Wi-Fi Direct on Samsung: How to Enable, Configure, and Use Without a Router

Technology Wi-Fi Direct allows devices Samsung (smartphones, tablets, TVs) exchange data directly—without a router, cables, or mobile internet. This is convenient for transferring photos, videos, and documents between devices or for displaying a phone's screen on Smart TVHowever, many users encounter difficulties when first connecting: devices don't "see" each other, the connection drops, or the transfer speed leaves much to be desired.

In this article you will find Current ways to enable Wi-Fi Direct on Samsung devices in 2026, step-by-step instructions for different models (including Galaxy S23, Tab S9 And QLED TVs), as well as solutions to common problems. Particular attention is paid to setting up security to prevent unauthorized devices from connecting to your network. If you've used Bluetooth for file transfers before, after reading this, you'll understand why Wi-Fi Direct is 10 times faster and more reliable.

What is Wi-Fi Direct and why is it needed on a Samsung device?

Wi-Fi Direct — is a wireless communication standard that allows two devices to create a direct access point (peer-to-peer), bypassing a router. The technology operates on frequencies 2.4 GHz And 5 GHz, supports encryption WPA2 and data transfer speed up to 250 Mbps (in theory). In practice, the speed depends on the device model and the distance between them.

On devices Samsung Wi-Fi Direct is used for:

• 📱 File transfers between smartphones, tablets or PCs (photos, videos, APKs, documents).
• 📺 Wireless connection to TV for screen sharing (Screen Mirroring) or viewing media files.
• 🎮 Game consoles (for example, connecting a gamepad Xbox or DualSense to the phone).
• 🖨️ Printing on printers without connection to the public network.

The main advantage over Bluetooth is high speed (up to 10 MB/s versus 1–2 MB/s for Bluetooth 4.0) and no file size limits. For example, video in 4K A 2GB file will be transferred in 3-5 minutes, while via Bluetooth it would take over an hour.

⚠️ Attention: On some models Samsung (For example, Galaxy A14 or Tab A8) the Wi-Fi Direct function may be hidden in the menu Additionally or be absent altogether. In this case, use the alternative - Quick Share (for file transfer) or Smart View (for broadcast on TV).

How to enable Wi-Fi Direct on Samsung smartphones and tablets

The process of activating Wi-Fi Direct on mobile devices Samsung depends on the firmware version One UIThe instructions below are for the latest versions (One UI 5.0–6.1). If you have an older version, the path to the settings may differ.

For One UI 6.0/6.1 (Galaxy S23/S24, Tab S9/S8, A54 and later):

1. Open Settings → Connections.
2. Tap on Wi-Fi, then click on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner.
3. Select Wi-Fi Direct.
4. Activate the slider at the top of the screen. The device will begin searching for available connections.

For One UI 5.0 and below (Galaxy S22, A73, Tab S7, etc.):

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Click Wi-Fi Direct (may be located in the section Additionally).
3. Enable the function and wait for the list of devices to appear.

If there is no item in the menu Wi-Fi Direct, try an alternative method:

Settings → Connections → More (⋮) → Wi-Fi Lab → Wi-Fi Direct

Once activated, your device will be visible to other devices within a 10-meter radius. To connect, select the target device from the list and confirm the connection on both screens.

Turn on Wi-Fi on both devices

Activate Wi-Fi Direct in Settings

Make sure the devices are within a 5-10 meter radius

Disable Airplane Mode (if enabled)

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Setting up Wi-Fi Direct on Samsung Smart TVs

On Samsung Smart TV (series QLED, Neo QLED, Crystal UHD Wi-Fi Direct is used to connect smartphones, laptops, or other TVs without a router. This allows you to broadcast your phone's screen (Screen Mirroring) or control the TV via the app SmartThings.

Instructions for Tizen OS (2018 models and newer):

1. Take the remote control and press the button Home (house).
2. Go to Settings (gear icon) → General → Net.
3. Select Wi-Fi Direct (on some models - Devices nearby).
4. Activate the function and wait for the devices to be searched for.

To connect your smartphone to TV:

1. Turn on your phone Wi-Fi Direct (see previous section).
2. From the list of available devices, select the name of your TV (for example, UE55QN90B).
3. Confirm the connection on both devices. A code may appear on the TV; enter it on your smartphone.

After successful connection, you will be able to:

• 📲 Broadcast your screen phone to TV via Smart View (in the notification bar).
• 🎵 Play music from a smartphone to TV speakers.
• 📁 View photos/videos from your phone on the big screen via the app Gallery.

⚠️ Attention: On TVs Samsung 2016–2017 years of release (for example, series KU6000) The Wi-Fi Direct function may not work reliably due to an outdated version TizenIn this case, use to broadcast your screen Miracast (in TV settings: Screen → Screencast).

Transferring files between phones

Broadcast your screen to TV

Connecting a gamepad or accessories

Printing on a printer

Other/I don't use-->

How to transfer files via Wi-Fi Direct on a Samsung device

Transfer files via Wi-Fi Direct to Samsung happens several times faster than via Bluetooth or instant messengers (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp). Below are step-by-step instructions for smartphones and tablets.

Step 1: Connect your devices

1. Enable Wi-Fi Direct on both devices (see section above).
2. On one of the devices (for example, Galaxy S23) select the second device from the list and confirm the connection.

Step 2: Transfer files

The method depends on the version One UI:

• 📂 One UI 6.0+: Open the app My files, select the files you need, click Share → Wi-Fi Direct → select the target device.
• 📱 One UI 5.0 and below: Use the app Quick Share (previously Samsung Share) or standard General access in the gallery.

