Would you like to send a video from your smartphone to your TV but don’t know how to do it? Are you tired of “fiddling” with cables and therefore would like some advice for working wirelessly? If these are just some of the questions you’re asking yourself, you’ll be happy to know that you’ve come to the right place at the right time.
In fact, with today’s guide, I will show you how to connect your mobile phone to the TV using the best technologies that allow you to send audio/video content to the TV, both without using cables and with the help of the latter. I assure you that the suggestions I will propose will not require specific skills on your part: everything you need to know you will find in the next chapters. Although I will offer you some products to purchase, know that the expense required to succeed in your aim is quite limited. If you’re lucky, you might even already have everything you need!
So, may we know what are you waiting for? Let’s not waste any more precious time! Below you will find all the information you need. You just have to identify the solution that best suits your needs, based on the type of phone you have, and put it into practice. All I can do is wish you a good read and… a good vision!
Index
How to connect your cell phone to TV via WiFi
There are various technologies that allow you to connect your mobile phone to the TV wirelessly , that is , without the use of cables: I will list the most interesting ones in the next chapters. However, be aware that some Pay TV services, for example the Sky Go app, inhibit the viewing of content via these systems (and more generally, viewing via television).
Connect your cell phone to your TV with Chromecast
Google Cast is a technology developed by Google that allows you to transmit audio/video content to your television and mirror smartphones, tablets and computers. This technology is implemented directly in some Smart TV models , in particular Android TV ones ; otherwise it can be used with the help of Chromecast .
The latter is a Google dongle, i.e. an HDMI “stick” with a relatively low cost, compared to the other solutions I will propose, which is available in two variants: the basic one which supports Full HD content and costs 39 euros and the one with Google TV which, however, supports 4K content and the installation of apps and costs 69.99 euros.
Chromecast plugs into your TV’s HDMI port and connects to the Internet via Wi-Fi (or even via Ethernet, if you’re using the Ultra model). It supports all major desktop and mobile operating systems and ensures lightning-fast response times.
You can also use it for gaming without suffering too much from signal delays. The reproduction of multimedia contents can take place directly via the Internet (e.g. from YouTube or Infinity ) or from the local network (via specific apps to be downloaded onto a computer, smartphone or tablet). If you use an Android terminal or a PC, you can also cast the entire screen of your device to the TV (possibility not offered for iOS/iPadOS terminals).
I can already tell you that Google Cast is the technology that currently offers the best performance-price ratio, as well as the one that offers the most cross-compatibility between devices and platforms. If you don’t have too many demands or don’t have a 4K TV available, the basic model should be more than sufficient: you can buy it from the Google online store or in physical and digital electronics stores.
To send content to Chromecast from Android or iPhone , you need to set up the dongle to connect to your home Wi-Fi using the Google Home app for Android or iOS , then you need to make sure that your phone and Chromecast (or Smart TV with Chromecast built-in) are connected to the same wireless network, open one of the supported apps, press on the broadcast icon (the icon with the screen and the waves of the wireless network next to it), select the name of the Chromecast from the menu that appears and then start playing the content that interests you.
How do you say? Would you like some examples of apps compatible with Chromecast, to send content to your TV? I’ll satisfy you right away.
- Netflix ( Android / iOS/iPadOS ) – the most popular video on demand service in the world. It hosts films, cartoons and above all TV series suitable for all tastes. It is necessary to sign up for a subscription starting from 7.99 euros/month . For more info, see my post on how to watch Netflix .
- Amazon Prime Video ( Android / iOS/iPadOS ) – Amazon’s streaming service, included in the Prime subscription. It includes many original TV series and interesting films. More info here .
- NOW TV ( Android / iOS/iPadOS ) – famous Sky Italia streaming service. Its offer is divided into thematic packages dedicated to Cinema, TV Series, Entertainment and Sports, without constraints or renewal obligations. More info here .
- Infinity ( Android / iOS/iPadOS ) – the Italian answer to Netflix. As regards the contents of its catalogue, it is rich in many Italian and foreign productions. After the first 30 days free, it costs 7.99 euros/month or 69 euros/year . For more information, check out my tutorial on how Infinity works .
- Veezie.st ( Android / iOS/iPadOS ) – it is a free app that allows you to send videos hosted on online, as well as local, streaming and file hosting services to the Chromecast.
- YouTube ( Android / iOS/iPadOS ) – the video portal par excellence, supports Chromecast on both Android and iOS. More info here .
- Localcast ( Android / iOS/iPadOS ) – free application that allows you to send videos from the local network (or from your smartphone/tablet) to the TV via Chromecast.
With Chromecast you can also mirror the screen of your Android smartphone or tablet to your TV. To take advantage of this feature, you need the Google Home app (which you used to set up your Chromecast). After launching the app and logging in, just tap on the Chromecast icon and press on the wording Cast screen . Easy, right?
To use Chromecast from a computer, however, you need the Google Chrome browser . If you want to know more, you can read this guide of mine dedicated to the topic.
Connect your cell phone to TV with Miracast
Miracast is a technology promoted by the Wi-Fi Alliance that allows you to project audio/video content on your television and mirror smartphones, tablets and computers on your television, using Wi-Fi Direct technology .
