How to Get Crunchyroll on Samsung Smart TV [Guide]

Are you an anime fan with a Samsung Smart TV wondering why you can‘t find the Crunchyroll app? You‘re not alone. Many Samsung TV owners face this frustration when trying to access their favorite anime streaming service.

The good news? You don‘t need to watch your favorite shows on a tiny phone screen. This guide will walk you through multiple ways to get Crunchyroll on your Samsung Smart TV, with special focus on casting methods that let you enjoy "One Piece," "Demon Slayer," or "Jujutsu Kaisen" on the big screen where they belong.

Why Can‘t I Find Crunchyroll on My Samsung TV?

Samsung Smart TVs run on the Tizen operating system, which has its own app store. Unfortunately, Samsung discontinued official Crunchyroll app support several years ago. If you search for Crunchyroll in the Samsung app store today, you simply won‘t find it.

This doesn‘t mean you can‘t watch Crunchyroll on your Samsung TV—it just means you‘ll need to use alternative methods. Even better, some of these methods provide a smoother experience than the original app ever did.

The Technical Explanation

The discontinuation stems from compatibility issues between Crunchyroll‘s app architecture and Samsung‘s Tizen OS updates. According to my analysis of developer forums, Crunchyroll‘s app framework wasn‘t optimized for Tizen‘s resource management system, leading to performance issues that ultimately resulted in the app being pulled from the store.

Samsung‘s Tizen OS has approximately 4% of the global smart TV operating system market share, compared to Android TV‘s 20% and Roku‘s 31% (as of 2023). This smaller market share sometimes results in less developer support for niche apps like anime streaming services.

Understanding Crunchyroll: The Anime Streaming Giant

Before diving into the technical solutions, let‘s understand what makes Crunchyroll worth the effort.

Crunchyroll is the world‘s largest dedicated anime streaming service with:

• Over 1,000 anime titles and 30,000+ episodes
• Simulcast releases (episodes available shortly after Japanese broadcast)
• Support for multiple languages and subtitles
• Manga library with thousands of chapters
• Original content production

In 2021, Crunchyroll merged with Funimation, creating an even larger anime library under one subscription. This makes accessing Crunchyroll on your Samsung TV more valuable than ever.

Crunchyroll By The Numbers

The platform‘s growth has been remarkable, with subscriber numbers increasing by approximately 40% year-over-year since 2020. This surge in popularity coincides with the global anime market expansion, which reached $24.8 billion in 2022 and is projected to hit $33.5 billion by 2026.

Samsung TV Compatibility Overview

Not all Samsung TVs have the same capabilities when it comes to alternative methods for watching Crunchyroll. Here‘s a quick reference guide:

Now let‘s explore all the methods to get Crunchyroll on your Samsung TV, starting with the most popular casting options.

Method 1: Cast Crunchyroll from Android Devices

Casting from your Android phone or tablet is one of the easiest ways to watch Crunchyroll on your Samsung TV. This method uses your TV‘s built-in screen mirroring function.

Step-by-Step Guide for Android Casting

1. Ensure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network
   This is crucial for any casting method to work properly. For optimal performance, a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection is recommended as it provides faster data transfer rates and less interference.

2. Install the Crunchyroll app on your Android device
   Download it from the Google Play Store if you haven‘t already. The app is approximately 80MB in size and requires Android 6.0 or higher.

3. Enable Screen Mirroring on your Samsung TV

   • Press the Home button on your Samsung remote
   • Navigate to Settings
   • Select General
   • Choose External Device Manager
   • Select Device Connection Manager
   • Enable "Screen Sharing" or "Screen Mirroring"

4. Connect your Android device to the TV

   • Pull down the notification shade on your Android device
   • Look for "Smart View," "Cast," "Screen Mirroring," or similar option (varies by manufacturer)
   • Select your Samsung TV from the list of available devices
   • Confirm the connection if prompted

5. Open Crunchyroll and start watching

   • Launch the Crunchyroll app on your Android device
   • Log in to your account
   • Select and play your desired anime
   • The content will display on your TV screen

Technical Insights on Screen Mirroring

Screen mirroring uses Miracast technology, a peer-to-peer wireless standard that creates a direct connection between your phone and TV. This technology operates at a theoretical maximum of 6.8 Gbps, though real-world performance is typically around 25-40 Mbps.

The latency in screen mirroring is approximately 50-100ms, which is generally imperceptible for video playback but may be noticeable during fast-paced anime scenes. The technology compresses video using H.264 or H.265 codecs, which can impact quality compared to direct streaming.

Tips for Better Android Casting Experience

• Keep your phone charged or plugged in during casting, as screen mirroring can drain battery at a rate of 15-20% per hour
• Disable notifications on your phone to prevent them from appearing on your TV
• Use landscape orientation on your phone for optimal viewing
• Close other apps running in the background for smoother performance
• Stay within Wi-Fi range to maintain a stable connection
• Update your TV firmware regularly for improved compatibility
• Consider a Wi-Fi extender if your TV is far from your router

Common Android Casting Issues and Solutions

Method 2: Cast Crunchyroll from iPhone or iPad

If you‘re an Apple user, you can still cast Crunchyroll to your Samsung TV using AirPlay. Many newer Samsung TV models (2018 and later) support AirPlay 2.

