The three ways to connect: wireless, cable, or casting

You can connect your phone to a TV in three ways: plug in a cable, use a wireless connection built into both devices, or send the picture through an app. Which one works depends on what phone and TV you own, what you want to do (watch video, show photos, mirror your whole screen), and whether you want sound to come through the TV speakers.

Cable connections are the most reliable — they work the same way every time and don't drop the signal. Wireless connections are faster to set up but sometimes need troubleshooting. Casting apps like Chromecast or AirPlay let you send just one app's video to the TV instead of mirroring your whole phone screen, which uses less battery and lets you keep using your phone for other things while the show plays.

Key Takeaways

  • HDMI cables with an adapter work with almost any phone and TV combination, cost $10 to $30, and give you the most stable connection.
  • Wireless connections (Miracast on Android, AirPlay on iPhone) mirror your entire phone screen and work only if your TV has the feature built in or you add a device like Chromecast or Apple TV.
  • Casting apps like Netflix or YouTube send video directly to the TV without mirroring your whole phone, which saves battery and lets you use your phone for other tasks.
  • Sound comes through the TV speakers automatically with cables and wireless mirroring, but casting apps may require you to turn off your phone's speaker in the app settings.

Using a cable: the most direct method

A cable connection works with any phone and any TV. You need a cable that matches your phone's charging port (USB-C, Lightning for iPhones, or Micro-USB on older phones) and an HDMI adapter or cable. The phone plugs into one end, the TV's HDMI port plugs into the other.

Go to your TV's input menu (usually a button on the remote labeled "Input" or "Source") and select the HDMI port you plugged into. Your phone screen appears on the TV. Sound comes through the TV speakers automatically. The cable also charges your phone while it's connected, which matters if you're watching for more than an hour.

The downside: you're tethered to the TV by a cable, so you can't move around or use your phone without unplugging. The upside: it never fails, works with any app, and costs $10 to $30 for a decent cable.

Wireless mirroring: screen sharing without a cable

If your TV has Miracast (most Android TVs and some others) or AirPlay (Apple TVs and some Samsung and LG models), you can mirror your phone's entire screen wirelessly. Your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

On an Android phone, swipe down from the top twice to open Quick Settings, tap "Cast" or "Screen Cast", and select your TV from the list. On an iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner, press and hold the "Screen Mirroring" icon, and select your TV. Your phone screen appears on the TV within a few seconds.

Wireless mirroring drains your phone's battery faster than casting because it's constantly sending the entire screen. It also uses more Wi-Fi bandwidth, so if your network is slow or crowded, the picture may stutter. If the connection drops, you can reconnect in a few seconds by repeating the steps above.

Adding a device if your TV doesn't have wireless built in

If your TV is older or doesn't have Miracast or AirPlay, you can add one. A Chromecast (Google's device, $30 to $50) plugs into an HDMI port and adds casting to any TV. An Apple TV ($99 to $199) does the same for iPhones and other Apple devices. A Roku ($30 to $100) works with both Android and iPhone.

These devices sit between your phone and TV. Instead of sending the signal directly to the TV, your phone sends it to the device, which then sends it to the TV. Setup takes about five minutes: plug in the device, connect it to your Wi-Fi, and follow the on-screen steps. After that, casting works the same way as if your TV had the feature built in.

The advantage is that you get wireless casting on any TV. The disadvantage is an extra device to buy, plug in, and occasionally restart if it freezes.

Casting individual apps instead of your whole screen

Apps like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and Spotify have a cast button built in. Instead of mirroring your entire phone screen, you tap the cast icon in the app, select your TV, and the app sends just that video or music to the TV. Your phone screen goes dark or shows other apps — you're not locked into watching the same thing.

Casting uses less battery than mirroring because your phone isn't constantly sending the full screen. It also lets you keep using your phone: you can text, check email, or open another app while the show plays on the TV. If the connection drops, the video keeps playing on the TV while you reconnect your phone.

The catch: not every app has a cast button. Older apps, small services, and some games don't support it. If an app doesn't have a cast button, you can fall back to mirroring your whole screen instead.

Sound: getting audio through the TV speakers

With a cable connection or wireless mirroring, sound automatically comes through the TV speakers. You don't have to do anything — just turn up the TV's volume.

With casting apps, sound usually goes through the TV speakers too, but some apps default to your phone's speaker. Open the app's settings (usually a gear icon) and look for "Audio Output" or "Speaker". Select "TV" or "External Speaker" if the option appears. If you don't see it, the app is already sending sound to the TV.

If you want sound to come through a soundbar or external speakers instead of the TV's built-in speaker, connect those devices to the TV (usually with an optical cable or HDMI), then adjust the TV's audio output in its settings menu. Your phone doesn't need to know about the soundbar — the TV handles it.

Troubleshooting common connection problems

If your phone won't appear in the cast list, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart your phone and TV, then try again. If you're using an older TV or device, it may not support the casting standard your phone uses — in that case, a cable connection or a newer casting device like Chromecast will work.

If the picture is choppy or keeps cutting out, move closer to your Wi-Fi router or switch to a less crowded Wi-Fi band (your router settings may let you choose 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz). If you're mirroring, lower your phone's screen brightness or close background apps to reduce battery drain and heat, which can cause the connection to drop.

If sound isn't coming through the TV, check that the TV's volume isn't muted (look for a mute button on the remote) and that the correct HDMI input is selected. For casting apps, open the app's settings and confirm the audio output is set to the TV, not your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special cable or adapter for my phone?

It depends on your phone's charging port. iPhones use Lightning or USB-C, most Android phones use USB-C, and older phones use Micro-USB. You need an adapter or cable that matches your phone's port on one end and HDMI on the other. Most electronics stores and online retailers sell these for $10 to $30.

Can I use my phone while it's connected to the TV?

With a cable, you're physically connected, so you can use your phone but you're tethered to the TV. With wireless mirroring, your whole screen is on the TV, so anything you do on your phone shows up there. With casting apps, you can use your phone freely — the app plays on the TV while you do other things on your phone.

Will connecting my phone to the TV drain the battery?

Wireless mirroring drains the battery faster because your phone is constantly sending the screen. Casting apps use less battery. Cable connections charge your phone while it's plugged in. If you're watching for more than an hour, use a cable or plug your phone in separately.

What if my TV is too old to connect wirelessly?

Use a cable with an HDMI adapter — this works with any TV made in the last 15 years. If you want wireless, buy a Chromecast, Roku, or Apple TV and plug it into an HDMI port. These devices add wireless casting to any TV.

Can I connect two phones to the TV at the same time?

Most TVs and casting devices let only one phone connect at a time. If a second phone tries to connect, it will disconnect the first one. Some devices like Roku have a "guest mode" that lets multiple phones cast in turn, but only one plays at a time.