With Wi-Fi Direct, devices communicate with each other without the intermediation of a Wi-Fi network: this means that the signal does not have to pass through a router and that you do not necessarily have to have an active Internet connection.
It supports a resolution of up to 4K and content playback is very fluid, although it is better to avoid too frenetic games, where even the slightest delay can be significant. The biggest problem with this technology is compatibility: Miracast is integrated into almost all devices with Android 4.4 or higher and into the most advanced Smart TVs, while in the world of computers its adoption is patchy.
Televisions that are not compatible with Miracast can become compatible with the help of “dongles” that cost a few tens of euros. However, it is impossible to use this technology with Apple devices, which use AirPlay instead of Miracast.
Ultimately, Miracast is an excellent alternative to Chromecast, but to be able to take advantage of it you need to carefully select the products to purchase (smartphone, television, etc.) and make sure that they are all compatible with this technology.
To use this technology on your Android smartphone, simply go to the Settings > Display > Cast screen or Settings > Device connection > MirrorShare menu (the path may vary depending on the device model).
You can also activate the appropriate icon found in the quick menu in the Android notification center by double-swiping from top to bottom near the top edge of the display. Once this is done, select the name of your TV from the list of available devices and you’re done.
Connect your cell phone to your TV with AirPlay
AirPlay is a proprietary wireless transmission system designed by Apple. It works via traditional wireless networks (so it needs a router to act as an intermediary), supports maximum 4K resolution and ensures extremely smooth content playback.
It allows you to share audio/video content and mirror the screen of Apple tablets, smartphones and computers. It is supported “natively” by all the devices of the Cupertino company: iPhone, iPad , Mac and above all Apple TV , a “little box” that connects to the television and allows you to use various apps, games and play streaming content both from Internet and from the local network. Two models are available: the 32GB HD one and the 32 or 64GB 4K one .
Furthermore, AirPlay technology is integrated into many LG , Samsung , Sony and Vizio Smart TVs , which carry the Works with Apple AirPlay label (the complete list is here ) and therefore allow both the reception of audio/video content and the projection of audio/video content. entire screen of iPhone, iPad and Mac on them.
There are also cheap receivers with AirPlay, similar to the Miracast ones we looked at previously, but their performance is generally poor. I would therefore suggest you avoid them.
To send audio/video content from iPhone to Smart TV AirPlay or Apple TV , make sure that all devices are connected to the same wireless network, then start playing content on the phone, press on the transmission icon (the screen with the triangle) and select the Apple TV item from the menu that opens.
To mirror the iPhone and iPad screen , just call up the iOS Control Center , press the Mirror Screen button and select the Apple TV item from the menu that appears. If you don’t know how to open the Control Center, on iPhone On models prior to iPhone
On Mac , to activate screen mirroring you need to click on the AirPlay icon that appears next to the system clock and select the Apple TV from the list of available devices.
Connect your cell phone to TV with DLNA
DLNA is a very old technology that allows you to transmit audio/video content wirelessly. It is supported by the vast majority of devices currently on the market, it works via traditional Wi-Fi networks, but has several limitations.
First, it doesn’t support screen mirroring, and furthermore, it requires the videos to be streamed to be in a compatible format. Otherwise, you can convert the videos in real time, which however can lead to mini-blocks in playback (especially in the case of Full HD videos). In short, it is better to opt for alternative solutions like those mentioned previously.
To use DLNA technology, you must use two devices compatible with the latter (smartphone and television) and connect them to the same wireless network.
Sharing content from smartphones can be activated using any of the multimedia file management apps available on the Android and iOS/iPadOS stores (e.g. BubbleUPnP for Android and TV Assist for iPhone ).
How to connect cell phone to TV with cable
Do you prefer to use the classic cable to connect your mobile phone to the TV ? No problem, the important thing is to choose the right cable for your smartphone. Know that, in general, it is not possible to connect your mobile phone to the TV with a USB cable , perhaps using the same one that was provided in the package of the mobile device.
You can, however, connect your mobile phone to the TV with HDMI , using special cables or adapters, which allow you to connect the two devices via the smartphone’s USB port and the TV’s HDMI port. Be aware, however, that some streaming services inhibit viewing of content via cable, only allowing viewing via Chromecast and other wireless protocols.
Most Samsung, HTC and Sony Android smartphones require an MHL cable , which must be connected to the phone’s microUSB port and the TV’s HDMI port and is capable of playing content at maximum 4K resolution.Ozvavzk Phone to HDMI Cable 3 in 1 Multiport Adapter Type C Micro US…See offer on Amazon
Other Android smartphones, however, thanks to the USB-C port and the use of special cables or adapters, can connect directly to the television, being able to transmit images even at 4K resolution.
In the Apple world things get decidedly simpler, but also more expensive. If you need to connect an iPhone (iPhone 5 and up) to the TV, you need an Apple Lightning to Digital AV adapter , which allows you to connect the phone to the TV’s HDMI port, obtaining images with a maximum resolution of 1080p (Full HD).Apple Lightning Digital AV AdapterSee offer on Amazon
There are also adapters made by third parties, which are cheaper, but their operation often leaves something to be desired. I would tend to avoid them.
