The basic ways to connect your phone to your TV
You can connect your phone to your TV in three main ways: with a cable, over your home WiFi network, or through a Bluetooth connection. Each method sends different information and carries different privacy trade-offs. A wired connection (HDMI or USB-C cable) sends only what you choose to display and nothing else. WiFi and Bluetooth connections let your phone and TV talk to each other, which means they can exchange data beyond just the picture and sound.
The method you pick depends on what you own, what you want to display, and how much control you want over what information leaves your phone. If you own the TV and the phone, a cable is the simplest choice. If you rent or use a TV that belongs to someone else, or if you want to use features like AirPlay or Chromecast, you will be using a wireless connection instead.
Key Takeaways
- A wired connection (HDMI or USB-C cable) sends only your screen to the TV and keeps your phone's data on your phone.
- WiFi connections like AirPlay, Chromecast, and Miracast let your TV and phone exchange information, which means your TV can see what you are sharing and sometimes collect data about it.
- Before you connect to a TV you do not own, check whether the TV manufacturer collects viewing data and what their privacy policy says.
- Bluetooth connections are weaker and slower than WiFi but use less power and do not require you to join a network.
- Disconnect from the TV when you are done, especially if it is a shared or rental TV, so the connection does not stay active in the background.
Wired connections: HDMI and USB-C cables
A wired connection is the most private option because the cable carries only the video and audio signal from your phone to the TV. Your phone does not exchange any other information with the TV. The TV cannot see your phone's apps, files, contacts, or location. It cannot collect data about what you are watching or how long you watch it.
To use a wired connection, you need a cable that matches your phone's port. iPhones use a Lightning to HDMI adapter or a USB-C to HDMI adapter (depending on the model). Android phones usually have a USB-C port and need a USB-C to HDMI adapter. You plug one end into your phone and the other into an HDMI port on the TV, then switch the TV to that HDMI input. The picture appears on the TV almost when ready.
The main drawback is that you have to stay close to the TV — the cable is usually 6 to 10 feet long. If you want to move around the room or hand the phone to someone else, a wireless connection works better. Wired connections also do not let you mirror your entire phone screen; some phones only send video from certain apps.
WiFi connections: AirPlay, Chromecast, and Miracast
WiFi connections let you send your phone's screen to the TV from anywhere in your home without a cable. Your phone and TV connect to the same WiFi network and talk to each other wirelessly. This is more convenient, but it also means the TV can see what you are sending and, depending on the TV brand, may collect data about it.
AirPlay is Apple's system for iPhones, iPads, and Macs. To use it, make sure your iPhone and your TV are on the same WiFi network. Open Control Center (swipe down from the top right on newer iPhones), tap Screen Mirroring, and select your TV from the list. Your entire phone screen appears on the TV. AirPlay works with Apple TV devices and with many newer smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and others. Apple does not collect data about what you mirror through AirPlay, but the TV manufacturer may.
Chromecast is Google's system for Android phones and any device with a web browser. You need a Chromecast device plugged into your TV's HDMI port, or a TV with Chromecast built in. Open the app you want to cast (YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, or others), tap the Cast icon, and select your TV. The app sends the content directly to the TV, not through your phone — your phone acts as a remote control. Google collects data about what you cast, including what app you used, when you cast it, and how long you watched. This data is tied to your Google account.
Miracast is an older WiFi standard that works with many Android phones and Windows devices. It mirrors your entire screen like AirPlay does. To use it, go to Settings, look for Display or Screen Mirroring, and select your TV from the list. Miracast does not require a separate device or app, but it is slower than AirPlay or Chromecast and does not work with all TV brands.
What TV manufacturers collect when you connect
When you connect your phone to a smart TV over WiFi, the TV manufacturer can see that a device connected to their TV, when it happened, and what content you sent to the screen. Some TV brands collect this data and use it to build a profile of your viewing habits. They may sell this information to advertisers or use it to recommend shows.
Samsung, LG, Vizio, and TCL all have privacy policies that describe what they collect. Before you connect to a TV you do not own — at a friend's house, in a rental, or in a hotel — read the TV's privacy policy or ask the owner what data the TV collects. If you do not want the TV manufacturer to see what you are watching, use a wired connection instead.
If you own the TV, you can usually turn off data collection in the TV's settings. Look for a menu called Privacy, Data Collection, or Viewing Data. The exact name and location varies by brand, but most TVs let you opt out of sharing viewing information.
Bluetooth connections for audio only
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless connection that works well for sending audio from your phone to a TV's speakers, but it is not designed for video. If your TV has Bluetooth, you can pair your phone to it the same way you would pair a Bluetooth speaker: go to your phone's Bluetooth settings, put the TV in pairing mode (usually a button on the remote), and select the TV from the list.
Bluetooth uses less power than WiFi and does not require you to join a network, but it is slower and has a shorter range — usually 30 feet or less. The TV cannot see what app you are using or what content you are playing, only that your phone is connected. Bluetooth is useful if you want to play music through the TV's speakers without mirroring your screen.
How to disconnect safely when you are done
After you finish using your phone with the TV, disconnect the connection so it does not stay active in the background. For a wired connection, straightforward unplug the cable. For AirPlay, open Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring again, then select Stop Mirroring. For Chromecast, tap the Cast icon in the app and select Disconnect. For Miracast, go to Settings and turn off Screen Mirroring.
If you connected to a TV you do not own, also forget the connection on your phone so it does not automatically reconnect the next time you visit. On iPhone, go to Settings > WiFi (if you joined a WiFi network) or Bluetooth and tap the info icon next to the TV's name, then select Forget. On Android, do the same in Settings > WiFi or Bluetooth. This is especially important if you connected to a TV in a rental property or a shared space.
Choosing the right connection for your situation
Use a wired connection if you own both the phone and the TV, you do not mind staying close to the TV, and you want the most privacy. Use AirPlay or Chromecast if you want to move around the room and do not mind that the TV manufacturer or Google can see what you are sending. Use Bluetooth if you only want to send audio and do not want to mirror your screen. Use Miracast if you have an Android phone and your TV supports it but you do not have a Chromecast device.
If you are connecting to a TV you do not own, ask the owner what connection method they prefer and whether the TV collects data. If they do not know, use a wired connection to avoid any data collection by the TV manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else see what I am sending to the TV?
Anyone in the room can see what appears on the TV screen. Over WiFi, the TV manufacturer can also see what you are sending, and Google can see what you cast through Chromecast. With a wired connection, only the TV itself receives the signal, so the TV manufacturer cannot collect data about it.
What if the TV does not show up in my connection list?
Make sure your phone and TV are on the same WiFi network. Restart both devices and try again. Check that the TV has the feature turned on — some TVs require you to enable AirPlay or Miracast in the settings first. If the TV is very old, it may not support wireless connections at all.
Does connecting to a TV drain my phone's battery?
Yes, especially over WiFi. Mirroring your screen uses more power than normal because your phone has to send video data constantly. Casting through Chromecast uses less power because the app sends the content directly to the TV, not through your phone. Wired connections use the least power because your phone is not transmitting wirelessly.
Can I connect my phone to a TV at a hotel or Airbnb?
Yes, but be careful about what data the TV collects. Hotel and rental TVs often collect viewing data and may have default settings that share it with the manufacturer. Use a wired connection if possible. If you use WiFi, disconnect and forget the connection when you leave so the TV does not stay paired to your phone.
What is the difference between mirroring and casting?
Mirroring sends your entire phone screen to the TV, including notifications and anything else that appears on your phone. Casting sends only the content from a specific app, so the TV does not see your other apps or personal information. Casting is more private if you are only watching one app.