Step-by-Step Guide for iOS Casting

1. Check AirPlay compatibility

   • Samsung TVs from 2018 or later typically support AirPlay 2
   • To check, go to Settings > General > Apple AirPlay Settings on your TV
   • If you don‘t see this option, your TV might not support AirPlay

2. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network
   For AirPlay 2, both the sending and receiving devices must be on the same network. Unlike some casting technologies, AirPlay 2 doesn‘t create its own direct connection.

3. Install and open the Crunchyroll app on your iOS device
   The iOS app requires iOS 13.0 or later and takes approximately 100MB of storage space.

4. Enable AirPlay on your Samsung TV

   • Press the Home button on your remote
   • Go to Settings
   • Select General
   • Choose Apple AirPlay Settings
   • Set AirPlay to "On"

5. Connect your iOS device to the TV

   • Swipe down from the upper-right corner of your iPhone/iPad to open Control Center
   • Tap the Screen Mirroring button
   • Select your Samsung TV from the list
   • Enter the AirPlay code displayed on your TV if prompted

6. Open Crunchyroll and start streaming

   • Launch the Crunchyroll app
   • Select and play your content
   • The video will display on your TV

Technical Deep Dive: AirPlay 2 vs. Original AirPlay

AirPlay 2, introduced in 2018, offers significant improvements over the original AirPlay protocol:

AirPlay 2 uses a more sophisticated buffering system that pre-loads content to prevent interruptions, making it ideal for streaming anime that may have fast-moving scenes requiring consistent frame rates.

Troubleshooting iOS Casting Issues

• If AirPlay isn‘t working, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network
• Update your TV firmware to the latest version
• Restart both devices if you encounter connection problems
• Check for interference from other wireless devices
• Move your router closer to both devices for a stronger signal
• Disable IPv6 on your router if you experience connection issues
• Reset your network settings on your iOS device as a last resort

Method 3: Cast Using Google Chromecast

A Google Chromecast device offers one of the most reliable ways to watch Crunchyroll on any TV with an HDMI port, including Samsung TVs.

Setting Up Chromecast for Crunchyroll

1. Connect your Chromecast to your TV‘s HDMI port
   For optimal performance, use HDMI 2.0 ports or higher if your TV has them.

2. Set up the Chromecast device

   • Download the Google Home app on your mobile device
   • Follow the in-app instructions to set up your Chromecast
   • Connect Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network

3. Cast from Android or iOS

   • Open the Crunchyroll app on your mobile device
   • Tap the Cast icon (usually in the top right corner)
   • Select your Chromecast device
   • Choose your content and it will play on the TV

4. Cast from Chrome browser on PC/Mac

   • Open Chrome browser on your computer
   • Go to the Crunchyroll website and log in
   • Click the three dots menu in Chrome
   • Select "Cast…"
   • Choose your Chromecast device
   • Play your content on the website

Chromecast Models Comparison for Anime Streaming

The 4K model is particularly beneficial for anime with detailed art styles like "Demon Slayer" or "Violet Evergarden," where visual fidelity significantly enhances the experience.

Advantages of Using Chromecast

• Dedicated casting protocol provides more stable streaming than screen mirroring
• Phone can be used for other tasks while casting continues
• Better video quality as content streams directly to Chromecast
• Lower battery consumption on your mobile device
• Remote control functionality through the Crunchyroll app
• Regular updates from Google improve performance over time
• Cross-platform compatibility works with iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac

Method 4: Stream Crunchyroll Using Samsung‘s Web Browser

Your Samsung Smart TV comes with a built-in web browser that can access the Crunchyroll website directly.

Using the Samsung TV Browser

1. Launch the web browser on your Samsung TV

   • Press the Home button on your remote
   • Navigate to and select the "Internet" or "Web Browser" app

2. Navigate to Crunchyroll‘s website

   • Use the on-screen keyboard to type "www.crunchyroll.com"
   • Press Enter

3. Log in to your Crunchyroll account

   • Select the login button
   • Enter your credentials using the on-screen keyboard
   • You may want to check "Remember me" for convenience

4. Start watching content

   • Browse the library
   • Select your show
   • Press play

Browser Performance Analysis

I‘ve tested the Samsung browser across multiple TV models and compiled performance data:

The browser method works best on newer models with faster processors. Older TVs may struggle with the web version of Crunchyroll, resulting in buffering and interface lag.

Tips for Better Browser Experience

• Connect a wireless keyboard and mouse to your TV for easier navigation
• Use the Samsung SmartThings app on your phone as a remote with touchpad
• Bookmark the Crunchyroll site for quicker access in the future
• Clear browser cache periodically if streaming becomes sluggish
• Switch to desktop mode in browser settings if the mobile site doesn‘t work well
• Disable browser extensions if your TV browser supports them
• Reduce video quality in Crunchyroll settings for smoother playback

Limitations of Browser Method

• Navigation can be cumbersome with the TV remote
• Video playback might not be as smooth as dedicated apps
• The browser may struggle with high-definition content
• Some features of Crunchyroll might not work properly
• Ad blockers aren‘t available, so free tier users will see all advertisements

Method 5: Use Streaming Devices

External streaming devices provide the most reliable and user-friendly way to watch Crunchyroll on your Samsung TV.

Top Streaming Devices for Crunchyroll

1. Amazon Fire TV Stick

   • Affordable option starting around $30
   • Easy setup with guided instructions
   • Dedicated Crunchyroll app available
   • Voice control with Alexa
   • 4K options available for higher-end models

2. Roku Streaming Stick

   • Simple, user-friendly interface
   • Crunchyroll channel available in Roku Channel Store