How to Connect iPhone to Samsung TV: AirPlay, HDMI, and Fixes

If you’re not sure which method to use, the best choice depends on your TV and what you want to do. AirPlay is the easiest option for most people, because it needs no cables and works well for photos, videos, and presentations as long as your Samsung TV supports AirPlay 2 and both devices share the same Wi-Fi network.

An HDMI connection is better if your TV is older, your Wi-Fi is unreliable, or you want a steady picture for a long movie or a work presentation, since it doesn’t depend on your network at all. If your TV doesn’t support AirPlay and you don’t want a cable, an AirPlay-capable streaming box or a mirroring app can fill the gap, though apps may add some delay

Whichever route you take, the steps below are written in the order you’ll need them, so you can follow along from your iPhone with the TV in front of you. Start with the compatibility check, then move to the method that fits your setup.

Before You Start: What Your iPhone and Samsung TV Need

If you want to know how to connect iPhone to Samsung TV, start by confirming two things: that the TV supports AirPlay 2, and that both devices are on the same network. Most failed attempts come down to one of these. Checking them takes a couple of minutes and can save you a lot of frustration later. Your iPhone also needs to be running a reasonably current version of iOS, which you can confirm under Settings > General > Software Update.

Check whether your Samsung TV supports AirPlay 2

Not every Samsung TV can receive an AirPlay signal. Support is built into many Samsung smart TVs from 2018 onward, but it depends on the specific model, and older sets don’t have it at all.

The quickest way to find out is to look in the TV’s own settings:

1. Using your Samsung remote, open Settings and go to All Settings.
2. Select Connections.
3. Look for Apple AirPlay Settings.

If that option is there, your TV supports AirPlay and you can turn it on from that screen. If it isn’t, there are two likely explanations. Either the model doesn’t support AirPlay 2, or the TV’s software is out of date and hasn’t received the feature yet.

Before ruling the TV out, update its software (usually under Settings > Support > Software Update) and look again. If the option still doesn’t appear, check your exact model against Samsung’s official AirPlay compatibility information. You can find your model number on the label on the back of the TV or in the TV’s Support settings under About This TV.

If the TV turns out not to support AirPlay 2, you can still connect your iPhone to the Samsung TV with a wired HDMI connection, covered later in this guide.

Put both devices on the same Wi-Fi network

AirPlay works by finding the TV on your local network, so your iPhone and Samsung smart TV must be on the same network to connect wirelessly. Mobile data won’t work, and neither will a different network in the same house.

On your iPhone, open Settings > Wi-Fi and note the network name. Then check the network the TV is using in its network settings, and make sure the two match. A TV connected by Ethernet cable to the same router also works.

If both devices look connected but the TV still doesn’t appear, check for these common causes:

• Guest networks: Many routers keep guest networks separate from the main network. A phone on the guest network can’t see a TV on the main one.
• Different bands: Some routers broadcast separate names for their 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This usually works fine, but if you have trouble, move both devices onto the same network name.
• VPN: An active VPN on your iPhone can interfere with local device discovery. Turn it off while you connect.
• Router isolation settings: Some routers have a setting that stops devices on the same network from seeing each other. If you’ve tried everything else, check your router’s settings.

Once both devices are on the same network, restarting the TV and your iPhone’s Wi-Fi connection often clears up any leftover glitches before you begin.

How to Connect Your iPhone to a Samsung TV Wirelessly With AirPlay

AirPlay is the simplest way to put your iPhone screen on a Samsung TV. You don’t need a cable, an adapter, or an extra app. The process has two parts: switch AirPlay on at the TV, then start Screen Mirroring from your iPhone. Make sure your TV supports AirPlay 2 and both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network first. Once that’s done, the whole process takes about a minute.

Turn on AirPlay on your Samsung TV

AirPlay needs to be enabled on the TV before your iPhone can find it. On many Samsung TVs it’s already on, but it’s worth checking.

