The basic connection: what you're actually doing

Connecting your phone to your smart TV means sending video or audio from your phone's screen to your TV's screen, or both. Your phone and TV talk to each other wirelessly — they don't need a cable between them. The TV receives the signal and displays what your phone is showing, so you can watch videos, look at photos, or mirror everything on a bigger screen.

Most phones and smart TVs use one of two wireless methods: screen mirroring (which copies everything on your phone) or casting (which sends specific apps or content to your TV). Screen mirroring is simpler but uses more battery. Casting is faster and lets your phone do other things while the TV plays video.

The method you use depends on what phone and TV you own. An iPhone works differently than an Android phone. A Samsung TV has different built-in technology than a Roku or LG. The good news: most combinations work together, and the steps are nearly identical once you know which method your devices support.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen mirroring copies your entire phone screen to the TV wirelessly, while casting sends only specific apps or videos and uses less battery.
  • iPhones use AirPlay to connect to Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible TVs, while Android phones use Google Cast or the TV manufacturer's own app.
  • Both your phone and TV must be on the same WiFi network before you can connect them.
  • If your TV is older and doesn't have built-in wireless, you can buy a small device like a Roku Stick or Google Chromecast that plugs into the HDMI port.
  • The connection drops if you leave WiFi range or turn off either device, but reconnecting takes only a few seconds.

iPhone to TV: using AirPlay

If you own an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you use AirPlay to send content to your TV. AirPlay works with Apple TV devices, but also with many newer Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio TVs that have AirPlay built in. Check your TV's manual or settings to see if it supports AirPlay — if it does, you'll see an AirPlay option in the TV's menu.

To connect: make sure your iPhone and TV are on the same WiFi network. Open the app you want to watch (like YouTube, Netflix, or Apple TV). Look for the AirPlay icon — it looks like a triangle with curved lines, usually in the top right or bottom right of the screen. Tap it and select your TV's name from the list. The video will start playing on your TV within a few seconds.

If you don't see the AirPlay icon in an app, that app doesn't support casting. You can still mirror your entire phone screen instead: swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your TV. Everything on your phone will now appear on the TV, but this uses more battery and is slower.

Android to TV: using Google Cast or manufacturer apps

Android phones use Google Cast (also called Chromecast) to send video to TVs. If your TV is a Google TV, Samsung TV, LG TV, or most other modern brands, it has Google Cast built in. Older TVs don't, but you can add it with a cheap device like a Google Chromecast or Roku Stick that plugs into the HDMI port on the back of your TV.

To cast from an Android phone: connect to the same WiFi network as your TV. Open the app you want to watch. Look for the Cast icon — it looks like a rectangle with curved lines in the corner, usually in the top right. Tap it and select your TV's name. The video will start on your TV, and you can use your phone for other things while it plays.

Some TV brands also have their own apps. Samsung phones work best with Samsung SmartThings, for example. But Google Cast works across all brands, so if you're not sure which method to use, try the Cast icon first. If it doesn't appear, your TV or app doesn't support casting, and you'll need to use screen mirroring instead (swipe down from the top of your phone to find Screen Mirroring or Cast Screen).

When your TV doesn't have wireless built in

Older TVs don't have WiFi or casting built in. If your TV has an HDMI port on the back (a rectangular slot about the size of a USB drive), you can add wireless casting with a small device. The most common options are Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, Roku Stick, and Apple TV. These plug into the HDMI port and give your TV the ability to receive video from your phone.

Google Chromecast works with both iPhones and Android phones. Apple TV works best with iPhones but can also receive video from Android phones. Roku and Fire Stick work with both, though they have their own apps and interfaces. Pick whichever one matches the devices you already own — if you have an iPhone, Apple TV is easiest; if you have Android, Google Chromecast is easiest.

Once you plug the device in and connect it to WiFi, it works exactly like a TV with built-in casting. Your phone will see it in the Cast or AirPlay menu, and you connect the same way. The device itself costs between $25 and $100 depending on the brand and model.

Troubleshooting: why the connection isn't working

The most common reason a connection fails is that your phone and TV are on different WiFi networks. Check that both are connected to the same network — look in your phone's WiFi settings and your TV's network settings. If you have a guest network and a main network, make sure both devices are on the main one.

If they're on the same network and you still don't see your TV in the Cast or AirPlay menu, restart both devices. Turn off your TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your phone. Then try again. If the TV still doesn't appear, check that your TV actually supports casting — look in the TV's settings menu for "AirPlay" or "Google Cast" and make sure it's turned on.

If the connection works but the video is choppy or keeps stopping, move closer to your WiFi router. Casting uses a lot of bandwidth, and a weak signal will cause problems. If you're far from the router, try moving your phone or TV closer, or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

What happens to your phone while casting

When you cast a video from an app like YouTube or Netflix, your phone is just sending a signal to the TV — it's not streaming the video itself. Your TV downloads the video directly from the internet, so you can use your phone for other things. You can text, browse, or even turn off the screen and the video keeps playing on your TV.

When you mirror your entire screen, it's different. Your phone is sending everything it displays to the TV in real time, so if you open another app or turn off the screen, the TV will show that too. Screen mirroring uses much more battery and data, so use it only when you need to show your entire phone on the TV — like when you're giving a presentation or showing photos from your camera roll.

If you disconnect (by tapping the Cast icon and selecting Disconnect, or by turning off the TV), the connection stops when ready. Reconnecting takes just a few seconds the next time you cast.

Connecting to a TV at someone else's house

You can cast to a TV on a different WiFi network, but it's more complicated. You need to be on the same network as the TV — so if you're visiting someone, ask for their WiFi password and connect your phone to it. Then cast normally. When you leave, disconnect and switch back to your own network.

Some services like Chromecast and AirPlay also support guest mode, which lets visitors cast without knowing the WiFi password. The TV owner can turn this on in the TV's settings, and then you can cast directly without joining the network. Not all TVs support this, so ask the owner whether it's available.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No — both devices must be on the same WiFi network to communicate wirelessly. If the TV doesn't have WiFi, you need to add a casting device like Chromecast or Roku Stick. If the TV has WiFi but it's turned off or disconnected, turn it back on and reconnect it to the network first.

Does casting drain my phone battery?

Casting an app (like Netflix) uses very little battery because the TV is doing the work. Screen mirroring uses much more battery because your phone is constantly sending its display to the TV. If you're mirroring, expect your battery to drop noticeably faster than normal.

What if my phone and TV are different brands?

Most phones and TVs work together regardless of brand. iPhones work with most modern TVs through AirPlay. Android phones work with most TVs through Google Cast. The only exception is older TVs without built-in wireless — those need a separate casting device, which works with any phone.

Can I cast to multiple TVs at the same time?

No — you can only cast to one TV at a time from a single phone. If you want to send the same video to multiple TVs, you would need to cast to each one separately, or use a different phone for each TV.

Why does my connection keep dropping?

The most common cause is a weak WiFi signal. Move closer to your router or move the TV closer to the router. If that doesn't help, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If the problem continues, your WiFi may be overloaded — try turning off other devices that are using the network.