How to Connect an Android Phone to a TV: 8 Methods That Work
Your Android display probably isn’t that big. Even if you’re using a phablet-sized device, the display will be around seven inches at most.
Meanwhile, the TV on your wall is 40 inches or bigger. So how do you connect your phone or tablet to your TV for the ultimate big-screen Android experience?
Why Connect Your Android Phone to Your TV?
It might be something that has only just occurred to you, but connecting your mobile to your TV is straightforward.
But why would you do this?
- Gaming: on a big screen, mobile gaming suddenly more immersive. Connect a controller to your device for the best results.
- Viewing media: your photo and video collections are perfect for sharing.
- Presentation: if your laptop packs up, or you’re otherwise caught on the hop software, presentation software on your phone can take advantage of an HDMI link to your display.
- Office tasks and productivity: with a keyboard and mouse connected to your phone, your might connect your phone to your TV for productivity purposes.
So, just how do you connect your Android device to your HDMI TV? Eight options are available:
- Casting to Google Chromecast
- Cast to Android TV
- Screen mirroring with an Amazon Fire TV device
- Stream via a DLNA device
- Use a USB to HDMI adapter
- Connect your phone to your TV using USB
- Share media on your phone with your Roku device
- Connect to a wireless-enabled TV from Android
We’ll look at each option below.
1. How to Connect a Phone to Your TV With Google Chromecast
By far the simplest method to connect your phone to a TV is with Google Chromecast. Android phones have the casting feature built-in, so as long as you have a Google Chromecast connected to your TV, you can “cast” to it.
This means anything on your phone—video, the home screen, a particular app, whatever. All it needs is a wireless network that your phone and the Chromecast can connect to.
Google Chromecast has an HDMI connector and a USB power cable to connect to your TV’s USB port. (If this doesn’t supply enough power to the Chromecast, connect it to the nearest outlet instead.)
Setting up a Google Chromecast differs depending on the device, so check the documentation for the correct steps. See our comprehensive Chromecast setup guide for full steps.
Once paired with your Android device, it’s ready to use. To cast:
- Use two fingers to pull down the Quick Settings menu on Android
- Tap Cast or Screencast
Note that specific apps also have a cast button. For example, YouTube and other video apps have a Cast button.
2. How to Cast to Android TV From an Android Phone
With a brand-new TV, you might have the benefit of having Chromecast built-in. This typically happens with devices running Android TV. But it doesn’t matter if you have an actual Android TV, or an Android TV box connected to your LCD or plasma widescreen display.
Chromecast should be enabled by default on Android TV, as long as the TV has a network connection and you’re signed in to your Google account.
If not, open Settings > Device Preferences on Android TV and ensure Chromecast is enabled for receiving shares.
3. Mirror Your Screen With Amazon Fire TV
Another way to wirelessly mirror your Android device’s display is by using an Amazon Fire TV box or Fire TV Stick.
Similar to using Chromecast, you link the two devices over your wireless network. Rather than casting, however, the screen and any running apps are mirrored. You can view content, apps, games, and any streaming media on your TV.
To enable this on your Fire TV device:
- Go to Settings > Display & audio
- Select Enable Display Mirroring
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect to the Fire TV
At this point, use your phone’s display mirroring or casting feature to connect to the Amazon Fire TV. In some cases (depending on phone manufacturer), additional software may be required (see below).
The Amazon Fire TV is one of Amazon’s bestsellers and a far more flexible media center option than the Google Chromecast Ultra. See our guide to setting up an Amazon Fire TV Stick for more information.
4. Stream to TV Over Your Network With DLNA
Various devices, from TVs and Blu-ray players to set-top boxes and consoles, support Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) guidelines. This means that, with the right app installed on your Android device, you can stream media directly to your TV.
DLNA is widely used and built-in to most devices, so you don’t need any additional hardware for this. What you will need, however, is an app like BubbleUPnP.
Download: BubbleUPnP for DLNA/Chromecast (Free)
With this app running on your phone, connecting to a DLNA-equipped display or media device should be easy.
5. How to Connect a Phone to an HDMI TV With a USB to HDMI Cable
This option should be among the best for modern Android phones, but unfortunately it is rare.
In recent years, smartphones have moved towards USB Type-C data and power ports. This should mean more bandwidth for things like video output, but few smartphones (beyond Samsung and other manufacturers’ premium ranges) offer this.
