The simplest wireless methods for your phone and TV
You can connect your phone to your TV wirelessly using one of three main methods: screen mirroring (which copies everything on your phone's screen), casting (which sends specific apps or videos to your TV), or AirPlay (Apple's version of casting). Which one works depends on what phone and TV you own, and what you're trying to do.
The fastest route is usually screen mirroring if your TV is newer than 2016 — most modern TVs have it built in. If your TV is older or doesn't have it, a streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, or Google Chromecast plugs into your TV's HDMI port and adds wireless casting for about $30 to $50. All three methods use your home WiFi network, so your phone and TV must be on the same network.
Key Takeaways
- Screen mirroring copies your entire phone screen to the TV and works on most TVs made after 2016 without any extra equipment.
- Casting sends individual apps or videos to your TV and uses less battery than mirroring, but only works with apps that support it.
- If your TV doesn't have wireless features built in, a $30 to $50 streaming device like Roku or Fire Stick adds casting to any TV with an HDMI port.
- Your phone and TV must be connected to the same WiFi network for any wireless method to work.
- AirPlay is Apple's casting system and only works between iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs or AirPlay-compatible TVs.
How screen mirroring works and when to use it
Screen mirroring displays everything your phone shows on the TV in real time. When you turn on mirroring, your phone's entire display — apps, notifications, keyboard, everything — appears on your television. This is useful when you want to show photos, browse the web together, or play a mobile game on a bigger screen.
To use screen mirroring on an Android phone, swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open the full quick settings menu, then tap "Cast" or "Screen Cast" (the name varies by phone maker). Your TV should appear in the list if it's on and connected to WiFi. Tap your TV's name and mirroring starts in a few seconds. To stop, tap the cast icon again and select "Disconnect."
On an iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select your TV from the list. Your iPhone will ask for a four-digit code that appears on your TV — type it on your phone to confirm. The connection stays active until you tap "Screen Mirroring" again and choose "Stop Mirroring."
Screen mirroring drains your phone's battery faster than casting because it's constantly sending video data. If you're watching for more than an hour, plug your phone in or use casting instead if the app supports it.
Casting: sending apps and videos without mirroring your whole screen
Casting sends a specific app or video to your TV without showing your phone's home screen, notifications, or anything else. Only the app you're casting appears on the TV. This uses less battery and lets you use your phone for other things while the TV plays — you can text, check email, or browse while a video plays on the screen.
Casting works differently depending on the app. YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, and most major apps have a cast icon (usually a rectangle with WiFi waves in the corner) built into the app itself. Open the app, start playing what you want, tap the cast icon, and select your TV. The video or music moves to your TV and your phone becomes a remote control.
Google Chromecast and Roku devices are the most common casting targets. If your TV doesn't have casting built in, plugging in a Chromecast ($30) or Roku Streaming Stick ($40 to $50) adds it to any TV with an HDMI port. Once the device is plugged in and connected to WiFi, it appears in the cast menu of any compatible app on your phone.
Not every app supports casting — older apps or less common services may not have the feature. If you don't see a cast icon in an app, screen mirroring is your backup option.
AirPlay for iPhones and Apple devices
AirPlay is Apple's casting system and only works between iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs or newer TVs that support AirPlay. If you have an iPhone and a non-Apple TV, AirPlay won't work — you'll need to use screen mirroring instead.
To cast with AirPlay, open an app like Apple TV, YouTube, or Spotify, look for the AirPlay icon (an upward-pointing triangle), tap it, and select your Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible TV. The content moves to your TV and your iPhone controls playback. You can also mirror your entire iPhone screen using Control Center, which works the same way as Android mirroring.
AirPlay is faster and more reliable than casting on Android devices because Apple controls both the phone and the TV software. The trade-off is that it only works within Apple's ecosystem — if you have an iPhone but a Samsung or LG TV without AirPlay support, you'll need to use screen mirroring or add a streaming device.
What to do if your TV doesn't have wireless features
Older TVs and budget models often don't have screen mirroring or casting built in. The solution is a streaming device — a small box that plugs into your TV's HDMI port and adds wireless casting. The three most common options are Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, and Roku Streaming Stick.
Google Chromecast works with Android phones and iPhones equally well and costs about $30. Amazon Fire Stick also works with both phone types and costs $40 to $50 depending on the model. Roku Streaming Stick works with both and costs $40 to $50. All three connect to your WiFi network and appear in your phone's cast menu once set up.
Setup takes about five minutes: plug the device into an HDMI port on your TV, connect it to power, follow the on-screen instructions to connect it to your WiFi, and you're done. After that, casting works the same way as if your TV had the feature built in.
Troubleshooting when your phone won't connect
The most common reason casting or mirroring fails is that your phone and TV are on different WiFi networks. Check that both are connected to the same network — look at your WiFi settings on your phone and the network name shown on your TV's settings menu. If they don't match, connect your phone to the same network as your TV.
If they're on the same network but still won't connect, restart both devices. Turn off your TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Restart your phone by powering it off and on. Then try casting or mirroring again — this fixes most connection problems.
If your TV is very old or doesn't show up in your cast menu at all, it probably doesn't have wireless features. A streaming device is your only option. If you just bought a streaming device and it's not appearing, make sure it's plugged into power and connected to WiFi — check the device's settings menu on your TV to confirm.
Some phones and TVs have compatibility issues. If you have an older Android phone and a newer TV, or vice versa, try screen mirroring instead of casting — mirroring is more universally supported. If mirroring also fails, a streaming device will work with almost any phone and TV combination.
Wired alternatives if wireless doesn't work
If wireless methods aren't working and you don't want to buy a streaming device, you can connect your phone to your TV with a cable. An HDMI adapter for your phone (about $15 to $25) plugs into your phone's charging port and connects to an HDMI cable that goes to your TV. This shows your phone's screen on the TV just like mirroring, but with a physical cable instead of WiFi.
The downside is that you're tethered to the TV by the cable and your phone can't charge while it's connected (unless you use a special dual-port adapter). Wireless is almost always more convenient, but a wired connection is reliable and works on any phone and TV combination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for casting or mirroring?
No. Casting and mirroring are free features built into phones and TVs. If your TV doesn't have them, you may need to buy a streaming device ($30 to $50), but the casting itself is free. Apps like Netflix and YouTube are separate subscriptions, but the casting feature is included.
Can I cast from my phone while it's charging?
Yes. Your phone can charge while casting or mirroring — the two happen independently. Plug your phone in and cast as normal. The only exception is wired HDMI adapters, which use your charging port, so you'd need a special dual-port adapter to charge at the same time.
Will casting work on a mobile hotspot or guest WiFi?
Usually not. Your phone and TV must be on the same WiFi network, which means the same router. If your TV is on your home WiFi and your phone is on a mobile hotspot, they can't see each other. Guest networks sometimes work, but it depends on your router settings — ask whoever set up your WiFi if the guest network is on the same network as the main one.
What's the difference between casting and screen mirroring?
Casting sends a specific app or video to your TV while your phone stays free to do other things. Screen mirroring copies your entire phone screen, so everything you do on your phone appears on the TV. Casting uses less battery and is better for long viewing sessions; mirroring is better for showing photos or browsing together.
Can I use wireless casting with a VPN?
It depends on your VPN. Some VPNs block local network connections, which casting needs to work. If casting stops working after you turn on a VPN, try turning the VPN off. If it works again, your VPN is the problem — check your VPN's settings for an option to allow local network access.