 2.4 GHz (5GHz may not be supported by older models.)

Please note operator restrictions: some tariffs (for example, MTS "For Laptop" or Beeline "Unlimited for everything") block internet distribution or limit the speed to 10 MbpsTo check this, connect another phone to the hotspot and run a speed test on Speedtest.net.

2. Method 1: Connecting via a mobile hotspot

This is the most universal method that works on all TVs. Samsung Smart TV (including models Crystal UHD, The Frame And QLED). The main advantage is a stable connection if the phone supports it. Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or newer. However, this method has a drawback: the TV and phone must be no more than 5–7 meters, otherwise the speed will drop below 5 Mbps.

Connection instructions:

1. Open on your TV Settings → General → Network → Open network settings → Wireless.
2. Select a name for your access point (e.g. Samsung_Hotspot_5G) and enter the password.
3. Wait for the message "Connected to the Internet"If an error occurs "Restricted Access", restart your phone and TV.

Make sure your phone is in the "On" mode. Always-on mobile internet (in SIM card settings)|

Turn off battery saver (it may turn off hotspot in the background)|

Check that the VPN is disabled on the TV (it may block access to the local network)|

Place your phone closer to the TV (preferably at the same height)-->

Important: Samsung TVs series TU7000 and older (2020 and newer) automatically switch to the 5 GHz band if available. If your phone only broadcasts on 2.4 GHz, manually select this band in the access point settings.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (eg. Disney+ or Ivi) may block streaming via mobile hotspot due to DRM restrictions. In this case, use Wi-Fi Direct (method 2).

3. Method 2: Using Wi-Fi Direct to connect directly

Wi-Fi Direct — is a technology that allows devices to connect directly without a router. It's useful if you need to transfer files or mirror your phone's screen to a TV without internet access. However, for streaming online content (for example, YouTube or Twitch) this method is not suitable - the TV will not have access to the network.

How to set up Wi-Fi Direct:

1. On TV: Settings → General → Network → Wi-Fi Direct.
2. On the phone: Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct (on some models the path may differ: Settings → Advanced Features → Wi-Fi Direct).
3. Select the name of your TV from the list of available devices and confirm the connection on both screens.

TV model	Wi-Fi Direct support	Max. transfer rate
Samsung QLED Q90C (2023)	Yes	up to 866 Mbps
Samsung Crystal UHD TU8000 (2020)	Yes	up to 300 Mbit/s
Samsung The Frame LS03B (2021)	Yes	up to 433 Mbps
Samsung Series 6 UN50JU6400 (2015)	No	—

If the TV doesn't find the phone, try:

• 🔄 Restart both devices.
• 📱 Turn off on your phone Adaptive Wi-Fi (chapter Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → Advanced).
• 🖥️ Update the firmware on your TV (path: Settings → Support → Software Update).

Why might Wi-Fi Direct not work?

On TVs Samsung 2016-2018 releases, the Wi-Fi Direct function often conflicts with the enabled BluetoothTry disabling Bluetooth on your phone before connecting. The problem could also be firmware related: some updates from Samsung disable support for legacy protocols (for example, WPA-TKIP).

4. Method 3: Screen Mirroring (Miracast) for screen broadcasting

Screen Mirroring (or Smart View on phones Samsung) allows you to duplicate your smartphone screen on your TV using technology MiracastThis method is convenient for viewing photos, presentations, or games, but it has two key limitations:

1. Support needed Miracast on both devices (on TVs Samsung it's been there since the model F-series 2013).
2. The image delay can reach up to 100–200 ms, which is critical for dynamic games or videos.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. On TV: Source → Screen Mirroring (or Settings → General → External devices → Screen Mirroring).
2. On your phone: Pull down the notification panel and tap the icon Smart View (or Screen sharing).
3. Select the name of your TV from the list.

If the image slows down or breaks:

• 🎮 Reduce your phone's screen resolution to Full HD (1920×1080) in the display settings.
• 📶 Switch your phone's access point to a range 5 GHz (if the TV supports it).
• 🔋 Connect your phone to a charger - if the battery level is low (20%) Samsung Automatically reduces Wi-Fi performance.

5. Solving common problems

Even with proper setup, users still encounter common errors. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If none of the methods work, check:

• 📱 Android version: on Android 12+ Local Area Network permission may be required (section Settings → Apps → Special access → Local network access).
• 📺 TV firmware: Models older than 2018 may require manual update via USB.
• 🔌 Power supply: some phones (eg Galaxy S22 Ultra) turn off the access point when powered by a weak adapter (<10W).

