Quick answer
- Make sure the phone and the TV are on the same Wi-Fi network (not a guest network) and the phone has no VPN running.
- Switch the TV fully on, then restart the app, the TV (unplug for 30 seconds) and, if needed, the router.
- Check that your phone is not denied in the TV's Device Connection Manager and that AP isolation is off on the router.
If your Samsung TV is not showing up on your phone, the phone and the TV are almost always on different networks, or something on the network blocks them from seeing each other. Put both on the same Wi-Fi network, turn off any VPN, restart the TV and check the router's guest and isolation settings.
When the phone can't find the Samsung TV, it does not matter whether you use a remote app, screen mirroring or casting: they all rely on the same local network discovery. Work through the fixes below in order. Most people are done after the first two.
Why your phone can't find your Samsung TV
- The phone and TV are on different networks (guest network, other band name, mesh node, mobile data).
- A VPN on the phone hides the local network.
- The TV is in standby or has lost its network connection.
- The phone was denied on the TV, so the TV ignores it.
- The router blocks devices from talking to each other (AP isolation).
- On recent Android versions, the app has no permission to look for devices on the local network.
Fix 1: Put the phone and TV on the same Wi-Fi network
On the TV, open the network status (usually Settings > General > Network > Network Status, or Settings > All Settings > Connection > Network on 2022 and newer models) and note the network name. On the phone, open Wi-Fi settings and compare.
2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network names
Many routers broadcast two names, such as "Home" and "Home-5G". These are usually the same network behind the scenes and work fine together. If the TV still doesn't appear, connect both devices to the exact same name to rule it out.
Guest networks and mesh systems
A guest network is designed to keep devices apart, so a phone on "Home-Guest" will not see a TV on "Home". Mesh systems are normally fine, but a separate extender with its own network name can split your home into two networks. Use one name for everything.
TV on an Ethernet cable?
That is fine. A TV connected to the router with a cable and a phone on the same router's Wi-Fi are on the same network. The problem only appears when the cable goes to a different router or a separate access point with its own network.
Allow local network access on the phone
Recent Android versions ask before an app may look for devices on your home network. If you tapped Don't allow, open the phone's Settings > Apps > Samsung TV Remote > Permissions, allow access to nearby or local network devices and search again.
Turn off VPN and mobile data fallback
Pause any VPN on the phone. Also check for features like "Switch to mobile data" or "Adaptive Wi-Fi": when Wi-Fi is weak, the phone quietly moves to mobile data and loses sight of the TV.
Fix 2: Check the TV is on and online
For the first connection, the TV has to be fully on, with the picture showing. Open any streaming app on the TV: if it loads, the TV is online. If not, reconnect the TV to Wi-Fi in the network settings first.
Fix 3: Restart in the right order
- Close the app completely and open it again. Search for the TV.
- Unplug the TV from the power socket for 30 seconds, plug it back in and switch it on. This clears the TV's network state better than the power button.
- Restart the router and wait about two minutes until all lights are stable, then reconnect the phone and search again.
Fix 4: Allow the phone in Device Connection Manager
When you connect a phone for the first time, the TV asks whether to allow it. If someone selected Deny, the TV keeps ignoring that phone. This is the most common reason a Samsung TV remote app is not connecting even though the TV is on the same network.
Device Connection Manager on a Samsung TV
- 2017–2021 models: Settings > General > External Device Manager > Device Connection Manager
- 2022 and newer models: Settings > All Settings > Connection > External Device Manager > Device Connection Manager
Open the device list, find your phone and change it to allowed, or delete it so the TV asks again next time. In the same menu, the access notification setting controls how often the Allow prompt appears.
Denied by mistake? Deleting the phone from the device list is the quickest reset. Connect again from the app and select Allow this time.
Fix 5: Turn off AP isolation on your router
AP isolation (also called client isolation, wireless isolation or "allow guests to see each other" turned off) blocks devices on the same Wi-Fi from talking to each other. It is common on guest networks, some mesh systems and public hotspots.
Log in to your router's app or admin page and look for these names under wireless or advanced settings. Turn the isolation off for your main network, save and reconnect both devices. The exact wording depends on the router brand.
Find your Samsung TV's IP address
Your router's device list helps you check that the TV is really on your network, and a fixed (reserved) address stops the TV from changing address after a router restart. To find the Samsung TV IP address, open Settings > All Settings > Connection > Network > Network Status > IP Settings on 2022 and newer models, or Settings > General > Network > Network Status > IP Settings on 2017–2021 models. Once the TV is added, the app also shows its IP address in the TV's device information.
Fix 6: Update the TV software
Outdated TV software can cause network bugs. Go to Settings > Support > Software Update and install any available update, then restart the TV and try again.
Troubleshooting table
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| TV never appears in the list | Different network or VPN | Fix 1 |
| TV appeared before, not now | TV in standby or lost Wi-Fi | Fix 2, then Fix 3 |
| TV appears but connection fails | Phone denied on the TV | Fix 4 |
| Allow prompt never shows | Phone on the denied list | Fix 4 |
| Works on home Wi-Fi, not on guest Wi-Fi | Guest isolation | Fix 1 or Fix 5 |
| Works only sometimes | Phone switches networks | Fix 1 (mobile data fallback) |
| TV asks for a PIN | 2014 or 2015 TV | Type the PIN shown on the TV in the app |
| App says "This TV is not supported" | Non-Samsung device, or a 2014–2015 TV that needs secure pairing | See the compatibility guide |
Still not working?
Go back over the setup steps once more with the TV fully on. If the TV still doesn't appear, email smartappcraft@gmail.com with your TV model, router brand and what you have already tried. Once you are connected, read how to use your Android phone as a Samsung TV remote and enable power on from your phone, so you can also try screen mirroring with sound.
Conclusion
A Samsung TV not showing up on your phone is nearly always a network issue. Check that both devices share one network with no VPN, restart the TV properly, make sure the phone is allowed in Device Connection Manager and switch off AP isolation. After that, the TV should appear in the list within seconds.
Frequently asked questions
Does the TV need to be on?
Yes. For the first connection the TV must be fully switched on, not in standby, so it can answer the search and show the Allow prompt. Later, if Power On with Mobile is enabled, the app can wake the TV from standby.
Can I connect with mobile data?
No. The phone finds and controls the TV over your local network. Turn on Wi-Fi on the phone and connect to the same network as the TV. Mobile data cannot reach devices inside your home network.
Why does it work sometimes and not other times?
Usually the phone switches between networks: a mesh node, a second band or a neighbour's open network, or it falls back to mobile data when Wi-Fi is weak. Turn off automatic network switching, forget networks you don't use and keep the phone on the same network as the TV.
Does a VPN block the connection?
Often, yes. Many VPN apps route all traffic through the VPN, so the phone cannot see devices on your local network. Pause the VPN or enable its option to allow local network access, then search for the TV again.