For HDMI-out over USB Type-C, the port must support USB 3.x. But most phones feature USB Type-C ports with USB 2.x. Consequently, HDMI-out over USB Type-C is rare.
This is particularly frustrating as many of the last generation of smartphones with micro-USB connectors supported HDMI out.
If your Android phone or tablet supports HDMI-out over USB, you will need a suitable adapter.
- Anker USB-C to HDMI Adapter
- MHL Micro USB to HDMI Cable Adapter
Other AV adapter types are available if you don’t have an HDMI TV.
Do Android Phones Have an HDMI Port?
While modern phones are reducing the number of ports, older devices had various input options.
In fact, for a time, various Android phones were released with physical HDMI-out ports. You can find an almost comprehensive list of these devices at GSM Arena. Note that these devices require special HDMI cables, which might be Type D (micro-HDMI), Type-C (mini HDMI), or the standard Type-A.
The problem with these phones, however, is their age. You won’t be able to enjoy the latest versions of Android with older hardware, and by extension, the safety and stability of security updates.
6. Connect Your Phone as a Storage Device
Another way to connect your Android phone to your TV is as a USB storage device. While this is no good for screen sharing, it will nevertheless let you view media on your TV.
So while it won’t let you stream live sports to the TV, you’ll still be able to share holiday videos. Just make sure the USB port on your TV (or other media device) is for public use. Sometimes (particularly on older TVs) the USB port is limited to engineer use only.
The TV’s remote control should also have some media control options, so you can find the files you want to view on your phone. Check out our guide to connecting your phone to your TV via USB for more information.
7. Connect an Android Phone to Your TV Using Roku
A popular alternative to Amazon Fire TV units, Roku devices come in HDMI dongle and set-top box form. As such, Rokus are similar to Fire TV—and you can connect your phone wirelessly to a Roku.
The Roku Express 3700 does not accept screencasting or mirroring. Check your Roku device model in Settings > System > About.
Assuming your Roku device is connected to your network (it’s useless otherwise):
- Open Settings > System
- Select Screen mirroring mode
- Choose Prompt or Always allow, depending on preference
You can then use Android’s casting or screen sharing feature to create a connection. If you selected Prompt in the Roku settings, accept the pairing required on the Roku.
8. Connect to a Wireless-enabled TV With an Android Phone
Essentially a wireless version of HDMI, Miracast is a little like DLNA in that you can stream video data across a network. How the two technologies work is completely different, however.
Most current TVs have Miracast built-in. So, how do you connect your phone to your TV wirelessly?
Start by ensuring your TV is available.
On older phones (running Android 6.0, for example), open Settings > Device Connection > Screen mirroring and follow any prompts.
If you have an older display, without built-in wireless streaming, find a Miracast dongle on eBay or Amazon. This works in the same way, although it takes up an HDMI port.
Now You Know How to Connect Your Android Mobile to Your TV!
With a good network connection and the right hardware, you can send video from your Android phone or tablet to your TV. Whether gaming, looking at photos, or enjoying music, the possibilities are intriguing.
How you use it will depend on the media to be streamed. Just be sure not to drain your smartphone battery while it is connected to your TV. If you’re streaming wirelessly, keep the phone on charge.
How to Mirror Your Android Phone to TV via HDMI cable
Introduction
In the last article, DP Alt Mode was explained and according to the article, not all phones support DP Alt Mode. That is, DP Alt Mode, a video streaming capability activated in Type C connectors is not supported by all Type C connectors. For instance, new android phones with type C connectors, like the Xiaomi and Samsung A series, have no video output when connecting them to a TV via USB C to HDMI cable.
However, there are other ways to get your non-compatible DP Alt Mode phones to transmit video & audio signals onto a larger screen. The two major ways to get this done are through a wireless connection or a wired one. For the purpose of this article, we will be looking at the two other ways you can cast your phone screen onto your TV using a wired connection for phones that does not support DP Alt Mode.
Why do you need a Larger Screen?
You might be thinking that you necessarily do not need a larger screen hence, might not need the information in this article. However, think about this
- What if, in your working place, you urgently need to show something on your phone to a group of potential customers? Without you connecting your phone to a larger screen, you can’t get it done.
- Your 3 kids are watching a particular cartoon on your smartphone which is not available on theirs and they seem to be quarreling since they can’t all get a good view of the cartoon. A simple solution is just to cast your screen onto a larger screen. With this everyone can have a nice movie time.
