The simplest wireless connection methods

You can connect your phone to your TV wirelessly using one of three main methods: screen mirroring (which copies everything on your phone), casting (which sends specific apps to your TV), or AirPlay (Apple's version of casting). Which one works depends on what phone and TV you own.

Screen mirroring works with almost any phone and TV made in the last five years. It duplicates your entire phone screen on the TV — useful if you want to show photos, browse the web, or play games on a bigger display. Casting is faster and uses less battery because only the video or music app sends data to the TV, not your whole screen. AirPlay is Apple's system and only works between iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs or AirPlay-compatible TVs.

All three methods require your phone and TV to be on the same WiFi network. They do not use a cable, and they do not require you to buy anything extra if your TV is newer than 2019.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen mirroring copies your entire phone display to the TV and works with most Android phones and newer TVs without extra equipment.
  • Casting sends only a specific app (like Netflix or YouTube) to the TV and drains your phone battery more slowly than mirroring.
  • Your phone and TV must be connected to the same WiFi network before you start, and both devices should be fully powered on.
  • If your TV does not have built-in wireless capability, a streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, or Chromecast adds it for under fifty dollars.
  • The steps differ slightly between Android and iPhone, and between TV brands, so checking your TV's manual or settings menu saves troubleshooting time.

Screen mirroring on Android phones

Open your phone's settings and look for a menu called Display, Connected Devices, or Cast — the exact name varies by phone brand. Samsung phones usually call it Smart View. Once you find it, tap the option to start searching for nearby devices.

Your TV should appear in the list within a few seconds. Tap your TV's name, and your phone will ask for permission to mirror. Accept the prompt, and your phone screen will appear on the TV within ten to fifteen seconds. Your phone will stay connected until you manually disconnect or turn off the TV.

If your TV does not appear, make sure both devices are on the same WiFi network. Restart your phone's WiFi and try again. If the TV still does not show up, restart the TV itself — this fixes the problem about half the time.

Screen mirroring on iPhones

Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center. Look for a button labeled Screen Mirroring (it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom). Tap it, and your TV should appear in the list within a few seconds.

Tap your TV's name. If your TV asks for a code, it will display a four-digit number on the screen — enter that number on your iPhone. Your screen will then mirror to the TV.

iPhones only mirror to Apple TVs or to newer TVs that have AirPlay built in. If your TV is older or does not support AirPlay, you will need a separate device (see the section on streaming devices below).

Casting apps instead of your whole screen

Casting is different from mirroring. Instead of copying your entire screen, you send just one app — like Netflix, YouTube, or Spotify — to the TV. The app itself controls what plays, and your phone becomes a remote.

Open the app you want to cast (Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, or others that support casting). Look for a Cast button — usually a rectangle with WiFi waves in the corner, often in the top-right or bottom-right of the screen. Tap it, select your TV from the list, and the app will start playing on your TV within a few seconds.

Casting uses less battery than mirroring because your phone is not constantly sending video data. You can also use your phone for other things while the app plays on the TV — the show or music keeps going even if you close the app or lock your phone.

When your TV does not have wireless built in

Older TVs do not have the wireless hardware needed for mirroring or casting. If your TV has an HDMI port but no wireless option in the settings menu, you can add wireless capability with a streaming device. The most common options are Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Google Chromecast, and Apple TV.

These devices plug into your TV's HDMI port and connect to your WiFi. Once set up, they work the same way as a TV with built-in wireless — you mirror or cast from your phone just as you would with a newer TV. Roku and Fire Stick are the cheapest options and work with both Android and iPhone. Google Chromecast works best with Android phones. Apple TV works best with iPhones but also supports Android casting.

Setup takes about ten minutes: plug in the device, connect it to your WiFi using the remote or the device's app, and you are ready to mirror or cast. Most streaming devices cost between thirty and one hundred dollars depending on the brand and model.

Troubleshooting when the connection fails

If your phone finds the TV but the connection drops or fails to start, the most common cause is that the two devices are not on the same WiFi network. Check your phone's WiFi settings and your TV's network settings to confirm they are both connected to the same network name.

If they are on the same network and the connection still fails, restart both devices. Turn off your phone's WiFi, wait five seconds, and turn it back on. Restart your TV by unplugging it for ten seconds, then plugging it back in. Try connecting again.

If one device is too far from your WiFi router, the signal may be too weak. Move closer to the router or move the router closer to the TV. Walls and metal objects between the router and your devices weaken the signal.

Some older routers do not work well with mirroring or casting. If you have tried restarting everything and the connection still fails, try connecting both devices to a different WiFi network (like a mobile hotspot from another phone) to see if the problem is your router or your devices.

Connecting to a TV away from home

Mirroring and casting only work when your phone and TV are on the same WiFi network. If you are at a hotel, a friend's house, or anywhere with a different network, you will need to connect both your phone and the TV to that network first.

Ask for the WiFi network name and password, then connect your phone to it. On the TV, go to Settings and look for Network or WiFi. Select the same network name and enter the password. Once both devices are on the same network, mirroring and casting work exactly as they do at home.

If the TV is in a public space and you do not have the WiFi password, you cannot use wireless mirroring or casting. In that case, you would need an HDMI cable and an adapter (USB-C to HDMI for Android, Lightning to HDMI for iPhone) to connect directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does wireless mirroring work over the internet, or just on the same WiFi?

Mirroring and casting only work when both devices are on the same WiFi network. They do not work over the internet if you are in a different location. Some apps like Netflix or YouTube can stream to a TV over the internet, but that is different from mirroring your phone screen.

Will mirroring drain my phone battery faster?

Yes, mirroring uses more battery than casting because your phone is constantly sending video data. Casting drains battery more slowly because only the app sends data. If you plan to mirror for more than an hour, plug your phone in or have a charger nearby.

Can I use my phone while the screen is mirrored to the TV?

You can use your phone, but whatever you do will show up on the TV as well. If you want to use your phone privately while something plays on the TV, use casting instead of mirroring — casting lets you control the app while your phone screen stays private.

What if my TV does not have an HDMI port?

Very old TVs with only composite cables (red, white, and yellow) cannot use wireless mirroring or modern streaming devices. You would need an older adapter or a different TV to use wireless casting. Check your TV's manual to see what ports it has.

Do I need to pay for a subscription to use mirroring or casting?

Mirroring and casting themselves are free. However, the apps you cast (like Netflix or Spotify) may require a paid subscription. The wireless connection between your phone and TV costs nothing.