The three ways to send your phone's screen to your TV

You can connect your phone to your TV wirelessly using one of three methods: screen mirroring (which copies everything on your phone), casting (which sends specific apps or videos), or AirPlay (Apple's system for iPhones and iPads). Which one works depends on what phone and TV you own, and what you want to do with them.

Screen mirroring works with most Android phones and some Samsung TVs. Casting works with Android phones and any TV that has a Chromecast device or built-in Google Cast. AirPlay works only with iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV devices, or newer Samsung and LG TVs that support it. Before you start, make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same WiFi network — this is the single most common reason the connection fails.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone and TV must be on the same WiFi network for any wireless connection to work.
  • Android phones use screen mirroring or Google Cast; iPhones use AirPlay or screen mirroring on compatible TVs.
  • Screen mirroring copies your entire phone display, while casting sends only specific apps or videos.
  • If your TV does not have built-in casting or AirPlay, you can add it with a Chromecast device, Fire TV stick, or Roku device for under $40.

Screen mirroring on Android phones

Screen mirroring copies everything on your phone's screen to your TV in real time. On most Android phones, the setting is called "Cast" or "Screen Mirroring" and lives in the quick settings menu. Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open the full quick settings panel, then look for a button labeled "Cast," "Screen Mirroring," or "Wireless Display." Tap it and your phone will search for available devices.

When your TV appears in the list, tap it to connect. Your phone will ask for permission the first time — tap "Allow" or "Start Now." Within a few seconds, your phone's screen should appear on the TV. If nothing happens, check that both devices are on the same WiFi network. If your TV does not appear in the list, your TV may not support screen mirroring — in that case, you will need a Chromecast device or another streaming device instead.

To stop mirroring, open the quick settings panel again, tap the Cast button, and select "Stop Casting" or "Disconnect." Your phone screen will no longer appear on the TV.

Using Google Cast with Android phones and Chromecast

Google Cast is different from screen mirroring — instead of copying your whole phone, it sends only the app or video you choose. This uses less battery and works better for streaming. If your TV has a Chromecast built in (many newer Samsung, Sony, and LG models do), you can cast directly from your phone. If your TV does not have Chromecast built in, you can plug in a Chromecast device (a small stick that costs about $30) into the HDMI port on the back of your TV.

To cast a video or app, open the app you want to use — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, or any other app that supports casting — and look for a cast icon (it looks like a rectangle with WiFi waves in the corner). Tap it, select your TV from the list, and the video or music will play on your TV instead of your phone. Your phone becomes a remote control. To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and select "Disconnect."

Not every app supports casting. If you do not see the cast icon in an app, that app cannot cast. In that case, use screen mirroring instead to send the entire phone screen to your TV.

AirPlay for iPhones and iPads

AirPlay is Apple's wireless system and works only with iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV devices. It also works with some newer Samsung and LG TVs that have AirPlay built in — check your TV's manual or settings to see if yours supports it. If your TV does not have AirPlay, you will need an Apple TV device (the smallest model costs about $100).

To use AirPlay, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone or iPad to open Control Center. Tap "Screen Mirroring" and select your Apple TV or compatible TV from the list. Your phone's screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds. To stop, open Control Center again, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select "Stop Mirroring."

You can also cast individual apps and videos using AirPlay without mirroring your whole screen. Open the app you want to use, look for the AirPlay icon (it looks like a triangle with WiFi waves), tap it, and select your TV. The video or content will play on your TV while your phone stays on its home screen.

What to do if your TV does not have wireless built in

If your TV is older or does not have casting or AirPlay built in, you have two options: buy a streaming device or use an HDMI cable. A streaming device is cheaper and easier. A Chromecast device (about $30) adds Google Cast to any TV. A Roku device (about $30 to $50) adds its own casting system. A Fire TV stick (about $30 to $40) adds Amazon's casting system. All three plug into the HDMI port on the back of your TV and connect to WiFi.

Once you plug in the device and set it up (usually just connecting it to WiFi and signing into an account), you can cast from your phone the same way as if the TV had it built in. The device itself does not cost much, and it also gives you access to streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and others.

If you prefer not to buy anything, you can use an HDMI cable to connect your phone directly to your TV. This requires a USB-C to HDMI adapter (for Android) or a Lightning to HDMI adapter (for iPhone), both under $20. Plug the adapter into your phone, plug the HDMI cable into the adapter, and plug the other end into your TV. Switch your TV to the HDMI input and your phone's screen will appear. This method works reliably but requires a cable.

Troubleshooting when the connection will not work

The most common reason wireless connection fails is that your phone and TV are not on the same WiFi network. Check your phone's WiFi settings and make sure it is connected to the same network name as your TV. If you have a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name, try connecting your phone to the 2.4 GHz version — some older TVs and casting devices work better on that band.

If both devices are on the same network and the connection still will not work, restart both your phone and TV. Turn off your phone completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your TV. Then try connecting again. This fixes most connection problems.

If you are trying to cast and the app does not show a cast icon, that app does not support casting — use screen mirroring instead. If your TV does not appear in the list of available devices at all, your TV may not support wireless connection. Check your TV's manual or settings menu to confirm it has casting or AirPlay built in. If it does not, you will need a streaming device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does wireless connection drain my phone battery faster?

Yes, but not dramatically. Screen mirroring uses more battery than casting because it is constantly sending your entire screen. If you are mirroring for more than an hour, plug your phone into a charger. Casting individual apps or videos uses much less battery — you can usually cast for several hours without noticing a difference.

Can I use my phone as a remote while casting?

Yes. When you cast a video or app, your phone becomes a remote control. You can pause, play, adjust volume, and skip forward or backward from your phone. You can also use your phone for other things while casting — the video will keep playing on your TV.

What if my TV is too old to support wireless?

Buy a Chromecast, Roku, or Fire TV stick for $30 to $50. Plug it into the HDMI port on the back of your TV, connect it to WiFi, and you can cast from your phone just like a newer TV. These devices also give you access to streaming apps.

Do I need a special WiFi network for casting?

No. Your phone and TV just need to be on the same WiFi network you already use. If you have a guest network, make sure both devices are on the main network, not the guest one.

Can I mirror my iPhone to a non-Apple TV?

Not directly. iPhones only support AirPlay, which works with Apple TV devices and some newer Samsung and LG TVs. If your TV does not support AirPlay, you can use an Apple TV device ($100 and up) or use an HDMI cable with a Lightning adapter instead.