⚠️ Attention: On TVs Samsung with the operating system Tizen versions below 5.5 (released before 2020) may not support modern security protocols (WPA3). In this case, use WPA2-PSK or update the firmware.

6. Optimizing connection speed and stability

To avoid lags or connection drops while streaming, follow these recommendations:

For phone:

• 📶 Turn off Automatic Wi-Fi switching (chapter Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → Advanced).
• 🔋 Activate the mode Maximum performance (in battery settings).
• 🛑 Close background apps that consume data (for example, TikTok or Instagram).

For TV:

• 📡 Disable it in your network settings Smart Wi-Fi Switch.
• 🔄 Select a fixed DNS (e.g. 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1) in manual network settings.
• 🖥️ Update firmware via Settings → Support → Software Update → Update Now.

To check your actual connection speed:

1. On your TV, open your browser and go to Speedtest.net.
2. Compare the results with the data on your phone (run the test on both devices simultaneously).
3. If the speed on the TV is lower 30% or more, try changing the Wi-Fi channel in the access point settings (optimal channels for 2.4 GHz: 1, 6, 11).

7. Alternative connection methods

If Wi-Fi sharing isn't an option, consider these options:

1. Connecting via USB cable (USB tethering)

Some TVs Samsung (For example, QLED Q80T or The Serif) support internet connection via a USB port. To do this:

1. Connect your phone and TV with a cable USB-C → USB-A.
2. On your phone, select the mode USB modem in the settings Mobile hotspot and modem.
3. On TV in the section Network → Wired a new connection should appear.

2. Using a Wi-Fi → Ethernet adapter

If your TV has a port LAN, but there is no router, you can buy an adapter (for example, TP-Link UE300) and connect your phone to it via USB, and the adapter to your TV via Ethernet. This method provides the most stable speed (up to 1 Gbps), but requires additional costs.

3. Streaming apps (DLNA)

Apps like LocalCast or BubbleUPnP Allow you to stream video from your phone to your TV over a local network without sharing the internet. However, they only work with files stored on the device and are not suitable for online services.

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to share Wi-Fi from a Samsung phone to a TV of another brand (LG, Sony, Xiaomi)?

Yes, but there may be protocol compatibility issues. For example, TVs LG With webOS often don't see access points with WPA3, A Sony Bravia requires manual entry of IP address when connecting via Wi-Fi DirectFor stable operation, use WPA2-PSK and range 2.4 GHz.

Why don't some apps (like Netflix) work on my TV when I share Wi-Fi?

This is related to DRM protection (content encryption). Services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video Block playback on devices connected via a mobile hotspot if:

• The phone uses VPN or proxy.
• The operator applies CG-NAT (public IP address).
• The TV has an outdated version. Widevine (update firmware).

Solution: Connect your TV to your router or use Smart DNS (For example, Unlocator).

How do I share Wi-Fi from a Samsung phone if my carrier blocks this feature?

There are several workarounds:

1. Use a tethering app (For example, PdaNet+ or ClockworkMod Tether). They bypass operator restrictions, but require root rights.
2. Connect via Bluetooth (the speed will be low - up to 3 Mbps, but it's enough for instant messengers).
3. Buy a USB modem (For example, Huawei E3372) and insert the SIM card into it.

Please note: bypassing blocking may violate your plan terms. Check with your operator for details.

Is it possible to share internet from a phone to a Samsung TV and use the internet on the phone at the same time?

Yes, but the speed will be split between devices. For example, if your plan allows 50 Mbps, That:

• When used simultaneously on a phone and TV, each will get one ~20–25 Mbps.
• If the phone is running YouTube in 4K (~15 Mbps), the TV will remain ~10 Mbps (enough for Full HD, but not for 4K HDR).

To prioritize traffic for your TV, turn off background refresh on your phone or use apps like NetGuard to block unnecessary connections.

Which Samsung phone models are best for sharing Wi-Fi with a TV?

For stable distribution, we recommend smartphones with support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and function Dual Band (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz):

• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (maximum speed up to 1.2 Gbps).
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 (supports Wi-Fi Direct 2.0 for fast data transfer).
• Samsung Galaxy A54 5G (optimal price/quality ratio for distribution).

On budget models (for example, Galaxy A14 or Galaxy M33) speed is limited 300 Mbps, which may not be enough for 4K streaming.