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How to Mirror Your Android Phone to a TV: The Complete Guide

January 12, 2024

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Watching movies, playing games, or even just browsing the web is way more enjoyable on a big screen TV than a tiny mobile device. Luckily, mirroring your Android phone to your television is easy with the right accessories and apps.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to mirror your Android smartphone to a TV wirelessly or with a cable.

What is Screen Mirroring?

Screen mirroring refers to the process of displaying the contents of your Android device’s screen onto a larger display, like a TV. This allows you to view photos, videos, apps, and anything else on your phone on your TV in real time.

The main benefit of screen mirroring is convenience. Instead of having to transfer files back and forth between devices, you can instantly display content from your Android on the nearest TV. It’s perfect for:

  • Watching movies, YouTube videos, sports, and other media
  • Playing mobile games like Candy Crush or Clash of Clans on a big screen
  • Viewing slideshows of vacation photos with the whole family
  • Giving business presentations straight from your phone
  • And more!

Screen mirroring comes in handy any time you want to display your Android’s screen onto a larger display. Let’s look at the different ways to make the connection.

Wireless Screen Mirroring Methods

Thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity and wireless standards, you can mirror your Android device to smart TVs and streaming gadgets wirelessly. Here are some of the most popular options:

Chromecast

Chromecast is Google’s wildly popular HDMI dongle that plugs into the back of your TV. To use it for screen mirroring:

  • Plug the Chromecast into your TV and connect it to Wi-Fi
  • Install the Google Home app on your Android device
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to set up screen mirroring
  • Tap the “Cast” button from within compatible apps to mirror them
  • Use the Google Home app to mirror your full display

Chromecast is affordable, widely compatible, and easy to set up for wireless screen mirroring.

Miracast

Miracast is a screen mirroring standard built into many newer Android phones and smart TVs. If both your phone and TV support Miracast:

  • Go to your Android’s Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences
  • Select your TV under “Available Devices
  • Tap “Connect” and your phone will mirror to the TV

Since Miracast uses Wi-Fi Direct, no Wi-Fi network or router is needed – just have both devices turned on nearby.

Roku

Roku streaming players plug into TVs similar to Chromecast. To use Roku for screen mirroring from your Android:

  • Connect your Roku and Android phone to the same Wi-Fi network
  • Enable Screen Mirroring in your Roku settings
  • On your Android, choose your Roku from the list of available devices
  • Your phone screen will now be mirrored on your TV

Most Roku models support screen mirroring without any extra apps or hardware.

Amazon Fire TV

Amazon’s Fire TV devices also allow you to mirror your Android screen through a dedicated app:

  • Install the Fire TV app on your Android device
  • Make sure your Fire TV and phone are on the same Wi-Fi
  • Open the app, choose your Fire TV, and enable screen mirroring
  • Your phone will instantly be mirrored to the TV

The Fire TV method is fast, stable, and works with Amazon TV devices like the Fire Stick.

Smart View

On Samsung Galaxy devices, you can use the built-in Smart View feature for wireless screen mirroring.

To use Smart View:

  • Make sure your Samsung TV is on the same Wi-Fi network
  • Open your Quick Settings and tap Smart View
  • Choose your TV from the list
  • Your phone screen will now display on your Samsung TV

Smart View works seamlessly if you have compatible Samsung devices.

Additional Apps

Don’t have a smart TV or streaming device? No worries! You can still wirelessly mirror your screen with third-party apps like:

The main limitation is that the receiving TV needs to install the same app to connect with your phone. But these apps increase compatibility across many TV brands.

Now that you know the primary wireless options, let’s go over how to mirror your Android using a wired connection.

Wired Screen Mirroring with HDMI

For the fastest and most reliable screen mirroring experience, you can’t beat a wired connection. Here’s how to mirror your phone using a cable:

What You Need

  • Android phone that supports video output over USB-C or micro-HDMI
  • HDMI cable
  • Optional USB-C to HDMI adapter or MHL adapter
mirror your android phone to your tv using a USB Cable

Many newer Android models support video out over USB-C. But older phones may require an MHL adapter that goes from micro-USB to HDMI. Make sure you have the necessary adapters for your mobile device.

Connecting Step-by-Step

Follow these steps for wired screen mirroring:

  1. Connect the HDMI cable to your TV’s HDMI port
  2. If your Android has USB-C, plug the other end directly into your phone
  3. For micro-HDMI or micro-USB, attach the required adapter to your phone first
  4. Allow your device to automatically detect the connection
  5. Enable screen mirroring and ‘Allow’ any permissions prompts
  6. Your Android screen should now display on the TV!

