The three main ways to mirror or cast your phone to a TV

You can connect your phone to your TV wirelessly using three methods: screen mirroring (which duplicates everything on your phone), casting (which sends specific apps or content), 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 the connection.

Screen mirroring works with most Android phones and some older 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 TVs, or with some newer Samsung and LG TVs that have AirPlay built in. If your TV is more than five years old, you may need to buy a separate device to make any of these work.

Key Takeaways

  • Android phones use either screen mirroring (built into the phone) or Google Cast (requires a Chromecast device or compatible TV), while iPhones use AirPlay.
  • Your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for any wireless connection to work.
  • Screen mirroring duplicates your entire phone screen, while casting sends only the app or video you choose.
  • If your TV is older than five years, you can add wireless capability by plugging in a Chromecast, Fire TV Stick, or Roku device.

Screen mirroring on Android phones

Screen mirroring copies everything on your phone's display to your TV in real time. On most Android phones, this feature is called Smart View, Screen Mirroring, or Wireless Display, depending on the manufacturer. To find it, swipe down from the top of your phone twice to open the full quick settings menu, then look for an icon labeled "Smart View," "Screen Mirroring," or "Cast." Tap it and select your TV from the list of available devices.

Your phone and TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If your TV does not appear in the list, make sure both devices are on the same network and that your TV supports screen mirroring — most Samsung, LG, and Sony TVs made after 2015 do. If your TV is older or does not support mirroring, you will need a separate device like a Chromecast or Fire TV Stick plugged into an HDMI port.

Once connected, your phone screen will appear on the TV. You can then open apps, browse photos, or play videos, and everything will display on the larger screen. The connection stays active until you disconnect it or turn off your phone. Battery drains faster during screen mirroring, so plug your phone in if you plan to use it for more than an hour.

Casting with Google Cast and Chromecast

Google Cast (also called Chromecast) is different from screen mirroring because it sends only the app or video you choose, not your entire phone screen. This uses less battery and lets you keep using your phone for other things while the video plays on the TV. To cast, open the app you want to use — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, or another app that supports casting — and look for a cast icon (usually a rectangle with curved lines in the corner). Tap it and select your TV.

Google Cast works on any Android phone and on any TV with a built-in Chromecast or a Chromecast device plugged into an HDMI port. It also works on Fire TV devices, Roku devices, and some smart TVs from Samsung, LG, and Sony. Your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Once you start casting, the app will continue playing on the TV even if you lock your phone or switch to another app.

If your TV does not have built-in Chromecast, you can buy a Google Chromecast device (a small stick or disc) for $30 to $50 and plug it into any HDMI port. Set it up using the Google Home app on your phone, connect it to your Wi-Fi, and then you can cast from any compatible app.

AirPlay for iPhones and iPads

AirPlay is Apple's wireless casting system. To use it, make sure your iPhone or iPad and your TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. Then open the app you want to use — Apple TV, YouTube, or another app that supports AirPlay — and look for an AirPlay icon (usually a triangle with lines beneath it). Tap it and select your TV or Apple TV device from the list.

AirPlay works natively on Apple TVs. For other TV brands, you need either a TV made after 2018 with AirPlay built in (some Samsung, LG, and Sony models have it) or an Apple TV device connected to your TV via HDMI. An Apple TV device costs $99 to $199 depending on the model. If you have an older TV without AirPlay, this is the main option for connecting an iPhone wirelessly.

You can also mirror your entire iPhone screen to an Apple TV or compatible TV by swiping down from the top right corner of your phone, tapping Control Center, and selecting "Screen Mirroring." This shows everything on your phone, including notifications and lock screen, so use it only when you want to share your full screen.

Setting up your Wi-Fi network correctly

All wireless phone-to-TV connections require your phone and TV to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you have a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name (called a dual-band router), your phone and TV may connect to different bands and not see each other. Check your router settings or ask your internet provider if you can separate the networks into different names, or connect both devices to the same band manually.

Some older TVs and casting devices only work on 2.4 GHz networks, while newer phones prefer 5 GHz. If your devices are not finding each other, try connecting your phone to the 2.4 GHz network and see if the TV appears in the casting list. You can usually switch networks in your phone's Wi-Fi settings.

Troubleshooting when your phone and TV won't connect

If your phone does not see your TV in the casting or mirroring list, restart both devices. Turn off your TV and phone completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn them back on. Then try to connect again. If that does not work, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network by opening your phone's Wi-Fi settings and confirming the network name matches what you see on your TV's network settings.

If your TV is too far from your router, the connection may drop or fail to start. Move closer to the router or move the router closer to the TV. Walls and metal objects can weaken the Wi-Fi signal, so try to keep a clear line between your router and TV. If you still cannot connect, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully restart before trying again.

If your TV is very old and does not appear in any casting list, it likely does not support wireless connection. In that case, buy a Chromecast, Fire TV Stick, or Roku device and plug it into an HDMI port on your TV. These devices add wireless casting to any TV and cost between $25 and $100 depending on the model.

When to use screen mirroring versus casting

Screen mirroring is best when you want to show your entire phone on the TV — for example, looking at photos, browsing the web, or playing a game. It duplicates everything, so your phone and TV are always in sync. The downside is that it drains your phone's battery faster and you cannot use your phone for other things while mirroring is active.

Casting is better when you want to watch a video or listen to music and keep using your phone. The app continues playing on the TV while you can text, check email, or use other apps on your phone. Casting also uses less battery. However, not all apps support casting — you can only cast from apps that have the cast icon built in, like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and Google Play Music.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special cable to connect my phone to my TV wirelessly?

No. Wireless connections use Wi-Fi only. You do not need any cables between your phone and TV. Your phone and TV must both be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and your TV must either support wireless casting built-in or have a separate device like a Chromecast plugged into an HDMI port.

Can I use wireless casting if I do not have Wi-Fi at home?

Most wireless casting methods require Wi-Fi. However, some devices like Chromecast and Fire TV Stick can create their own Wi-Fi network if you do not have a home router. Check the device manual to see if this option is available. If not, you would need to use a wired HDMI connection instead.

Why does my connection keep dropping?

Dropped connections usually happen because your phone and TV are too far from your router, or because they are on different Wi-Fi bands (2.4 GHz versus 5 GHz). Move your router closer to your TV, or manually connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi band. Restarting your router can also help.

Can I cast to my TV if my phone is locked?

Yes. Once you start casting, the app continues playing on the TV even if you lock your phone or switch to another app. Your phone does not need to stay awake. However, screen mirroring requires your phone to stay unlocked and active, so the screen will turn off if you lock it.

What is the difference between a Chromecast and a Fire TV Stick?

Both are small devices that plug into your TV's HDMI port and add wireless casting. Chromecast works with Google Cast and works on any Android phone or iPhone. Fire TV Stick works with Amazon's Fire TV system and works best with Android phones and Alexa devices. Both cost $25 to $50 and work with most streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube.