How to Connect Your Phone to a Smart TV

The fastest way depends on what phone and TV you have

Most phones connect to smart TVs wirelessly through screen mirroring or casting, which sends what's on your phone screen to the TV. The exact method and speed depend on whether you have an iPhone or Android phone, and whether your TV supports the same wireless standard. If wireless doesn't work or you need a wired connection, you can use an HDMI adapter or USB-C cable, though this requires the right physical port on both devices.

The simplest route for most people is to use the TV remote to find the input or source menu, look for "Screen Mirroring," "AirPlay," or "Cast," and then open the same feature on your phone. The TV will show a code or wait for your phone to appear in a list. Once you select it, your phone's screen appears on the TV within seconds.

Key Takeaways

iPhones use AirPlay to connect to Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible smart TVs, while Android phones use Google Cast or the TV manufacturer's own casting app.
Most modern smart TVs have wireless casting built in, but you can check your TV's manual or settings menu to confirm which standard it supports.
Wireless mirroring works best when your phone and TV are on the same WiFi network and within 30 feet of each other.
If wireless fails, you can use an HDMI adapter (iPhone) or USB-C cable (Android) to connect directly, though this requires the right port on your TV.

Wireless casting with iPhone and AirPlay

iPhones use a standard called AirPlay to send video and audio to compatible devices. Most smart TVs made in the last five years support AirPlay, including models from Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio. To check whether your TV supports it, look in the TV's settings menu under "AirPlay" or "Apple," or search your TV's model number plus "AirPlay" on the manufacturer's website.

To connect, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone screen to open Control Center. Tap "Screen Mirroring" and wait a moment for your TV to appear in the list. Select your TV's name, and your iPhone screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds. If the TV asks for a code, you'll see it on the TV screen — just type it into your iPhone using the on-screen keyboard.

If your TV doesn't appear in the list, make sure both devices are on the same WiFi network. Restart your iPhone and TV if they still don't find each other. If your TV is older and doesn't support AirPlay, you can buy an Apple TV device (a small box that plugs into your TV's HDMI port) to add AirPlay support.

Wireless casting with Android and Google Cast

Android phones use Google Cast (also called Chromecast) to mirror to smart TVs. Most Android phones made in the last five years support casting, and most smart TVs have it built in. To check your TV, look in the settings menu for "Google Cast," "Chromecast," or "Cast," or search your TV's model number online.

To connect, pull down the notification shade from the top of your Android phone screen twice to open Quick Settings. Look for "Cast" or "Screen Mirroring" and tap it. Your TV should appear in the list within a few seconds. Tap your TV's name, and your phone screen will appear on the TV. Some TVs will ask you to confirm the connection on the TV remote — if so, select "Allow" or "Yes."

If your TV doesn't appear, check that both devices are on the same WiFi network. Some Android phones also have a "Smart View" or "Screen Mirroring" option in the Quick Settings instead of "Cast" — the location varies by phone maker. If your TV is older or doesn't support Google Cast, you can plug a Chromecast device (a small stick or dongle) into your TV's HDMI port to add casting support.

Using manufacturer-specific casting apps

Some TV makers have their own casting apps that work alongside or instead of Google Cast. Samsung TVs use SmartThings, LG TVs use LG ThinQ, and some Vizio models use SmartCast. These apps are free and available on both iPhone and Android. If you have trouble with standard Google Cast or AirPlay, the manufacturer's app is often faster and more reliable.

read the app from the App Store or Google Play Store, open it, and follow the on-screen prompts to connect to your TV. Most will ask you to select your TV from a list and confirm the pairing on your TV remote. Once connected, you can usually cast video, photos, or your entire screen through the app's menu.

Wired connection with HDMI or USB-C

If wireless casting isn't working or you want a direct connection, you can plug your phone into your TV with a cable. iPhones use a Lightning to HDMI adapter (about $15 to $30), which plugs into the bottom of your iPhone and connects to any HDMI port on your TV. Newer iPhones with USB-C use a USB-C to HDMI adapter instead. Android phones with USB-C can use a USB-C to HDMI adapter as well.

Plug the adapter into your phone, connect an HDMI cable to the adapter, and plug the other end into any HDMI port on your TV. Use your TV remote to switch to that HDMI input, and your phone screen will appear when ready. This method works even if your phone and TV aren't on the same WiFi network, and it charges your phone while you use it if you buy an adapter with a power port.

The downside is that wired connections are less convenient for moving around the room, and you need to buy the right adapter for your phone model. Wireless casting is faster to set up and doesn't require any extra hardware, so try that first.

Troubleshooting when your phone won't connect

If your phone and TV don't find each other, start by checking that both are on the same WiFi network. Open your phone's WiFi settings and your TV's network settings to confirm they're connected to the same network name. If they're on different networks, connect your phone to the TV's network.

Restart both devices — turn off your phone and TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on. This clears temporary connection problems that prevent pairing. If you're still having trouble, forget the WiFi network on your phone (go to WiFi settings, tap the network name, and select "Forget"), then reconnect to it and try casting again.

Check that your TV's casting feature is turned on. On most smart TVs, this is in the settings menu under "AirPlay," "Google Cast," or "Screen Mirroring." Some TVs have this disabled by default. If your TV is very old (more than seven years), it may not support wireless casting at all — in that case, a wired HDMI adapter or a Chromecast or Apple TV device is your only option.

What to do if your TV doesn't have casting built in

Older TVs without built-in casting can still receive video from your phone using a separate device. A Chromecast (Google's device) costs about $30 to $50 and plugs into any HDMI port. It works with any Android phone and also works with iPhones for casting video apps like YouTube or Netflix. An Apple TV costs $100 to $200 and works best with iPhones, though it also supports some Android casting.

Both devices need to be plugged into power and connected to your WiFi network. Once set up, they appear in your phone's casting menu just like a built-in TV feature. If you only need to cast video from apps (not your entire phone screen), these devices are reliable and often faster than built-in TV casting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect my phone to a TV that's not on the same WiFi network?

No, wireless casting requires both devices on the same network. If you're away from home or on a different network, use a wired HDMI adapter instead. Some newer phones and TVs support a direct peer-to-peer connection without WiFi, but this is rare and varies by model.

Why does my phone screen look stretched or cut off on the TV?

This usually happens because your phone's aspect ratio doesn't match your TV's. Try rotating your phone to landscape mode, which often fixes the problem. If it's still cut off, check your TV's picture settings for an option called "Overscan" or "Zoom" and adjust it. Some apps also have their own display settings that can help.

Can I use my phone as a remote while it's mirrored to the TV?

Yes, your phone still works normally while mirroring. You can open apps, take calls, or use other features, and the TV will show whatever you're doing on your phone screen. If you want to control the TV itself, use the physical TV remote or read your TV manufacturer's remote app.

Does casting drain my phone battery faster?

Yes, wireless casting uses more battery than normal because your phone is constantly sending video over WiFi. If you're casting for a long time, plug your phone into a charger. Wired HDMI connections also charge your phone if you use an adapter with a power port.

What's the difference between screen mirroring and casting?

Screen mirroring sends everything on your phone screen to the TV, including notifications and private messages. Casting usually means sending just a single app or video to the TV. In practice, most people use the terms interchangeably, and most modern devices do both the same way.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.