Casting a phone to a TV lets you display photos, apps, presentations, websites, and other phone content on a larger screen. The exact method depends on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone, what type of TV you have, and whether both devices support the same wireless standard.
Before you start
Check these basics before trying to connect:
- Turn on the TV and select the correct HDMI input if you use a streaming stick or cable.
- Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network for wireless casting.
- Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled on your phone, even if the phone also has mobile data.
- Update the TV, streaming device, and phone if updates are available.
- Keep the phone reasonably close to the TV or wireless receiver during setup.
- Disable a VPN temporarily if the TV does not appear as an available device.
The phrase “cast” can describe two different actions. Casting from a supported app sends playback directly to the TV, allowing you to use the phone as a remote. Screen mirroring duplicates the phone’s display, including menus and notifications. App casting is usually smoother, while mirroring is more flexible.
| Method | Works with | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPlay | iPhone, AirPlay TV, Apple TV | Photos, videos, presentations | Requires AirPlay support or an Apple TV |
| Google Cast | Android, iPhone apps, Chromecast or Google TV | Supported streaming apps | Not every app supports casting |
| Android screen mirroring | Many Android phones and smart TVs | Duplicating the entire display | Menus differ by manufacturer |
| HDMI adapter | Most phones with the right adapter | Reliable connection and low delay | Requires compatible hardware and a cable |
| Third-party receiver app | Some smart TVs and devices | Older or unusual setups | Quality and compatibility vary |
How to cast an iPhone to a TV with AirPlay
AirPlay is Apple’s built-in wireless method. It works with an Apple TV or a smart TV that supports AirPlay 2.
- Connect the iPhone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Turn on the TV and open its AirPlay settings if necessary. On some televisions, AirPlay is enabled under network, connection, or Apple AirPlay settings.
- Open the app or screen you want to display.
- For a supported video or audio app, tap the AirPlay icon. It may look like a rectangle with a triangle beneath it.
- Select the TV from the list of available devices.
- If a code appears on the TV, enter it on the iPhone.
To mirror the entire iPhone screen, open Control Center. On an iPhone with Face ID, swipe down from the upper-right corner. On an iPhone with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom edge. Tap Screen Mirroring, select the TV or Apple TV, and enter the code if requested.
To stop mirroring, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and choose Stop Mirroring. For app-based AirPlay, tap the AirPlay icon again and select the iPhone.
Some apps restrict AirPlay because of licensing or security rules. If the TV does not appear in the app, try full-screen mirroring, use the app’s own casting option, or connect with an HDMI adapter.
How to cast an Android phone with Google Cast
Google Cast is built into Chromecast devices, Google TV streamers, and many televisions with Google TV or Android TV. It can also be available in individual apps on Android and iPhone.
- Connect the phone and TV or Chromecast device to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open a Google Cast-compatible app, such as a streaming, music, or photo app that displays a cast button.
- Tap the Cast icon. It usually looks like a rectangle with curved wireless lines in the lower-left corner.
- Select the TV or Chromecast device.
- Choose the content you want to play.
When casting from a supported app, the TV may retrieve the content directly. You can pause, resume, seek, adjust volume, or disconnect from the phone without keeping the app open on the screen.
To stop casting, tap the Cast icon again and select Disconnect or Stop casting. If you want to mirror the entire Android screen instead, use the Google Home app:
- Install or open the Google Home app.
- Select the TV or Chromecast device.
- Tap Cast my screen or Cast screen.
- Confirm the action when prompted.
The wording can differ between Android versions. Some phones provide a separate system shortcut called Cast, Screen Cast, Wireless Display, Smart View, or Screen Share.
How to mirror a Samsung Galaxy phone
Samsung Galaxy phones commonly include Smart View, which is designed to connect to compatible smart TVs and wireless displays.
- Place the phone and TV on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Swipe down twice from the top of the phone to open the full Quick Settings panel.
- Tap Smart View. You may need to swipe left to find it.
- Choose the TV from the device list.
- Confirm the connection on the TV or phone if a permission message appears.
To disconnect, open Quick Settings, tap Smart View, and choose Disconnect. If the television does not appear, check that screen mirroring is enabled on the TV and that both devices are connected to the same router band or local network.
Samsung’s menus and compatibility can vary by model. A Samsung phone may connect more easily to a Samsung TV, but Smart View can also work with other compatible wireless displays.
