The fastest way depends on what you own

You can connect your phone to your TV in three main ways: with a cable plugged into a port on your TV, by casting wirelessly through an app or built-in feature, or by mirroring your screen. Which one works fastest depends on what ports your TV has, what phone you own, and whether your TV has wireless casting built in. A cable connection works immediately and needs no setup. Wireless casting takes a few seconds to connect but gives you more freedom to move around. Screen mirroring sends everything on your phone's display to your TV, while casting lets you send just one app.

Before you start, check what ports are on the back or side of your TV. Most TVs made in the last ten years have at least one HDMI port (a flat rectangular slot about an inch wide). Older TVs might have only composite ports (three colored circles: red, white, and yellow) or a VGA port (a blue trapezoid with small holes). Your phone almost certainly has neither of these, so you will need an adapter.

Key Takeaways

  • A wired HDMI connection is the most reliable method and works immediately, but requires a cable and adapter that match your phone's charging port.
  • Wireless casting through apps like Chromecast, AirPlay, or Roku works if your TV has the feature built in, and lets you send video without a cable.
  • Screen mirroring sends your entire phone display to the TV, while casting sends only the app you choose, using less bandwidth.
  • Check your TV's ports and your phone's charging port before buying any adapter or cable, because the wrong one will not work.

Connecting with a cable: HDMI is the standard

An HDMI cable plugged directly into your TV is the most reliable connection. It works on almost every TV made since 2010, transfers both picture and sound, and starts working the moment you plug it in. You do not need to pair anything or wait for a connection to establish.

The challenge is that phones do not have HDMI ports. You need an adapter that converts your phone's charging port to HDMI. For iPhones, Apple sells the Lightning to HDMI adapter. For Android phones, you need a USB-C to HDMI adapter (if your phone charges with USB-C) or a Micro USB to HDMI adapter (if it charges with Micro USB). These adapters cost between $20 and $50 and are available from electronics retailers and online marketplaces.

Once you have the right adapter, plug it into your phone's charging port, plug the HDMI cable into the adapter, and plug the other end of the HDMI cable into any HDMI port on your TV. Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input using the remote or the input button. Your phone's screen will appear on the TV. Some phones will ask you to confirm that you trust the connection the first time.

Wireless casting: Chromecast, AirPlay, and Roku

If your TV has wireless casting built in, you can send video from your phone without any cable. The three most common systems are Google Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, and Roku. Many modern TVs have one of these built in. Check your TV's manual or the settings menu to see which one you have, or look for the logo on the TV itself.

Google Chromecast works with both Android and iPhone. Open the app you want to watch (YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, or others), look for a cast icon (usually a rectangle with curved lines in the corner), tap it, and select your TV from the list. The app will stream directly from the internet to your TV, not from your phone, so you can use your phone for other things while the video plays.

Apple AirPlay works only with iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your TV. Your entire phone screen will appear on the TV. You can also use AirPlay in individual apps like Apple TV, Music, or Podcasts by tapping the AirPlay icon.

Roku has its own casting system. Download the Roku app on your phone, connect to the same WiFi network as your Roku TV, open the app, and tap the cast icon. Select your TV and choose what to send. Like Chromecast, Roku casting streams from the internet, not from your phone.

Screen mirroring versus casting: When to use each

Screen mirroring and casting are different, and which one you need depends on what you want to watch. Screen mirroring sends everything on your phone's display to the TV — your home screen, notifications, text messages, all of it. It uses more of your phone's battery and internet connection because it is constantly sending the image. Use screen mirroring when you want to show someone something on your phone, play a game, or use an app that does not support casting.

Casting sends only the app you choose. Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and most streaming apps support casting. The app streams directly from the internet to your TV, so your phone's screen stays dark and you can use your phone for other things. Casting uses less battery and internet bandwidth than mirroring. If the app you want to use has a cast icon, use that instead of screen mirroring.

What to do if your TV does not have wireless casting

Older TVs and budget models often do not have Chromecast, AirPlay, or Roku built in. You have two options: buy a separate casting device, or use a cable.

A Google Chromecast device is a small stick or disc that plugs into your TV's HDMI port and adds casting to any TV. It costs around $30 to $50. Once plugged in and connected to your WiFi, it works the same way as a TV with Chromecast built in. Google Chromecast works with both Android and iPhone. Amazon Fire TV Stick and Roku Streaming Stick are similar devices that add their own casting systems.

If you do not want to buy a separate device, a cable connection is your other option. An HDMI adapter for your phone costs less than a casting device and works on any TV with an HDMI port, but you will have a cable running from your phone to the TV.

Troubleshooting common connection problems

If your phone and TV are not connecting, start with these checks. For wireless casting, make sure both devices are on the same WiFi network. Many people connect their phone to the 5GHz band and their TV to the 2.4GHz band, and they cannot see each other. Check your WiFi settings and connect both to the same band.

If you are using a cable, try a different HDMI port on your TV. TVs have multiple HDMI ports, and occasionally one stops working. Also check that you bought the right adapter for your phone's charging port — a Lightning adapter will not work with USB-C, and vice versa.

For casting, restart both your phone and TV. Unplug the TV for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and restart your phone. This clears temporary connection problems that prevent devices from finding each other. If casting still does not work, check that your TV's casting feature is turned on in the settings menu.

If your phone screen appears on the TV but the picture is upside down or sideways, your phone is in the wrong orientation. Rotate your phone to the orientation you want, and the TV picture will rotate with it.

Connecting older phones and TVs

If you have an older TV with only composite ports (the three colored circles) or a VGA port, you can still connect a modern phone, but you need the right adapter. A USB-C to composite adapter or USB-C to VGA adapter will convert your phone's charging port to the older standard. These adapters are less common than HDMI adapters and may cost more, but they are available online.

Older phones with Micro USB ports work the same way — you need a Micro USB to HDMI or Micro USB to composite adapter. If you have both an old phone and an old TV, check what ports each one has before buying an adapter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I charge my phone while it is connected to the TV with a cable?

Not with a standard HDMI adapter. The adapter takes up your charging port, so you cannot plug in a charger at the same time. Some high-end adapters have a charging port built in, but they are expensive. If you need to charge while connected, use wireless casting instead.

Why does my phone get hot when I use HDMI?

HDMI adapters and cables draw power from your phone's battery to run the connection. This uses more battery than normal and can make your phone warm. It is not dangerous, but your phone may slow down slightly. If it gets too hot, unplug the cable and let it cool for a few minutes.

Do I need an internet connection to use a cable connection?

No. A wired HDMI connection works without WiFi or cellular service. Wireless casting requires WiFi because the TV needs to connect to the internet to stream video. If you do not have WiFi, use a cable.

Can I use the same adapter for my phone and tablet?

Only if they have the same charging port. If your phone charges with USB-C and your tablet charges with Lightning, you need two different adapters. Check the charging port on each device before buying.

What if my TV does not recognize my phone when I plug in the cable?

First, try a different HDMI port on the TV. Second, make sure you are using the correct adapter for your phone's charging port. Third, restart your phone. If none of that works, the adapter or cable may be damaged — try borrowing one from a friend to test.