And that’s all there is to it. The wired method is simple and delivers the fastest streaming speed and lowest latency. The image quality is also typically better over HDMI compared to wireless casting. Just plug in and enjoy your big-screen viewing experience.

Now let’s go over some tips for troubleshooting mirroring issues.

Troubleshooting Screen Mirroring Problems

Like any technology, screen mirroring doesn’t always work perfectly. When you run into issues, try these basic troubleshooting steps:

  • Restart your devices – Simply turning your phone and TV off and back on can resolve transient connection issues.
  • Reconnect cables and adapters – Check that all cables and adapters are securely connected at both ends.
  • Disable/re-enable mirroring – Turn screen mirroring off and back on using your phone’s settings.
  • Update your software – Install the latest updates on your Android, TV, streaming device, and apps.
  • Change input mode on TV – For wired mirroring, make sure your TV input is set to the correct HDMI port.
  • Check for interference – Other devices on the same Wi-Fi network can interfere with wireless casting. Disconnect other devices as needed.
  • Move closer – If you’re wirelessly mirroring, bring your streaming device and Android phone closer together temporarily.

In most cases, screen mirroring can be fixed by using one or more of these basic troubleshooting tips. But if you continue to have problems, it may require resetting and reconfiguring your smart TV, streaming device, or Wi-Fi router.

Key Takeaways and Summary

Here are some key points to remember about mirroring from your Android phone to a TV:

  • Use wireless options like Chromecast, Miracast, Roku, or Fire TV for convenience.
  • The wired HDMI method offers the fastest performance and best quality.
  • Make sure you have the proper adapters, cables, and apps.
  • Troubleshoot problems by updating software, reconnecting cables, moving devices closer, and restarting.
  • Consider third-party apps to increase compatibility across brands.
  • Screen mirroring lets you easily enjoy your Android’s games, videos, and apps on a TV big screen.

With the right tools and techniques, beaming your Android smartphone to a television is easy. Follow the steps in this guide for a world of entertainment possibilities on the big screen.

By the way, here, you will learn more about the full Emby vs. Plex comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about mirroring your Android phone screen to a TV:

Can any Android phone be mirrored to a TV?

Most modern Android phones support screen mirroring in some fashion. Newer models with USB-C usually have the most options. Make sure to check your phone specifications to confirm compatibility with the display methods in this guide.

What is the lag or delay for screen mirroring?

Wired connections have very little lag, providing almost real-time screen mirroring. Wireless options range from 1-3 seconds of delay in optimal conditions. Factors like Wi-Fi signal strength can increase latency.

Do I need to download any apps for wired mirroring?

Usually not! Your Android should detect a wired HDMI connection automatically without needing extra apps. Some manufacturers like Samsung may have optional software to install, but plain HDMI generally works out of the box.

Can I mirror my phone screen if my TV is not a smart TV?

Yes. With Chromecast, Fire TV, Roku, or HDMI adapters you can mirror to “dumb” non-smart TVs. As long as the TV has an open HDMI input, you can display your Android screen onto it.

Do I need Wi-Fi to mirror my phone screen to the TV?

Wi-Fi is required for wireless casting methods. But a direct HDMI wired connection does not need any Wi-Fi or internet connectivity to work. The wired cable carries the video signal.

What happens if I get a call during screen mirroring?

Incoming calls will temporarily interrupt and pause screen mirroring. Wireless casting will resume a few seconds after you hang up. With a wired connection, you may need to manually restart mirroring.

Can I mirror my Android screen to multiple TVs at once?

Unfortunately, simultaneous mirroring to more than one display is not possible. You can only cast your Android’s screen to one external monitor or TV at a time.

Does screen mirroring use up my phone’s battery faster?

Yes. Screen mirroring increases processor and display usage, which drains your phone’s battery quicker. Use a charger cable during longer casting sessions to keep your battery sufficient.

What should I do if I only see a landscape orientation on my TV?

Go to your Android’s display settings. Under “Auto-rotate screen”, make sure the phone is set to automatically rotate based on the phone’s orientation. This will sync the portrait/landscape view to the TV.

In Conclusion

Whether you want to enjoy mobile games on the big screen or stream your personal media to your home theater, screen mirroring is an awesome way to get more out of your Android device. With so many wireless and wired options, getting your smartphone contents beamed over to your television is quick and convenient.

Follow the tips and advice in this guide, and you’ll become a pro at mirroring your Android phone to any TV in no time!