It wouldn’t be a good idea to want to transmit audio/video signals from your phone to a larger screen and you do not know how to go about it. Hence, let’s quickly take a look at two ways you can cast your smartphone screen onto your monitor or television using a wired connection.
1. MHL cable adapter
Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) just as the name implies is one of the ways you can connect your Android Phone’s screen to your (HD)TV. Digital video signals can be transmitted using a regular USB connector thanks to MHL. The MHL output from a mobile device must be transformed using an MHL converter in order to be used with a micro-USB/USB C port.
However, the mobile device still needs MHL capability even though many mobile devices use the USB C/micro-USB connector and MHL adapters can be plugged into your mobile device. Your mobile device’s MHL compatibility is a hardware specification, so it cannot be fixed by installing any kind of update. That is, for you to be able to send video & audio signals to your TV using an MHL adapter, your phone must be MHL compatible.
It is good to also know that, you can utilize this Mobile High-Definition Link adapter to connect your smartphones and tablets to other high-definition devices such as projectors and audio receivers.
2. DisplayLink adapter
There are varieties of smartphones with different compatibilities. Therefore, the beauty of carrying out a function lies in having different options to utilize in carrying it out. If your smartphone does not support HDMI Alt Mode, it should support MHL or DisplayLink. DisplayLink is a company formerly known as Newnham Research. They create the DisplayLink USB graphics technology, which uses USB, Ethernet, and WiFi to link PCs and displays. Additionally, it enables a single computer to connect to many monitors.
This DisplayLink software support Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, ChromeOS, and Linux operating systems. Therefore, with your DisplayLink adapter you can cast the small screen on your android to a larger screen effortlessly. Seeing that a DisplayLink adapter supports most Android smartphones, let’s quickly take a look at how to use a DisplayLink adapter on an Android phone.
How to use DisplayLink Adapter on Xiaomi Phone
To cast your Xiaomi phone on your television using the DisplayLink adapter, you need an OTG cable with USB C to USB 3. 0 (female port). Also, you need a DisplayLink adapter with USB 3.0 and an HDMI port. After having these two devices, go to the DisplayLink website and download the Android DisplayLink software.
Right on the download page, you will see download APK, click and then it will lead you to another page. On this other page, scroll down and click on the blue link that says “accept & download”. After this, connect your OTG adapter to your phone and connect the OTG cable to the DisplayLink adapter. If it isn’t working, open the DisplayLink app on your smartphone and refresh at the top right corner.
Using the DisplayLink adapter on your Xiaomi phone is quite easy if you can follow the steps above. However, for more practical steps, check out our test about using DisplayLink adapter on Xiaomi phone.
Conclusion
We are in a busy world today. Hence, we tend to appreciate technological devices that enable us to live our lives with ease. And this is one of the beautiful goals of Apple. With your Apple Watch 8 series, you can operate your iPhone. Hence, you do not have to hold your phone every time. That is ease.
In the same manner, you can easily cast your smartphone screen on your TV in the cool of the evening after work and enjoy your movie with some nice cookies without having to stressfully hold your phone. Another benefit you get is that your eyes get more relaxed with a larger screen than with a smaller screen.
Finally, you might see no reason to cast your smartphone or tablet screen onto your monitor or TV presently. However, you can quickly go through this article to learn how it works in case you will need to. It is good to also point out that you can cast your smartphone screen to a larger screen without the use of any adapter or cord (wireless connection) if you prefer.
Author: Yuusuf Oluwaseun Adetona
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How to connect Android phone to TV via HDMI?
High Definition Multimedia Interface or HDMI is an interface that transmits video and audio in high definition and quality. What does it mean? This means that you, for example, can display an image from a laptop to a TV. In this case, on the TV screen you will see everything that happens on the laptop screen. Of course, this is only possible if your TV, like your laptop, supports HDMI technology. Is it possible to connect a smartphone to a TV using HDMI? It is possible, but there are some nuances.
- Smartphone.
- TV.
- HDMI cable.
- MHL adapter.
You are probably very familiar with the first three devices, but few people know what an MHL adapter is. Let’s take a closer look.
