The main ways to connect your phone to your TV

You can connect your phone to your TV using a cable, a wireless connection, or a streaming device. The method that works best depends on what phone and TV you own, whether you want to mirror your entire screen or just play video, and how far apart they are in your room.

Most phones made in the last five years support at least one wireless method. If your TV is older, a cable or a separate streaming device is usually the fastest route. The wireless methods are slower to set up the first time but faster to use after that.

Key Takeaways

  • HDMI cables and USB-C adapters are the most reliable way to connect, work with almost any TV, and cost between $10 and $30.
  • Wireless methods like AirPlay, Miracast, and Chromecast are built into most phones and TVs made since 2018, but require both devices on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Streaming devices like Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, and Apple TV add wireless casting to older TVs that do not have it built in.
  • Screen mirroring shows your entire phone screen on the TV, while casting sends only video or audio and lets you use your phone for other things at the same time.

Using a cable to connect directly

A wired connection is the most reliable method and works with any TV that has an HDMI port. You need either an HDMI cable (if your phone has an HDMI output, which is rare) or an adapter that converts your phone's charging port to HDMI. Most phones use USB-C, so a USB-C to HDMI adapter is what you will need. iPhones use a Lightning to HDMI adapter.

Plug the adapter into your phone, connect an HDMI cable to the adapter, and plug the other end into any HDMI port on your TV. Switch your TV to that HDMI input using the remote. Your phone screen will appear on the TV immediately. The phone will charge while connected, and there is no lag or buffering.

Adapters cost $10 to $30 depending on the brand. This method works even if your Wi-Fi is down or your TV is very old. The downside is that you are tethered to the TV by a cable, and if you unplug it, the connection stops.

Wireless casting with AirPlay (iPhones and iPads)

If you own an iPhone or iPad and your TV is an Apple TV, a Samsung, an LG, or another brand made after 2018, you can use AirPlay to send video wirelessly. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Control Center on your iPhone (swipe down from the top right), tap Screen Mirroring, and select your TV from the list. Your phone screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds.

AirPlay works for mirroring your entire screen or for sending video from apps like YouTube, Netflix, or Apple TV+. Once you start casting, you can lock your phone or use other apps and the video keeps playing on the TV. The first time you connect to a TV, you may see a code on the screen that you need to enter on your phone to confirm.

AirPlay is built into all iPhones and iPads made since 2016. Not all TVs support it, so check your TV's manual or settings to see if AirPlay is listed. If your TV does not have it, you can add it with an Apple TV device.

Wireless casting with Miracast (Android phones)

Miracast is the Android version of screen mirroring and works with most Android phones and many TVs made since 2015. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your phone, go to Display or Connected Devices, and look for Screen Mirroring, Cast, or Wireless Display. Select your TV from the list.

The exact steps vary by phone brand. Samsung phones call it SmartThings or Smart View. Google Pixel phones call it Cast. Other brands may use different names. Check your phone's manual or search for "[your phone model] screen mirroring" if you cannot find the option.

Miracast is free and built into the phone, but not all TVs support it. If your TV does not have Miracast, you can add it with a Miracast adapter (a small device that plugs into your TV's HDMI port and costs $20 to $40) or with a streaming device like Google Chromecast.

Using Google Chromecast and similar streaming devices

A streaming device is a small box or stick that plugs into your TV's HDMI port and adds wireless casting to any TV. Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, and Roku devices all work this way. You plug the device in, connect it to your Wi-Fi, and then cast from your phone to the device instead of directly to the TV.

Google Chromecast works with both iPhones and Android phones. Open the app you want to cast from (YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, or others), tap the Cast icon, and select your Chromecast device. The video or audio starts playing on the TV. You can then use your phone for other things, and the content keeps playing.

Streaming devices cost $30 to $100 depending on the model and features. They are useful if your TV is older or does not have wireless casting built in. They also let you watch streaming services directly on the TV without using your phone at all.

Connecting for audio only

If you want to play music or podcasts through your TV's speakers without showing your phone screen, you can use Bluetooth or a casting app. Bluetooth is the simplest method: go to your TV's Bluetooth settings, put it in pairing mode, then go to your phone's Bluetooth settings and select the TV. Once paired, any audio app on your phone will play through the TV.

Bluetooth works with almost any TV made in the last ten years, but the range is limited to about 30 feet and the connection can drop if you move too far away or if other Bluetooth devices are nearby. For more reliable audio casting, use Google Chromecast or AirPlay, which work over Wi-Fi and have a longer range.

Troubleshooting common connection problems

If your phone and TV are not connecting, the most common cause is that they are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both devices are connected to the same network name (SSID). If your phone is on a 5 GHz network and your TV only supports 2.4 GHz, they will not see each other. Switch your phone to the 2.4 GHz band in your Wi-Fi settings.

If you are using a cable and nothing appears on the TV, try a different HDMI port on the TV and make sure you switched the TV input to that port using the remote. If the adapter is old or damaged, try a different one. For wireless connections, restart both your phone and TV, then try connecting again. If the TV still does not appear in your casting list, restart your Wi-Fi router.

If the connection works but the picture is choppy or keeps cutting out, move your phone closer to the TV or router, or switch to a wired connection. Wireless casting uses Wi-Fi bandwidth, so if other devices are downloading large files, the video may lag.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special app to connect my phone to my TV?

No. Screen mirroring and casting are built into your phone and TV. You do not need to download anything. Some apps like Netflix and YouTube have their own Cast button, but that is optional — you can also mirror your entire screen and open the app on the TV that way.

Can I connect my phone to a TV that does not have Wi-Fi?

Yes. Use a cable and adapter, or buy a streaming device like Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire Stick. Both methods work with any TV that has an HDMI port, even if it has no Wi-Fi or smart features.

Will connecting my phone to my TV drain the battery?

Wireless casting uses more battery than normal because your phone is sending video over Wi-Fi. A wired connection actually charges your phone while you use it, since the adapter carries power from the TV. If battery is a concern, use a cable.

Can I use my phone while casting video to the TV?

Yes, but only if you are casting from an app (like Netflix or YouTube) rather than mirroring your entire screen. When you cast from an app, the app plays on the TV and you can use your phone for texts, email, or other apps. When you mirror your screen, whatever you do on your phone appears on the TV.

What is the difference between mirroring and casting?

Mirroring sends your entire phone screen to the TV, so everything you do on your phone shows up on the TV. Casting sends only video or audio from a specific app, and your phone screen stays private. Casting is better if you want to use your phone while watching, and mirroring is better if you want to show someone else what is on your phone.