The fastest way depends on what TV and phone you own

You can connect your phone to your TV wirelessly using one of four methods: AirPlay (Apple devices to Apple TV), Miracast (Android to most newer TVs), Chromecast (any phone to a Chromecast device or TV with Chromecast built in), or screen mirroring through your TV's native app. All four work without cables. The method you use depends on what equipment you already have — not all phones work with all TVs.

Before you start, make sure your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. This is the single most common reason wireless connection fails. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and your TV's network settings to confirm they are both connected to the same network name.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network before any wireless connection will work.
  • AirPlay works only between Apple devices; Miracast works with most Android phones and newer TVs; Chromecast works with any phone but requires a Chromecast device or compatible TV.
  • Screen mirroring sends your entire phone display to the TV, while casting sends only the app you choose.
  • If your TV does not have wireless capability built in, a Chromecast device or Fire TV stick costs between $30 and $50 and adds wireless casting to any TV with an HDMI port.

Using AirPlay with iPhone, iPad, or Mac

AirPlay is Apple's wireless standard and works between any Apple devices in your home. If you own an iPhone or iPad and an Apple TV, AirPlay is the simplest option. Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad by swiping down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older models). Tap Screen Mirroring, then select your Apple TV from the list. Your phone's entire display will appear on your TV within a few seconds.

If you do not see your Apple TV in the list, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your Apple TV is powered on. Restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. If you own an iPhone 15 or newer, you can also use AirPlay to send video from specific apps without mirroring your entire screen — open the app, look for the AirPlay icon (usually in the top-right corner), and tap it to send that app alone to your TV.

Using Miracast with Android phones and compatible TVs

Miracast is a wireless standard built into most Android phones and most TVs made after 2015. To use it, open your phone's Settings app, then look for Display, Connected Devices, or Cast (the exact name varies by phone brand). Tap the option to cast or mirror your screen. Your TV should appear in the list within 10 seconds. Tap your TV's name to connect.

If your TV does not appear, turn on your TV's screen mirroring feature first. On Samsung TVs, this is usually called SmartThings or Screen Mirroring and is found in the settings menu or quick settings. On LG TVs, look for Screen Share. On other brands, check your TV's manual or search the model number plus "screen mirroring" online. Once you enable it on your TV, try the cast step again on your phone.

Miracast can be slow to connect the first time — wait at least 30 seconds before assuming it has failed. If it still does not work, restart both your phone and TV, then try again. Some older Android phones do not support Miracast; if your phone does not have a cast option in Settings, use Chromecast instead.

Using Chromecast with any phone

Chromecast works with any Android phone, iPhone, or tablet, as long as you have a Chromecast device plugged into your TV's HDMI port. If your TV was made after 2020, it may have Chromecast built in — check your TV's settings or manual. If not, you can buy a Chromecast device for $30 to $40 from Google, Amazon, or electronics retailers.

To cast with Chromecast, open the app you want to use — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, or any other app with a cast icon. Look for the cast icon (a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner) and tap it. Select your Chromecast device from the list. The app will now play on your TV while your phone acts as a remote. You can close the app, lock your phone, or even switch to a different app — the video or music will keep playing on your TV.

If you do not see the cast icon in an app, that app does not support Chromecast. You can still use screen mirroring instead: on Android, open Settings, find Cast or Display, and select your Chromecast device. On iPhone, open Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring, then select your Chromecast device. This will mirror your entire phone screen instead of just the app.

Using your TV's built-in casting app

Many TV brands have their own casting apps that work without extra hardware. Samsung TVs use SmartThings, LG TVs use LG ThinQ, and Sony TVs use Bravia Core. Download the app for your TV brand from the App Store or Google Play, sign in with your TV's account (or create one), and follow the app's instructions to connect your phone to your TV.

These apps often work better than generic Miracast or Chromecast because they are designed specifically for your TV model. However, they require you to create an account and download an extra app. If you already use your TV brand's app for other features, this is usually the easiest option. If you do not want to create an account, stick with Miracast or Chromecast instead.

Troubleshooting when your phone will not connect

The most common reason wireless connection fails is that your phone and TV are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm the network name matches what you see on your TV's network settings. If your home has a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name, try connecting your phone to the 2.4 GHz network — some older TVs do not support 5 GHz.

If both devices are on the same network and still will not connect, restart both your phone and TV. Turn off your phone completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Unplug your TV for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Try connecting again. If this does not work, forget the Wi-Fi network on your phone and reconnect to it: go to Settings, find your Wi-Fi network, tap it, and select Forget. Then reconnect by entering your Wi-Fi password again.

If you are using Chromecast and it is not appearing in the cast list, make sure the Chromecast device has power and is plugged into an HDMI port on your TV. The device should have a light on it — if there is no light, try a different USB power cable or a different power outlet. If the light is on but Chromecast still does not appear, unplug it for 10 seconds and plug it back in.

When to use screen mirroring versus casting

Screen mirroring sends your entire phone display to the TV — everything you see on your phone appears on your TV. This is useful for presentations, showing photos, or playing games. Casting sends only the app you choose, leaving your phone free to do other things. For example, you can cast a YouTube video to your TV and then use your phone to text, check email, or browse the web without interrupting the video.

Most apps that support casting (Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Disney+) work better with casting than mirroring because they are optimized for the TV screen and use less battery on your phone. If an app has a cast icon, use it. If it does not, use screen mirroring instead. Screen mirroring also works for apps that do not have built-in cast support, so it is a good backup option when casting is not available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy anything to connect my phone to my TV wirelessly?

Not if your TV was made after 2015 and has Miracast, or if you own an Apple TV. If your TV is older or does not have wireless capability, a Chromecast device costs $30 to $40 and adds wireless casting to any TV with an HDMI port. Some TV brands also offer free casting through their own apps.

Can I use AirPlay with an Android phone?

No. AirPlay works only between Apple devices. If you own an Android phone, use Miracast (if your TV supports it), Chromecast, or your TV brand's casting app instead.

Why does my phone keep disconnecting from my TV?

This usually happens when your phone switches between Wi-Fi networks or when your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move closer to your router, or restart both your phone and TV. If disconnections keep happening, your Wi-Fi network may be overloaded — try connecting your phone to the 2.4 GHz band instead of 5 GHz.

Can I control the volume on my TV from my phone?

Yes, if you are casting an app like Netflix or YouTube. The app's volume controls will adjust your TV's volume. If you are screen mirroring, use your TV's remote or physical buttons to change the volume — your phone's volume buttons will not control the TV.

What if my TV does not have an HDMI port?

Older TVs with only composite (red, white, yellow) cables cannot use Chromecast or Miracast. You will need to use an HDMI adapter or replace the TV. Check your TV's manual to see what ports it has, or look at the back of the TV to count the HDMI ports.