1. Press the Home or Settings button on your Samsung remote.
2. Go to Settings > All Settings.
3. Select Connections.
4. Choose Apple AirPlay Settings.
5. Make sure AirPlay is turned On.

Menu names can vary slightly between model years. If you don’t see “All Settings”, look for a general settings menu and search for Connections from there. If Apple AirPlay Settings doesn’t appear at all, your TV may not support AirPlay 2, or its software may need an update. You can also follow Samsung’s official guide to mirroring an iOS device to a Samsung Smart TV to compare the steps for your exact model.

While you’re in this menu, you’ll also see options for how the TV handles connection requests, such as requiring a code. Leaving the defaults is fine for most households.

Start Screen Mirroring from your iPhone

Once AirPlay is on, the rest happens on your iPhone. First, open Control Center. The gesture depends on your model:

• iPhone X or later (no Home button): Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.
• iPhone SE (1st, 2nd, or 3rd generation), iPhone 8, or earlier (with a Home button): Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen.

Then:

1. Tap the Screen Mirroring icon, which looks like two overlapping rectangles.
2. Wait a moment for nearby devices to appear in the list.
3. Tap your Samsung TV by name.

If you have more than one TV or AirPlay device at home, the list will show all of them. Samsung TVs usually appear under the model name or whatever name you’ve given them in the TV’s settings.

After you select the TV, your iPhone screen should appear on it within a few seconds. The picture follows your phone, so rotating your iPhone to landscape will change the view on the TV too. This works well for videos, photos, and presentations. If you also want to save what’s on your screen while it’s mirrored, you can screen record on your iPhone from the same Control Center. This works well for videos, photos, and presentations. If you also want to save what’s on your screen while it’s mirrored, you can screen record on your iPhone from the same Control Center.

If your TV doesn’t appear in the list, don’t start changing settings yet. Go back to the compatibility and Wi-Fi checks above, then try again.

Enter the AirPlay code if your TV asks for it

Sometimes, as soon as you select your TV, a four-digit code appears on the TV screen. This is a security step that makes sure only someone in the room can connect. Type the code into the prompt on your iPhone and tap OK to finish connecting.

The code appears only on the TV screen, not on your iPhone. If you don’t see it, check the TV rather than your phone, since it can be easy to miss. The code is usually short-lived, so if it expires, select the TV again to get a new one.

Not every connection will ask for a code. If your iPhone connects straight away, you can skip this step.

Stop mirroring when you’re done

To end the connection, open Control Center again using the same swipe as before. Tap the Screen Mirroring icon, which will now show your TV as connected, and then tap Stop Mirroring.

Your iPhone’s screen will disappear from the TV right away and the TV will go back to whatever it was showing before. Closing the app you were casting from won’t necessarily end the mirroring, so use Stop Mirroring when you want to disconnect fully. This also stops notifications and other private content on your phone from appearing on a big screen. If you notice your iPhone isn’t ringing for incoming calls while you use it with the TV, a Focus or silent setting is a common cause, and our guide explains why your phone may not ring when someone calls you.

How to Connect Your iPhone to a Samsung TV With an HDMI Cable

A wired connection is the most dependable way to show your iPhone on a Samsung TV. It doesn’t rely on Wi-Fi, doesn’t need AirPlay support, and works on older Samsung TVs that have no wireless mirroring at all. It’s also a good choice if your Wi-Fi is weak or the wireless connection keeps dropping. All you need is an adapter that suits your iPhone, a standard HDMI cable, and a free HDMI port on the TV.

Choose the right adapter for your iPhone

The adapter you need depends on the charging port on your iPhone. Check the bottom edge of the phone, or look at the cable you normally charge with.

Your iPhone	Port	Adapter you need
iPhone 14 and earlier, plus iPhone SE models	Lightning	Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter
iPhone 15 and newer	USB-C	A USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable, or Apple’s USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter

A few points can save you a wasted purchase:

• The adapter only converts the connection. It has an HDMI port on one side that takes a regular HDMI cable, which then runs to the TV. Check that you have one at home, because many adapters are sold without it.
• iPhone 15 and newer use USB-C. Your old Lightning adapter won’t fit, and the old cables aren’t interchangeable.
• Cheap, unbranded adapters can be unreliable. Some work fine, but others produce no picture, flicker, or stop working after an iOS update. Apple’s own adapter is the safest choice. If you buy a third-party one, choose a well-reviewed brand and one that explicitly lists your iPhone model.
• Streaming apps may behave differently. Some apps use copy protection that can leave a black screen when you mirror through an adapter. If one app won’t display while everything else does, the app is the likely cause, not your setup.

Connect the cable and switch the TV input

Once you have the right parts, the setup takes less than a minute.

1. Plug the adapter into your iPhone’s charging port.
2. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the adapter.
3. Connect the other end to an HDMI port on the back or side of your Samsung TV. Note the number printed beside the port, such as HDMI 1 or HDMI 2.
4. Turn on the TV and press the Source button on your Samsung remote.
5. Select the HDMI input that matches the port you used.

Your iPhone’s screen should appear on the TV straight away, without any further steps on the phone. If the TV shows “No Signal”, the input is usually the cause: check that the number you selected matches the port you plugged into. Next, check that both ends of the cable are fully seated. If the picture still doesn’t appear, try a different HDMI port or cable, and confirm the adapter is compatible with your iPhone.

Many adapters have a second port for charging. Connecting your iPhone’s charger there keeps the battery topped up, which is helpful for longer videos or presentations, because mirroring can drain the battery faster than usual.

When you’re finished, just unplug the adapter from your iPhone. The TV will go back to showing no signal until you switch to another input. If you’re setting up a projector instead of a TV, our guide on how to connect a projector to a laptop explains the HDMI and input steps in a similar way.

Other Ways to Show Your iPhone on a Samsung TV

If your Samsung TV doesn’t support AirPlay 2 and you don’t want to use a cable, you still have a few options. They differ in quality and effort, so it helps to know what each one does well before you pick.

Add an AirPlay-capable streaming device. This is the most dependable workaround. An Apple TV box plugged into the TV’s HDMI port lets any iPhone mirror to it with the same Screen Mirroring steps as above. Some other streaming boxes and sticks, including certain Roku and Amazon Fire TV models, also support AirPlay. This varies by model, so check the specifications of the exact device before buying. The TV then acts only as a display, so the TV’s own age no longer matters.

Use a third-party mirroring app. Several apps on the App Store can send your iPhone screen to a Samsung TV without AirPlay. They usually work by sending your screen over your home Wi-Fi to a companion app or a web page on the TV, so both devices still need to be on the same network. Expect trade-offs:

• Some lag between your phone and the TV, which makes these apps less suited to gaming or fast-moving video.
• Free versions that limit mirroring time, add ads, or require a paid upgrade for full features.
• Extra setup on the TV, such as installing an app or opening a browser page.

Read recent reviews before installing anything, because apps change frequently. Be careful about what the app asks permission to access, since mirroring shows everything on your screen, including notifications. If you’re not sure which apps are actually worth keeping on your phone, our guide on what apps you should have on your phone can help you decide before you install more.

Cast from inside an app instead. If what you really want is to watch a video or play music, you may not need full mirroring. Many streaming services have their own Samsung TV app. Install it on the TV, sign in to the same account, and you can start the video straight from the TV, which usually gives better picture quality and doesn’t tie up your iPhone. This is often the best option for long movies.

Check Samsung’s own apps. Samsung’s SmartThings app can pair with your TV and works as a remote control on iPhone. Samsung’s apps and their iOS features have changed over the years, so check the current app description before relying on it for screen mirroring.

If you only need to mirror occasionally and your TV has a free HDMI port, a cable is still the simplest alternative. If you plan to mirror often, an Apple TV or another AirPlay-capable box is usually more convenient than an app. And if you want to share photos or files with a computer instead of a TV, you can learn how to connect your phone to a laptop..

