Smart View App: What Replaced It + the Best Alternative
Looking for the Smart View app and can't find it? That's because Samsung discontinued it in October 2020. The name now refers only to the screen-mirroring toggle on Galaxy phones, while the app's features were folded into SmartThings — and neither does the thing many people actually used Smart View for: playing web videos on a Samsung TV. Here's exactly what changed, what still works, and the free alternative that fills the gap from Android and iPhone.
Smart View in 2026 — the short version
- The Smart View app: discontinued October 2020, gone from both stores.
- TV remote & device features: moved to the SmartThings app.
- "Smart View" on Galaxy phones today: the screen-mirroring toggle in quick settings — still works, Galaxy-only.
- Watching web videos on the TV: the gap none of the above fills — use a casting browser like CastBrowser (free, Android & iPhone).
Cast web videos to your Samsung TV from Android or iPhone — free, no account.
What Happened to the Smart View App?
The standalone Smart View app let you control a Samsung TV, beam photos and local videos to it, and use the phone as a second screen. Samsung retired it on October 5, 2020, pulling it from Google Play and the App Store, and pointed users to SmartThings. Anyone searching for "smart view app" today lands in a confusing spot: the app is gone, but Samsung kept the name alive for a different feature — the screen-mirroring toggle on Galaxy phones.
Smart View the App vs. Smart View the Feature
These get mixed up constantly, so here's the clean split:
- Smart View (feature, current): swipe down on any Samsung Galaxy phone → quick settings → Smart View. It mirrors your entire phone screen to a Samsung TV or Miracast receiver. Works, but it's screen mirroring: compressed picture, lag, notifications on the TV, and heavy battery drain. Galaxy phones only.
- Smart View (app, discontinued): the 2020-retired app whose remote and media-sharing duties moved to SmartThings. SmartThings is a good TV remote and device manager — but it isn't a browser and doesn't play web videos on the TV.
If Smart View mirroring itself is misbehaving — TV not found, black screen, stutter — the causes and fixes are in our screen mirroring not working guide.
The Best Smart View App Alternative for Video: Cast, Don't Mirror
Most people hunting for the old app want one thing: get this video from my phone onto my Samsung TV. For that, casting beats mirroring on every axis. CastBrowser is a free browser with a built-in ad blocker that detects the video on any web page and sends the stream itself to the Samsung TV over DLNA — the receiver already built into every Samsung Tizen TV since 2015. No dongle, no TV-side app, no Galaxy requirement.
| Smart View (mirroring) | SmartThings | CastBrowser | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works on iPhone | No | Yes (remote only) | Yes |
| Plays web videos on the TV | Mirrored, compressed | No | Yes — native full quality |
| Phone usable during playback | No — screen mirrored | — | Yes, screen can lock |
| Other TV brands (Roku, LG, Fire TV…) | Miracast only | Samsung ecosystem | Yes — 6 protocols |
| Price | Built in | Free | Free, no account |
Fair caveats: DRM-protected streaming services can't be cast by any third-party app — use the TV's own app for those. And for demoing apps or playing mobile games on the TV, mirroring is genuinely the right tool.
One free app for Samsung, LG, Roku, Fire TV & Chromecast — get CastBrowser.
How to Cast to a Samsung TV Without Smart View
- Install CastBrowser (free) on your Android phone or iPhone.
- Connect the phone and the Samsung TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open any compatible website in CastBrowser and start the video.
- Tap the cast icon and pick your Samsung TV from the list.
- The TV plays the stream natively — your phone becomes the remote.
On 2015–2017 Samsung models, enable DLNA first under Settings → General → Network. The full walkthrough, including AirPlay notes for iPhone and troubleshooting, is in how to cast to a Samsung TV. Comparing other Samsung casting apps? See the Video & TV Cast for Samsung alternative comparison.
Ready in step 1 — install CastBrowser free and cast to your Samsung TV now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Samsung Smart View app?
Samsung discontinued it on October 5, 2020 and removed it from both app stores. Remote-control and media features moved to SmartThings; the "Smart View" name now refers to the screen-mirroring toggle built into Galaxy phones.
What replaced the Smart View app?
SmartThings for remote control and device management, the built-in Smart View toggle for screen mirroring — and for playing web videos on the TV, a casting browser like CastBrowser, which sends the video stream itself to the Samsung over DLNA.
Is there a Smart View app for iPhone?
Not anymore — the old standalone app was on the App Store too, but Samsung discontinued it in October 2020, and today's built-in Smart View mirroring feature is Galaxy-only. On iPhone, use AirPlay 2 (2018+ Samsung TVs), SmartThings as a remote, or CastBrowser to cast web videos to any Samsung Tizen TV over DLNA, including older sets without AirPlay.
What is the best Smart View alternative for watching videos?
A casting app rather than mirroring. CastBrowser plays the video natively on the TV at full quality while your phone stays free — and it covers Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast and LG too, not just Samsung. Free, no account.
Does Smart View still work on Samsung phones?
Yes — the quick-settings mirroring toggle still works on Galaxy phones. Only the standalone app is gone. If mirroring fails, check Wi-Fi network match, VPN, and DRM; for video specifically, casting is more reliable.
Can I cast to an older Samsung TV without AirPlay or Chromecast?
Usually yes: Samsung Tizen TVs from 2015 on include a DLNA renderer, which is what CastBrowser uses. On 2015–2017 models enable it under Settings → General → Network. DRM streaming services still need their own TV app.
The Smart View Alternative That Actually Plays Video
Download CastBrowser free and cast web videos to your Samsung TV — full quality via DLNA, from Android or iPhone, no Galaxy required.