Samsung Allshare Vs Samsung Link Why Did They Kill Allshare And Is Link Actually Better

In the early 2010s, Samsung introduced AllShare as a seamless way to connect devices within a home network. It allowed users to stream music, photos, and videos from smartphones, tablets, and computers to TVs, sound systems, and other compatible hardware. But by the mid-2010s, AllShare quietly disappeared—replaced by Samsung Link. Many loyal users were left wondering: Why was AllShare discontinued? And more importantly, is Samsung Link actually an improvement?

The transition wasn’t just a rebranding exercise—it reflected broader shifts in how consumers use smart devices, cloud storage, and streaming platforms. To understand what happened and whether the replacement was justified, it's essential to examine both technologies in context.

What Was Samsung AllShare and How Did It Work?

Samsung AllShare launched around 2011 as part of the company’s push into connected living. It leveraged Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) standards to enable device-to-device communication over a local Wi-Fi network. Users could:

• Stream media from a smartphone or PC to a Samsung Smart TV
• Control playback using mobile devices as remotes
• Share files between Galaxy phones and tablets without cables
• Access shared folders on Windows PCs directly from Samsung appliances

AllShare stood out for its simplicity and integration with Samsung’s ecosystem. It worked without requiring internet access, making it ideal for households where bandwidth was limited or privacy concerns were high. For many, it was the go-to solution before cloud-based services became dominant.

Tip: If you still have older Samsung devices that support DLNA, tools like VLC or BubbleUPnP can replicate some AllShare functionality today.

The Rise—and Fall—of AllShare

Despite strong initial adoption, Samsung began phasing out AllShare around 2014–2015. The reasons weren’t officially detailed in a single announcement but can be traced to several industry-wide trends:

1. Shift to Cloud-Centric Models: Consumers increasingly relied on Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube. Local network sharing became less central to digital lifestyles.
2. Security Limitations: UPnP had known vulnerabilities. In 2013, US-CERT issued warnings about UPnP flaws affecting millions of devices, including routers and smart appliances. Samsung likely wanted to reduce exposure.
3. Ecosystem Fragmentation: AllShare required strict compatibility across firmware versions and models. As Samsung expanded globally, maintaining uniform support grew complex.
4. Mobile OS Changes: Android updates restricted background processes and network discovery features that AllShare depended on, degrading performance over time.

Rather than invest heavily in patching legacy tech, Samsung chose to pivot toward a cloud-integrated model—giving birth to Samsung Link.

Introducing Samsung Link: A Cloud-First Approach

Samsung Link, launched in 2013, aimed to replace AllShare with a modern, internet-dependent platform. Unlike AllShare’s local-network focus, Samsung Link synced content through Samsung’s cloud servers. Key features included:

• Remote access to phone photos, videos, and documents from any web browser or supported TV
• Automatic backup of Galaxy device media to the cloud
• Integration with Samsung Smart TVs, Galaxy Tabs, and Windows software
• Ability to view phone notifications or messages on larger screens

On paper, this seemed like progress—offering accessibility beyond the home network. However, real-world usage revealed significant trade-offs.

Key Differences Between AllShare and Samsung Link

Feature	AllShare	Samsung Link
Network Type	Local Wi-Fi (no internet needed)	Cloud-based (requires internet)
Speed	Fast (direct device transfer)	Slower (depends on upload speed)
Privacy	High (data never leaves home network)	Moderate (data stored on Samsung servers)
Offline Access	Yes	No
Remote Access	No	Yes
Supported Devices	Broad (DLNA-compatible devices)	Limited (Samsung-only ecosystem)
Status	Discontinued (circa 2015)	Discontinued (2016)

Note: Ironically, Samsung Link itself was shut down in 2016 due to low user engagement and rising competition from Google Photos, Microsoft OneDrive, and Samsung’s own shift toward Microsoft partnerships.

“We moved away from proprietary syncing platforms because open ecosystems offer better longevity and cross-device reliability.” — Tech Analyst Lee Park, Consumer Mobility Report 2017

Was Samsung Link Actually Better Than AllShare?

