How to Connect Phone to TV: Beginner’s Guide

Connecting your phone to your TV can enhance your viewing experience. It allows you to share videos, photos, and more on a larger screen. This guide will explain how to connect phone to TV using various methods. You will learn about the steps, advantages, and disadvantages of each method.

Keytakes of Connecting Your Phone to TV

How to connect your phone to your TV? Before diving into specific methods, it’s important to understand the different ways you can connect your phone to your TV. Each method has its own set of steps, advantages, and disadvantages.

Below is a summary table that outlines these key points, helping you make an informed decision based on your preferences.

Method	General Steps	Advantages	Disadvantages	Most Used Cases
Mirroring App	Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi.Select the TV from the app.Click Connect.	Easy setup, wireless connection; no compatibility issues with TVs.	May have latency issues.	Streaming media from apps
Cast or AirPlay	Enable Android’s Cast feature or iPhone’s AirPlay feature.Choose the TV,Tap Start.	No additional apps or hardware required; wireless connection; quick setup.	May not work with older TVs; occasional connectivity issues.	Direct streaming from compatible apps
Bluetooth	Enable Bluetooth on both devices.Pair the phone with the TV.	Easy setup, wireless connection	May have latency issues; limited to audio streaming.	Streaming audio content.
HDMI Adapter	Connect the cable to the phone.Plug it into the TV.Switch TV input.	Stable connection, high quality.	Limited mobility, requires cable.	Gaming or presentations
Streaming Device	Connect the device (e.g., Roku) to TV. Set up Roku device on TV.Use an app on the phone to cast.	Enhances compatibility with older TVs.	Requires additional hardware; Slightly more complex initial setup.	Accessing multiple streaming services

Now that you have an overview of the methods available, let’s dive deeper into each method to understand how they work and which one suits your needs.

Using a Mirroring App [Recommend]

You can use the third-party phone screen mirroring app, which is one of the free apps to connect phone to TV. The app typically works seamlessly with both Android and iOS devices, as well as most TVs, offering a reliable wireless solution for sharing content.

Here is how to broadcast phone to TV with the mirroring app:

Step 1. Ensure that both your smartphone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. On the app’s main page, click the Tap to connect button.

Step 2. Choose your TV from the list displayed. A connection window will pop up, then click the Connect button.

Step 3. Once the text on the Tap to connect button changes to show the name of your connected TV, you have connected your phone to TV.

Step 4. Tap one of the on-screen features to stream your phone to your TV.

As you see, if you are looking for a guide on how to connect phone to TV without cable, using the mirroring app might be the optimal choice as you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues.

Using the Cast or AirPlay Feature

How to connect phone to TV? Many smartphones come with built-in features that allow for easy connection to TVs. For Android devices, this is often done through a casting feature (different manufacturers give different names to it), while iPhones use AirPlay.

While these built-in features are convenient, they may not be compatible with all TVs. Before proceeding, it’s essential to check if your devices support these functions.

Android: Use the Cast Feature

Modern Android devices have the cast feature, which allows them to share their screen or media on a larger screen, such as a TV. Therefore, the answer to the question “how to project phone onto TV” is obvious.

The feature has been given different names across Android phones, such as Screencast on OPPO, Smart View on Samsung, HTC Connect on HTC, and SmartShare on LG. But the Cast is the most generic term used across many Android devices. So, check your Android device and look for the feature.

Once found, check how to connect Android phone to TV in this way ( for example, using Screencast on OPPO):

Step 1. Ensure that your Android phone connects to the network your TV uses.

Step 2. Scroll down the phone screen, find the Screencast feature, and enable it.

Step 3. Your phone should detect a device to connect to. Once done, choose your TV from the list, and choose Start now.

Step 4. Wait for the connection to be set up. Then, what is happening on your phone screen will show on the TV screen.

iPhone: Use AirPlay Feature

How to connect iPhone to TV? Use the AirPlay if your TV is AirPlay-enabled. Many smart TVs that are not manufactured by Apple have built-in AirPlay 2 feature, such as Roku TV, Hisense TV, Fire TV, Samsung TV, LG TV, etc., which allows an easy wireless connection to iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Once confirm that your TV supports AirPlay, you can mirror iPhone to TV without Apple TV effortlessly:

Step 1. Ensure that your iPhone and TV are using the same WiFi network.

Step 2. Enable AirpPlay on your TV by referring to the TV manual.