In order to connect a smartphone and a TV with an HDMI cable, the TV must have an HDMI port, the smartphone must have a microHDMI port, and the appropriate cable is required. The problem is that only a small number of smartphones have a microHDMI port – manufacturers simply do not see the point in installing it, because it makes the device more expensive and takes up extra space in the case. Here is this port on a smartphone, it looks like a MicroUSB port, but they are similar only in appearance (for example, BlackBerry Z10):
If your smartphone doesn’t have a microHDMI port, you probably think you can’t connect it to your TV. This, fortunately, is not the case. Some time ago, Mobile High-Definition Link technology, or MHL for short, appeared. MHL is an interface standard that combines the functionality of HDMI and MicroUSB interfaces. In other words, with the help of this wonderful technology, you can connect your smartphone to your TV using HDMI technology using a special adapter. There is also an MHL cable. The difference is that the adapter is powered by an external power supply, while the cable does not require additional power.
The MHL adapter looks like this:
It also has an additional microUSB port for power supply.
So, in order to connect a smartphone to a TV using HDMI technology, you need to connect an MHL adapter to your smartphone. Then a regular HDMI cable is connected to the adapter. The second side of the HDMI cable is connected to the TV – on its back or side wall you can find a port or ports for connection.
Connected? Amazing. Now it all depends on the TV model. There are models where when you connect a cable to the HDMI port, the picture from the device you just connected automatically turns on. If this does not happen, pick up the TV remote control, press the Source button and select the HDMI section.
After that you will see a picture from your smartphone. Everything that is shown on its display, you will see on the TV screen. You can watch a movie or even play games. Very comfortably!
Just remember that in some cases it is worth completely disabling the screen off function on the smartphone or setting the maximum possible time, otherwise its display will turn off when idle.
As you can see, there is nothing difficult to connect, but you need to stock up on an MHL adapter in advance. Of course, only if your smartphone does not have a separate microHDMI port.
10 ways to connect your smartphone to your TV 2023
If you want to show off fresh photos or videos, but it’s not comme il faut to huddle in front of the screen of your mobile phone, then you need to connect your smartphone to the TV. Below are 10+ methods, including both classic HDMI, USB Wi-Fi, and unusual ways via Chromecast, MHL, etc.
Ways to connect phone to TV via cable
These methods are suitable for “smart” TV and for a 15-year-old “old man”. The main thing is that the smartphone and the TV have suitable connectors. And then it’s a matter of technology. Let’s break down the 5 common methods of pairing “by wire”.
HDMI
A type of connection that does not distort the quality of the content. If 4K video is output via a wire to a TV that supports this resolution, every original pixel will be visible on its screen.
The only catch in the modern connection: not all phones have a micro-HDMI connector. An additional port is more common in tablets and video equipment. But despite this, mobile and TV connect: many manufacturers have created a direct connection via 2E Type-C to HDMI cords. This connection looks like a piece of cake:
- Connect the cord to the correct ports. The TV has HDMI, and the phone has USB-C.
- Follow the instructions on the TV screen.
If the mobile has only lightning or micro-usb, you need to look for adapters. 2E Lightning to HDMI is interfaced with “apple” technology. In this case, the connection becomes a little more complicated, but still remains clear.
- Connect the mobile phone to the adapter.
- Take the usual HDMI cable and connect it to the TV set on one side and the adapter on the other.
- Follow the instructions on the device displays.
Owners of Android phones with a micro USB port should look for a USB-C adapter, such as Belkin microUSB to Type-C. Further, the connection goes as standard: the phone – to the adapter, the cable – to the TV and smartphone, to execute the commands that appear on the screens of the devices.
Interesting article: Smart TV – what is it in a TV: 4 advantages and some disadvantages All you need is a USB cable to connect – even charging for a mobile phone will do. The main thing is that the side that will connect to the telly matches its connectors.
If the TV was made before 2017, there will only be USB-A (the most common USB), but fresher models may also have USB-C. The connection will be like this:
- Connect mobile and TV via USB.
- Enable “box”.
- Go to the TV settings, and assign a USB port as a source.
- Confirm this on the mobile.
- Smart icons or folders will appear on the TV display.
- Find the content you want and watch.
MHL
MHL is a special TV port designed to connect with mobile phones. Means Mobile High-Definition, which translates as “high-definition mobile connection”. Suitable for viewing files and for transferring images. It will be possible to surf online on the phone and all this will be displayed on the big screen. If the TV supports this format, at least one of the HDMI outputs will have this label. The connection will look like this:
- Connect wire to mobile.
- Connect the cord to the TV.
- Enable both devices.
