The fastest way to get your phone on screen

You can connect your phone to your TV using either a wireless connection or a cable. Wireless is simpler if your TV supports it — most newer smart TVs do. You'll use either screen mirroring (which shows everything on your phone) or casting (which sends just one app to your TV while you use your phone for other things). A cable connection works on any TV but requires you to stay near the screen.

The method you choose depends on what phone and TV you have. An iPhone works best with AirPlay on Apple TVs or newer Samsung and LG models. Android phones work with Chromecast, built into most Google TVs and many others. If your TV is older or doesn't support wireless, a USB-C or HDMI cable will work on almost everything.

Key Takeaways

  • Wireless screen mirroring works on most TVs made in the last five years and requires no cable, but both devices must be on the same WiFi network.
  • iPhone users should look for AirPlay in the TV's settings; Android users should look for Chromecast or Google Cast.
  • If your TV doesn't have wireless built in, you can buy a streaming device like a Chromecast, Fire Stick, or Roku for under $50.
  • A USB-C or HDMI cable works on any TV but limits where you can sit and may not show your entire phone screen depending on the cable type.

Wireless mirroring on Android phones

Open the Settings app on your Android phone and scroll down to find Display or Connected devices. Tap Cast, Screen cast, or Wireless display — the exact name varies by phone maker. Your phone will search for nearby devices. Select your TV from the list. Your phone screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds.

If your TV doesn't show up, make sure both devices are connected to the same WiFi network. Check your TV's input source — press the Input or Source button on the remote and select the option that says Miracast, Screen Mirroring, or your phone's name. If you still don't see it, restart both devices and try again.

Once connected, your entire phone screen appears on the TV. You can open apps, scroll, and type normally. The connection stays active until you swipe down from the top of your phone, find the Cast notification, and tap Stop casting.

Wireless mirroring on iPhone

Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center. Tap Screen Mirroring. Your phone will search for nearby devices. Select your TV from the list. Your iPhone screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds.

If your TV doesn't appear, make sure it's turned on and connected to the same WiFi network as your iPhone. Some older TVs need AirPlay turned on in their settings — check your TV's manual or settings menu for an AirPlay option. Restart your iPhone and TV if the list stays empty.

Your entire iPhone screen appears on the TV. You can use any app normally. To stop, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

Casting a single app instead of your whole screen

Casting sends just one app to your TV while you keep your phone free for texts, calls, or other tasks. Open the app you want to cast — YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, or another streaming service. Look for a Cast icon, usually a rectangle with a WiFi symbol in the corner. Tap it and select your TV from the list.

Not all apps support casting. YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, and most major streaming services do. Smaller apps may not. If you don't see a Cast icon, the app doesn't support it — use screen mirroring instead.

Casting uses less battery and data than mirroring because only the video or music goes to the TV, not your entire phone. You can answer calls, check messages, or open other apps without interrupting what's playing on the TV.

Connecting with a cable

A cable connection works on any TV, even older ones without wireless features. You'll need a USB-C to HDMI cable for Android phones or a Lightning to HDMI cable for iPhones. Plug one end into your phone and the other into an available HDMI port on the back or side of your TV. Switch your TV to that HDMI input using the Input or Source button on the remote.

Your phone screen will appear on the TV. Some phones show the full screen; others show a smaller version. The cable must stay connected, so you'll be limited to where you can sit. This method doesn't drain your phone's battery as quickly as wireless mirroring, but it's less convenient if you want to move around.

If nothing appears on screen, try a different HDMI port. If your phone shows a notification asking permission to connect, tap Allow or Trust. Some older phones require you to enable USB debugging in Developer Options — check your phone's manual if the TV stays blank.

Adding wireless to an older TV

If your TV doesn't have built-in wireless casting, you can add it with a streaming device. A Google Chromecast costs around $30 and works with both Android and iPhone. A Fire Stick costs around $40 and works best with Android. A Roku costs $30 to $50 depending on the model and works with both.

Plug the device into an HDMI port on your TV and connect it to your WiFi network using the on-screen setup. Once it's connected, your phone will see it in the Cast or Screen Mirroring menu just like a built-in option. The device stays plugged in and ready to use.

These devices also let you stream from apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify directly to your TV without using your phone at all. They're a good choice if you plan to use your TV for streaming regularly.

Troubleshooting when nothing appears on screen

The most common reason casting fails is that your phone and TV are on different WiFi networks. Check that both are connected to the same network name. If you're on a guest network, try the main network instead — some TVs don't work on guest networks.

Restart both devices. Turn off your TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your phone. Then try casting again. This fixes most connection problems.

If you're using a cable and the screen stays blank, try a different HDMI port on the TV. Some ports don't work or are reserved for other devices. Also check that your cable isn't damaged — try it on another device if you have one available.

If your TV is very old, it may not support any wireless casting method. A cable connection or a streaming device are your only options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my phone while something is casting to the TV?

Yes, if you're casting a single app. The app continues on your TV while you use your phone normally. If you're screen mirroring, everything you do on your phone appears on the TV, so you can't use it privately.

Does casting use a lot of data?

Casting uses WiFi, not your phone's data plan. As long as both devices are on the same WiFi network, there's no data charge. Casting does use some WiFi bandwidth, so streaming video may be slower if other people are using the network heavily.

Why does my phone keep disconnecting from the TV?

This usually happens if your phone moves too far from the TV or router, or if something is interfering with the WiFi signal. Move closer to the router or TV. If you have a microwave or cordless phone nearby, turn it off — these can interfere with WiFi. Restart both devices and try again.

Can I cast from my phone to multiple TVs at once?

No. You can cast to only one TV at a time. If you want to send the same content to multiple TVs, you'll need to cast to each one separately, or use a different method like a cable box or streaming service.

What if my TV doesn't have HDMI ports?

Very old TVs may have only composite (red, white, yellow) ports. You can buy an HDMI-to-composite converter for around $15, but the picture quality will be lower. A streaming device is usually a better choice for older TVs.