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For ordinary phone audio, pair the phone and soundbar directly over Bluetooth. Use SmartThings instead when you want compatible soundbar controls in an app, or Tap sound when you want to hand off music already playing on your phone. The right method and available features depend on the soundbar model, software, region, and phone.
Which connection method should you use?
| Method | Best for | What you need | Where to start if it fails |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Playing ordinary phone audio through the soundbar | A Bluetooth-enabled soundbar and the phone’s Bluetooth settings | Check that the soundbar says “BT PAIRING,” then retry from the phone’s Bluetooth settings. |
| SmartThings | Registering a compatible soundbar for app-based controls such as power, volume, or sound mode | SmartThings, a Samsung Account, and network access; supported features vary by model and region | Check Bluetooth, restart the soundbar, and retry registration. |
| Tap sound | Quickly handing off music that is already playing on the phone | A phone and soundbar that support Tap sound, with the feature enabled in SmartThings | Check that Tap sound is enabled and the phone is not in power-saving mode. |
How do I connect my phone to a Samsung soundbar over Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is the direct route for sending audio from a phone to the soundbar. Samsung’s pairing instructions are for audio sources such as phones, tablets, and TVs; they do not mean the soundbar can pair with another Bluetooth speaker or headphones.
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- Turn on the soundbar. On the remote or soundbar, press Source repeatedly until its display shows “BT > WAIT > BT PAIRING.”
- If the display says “BT READY,” press and hold Source on the soundbar until “BT PAIRING” appears.
- On the phone, open Bluetooth settings and turn Bluetooth on.
- Select the soundbar from the available devices. Accept any prompt or enter a PIN if the phone requests one.
Once paired, play audio on the phone and select the soundbar as the audio output if the phone offers an output selector. Pairing controls and display labels can differ by soundbar; if these steps do not match, use the manual for your exact model. Samsung’s Bluetooth pairing guidance covers the procedure and model-specific differences.
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How do I add a Samsung soundbar to SmartThings?
SmartThings registration is separate from Bluetooth pairing. On compatible soundbars, the app can provide controls such as power, volume, and sound mode; it is not required just to send phone audio over Bluetooth. Samsung’s Australia guide lists a Samsung Account, the SmartThings app, and a phone connected to Wi-Fi among its prerequisites. It lists Android 6.0 or later and iOS 10.0 or later, but also cautions that availability varies by country, service provider, network, product, operating system, phone model, and software version. Check compatibility for your specific soundbar before relying on app control.
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- FULL, BALANCED SOUND WITH A SUBWOOFER INCLUDED: Immerse yourself in your favorite content with perfectly balanced sound and rich bass from the built-in woofer.
- ONE REMOTE. TOTAL CONTROL: Use your Samsung TV remote to control key soundbar functions, including power, volume and sound effects.
- EXPANDS YOUR LISTENING ZONE SO YOU CAN FEEL THE SOUND ALL AROUND YOU: Experience immersive sound that fills the room. Clear audio is projected in all directions so you can feel the action from every angle.
- SEAMLESSLY CONNECTS TO YOUR TV: Connects to your TV without cable clutter. Just pair and play your favorite content.
- PICK UP EVERY PIECE OF DIALOGUE: Hear voices more clearly with dialogue automatically amplified so you don't miss a word.
Example setup path in SmartThings
- Open SmartThings and tap +.
- Tap Add device, then tap Add under Samsung devices.
- Select Soundbar and turn on the soundbar.
- Choose the soundbar when it appears nearby. The app may ask you to scan its QR code or press its Volume Down button.
- If it is powered on but does not appear, choose Can’t find your device? and follow the app’s QR-code instructions.
These labels reflect Samsung Australia’s guide, updated 7 September 2026; the screens may differ by region or app version. Samsung Saudi Arabia’s guide, updated 27 April 2026, also describes automatic registration: turn on the soundbar, choose Add Now if prompted, tap Start, choose a location and room, and wait for registration. Its manual path is Add (+) > Device > By device > AV > Samsung > Agree > Start, followed by choosing a location and room. That guide says the phone and soundbar should be on the same Wi-Fi network and signed in to the same Samsung Account. Follow the instructions shown in your local version of the app. Samsung Australia: connect a soundbar to SmartThings · Samsung Saudi Arabia: connect a soundbar to SmartThings.
How does Tap sound hand off phone music?
Tap sound is an optional SmartThings feature for handing off music already playing on the phone. It is not the general Bluetooth pairing process or screen mirroring, and it is available only on supported combinations of phone and soundbar.
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- MULTI-DIRECTIONAL SPATIAL AUDIO THAT COMES FROM ALL AROUND YOU: Let immersive virtual surround sound draw you in, with spatial audio that moves all around you. Feel at the center of all your movies, shows and games without the need for rear speakers.
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- OPTIMIZED SOUND FOR EVERY SCENE: Get the optimal listening experience for each scene. The soundbar recognizes the type of content you’re watching and automatically adapts audio settings to produce clear voices and detailed sounds.
- PICK UP EVERY PIECE OF DIALOGUE: Hear voices more clearly with automatically amplified dialogue allowing it to stand out so you don't miss a word, no matter what you're watching.
