How to Connect Samsung Phone to TV in 3 Easy Steps, With Photos

Smartphones allow you to view media on the go, but sometimes you want to show things off on a big screen. A common workaround is to use mirroring tools. However, there’s more than one way to connect Samsung phones to TV sets.

If you want to share a TikTok video with friends or cast Netflix on your TV without Wi-Fi, you can do that in minutes. Keep reading to learn the best methods to connect Samsung phones to TVs, including third-party alternatives.

How to Connect Samsung Phone to TV Wirelessly

The wireless option is an easy way to connect a Samsung phone to a television set. You’ll typically need to have access to Wi-Fi, not unless you have an unlimited data plan. With current Samsung phones, you can use two built-in features with Smart View and Wi-Fi Direct. On older devices, Smart View is called Quick Connect.

Before using these features, make sure your TV is “smart” and has a screen mirroring feature. This varies by manufacturer but is something you can find out about from the user guide or the TV settings menu.

Connect Samsung Phone to TV with Smart View

1. Locate Smart View

To get to the Smart View app, swipe down to access the notification bar on your phone. Look in the Quick Access panel for Smart View. Don’t see it? You can locate it using the search tool on your smartphone.

2. Choose a Device

With your smartphone and TV connected to the same network, tap on the Smart View icon. Give the new screen a moment to load, and you’ll see a list of available devices you can pair with your phone.

3. Connect to TV

Once you locate your TV on the list, tap it to start the connection. Follow any prompts that appear on the screen. If you want to change the aspect ratio, hide notifications, or ensure your phone stays awake, tap the 3-dot menu to access Smart View settings.

Connect Samsung Phone to TV with Wi-Fi Direct

Alternatively, you can use this method:

1. Access Settings

Go to Settings on your smartphone and tap on the Connections section. This pulls up your Wi-Fi network and other connectivity options for your device.

2. Connections

From this menu, tap on the section that says Wi-Fi. Now you’ll see a new screen that shows your current network along with any nearby networks. Make sure you are connected to the right network and select the 3-dot menu to find Wi-Fi direct.

3. Connect with Wi-Fi Direct

You should see a screenshot similar to the one below along with a list of devices you can connect to with your phone. Locate your TV and select it to begin the connection process.

In the following video, rizisuper demonstrates how easy it is to mirror a Samsung phone to a smart TV. While he’s using a Samsung Galaxy and a Samsung TV, this method should work with any Samsung phone and smart TV.

How to Connect Samsung Phone to TV with HDMI

Sometimes using a wireless network isn’t an option when you want to show off something from your phone on a TV set. It could be due to a poor connection, or you don’t have Wi-Fi at all. In either case, you can connect a Samsung phone to TV sets using an HDMI cable.

You’ll need to purchase a USB to HDMI adapter for this method. For newer Samsung phones, you’ll want their official cable or a suitable aftermarket option. If you have an older Samsung phone, make sure the cable has the same USC type as your charging cable.

Once you have the cable, hook one end into your phone and plug the HDMI end into an HDMI port on your television set. Change your TV input to match the HDMI port you’ve used, and you should see your screen mirrored to the screen.

Carrying around a cable isn’t ideal for sharing media on the go. A USB-C to HDMI adapter is an excellent way to watch Netflix without Wi-Fi on a TV and can make older sets considerably smarter.

Third-Party Streaming Apps

The last method we recommend as a way to connect Samsung phones to TVs is one that many Android users are already familiar with. You can use casting apps to send a slideshow of photos to your TV or stream videos you’ve taken with your phone.

Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ are great examples of streaming apps. With those apps, you need to press the “Chromecast” or streaming button that appears and choose your TV. Well, other streaming apps work the same way, and VLC is the best android app to stream videos stored on your smartphone.

VLC is free to download and can stream almost any type of media. The media player has been a staple with PC users for years, and the Android version has just as many features for streamers to enjoy. The interface is familiar if you’ve used the program, and the streaming features are top-notch.

Another app that folks overlook but with streaming capabilities is Google TV. It acts as an extension of Google Play’s TV and movie section and is where you can stream content you own on the platform or want to rent. There’s a remote and plenty of features to dig into. That said, it’s not for local media like VLC or Cast to TV from InShot.

The Wrap-Up

As you can see, Samsung allows users to cast content from their devices and connect to TVs in a variety of ways. They aren’t the only manufacturer to use streaming features with their smartphone, but they are one of the best to implement outside of Apple and their AirPlay system.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©diy13/Shutterstock.com.