Step 3. Swipe down from the top-right corner to access the Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring.

Step 4. Choose your TV from the list and type the 4-digit code if prompted.

Step 5. Wair for your iPhone to try connecting to your TV. Once connected, you can enjoy media from your iPhone on the large screen.

Using Bluetooth

Yes, you can achieve an easy connection setup between your phone and TV through Bluetooth technology if the two devices have Bluetooth capabilities.

Follow the tutorial on how to connect phone to TV using Bluetooth:

Step 1. Enable Bluetooth on your TV by navigating to the Settings menu and choosing Bluetooth options.

Step 2. Enable Bluetooth on your phone by going to Settings > Bluetooth and turning it on. Then, your phone will start scanning for available Bluetooth devices.

Step 3. Choose your TV from the list of available devices on your phone once it appears.

Step 4. Enter the pairing code on both devices if prompted.

After connecting, you can use your phone to play audio through the TV’s speakers or use the phone as a remote for compatible apps.

Using an HDMI Adapter

How to stream from phone to TV? For those who prefer a wired connection, using a USB-to-HDMI or Lightning-to-HDMI adapter is an excellent option. This method ensures a stable connection and high-quality video output, and therefore it is ideal for gaming or presentations.

See how to connect phone to TV with HDMI cable:

Step 1. Purchase a USB to HDMI or Lightning to HDMI adapter. The type of adapter you need depends on the type of port your phone has:

• USB-C port: For phones with a USB-C port, you’ll need a USB-C to HDMI adapter.
• Micro USB port: For phones with a micro USB port, you’ll need a Micro USB to HDMI adapter.
• Lightning port: For older iPhones before iPhone 15, you’ll need a Lightning to HDMI adapter.

Step 2. Insert one end of the adapter into the phone’s port, then plug the HDMI cable into the other end.

Step 3. Locate the HDMI port on your TV and plug the HDMI cable into the port. Most modern TVs have multiple HDMI ports, so make sure to remember the number of the port you plug your cable into.

Step 4. Turn on your phone and TV and change the TV’s input source. Note that choose the HDMI port that you connected to. Your phone’s screen should now be mirrored on your smart TV.

Using a Streaming Device

Another popular way to connect your phone to your TV is by using a streaming device such as Roku Stick, Fire Stick, or Chromecast with Google T, especially when you have an old television.

These devices can enhance compatibility, ensuring a smoother mirroring experience compared to relying on the TV’s built-in capabilities. Plus, they provide access to various streaming services, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, and so on.

How to put phone screen on TV? The general steps include:

Step 1. Connect the streaming device to your TV’s HDMI port.

Step 2. Set up the device by following on-screen instructions.

Step 3. Use compatible apps on your phone to cast content directly.

Four Benefits of Connecting Your Phone to TV

After connecting your phone to your TV, you’ll be welcomed by numerous benefits, including:

• Enhanced viewing and gaming: Enjoy movies, photos, or presentations on a larger screen with better audio-visual quality. Play mobile games on a bigger screen for a more immersive experience.
• Convenience: Easily share content with friends and family without crowding around a small phone screen.
• Productivity: Use your TV as a secondary display for presentations or work-related tasks.
• Easy TV control: A universal remote TV app can connect your phone to a TV too. Then, you can control your TV without a remote.

Conclusion

Connecting your phone to your TV opens up new ways to enjoy media and share content with others. Whether you choose mirroring apps, built-in features, cables, or streaming devices, each method has its benefits and limitations. By considering your preferences and needs, you can select the best option for a seamless viewing experience.

If you think this how-to guide is worth reading, please share it with those who are wondering how to connect phone to smart TV.

How to Connect Phone to TV FAQ

Q: How to link iPhone to TV?

You can link an iPhone to a TV using AirPlay, an HDMI adapter, or a third-party mirroring app for easy connectivity.

Q: How can I connect my phone to my TV without HDMI?

Wireless methods like casting through a compatible app or using a mirroring feature or a third-party mirroring app are great alternatives.

Q: How to connect your phone to a non-smart TV?

Using a USB-to-HDMI adapter or other compatible cables allows for direct connections without smart features. Or set up a streaming device like Roku or Chromecast with Google TV, which can enhance the TV’s compatibility, then enable the cast or AirPlay feature on the phone.

Q: How can I connect my phone to my TV without WiFi?

A USB-to-HDMI cable provides a reliable way to connect without needing Wi-Fi access at all.