Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.
How to AirPlay on a Samsung TV
Nothing beats watching videos or movies on a larger screen. Apple and Samsung products are among the most popular, so we know plenty of you are trying to use AirPlay on a Samsung TV. Keep reading to find out how this is done, and start watching in comfort in no time!
QUICK ANSWER
To use Airplay on a Samsung TV, ensure your Apple device and compatible Samsung TV are connected to the same network. Find the content you want to stream. Tap on the AirPlay button. In some apps, like Photos, you'll have to tap on the Share button first, and then select AirPlay. Find your Samsung TV on the list of supported devices and tap on it.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
What is AirPlay?
AirPlay is an Apple feature that allows users to share content with compatible devices. Think of it as the Apple version of Google Cast. If you’re watching a movie on an iPhone, iPad, MacBook, or any other Apple device, AirPlay makes it possible to send it over to a compatible TV or speaker easily. You can also do things like mirror your Mac computer to another screen.
There are currently two versions of this feature: AirPlay and AirPlay 2. AirPlay launched in late 2010 as a replacement for AirTunes, which launched in 2004. The upgraded AirPlay 2 came to be in 2017, and it’s the version of the feature most of you will be using these days.
The main difference between AirPlay and AirPlay 2 is that the latter iteration included extra features like playing music on multiple speakers simultaneously, improved audio quality, and Apple Home compatibility. Additionally, it made it possible to stream to more than Apple TV. In a way, we can thank this upgrade for being able to AirPlay on a Samsung TV at all.
Do Samsung TVs support AirPlay?
You can use AirPlay with smart TVs from plenty of large manufacturers. Samsung happens to be one of Apple’s main partners in this department, along with LG, Sony, and Vizio, among others. Most Samsung smart TVs released since 2018 have AirPlay 2 compatibility. Additionally, even smart computer monitors are graced by this capability. You can go ahead and see a complete compatibility list on Samsung’s page.
How to use AirPlay on a Samsung TV
Apple tries to make all its devices and services as user-friendly as possible, so using AirPlay on a Samsung TV isn’t too complicated. It’s just a matter of finding out where and how to access it.
First, enable AirPlay on your Samsung TV:
- Go to Settings or All Settings.
- Select General. If you’re using a 2023 model or the Freestyle projector, select Connection.
- Hit Apple AirPlay Settings.
- Turn on the feature.
How to use AirPlay:
- Ensure your Apple device and AirPlay-compatible Samsung TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- On your iPhone, find the content you want to stream.
- When playing it, tap on the AirPlay icon, which looks like an arrow pointing up at a square. In some apps, like Photos, you’ll need to tap on the Share button first.
- Select the Samsung TV from the list of compatible devices.
- You can tap on the same AirPlay button to stop streaming.
FAQs
AirPlay needs to be supported by all involved devices, as well as the app you’re using. Sadly, not many apps support this feature, but you can be sure all main Apple apps will.
Apple’s AirPlay supports a max resolution of 4K, but you can also stream as low as 240p.
AirPlay supports up to 16-bit 44.1 kHz lossless audio streaming.
Yes! If you want to use Apple’s AirPlay and don’t have a compatible smart TV, you can simply buy an Apple TV to add AirPlay functionality to it.
Are you having a hard time getting AirPlay to work? You can reach out to Apple Support for more help.