- In SmartThings, open Menu > Settings > Tap view, Tap sound and turn on the switch.
- Start music on the phone, then turn on and unlock the phone.
- Lightly tap the phone against the soundbar and accept the Tap sound prompt on the phone.
Samsung says Tap sound does not work while the phone is in power-saving mode. It recommends using a protective phone case and tapping the phone on the soundbar’s broad upper area rather than against a sharp corner. See Samsung’s Tap sound instructions for the feature’s setup details.
Why won’t my Samsung soundbar show up in Bluetooth?
Work through these checks in order before assuming the soundbar or phone needs service:
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- Q-SYMPHONY: Pair a Samsung TV with a Samsung Soundbar for a new level of powerful audio; Experience content like never before only with Samsung products; With Q-Symphony, your speakers work together to optimize all audio channels to operate as one¹
- WIRELESS DOLBY ATMOS: Skip the HDMI cables and enjoy truly elevated audio with Wireless Dolby Atmos; Experience captivating audio without the cable clutter²
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- Confirm pairing mode. The soundbar must be discoverable. If it shows “BT READY,” use Source as described above until it shows “BT PAIRING.”
- Check power, Bluetooth, and distance. Make sure the soundbar is on and the phone’s Bluetooth is enabled. Keep the devices close while pairing. Samsung’s general Bluetooth troubleshooting offers 30 feet as a range guide, not a guaranteed distance; actual range varies with the environment and device.
- Update and restart. Install available updates for the phone, app, and soundbar, then restart both devices and try again.
- Use the phone’s Bluetooth settings. Pair from the phone’s own Bluetooth menu. A device may appear under a MAC address rather than a familiar product name.
- Test each device separately. Try the phone with another Bluetooth audio device and the soundbar with another audio source. If both work separately but not together, compatibility or a software update may be involved. If the soundbar cannot pair with any Bluetooth audio source, contact Samsung support.
See Samsung’s Bluetooth pairing troubleshooting and general Bluetooth connection troubleshooting.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What if SmartThings cannot register the soundbar?
Samsung’s US registration guidance recommends checking the phone’s Bluetooth setting, even though the goal is app registration. Then try a power restart and clear any stale phone pairing before attempting registration again:
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- SAMSUNG TV AND SOUNDBAR SPEAKERS WORK TOGETHER FOR A MORE ROBUST, NUANCED SOUND*: Provides a more immersive sound experience with Samsung TV and Soundbar speakers working together for more robust and nuanced sound.* With compatible AI TVs**, it enhances audio for even more clarity.
- MULTI-DIRECTIONAL SPATIAL AUDIO THAT COMES FROM ALL AROUND YOU: Get drawn into the action of your favorite movie or show with immersive sound that virtually surrounds you. Dolby Audio 5.1 Ch delivers clear dialogue and precise sound, while DTS Virtual:X provides a 3D audio experience, so you can hear sound around you without the need for rear speakers.
- OPTIMIZED SOUND FOR EVERY SCENE: Get the optimal listening experience for each scene. The soundbar recognizes the type of content you’re watching and automatically adapts audio settings to produce clear voices and detailed sounds.
- PICK UP EVERY PIECE OF DIALOGUE: Hear voices more clearly with automatically amplified dialogue - allowing it to stand out so you don't miss a word, no matter what you're watching.
- Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on the phone.
- Unplug the soundbar for 30 seconds, then reconnect it.
- Remove an old soundbar pairing from the phone: on Android, choose Unpair; on iOS, choose Forget This Device.
- Try registering the sound device again in SmartThings or Samsung Sound.
Samsung’s US article distinguishes Samsung Sound app support from SmartThings and Bluetooth: it says Samsung Sound supports 2026 products and the HW-LS60D Music Frame, with older 2023–2025 soundbar models planned for future updates. That statement concerns Samsung Sound app support; it does not establish SmartThings compatibility or prevent older soundbars from using Bluetooth. Check the current listing and compatibility information for your exact product. Samsung’s sound-device registration troubleshooting.
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Best Value
- EXTRA CLEAR VOICES POWERED BY A DEDICATED CENTER: Hear every word with a dedicated, built-in center channel speaker that enhances dialogue clarity. Plus, feel the power of rumbling bass with a wireless subwoofer.
- MULTI-DIRECTIONAL SPATIAL AUDIO THAT COMES FROM ALL AROUND YOU: Let immersive virtual surround sound draw you in, with spatial audio that moves all around you. Feel at the center of all your movies, shows and games without the need for rear speakers.
- ONE REMOTE. TOTAL CONTROL: Use your Samsung TV remote to control key soundbar functions, including power, volume and sound effects. You can access everything you need with the single remote. Enjoy full control and have one less thing to keep track of.*
- OPTIMIZED SOUND FOR EVERY SCENE: Get the optimal listening experience for each scene. The soundbar recognizes the type of content you’re watching and automatically adapts audio settings to produce clear voices and detailed sounds.
- SEAMLESS SWITCHING: Connect up to two devices to your soundbar, like your smartphone and computer, via Bluetooth and switch between them seamlessly. Play your favorite music from either device without disconnecting.**
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