The fastest way to connect your phone to an LG TV
You can connect your phone to an LG TV using either a wireless connection or a cable. Wireless works best if your TV and phone are both on the same WiFi network — most LG TVs made in the last five years support this. A cable connection is more reliable if wireless keeps dropping, and it works on older TVs that don't have wireless built in.
The method you choose depends on what you want to do. If you're mirroring your entire phone screen, wireless is simpler. If you're just playing a video or photo from your phone's storage, both methods work equally well. A cable also charges your phone while you're using it, which wireless does not.
Key Takeaways
- LG TVs with WebOS 3.0 or newer can connect wirelessly to Android and iPhone using screen mirroring or AirPlay, depending on your phone type.
- A USB-C or HDMI cable works on any LG TV model and is the most reliable connection method if wireless keeps disconnecting.
- Before you start, make sure your phone and TV are on the same WiFi network for wireless connections to work.
- If your LG TV doesn't recognize your phone, restart both devices and try again — this fixes most connection problems.
Wireless connection using screen mirroring (Android phones)
Android phones connect to LG TVs through a feature called screen mirroring. This sends everything on your phone's screen to the TV, including apps, videos, and photos. The TV must be on the same WiFi network as your phone for this to work.
Start by opening the Settings app on your phone. Look for a section called Display, Screen, or Connected Devices — the exact name varies by phone brand. Find the option for Cast, Screen Mirroring, or Wireless Display. Tap it to turn it on. Your phone will now search for nearby devices.
On your LG TV remote, press the Home button to open the main menu. Navigate to Settings, then Connection, then Screen Share. Make sure Screen Share is turned on. Your TV will now appear in the list on your phone. Tap your TV's name to connect. The TV will ask you to confirm — select Yes or Allow on the remote.
Once connected, your phone screen appears on the TV. You can now open any app, video, or photo on your phone and it will display on the TV. To disconnect, swipe down from the top of your phone screen and tap the Cast or Screen Mirroring button again, then select Disconnect.
Wireless connection using AirPlay (iPhone)
iPhones connect to LG TVs through AirPlay, which works the same way as Android screen mirroring but is Apple's version. Your iPhone and LG TV must be on the same WiFi network. This feature is available on LG TVs with WebOS 5.0 or newer — most models from 2020 onward have this.
On your iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center. Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it. Your LG TV will appear in the list. Tap your TV's name to connect.
Your iPhone will ask you to enter a four-digit code that appears on the TV screen. Type this code on your iPhone and tap Connect. Your iPhone screen now appears on the TV. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.
If your LG TV does not appear in the list, check that both devices are on the same WiFi network. Restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Try the mirroring process again.
Wired connection using USB-C or HDMI cable
A cable connection works on any LG TV, including older models without wireless features. You will need either a USB-C cable (for newer phones) or an HDMI adapter cable that matches your phone's port type. Most phones made after 2015 use USB-C; iPhones use Lightning connectors.
Plug one end of the cable into your phone and the other end into the HDMI port on the back of your LG TV. The TV may automatically detect the phone and switch to the correct input. If not, use the TV remote to press the Input or Source button, then select the HDMI port you plugged the cable into.
Your phone screen will now appear on the TV. The TV will charge your phone while it is connected. To disconnect, simply unplug the cable from your phone or TV. The TV will return to its normal display.
If the TV does not recognize the phone after you plug in the cable, try a different USB-C or HDMI cable — the first one may be damaged. If you are using an adapter, make sure it is designed for your specific phone model.
Connecting to play videos or photos without mirroring
If you only want to play a single video or photo from your phone on the TV, you do not need to mirror your entire screen. Instead, you can send just that file to the TV. This uses less battery and is faster than mirroring.
Open the video or photo app on your phone. Find the file you want to play. Look for a Share, Cast, or Send button — usually a rectangle with an arrow, or three dots for more options. Tap it. Select your LG TV from the list of available devices. The video or photo will play on the TV while your phone returns to normal.
This method works with most video apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Photos, as well as music apps. Not all apps support this feature — if you do not see a Cast or Send option, use screen mirroring instead.
Troubleshooting when your phone won't connect
The most common reason a phone will not connect to an LG TV is that they 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. You can find your TV's network name in Settings on the TV remote.
If both devices are on the same network and still won't connect, restart both. Turn off your phone completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. On your TV, press the power button on the remote to turn it off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. Try connecting again.
If you are using a cable and the TV does not recognize your phone, the cable may be damaged or not compatible with your phone model. Try a different cable. If you are using an adapter, make sure it is an official adapter from your phone's manufacturer — third-party adapters often do not work reliably.
If wireless keeps disconnecting after a few minutes, move your phone and TV closer together. WiFi signals weaken over distance and through walls. If they are already close, restart both devices and try again. If the problem continues, use a cable connection instead — it is more stable.
What to do if your LG TV is too old for wireless
LG TVs made before 2015 may not have wireless screen mirroring built in. If your TV does not have a Screen Share option in Settings, a cable connection is your only choice. This is not a problem — a cable works just as well and is actually more reliable than wireless.
Check what ports are on the back of your TV. Most older LG TVs have HDMI ports. You will need an HDMI adapter cable that matches your phone's port type. For iPhones, you need a Lightning to HDMI adapter. For Android phones with USB-C, you need a USB-C to HDMI adapter. These adapters cost between $15 and $40 and are available at most electronics stores.
Plug the adapter into your phone, then plug an HDMI cable into the adapter and into your TV's HDMI port. Use the TV remote to select the correct HDMI input. Your phone screen will appear on the TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to download an app to connect my phone to my LG TV?
No. Screen mirroring and AirPlay are built into both phones and LG TVs — you do not need to download anything. If you want to use the LG TV remote to control your phone, you can download the LG TV Plus app, but it is optional.
Can I connect my phone to an LG TV that is not on my WiFi network?
No. Wireless connections require both devices to be on the same WiFi network. If you cannot connect to the TV's network, use a cable instead. A cable does not need WiFi.
Will connecting my phone to the TV drain my phone's battery?
Wireless mirroring uses more battery than normal because your phone is constantly sending video to the TV. A cable connection charges your phone while you use it, so battery is not a concern. If battery life matters, use a cable.
What if my phone screen is too small to see on the TV?
Once your phone is connected to the TV, you can adjust the text size and zoom in your phone's Settings. You can also rotate your phone to landscape mode, which makes most apps larger on the TV screen.
Can I use my phone while it is connected to the TV?
Yes. You can open apps, take calls, and use your phone normally while it is mirrored to the TV. Everything you do on your phone will appear on the TV screen. If you want privacy, disconnect the phone from the TV first.