Use a cable when wireless casting is unavailable
A wired connection is useful when the TV is not smart, the Wi-Fi network is unreliable, or wireless mirroring has too much delay. You need a phone-compatible video adapter, an HDMI cable, and an available HDMI port on the TV.
For an iPhone, newer models generally require a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter or USB-C multiport adapter. Older Lightning-port models require a Lightning Digital AV Adapter. Connect the adapter to the phone, connect the HDMI cable to the adapter and TV, then switch the TV to that HDMI input.
For Android phones, the requirements vary. Some phones support video output through USB-C, while others support charging and data only. A USB-C-to-HDMI adapter will work only if the phone supports a compatible display-output mode, such as DisplayPort Alt Mode. Check the phone manufacturer’s specifications before buying an adapter.
After connecting:
- Plug the adapter into the phone.
- Connect the HDMI cable to the adapter and TV.
- Select the matching HDMI input using the TV remote.
- Unlock the phone and approve any permission prompt.
- Rotate the phone if you want a wider landscape presentation.
A wired connection normally does not require the phone and TV to share Wi-Fi. However, protected apps may still prevent external display output or show a blank screen.
Connect through a streaming device
If the TV does not support AirPlay, Google Cast, or compatible screen mirroring, a streaming device can add those features. Common options include Apple TV, Chromecast or Google TV devices, Roku devices, and manufacturer-specific streaming receivers.
Set up the streaming device according to its instructions, connect it to an HDMI port, and connect it to the same Wi-Fi network as the phone. Then use the matching method:
- Use AirPlay from an iPhone with an Apple TV or AirPlay-enabled receiver.
- Use the Cast button from compatible Android or iPhone apps with Chromecast or Google TV.
- Use the Roku mobile app or supported AirPlay features with compatible Roku models.
- Use the television manufacturer’s app when its receiver requires a brand-specific connection method.
A streaming device is often more reliable than trying to install unofficial mirroring software directly on an older TV. It also receives software updates independently of the television.
Troubleshooting connection problems
If the TV does not appear, confirm that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network name. Guest networks often block device-to-device communication, even when internet access works. Move both devices to the main home network and try again.
Restart the phone, TV, and router. This clears temporary discovery problems and is especially useful after changing Wi-Fi passwords or router settings. Also check whether the TV is connected by Ethernet while the phone is on Wi-Fi. That can work, but some router configurations isolate wireless clients from wired devices.
If the connection drops, reduce distance and interference between the phone, router, and TV. Avoid placing the router inside a cabinet. Pause large downloads and disconnect devices that are using substantial bandwidth. Updating the TV’s firmware and the phone’s operating system may also improve compatibility.
If the picture is delayed, use app-based casting instead of full screen mirroring when possible. Mirroring must transmit the phone’s display continuously, so animation, games, and high-resolution video can introduce delay. A wired HDMI connection usually provides the lowest delay, although the phone and adapter still need to support video output.
If you see sound but no picture, check the TV input, disconnect and reconnect the adapter, and try another HDMI port or cable. With wireless connections, stop mirroring and reconnect. A black screen inside a particular app may be caused by content protection rather than a faulty TV.
If the image is cropped or surrounded by black bars, adjust the TV’s aspect ratio or picture-size setting. Some phone screens use a tall portrait shape, so landscape content may not fill a widescreen TV. Rotating the phone can improve the result, but it will not make every app support landscape orientation.
Privacy, notifications, and practical limitations
Full screen mirroring displays whatever appears on the phone. Incoming messages, password prompts, notifications, and private photos may therefore be visible on the TV. Turn on Do Not Disturb, hide sensitive notifications, or use app-based casting when privacy matters.
Mirroring can also keep the phone awake and use more battery. Connect the phone to a charger for long presentations or extended viewing. Wireless casting depends on network quality, and the TV may stop playing if the phone leaves the network or the receiver loses its connection.
Not every phone can output video through USB-C, and not every app allows mirroring or external playback. Some televisions support only one wireless standard. A phone and TV can both advertise “screen sharing” while using incompatible technologies, so a streaming device or cable may be necessary.
For the most dependable setup, use the TV manufacturer’s supported method first, choose app-based casting for streaming content, and keep an HDMI adapter available when wireless discovery or network performance becomes a problem.