How to Connect Phone to TV: Galaxy to Samsung TV

Last updated: October 2026

🕒 4 min read

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Want what’s on your phone showing on the big screen? Here is how to connect phone to TV when you have a Samsung Galaxy phone and a Samsung TV, following two Samsung US support pages: screen mirroring to your Samsung TV and connecting a Samsung TV in the SmartThings app. Samsung gives two routes, Smart View and SmartThings. Other phone brands and wired connections aren’t covered here.

What You Need Before You Start

Same Wi-Fi network: Samsung’s page says the devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network as the TV, and the TV must be turned on.
A possible TV setting: the page says some TVs may need you to switch inputs or turn on screen mirroring.
For the SmartThings route: the SmartThings app on your phone, with the TV and phone signed in to the same Samsung account.
Availability: Samsung says Smart View isn’t available on every device, and the screens and settings you see vary by wireless service provider, software version and device model.

How to Connect Phone to TV With Smart View

Samsung’s page says that on Galaxy devices, screen mirroring is called Smart View. It also says Smart View isn’t an app you download. It lives in the Quick settings panel.

Swipe down from the top right of the screen to open Quick settings, then tap Smart View.
Pick your TV from the Available devices list and tap Start now. If the TV asks for a PIN or for permission, enter the PIN or allow access.
Once connected, your phone’s screen shows on the TV.

To stop, tap the Smart View icon on your phone, then tap Disconnect.

How to Connect Phone to TV With SmartThings

Add the TV to SmartThings first

Samsung’s SmartThings page lists seven steps for adding a TV:

Turn on the TV, then open the SmartThings app on your phone.
Tap the Device tab, tap the Home icon, and choose the location where the TV will go. Tap Add (the plus sign), then Add device.
On the “By device type” tab, tap TV, then Samsung.
Tap TV again, then Start. Choose a location and room, then tap Next.
Select your TV from the list of available devices.
What comes next depends on the TV model. Older models may ask for a PIN, while on newer models you select OK on the TV screen.
When the TV has been added, rename it in the app and tap Done.

Then mirror your screen

Samsung’s mirroring page says to make sure the TV is on and connected to your SmartThings account first. Then:

Open the SmartThings app and select your TV.
On the TV’s settings page, tap More options (the three vertical dots), then Mirror screen (Smart View).
Tap Start now, and give the TV permission to access your phone if it asks.

Which Route Fits Your Setup?

Samsung’s Smart View steps don’t mention adding the TV to SmartThings first. The SmartThings steps start from the app, and Samsung’s mirroring page says the TV must be turned on and connected to your SmartThings account. Both routes include a Start now step.

If the Connection Doesn’t Work

Samsung’s mirroring page lists these fixes:

Permission: the phone may need permission from the TV. Restart both devices, try again and select Allow when the TV asks. Check for software updates too.
Screen keeps turning off: change Screen timeout in your phone’s settings so it stays on longer.
Image looks small: tap the Smart View icon, then More options (the three vertical dots), Settings and Phone aspect ratio. Samsung says most TVs look best at 16:9.
VPN error: if a VPN setting error appears, disconnect from the VPN.

What Samsung’s Pages Don’t Cover

Neither page lists which TV models or years work with these steps, and the mirroring page notes that availability varies by carrier, software and model. They don’t show a date, either.

The mirroring page also covers other devices, which this article leaves out. Wired connections aren’t covered by either page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I connect my phone to a Samsung TV?

For a Galaxy phone, Samsung’s page says to swipe down to Quick settings, tap Smart View, pick your TV and tap Start now. The other route is to add the TV in the SmartThings app and use Mirror screen (Smart View).

Does my phone need to be on the same Wi-Fi as the TV?

Yes, according to Samsung’s mirroring page, which says devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network as the TV for screen mirroring.

Is Smart View an app I have to download?

No. Samsung says Smart View isn’t an app you download and is found in the Quick settings panel. The SmartThings route does need the SmartThings app on your phone.