The short answer: not really—for most users.

Samsung Link offered one compelling advantage: remote access. Being able to pull vacation photos from your phone onto your TV while traveling sounded futuristic. But in practice, slow upload speeds, data caps, and inconsistent syncing made it unreliable.

Meanwhile, AllShare excelled at instant, high-quality media streaming within the home. No buffering, no login, no waiting. It just worked—especially when watching large video files or playing lossless audio.

Moreover, Samsung Link required users to trust their personal media with Samsung’s cloud infrastructure—a concern for privacy-conscious individuals. AllShare, operating entirely offline, avoided those risks altogether.

Ultimately, Samsung Link wasn’t “better” so much as “different.” It prioritized connectivity over convenience, sacrificing usability for features few actually needed.

Mini Case Study: The Home Media Enthusiast

Consider Mark, a freelance photographer who used his Samsung Galaxy S4 and Series 7 Smart TV to review client shoots. With AllShare, he’d return home, connect to Wi-Fi, and instantly stream full-resolution videos to his TV for feedback sessions. No uploads, no delays.

When Samsung pushed updates favoring Link, Mark found himself waiting minutes for clips to sync to the cloud before viewing. His home internet upload speed capped at 3 Mbps—barely enough for HD video. He eventually switched to a USB drive workflow, calling the change “a step backward masked as innovation.”

What Replaced Them? Modern Alternatives Today

Since both AllShare and Samsung Link are defunct, Samsung users now rely on third-party and integrated solutions:

• Smart View: Built into newer Galaxy devices, allows screen mirroring and media casting via Miracast or DLNA (reviving some AllShare principles).
• Google Chromecast & AirPlay 2: Supported on recent Samsung TVs for cross-platform streaming.
• Microsoft Your Phone App: Links Android devices to Windows PCs for photo access and notifications.
• Local Network Tools: Apps like Plex, Jellyfin, or Syncthing offer robust, private media sharing without cloud dependency.

Tip: Enable \"Media Server\" in your Samsung TV settings to turn it into a DLNA receiver—this restores basic AllShare-like functionality using modern devices.

Actionable Checklist: Restore AllShare-Like Functionality Today

1. Ensure all devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Enable media sharing on your PC (via Windows Media Player or Plex).
3. Activate Media Server on your Samsung Smart TV (Settings > Broadcasting > System Manager > Media Server).
<4>Use a DLNA-compatible app like VLC or Twonky on mobile devices.
4. Stream directly from phone or computer to TV without cloud intermediaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use Samsung AllShare today?

Not officially—but if you have older Samsung devices (pre-2016), AllShare may still function if firmware hasn't been updated. Alternatively, use DLNA apps that mimic its behavior.

Why did Samsung discontinue both AllShare and Link?

Both were casualties of shifting consumer habits. AllShare relied on declining local network standards; Link failed to gain traction against superior cloud rivals like Google and Microsoft. Samsung ultimately chose partnership over proprietary development.

Is there a true successor to AllShare?

No direct replacement exists, but Smart View and built-in DLNA support on Samsung TVs provide similar media casting features. For full control, consider setting up a private media server using Plex or Jellyfin.

Final Thoughts: Learning from Samsung’s Evolution

The story of AllShare and Samsung Link illustrates a common tension in tech: innovation versus practicality. While Samsung aimed to future-proof its ecosystem with cloud integration, it underestimated the value users placed on speed, privacy, and offline reliability.

AllShare wasn’t perfect, but it solved real problems simply and effectively. Its removal in favor of a less reliable cloud model alienated many power users. The lesson? Not every upgrade needs to be internet-connected to be valuable.

Today, the best approach combines the strengths of both worlds: use cloud tools for backup and remote access, but preserve local sharing for performance-critical tasks. By understanding what made AllShare great—and why Link fell short—you can build a smarter, more resilient digital lifestyle.

🚀 Ready to reclaim control over your media? Start by enabling DLNA on your TV and exploring free tools like Plex or VLC. Share your setup in the comments and help others rediscover the simplicity Samsung once offered.