- In the TV menu, go to the settings and confirm “Auto change MHL input”. Then, with any connection with a mobile phone, TV will show what is happening on the mobile phone.
No additional devices of the “extra charge” type are required for the adapter.
Topic: How to connect Apple iPhone to LG TV: 6 proven ways
Slimport
This type of connection, defined by Analogix, works the same as MHL and connects to the Display Port. It connects to the phone via micro USB. To connect, just insert the ends of the cable into the appropriate ports and follow the instructions on the screen, making the mobile phone the main signal source.
Mini DisplayPort
If your TV does not have the ability to connect a mobile phone through the usual ports, you should try connecting via Mini DisplayPort. It will display an image with a resolution of almost 2K (2560×1440) and supports most popular formats.
In another technique, it can be found on older MacBooks – before 2017, laptops from different manufacturers until 2018-2019, and some tablets manufactured before 2016-2018.
All Mini DisplayPort devices have now been replaced with universal USB-C. It is through the connection with yusb that mobile phones are connected. You just need to find adapters from mini USB or USB-C to classic DisplayPort (almost any TV has it). A great example is the Dell USB-C to DisplayPort Adapter.
To connect an iPhone, you need to take a Lightning to USB-C adapter. Then connect in four steps.
- Connect mobile phone to Lightning adapter.
- Connect it to the USB-C to Displayport adapter.
- Connect this wire to the TV.
- Turn on both devices and follow the instructions on the screen.
Even if the connection is a little confusing, you can connect your mobile phone even to an outdated TV set that is more than 10-15 years old.
Lightning Digital AV Adapter
Only iPhone to TV connection method, because it is original adapter from Apple.
The principle of its connection resembles pairing “apple” to HDMI only with minimal differences:
- The adapter connects to the iPhone.
- HDMI cable mates with adapter.
- The wire is inserted into the HDMI port of the TV.
- Follow the instructions on the display.
There will be a connection: How to connect a laptop to a TV? 3 effective and proven ways
Wireless connection of the TV to the phone
For those who do not like cords, the technique offers a wireless connection. We will analyze below 5 connection methods without cables.
Wi-Fi
You don’t even need a router here! However, it is important that the TV is with Wi-Fi Direct. You can find out about this by looking at the instructions for the device. Then the TV and the mobile phone on Android are paired using the wifi protocol without a router. It’s done like this:
Miracast
For such a connection you will need any android mobile phone and TV that works with Miracast. In the lion’s share of smart TVs, it is already “by default”. For simplified TVs, there are adapters that will “give” this feature even to an old device.
If Miracast works in the “big screen”, pairing will take place as follows:
- Open TV settings and activate Miracast. In most Smart TVs, Miracast is located in the Wireless Communications block. If it’s not there, look at the TV manual, it shows the exact location of the setting.
- Go to the phone menu → “Display”, → “Wireless monitor”.
- Find your TV in the device list.
- Literally in a fraction of a second, everything that happens on a mobile phone will also be on a large monitor.
If you need to connect to an old TV, it will look like this:
- Buy an adapter. It is better to take a universal one that will support ChromeCast and AirPlay – then it will fit any phone.
- Chromecast needs to be connected to the HDMI of the TV.
- Select HDMI as signal source
- Go to the smart menu → “Display” → “Wireless Monitor”.
Everything is ready and you can watch any content.
Read: How to connect a system unit and a TV – 6 connection options The TV itself must work with DLNA technology, otherwise nothing will start. Connect as follows:
- Connect TV and smart to the same router.
- Activate DLNA in TV settings.
- Enable android gallery and find file.
- Go to the document menu (by clicking on the ellipsis) and go to the “Select player” item.
- Find the name of your telly.
- Watch content on the big screen.
Chromecast
Universal pairing method that works with Androids and iPhones. The only thing you need is to find a Chromecast.
To connect your PC and mobile you need to do the following:
- Connect Chromecast to HDMI TV.
- Pair Chrome to Wi-Fi
- Download Google Home on your mobile phone.
- Open the app and log in to it.
- Play videos or photos on a mobile phone in programs that support streaming to Chromecast.
- Start streaming content to the set-top box.
Likbez: How to set up Smart TV yourself: 2 ways
Connecting a smartphone to TV via AirPlay
A method for true connoisseurs of the Apple ecosystem, since it requires an iPhone and an Apple TV console. The telly can be any – the main thing is that it has HDMI, through which it will connect to the console.