Step 3: Receive files on the second device

A notification about the incoming file will appear on the receiving device. Click Acceptto save it to a folder Download or Wi-Fi Direct.

Transfer speed:

To speed up the transfer:

• 📶 Place devices at a distance no more than 1 meter from each other.
• 🔋 Make sure your battery is charged properly 30% (When the battery is low, the speed may drop).
• 🚫 Disable background applications that use the Internet (for example, YouTube or TikTok).

Screen Mirroring via Wi-Fi Direct

One of the most popular features of Wi-Fi Direct is Samsung is screencast to a TV or monitor. This allows you to view photos, videos, play mobile games, or give presentations on a large screen wirelessly.

How to enable Screen Mirroring:

1. Make sure Wi-Fi Direct is enabled on both devices (see previous sections).
2. On your smartphone, pull down the notification panel and tap the icon Smart View (or Screencasting).
3. Select your TV from the list. Samsung (For example, QN90C).
4. Confirm the connection on TV (you may be asked to enter a PIN code).

Common problems and solutions:

• 🔍 The TV is not located: Restart both devices and check if Wi-Fi Direct is enabled on the TV (Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct).
• 🎮 Image lag: Reduce the distance between devices or connect via 5 GHz (if supported).
• 🔊 No sound: On TV, check the sound source (Settings → Sound → Sound Source → TV Speaker).

For gaming consoles (eg. Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck) Wi-Fi Direct can also be used to connect a gamepad to your phone. To do this:

1. Turn on Wi-Fi Direct on your smartphone.
2. Put the gamepad into pairing mode (usually by holding the button Share + PS on DualSense).
3. Select the gamepad from the list of available devices.

⚠️ Attention: When sharing your screen via Wi-Fi Direct You cannot use mobile internet at the same time on your smartphone. If you need to maintain internet access, connect your TV to the router and use Google Cast or Miracast.

Why is Screen Mirroring slow?

Lag when sharing your screen via Wi-Fi Direct occurs due to:

1. Weak signal — walls or large distances (more than 5 meters) impair communication.

2. Background activity - other applications (such as downloads) take up bandwidth.

3. Video codecs - some TVs Samsung do not support hardware decoding H.265, which is why the video is in 4K may slow down.

Solution: Try lowering the screen resolution in the streaming settings or use a cable. HDMI for critical tasks (e.g. games).

Wi-Fi Direct Security: How to Avoid Unauthorized Access

Wi-Fi Direct creates a direct network between devices, which could theoretically be used by attackers to intercept data. However, Samsung implemented several levels of protection:

• 🔒 WPA2 encryption — all transmitted data is password protected.
• 🛡️ Connection confirmation — the user must approve the connection on both devices.
• ⏱️ Time limit — after the connection is broken, the devices “forget” each other (on some models).

How to further secure your connection:

1. Turn off Wi-Fi Direct after use (in the menu Wi-Fi Direct click Disable).
2. Do not connect to unknown devices (for example, with names like DIRECT-xx:xx:xx).
3. Update your device firmware to the latest versions One UI And Tizen vulnerabilities are closed.

If you suspect that someone has connected to your device without permission:

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct.
2. Click on the suspicious device and select Forget or Delete.
3. Turn on the mode Hidden (if available) to prevent your device from appearing on the public list.

On TVs Samsung You can limit your Wi-Fi Direct connection:

Settings → General → Network → Wi-Fi Direct → Security Settings → Enable PIN

Common Wi-Fi Direct Errors on Samsung Devices and Their Solutions

Even with proper setup, users still encounter issues when using Wi-Fi Direct. Below is a list of common errors and how to resolve them.

Additional tips:

• 🔄 If Wi-Fi Direct doesn't work after updating the firmware, follow these steps: reset network settings (Settings → General → Reset → Reset network settings).
• 📱 On smartphones Samsung With One UI 4.0 and below you may need to enable Developer mode and activate the option Debugging over Wi-Fi.
• 📺 On TVs Samsung 2015-2017 Wi-Fi Direct may conflict with DLNA. Turn it off. DLNA in the network settings.

If none of the above helps, check if your device supports Wi-Fi Direct. For example, on budget models (Galaxy M13, Tab A7 Lite) This feature may be disabled by the manufacturer.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to share internet from a phone to a laptop via Wi-Fi Direct?

No, Wi-Fi Direct is not designed for internet sharing. For that, use modem mode (Settings → Connections → Tethering & portable hotspot). Wi-Fi Direct creates only a local network between devices.

Why isn't there Wi-Fi Direct on my Samsung Galaxy A52?

In some regions (for example, on carrier-specific smartphones), this feature may be hidden. Try:

1. Enter the code into the telephone dialer *#0011# and check the availability of the option.
2. Update firmware to the latest version One UI.
3. Use an alternative - Quick Share or Nearby Share.

How to transfer files from Samsung to iPhone via Wi-Fi Direct?

iPhone doesn't support Wi-Fi Direct. Instead:

• Use AirDrop (but it only works between devices Apple).
• Install third-party applications, such as Send Anywhere or Snapdrop.
• Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network and use Local transfer V Google Photos.

Is it possible to connect headphones to a Samsung TV via Wi-Fi Direct?

No, for connecting wireless headphones (for example, Galaxy Buds) use BluetoothWi-Fi Direct is designed for data transfer between devices with screens (smartphones, TVs, PCs).

How to reset Wi-Fi Direct settings on a Samsung?

Follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings → General → Reset → Reset network settings.
2. Confirm the reset. This will delete all saved Wi-Fi networks, including Wi-Fi Direct settings.
3. Restart your device.

On TVs: Settings → Support → Self-diagnosis → Network reset.