The simplest way to connect your phone to an LG TV
The easiest method depends on what phone you have and what LG TV model you own. Most LG TVs made in the last five years support wireless casting, which means you can send video and audio from your phone without plugging in any cables. If your TV is older or you want a wired connection, you can use an HDMI cable with an adapter.
Wireless casting works differently for iPhones and Android phones. iPhones use AirPlay, while Android phones use Miracast or Google Cast. Both methods require your phone and TV to be on the same Wi-Fi network. The TV does not need to be connected to the internet itself — just to the same network your phone is using.
If wireless casting is not working or you prefer a cable connection, an HDMI adapter plugged into your phone can connect directly to the TV's HDMI port. This method works on almost any phone and TV combination, though you may need to buy the right adapter for your phone model.
Key Takeaways
- Wireless casting is the fastest method and requires only that your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- iPhones use AirPlay to cast to LG TVs, while Android phones use Miracast or Google Cast depending on the app you are using.
- If wireless casting does not work, an HDMI adapter connected to your phone can plug directly into the TV's HDMI port.
- Wired HDMI connections work on older LG TVs that do not support wireless casting.
Casting from an iPhone using AirPlay
Open the app you want to watch — YouTube, Netflix, Apple TV, or any streaming service. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone screen to open Control Center. Look for the Screen Mirroring button, which shows a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom.
Tap Screen Mirroring. Your iPhone will search for nearby devices. Wait a few seconds and you should see your LG TV listed by its model name or the custom name you gave it. Tap the TV name. If the TV asks for a PIN code, it will display a four-digit number on the screen — type that number into your iPhone and tap OK.
Your iPhone screen will now mirror on the TV. Open the streaming app again if it closed, and play the video. The audio will come through your TV speakers. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.
Casting from an Android phone using Google Cast
Open the app you want to watch — YouTube, Netflix, Google Play, or another streaming service. Look for the Cast button, which looks like a rectangle with three curved lines in the bottom-left corner. It is usually in the top-right area of the app.
Tap the Cast button. Your Android phone will search for nearby devices on your Wi-Fi network. Your LG TV should appear in the list with its model name or custom name. Tap the TV name. The app will now play on your TV instead of your phone, and the audio will come through the TV speakers.
Not all apps have a Cast button — some older or smaller apps do not support it. If you do not see the Cast button, that app cannot cast to your TV. You can still use a wired HDMI connection instead. To stop casting, tap the Cast button again and select Disconnect.
Using Miracast if Google Cast is not available
Miracast is a wireless standard built into most Android phones and some LG TVs. It works differently from Google Cast and does not require an app to have a Cast button. Instead, you mirror your entire phone screen to the TV, similar to how AirPlay works on iPhones.
Open your Android phone's Settings app. Scroll down and look for Display or Connected Devices. Tap Cast or Wireless Display — the exact name varies by phone maker. Your phone will search for nearby devices. Tap your LG TV when it appears. Your phone screen will now mirror on the TV.
Miracast works best for watching videos that are already on your phone or for showing photos and documents. If you want to cast a streaming app, Google Cast is usually faster and more reliable. To disconnect, go back to the Cast or Wireless Display menu and tap Disconnect.
Connecting with an HDMI cable and adapter
If wireless casting is not working, a wired connection is the most reliable backup. You will need an HDMI cable and an adapter that matches your phone's charging port. iPhones use a Lightning to HDMI adapter, while Android phones typically use USB-C to HDMI. These adapters cost between ten and thirty dollars and are available at most electronics stores.
Plug the adapter into your phone's charging port. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the adapter and the other end to any HDMI port on the back or side of your LG TV. Turn on the TV and use the remote to switch to the correct HDMI input — the TV will show "HDMI 1", "HDMI 2", or similar on the screen. Your phone screen will now appear on the TV.
Wired connections work on every LG TV model, including older ones that do not support wireless casting. The downside is that your phone is tethered to the TV by the cable, so you cannot move around the room. The connection is also more stable than wireless casting — you will not experience lag or disconnections.
Troubleshooting when casting is not working
If your phone and TV are not finding each other, the most common cause is that they are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it is connected to the same network name as your TV. If your TV is not connected to Wi-Fi at all, go to the TV's Settings menu, find Network or Wi-Fi, and connect it to your home network.
If both devices are on the same network but casting still does not work, restart both devices. Turn off your phone completely and turn it back on. Use the TV remote to power off the TV, wait ten seconds, and power it back on. Then try casting again. This fixes most connection problems.
If the TV is asking for a PIN code that you do not know, check the TV's Settings menu under Security or Miracast Settings. You may be able to reset the PIN or turn off PIN protection temporarily. If you still cannot connect, try the HDMI cable method instead — it does not require any network setup.
Checking if your LG TV supports wireless casting
Most LG TVs made after 2018 support wireless casting, but not all. To check, use your TV remote to open the Settings menu. Look for Network, Connected Devices, or AirPlay and HomeKit. If you see any of these options, your TV supports wireless casting.
You can also check the model number on the back of your TV or in the Settings menu. Visit LG's website and search for your model number — the product page will list whether it supports AirPlay, Miracast, or Google Cast. If your TV does not support wireless casting, the HDMI cable method will work on any model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for anything to cast to my LG TV?
No. Casting itself is free. You only pay for the streaming services you watch, like Netflix or YouTube Premium. If you use a wired HDMI connection, you may need to buy an adapter if you do not already have one, but the adapter is a one-time purchase.
Can I cast from my phone while using other apps?
With Google Cast and AirPlay, the video plays on the TV while your phone is free to use for other things. With Miracast, your entire phone screen mirrors to the TV, so you cannot use your phone for anything else without interrupting the TV display.
Why does my phone keep disconnecting from the TV?
Wireless casting disconnects when your phone moves too far from the TV, when Wi-Fi signal is weak, or when your phone goes to sleep. Keep your phone closer to the TV, move away from obstacles between them, and turn off your phone's sleep timer. A wired HDMI connection will not have this problem.
Can I cast audio only without showing my phone screen?
Yes, if you are using Google Cast or AirPlay. The video plays on the TV and audio comes through the TV speakers — your phone screen stays dark. With Miracast, your entire phone screen mirrors, so you cannot hide it.
What if my LG TV is very old and does not support wireless casting?
Use an HDMI cable with an adapter. Plug the adapter into your phone, connect the HDMI cable, and plug it into the TV's HDMI port. This method works on any TV model made in the last fifteen years.