Samsung TV Not Connecting to Your iPhone? How to Fix It

When AirPlay fails, the cause is usually something small: a setting that’s off, two devices on different networks, or a software glitch. Work through the fixes below in order, starting with the problem that matches what you’re seeing. Test the connection after each fix so you know which one worked.

Your Samsung TV doesn’t appear in the device list

If you tap Screen Mirroring and your TV never shows up, your iPhone can’t find it on the network. Check these in order:

1. Confirm AirPlay is on. On the TV, go to Settings > All Settings > Connections > Apple AirPlay Settings and make sure AirPlay is turned on.
2. Check the network. Your iPhone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. A guest network, a different network name, or an active VPN on your iPhone can all stop the TV from appearing.
3. Make sure the TV is awake. If the TV is in standby or has just been switched on, give it a minute to connect to Wi-Fi, then reopen the Screen Mirroring list.
4. Restart both devices. Turn off the TV, unplug it for about a minute, and plug it back in. Restart your iPhone as well, then try again.
5. Update the TV software. On the TV, check Settings > Support > Software Update. An outdated version can leave AirPlay options missing or unreliable.
6. Check the model. If Apple AirPlay Settings isn’t in the menu even after updating, your TV may not support AirPlay 2. In that case, use an HDMI connection or one of the alternatives covered earlier.

The AirPlay code doesn’t appear or doesn’t work

A four-digit code may be displayed on the TV screen when you first connect. If it doesn’t appear, or your iPhone rejects it, try these fixes:

• Look at the TV, not your iPhone. The code appears only on the TV screen. If the TV is showing a menu or another app in front of it, the code can be easy to miss.
• Enter it quickly and exactly. The code may expire. If it fails, tap your TV in the list again to generate a new one, then type it in right away.
• Try again from the start. Stop Screen Mirroring, wait a few seconds, and reselect your TV from Control Center.
• Restart the connection. If the code keeps failing, turn AirPlay off and on again in the TV’s AirPlay settings, then try again.

If you never see a code and the connection simply works, nothing is wrong. Not every connection asks for one.

Everything looks right but it still won’t connect

Sometimes the TV supports AirPlay, the settings are on, and both devices appear to share the same network, yet the connection still fails. When that happens, the cause is usually something less obvious:

• Reset the network connection on your iPhone. Turn Wi-Fi off and on in Control Center, or switch Airplane Mode on and off, then reopen Screen Mirroring.
• Restart your router. Unplug it for about 30 seconds and plug it back in. This clears temporary network faults that can block device discovery.
• Check your router’s settings. Some routers have a feature that stops devices on the same network from seeing each other (often called client or AP isolation). If it’s on, your iPhone won’t be able to find the TV.
• Move the devices to the same band. If your router broadcasts separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, connect both devices to the same one.
• Update your iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any pending update.
• Try one other thing: a different app. If mirroring works but a particular streaming app shows a black screen, the app may be blocking mirrored output, not your connection.

If none of these steps work, the most reliable option is a wired HDMI connection, which doesn’t depend on your network at all.

Final Thoughts

Connecting an iPhone to a Samsung TV is easier than most people expect once you know which method suits your setup. If your TV supports AirPlay 2 and both devices share the same Wi-Fi network, wireless mirroring is the quickest option: switch AirPlay on at the TV, open Control Center on your iPhone, choose Screen Mirroring, and pick your TV

For older sets, a weak Wi-Fi signal, or any time you want a steadier picture, an HDMI adapter and cable give you a dependable wired connection that doesn’t depend on your network at all. If neither suits you, an AirPlay-capable streaming box or a casting feature inside your streaming app can fill the gap.

Most connection problems have simple causes, such as AirPlay being switched off, the devices sitting on different networks, or a short-lived code that needs re-entering, and restarting your devices, updating the TV’s software, or checking your router settings usually resolves them. Take a couple of minutes to confirm compatibility and your network before you start, and you’ll save yourself most of the frustration. Once you’re connected, you can enjoy your photos, videos, and presentations on the big screen whenever you like.