How to Connect a Phone With a Monitor
Many Android devices feature screen mirroring, which enables you to view your device’s content on a larger monitor or television. This is a great option for watching videos and playing games, but it’s also useful for sharing photos or watching a slideshow.
To connect an Android phone to a TV, you have three main options: HDMI, MHL and SlimPort. In order to find out which one is compatible with your Android phone, you’ll need to check whether it supports the relevant standard (listed below).
HDMI Adapter: The best way to connect an Android phone with a monitor is via a USB-C to HDMI adapter, which is available from a variety of retailers. This cable lets you plug your phone directly into the back of a TV, projector or monitor to watch your favorite movies and shows.
MHL Adapter: Another popular option for Android phones is to use a Micro USB to HDMI (MHL) adapter. This is a standard that’s supported by many Android phones and tablets (list here) and uses a special port on your TV to send both power and audio/video to your device. You can pick up an MHL adapter from a number of outlets and it’s a fairly straightforward process to use.
Samsung DeX: Some of the newer Samsung Galaxy S8 and S9 devices include a docking station called DeX that enables you to use your phone as a desktop computer, which is handy for doing things like browsing the web, working on email and even watching movies. You can even run a lot of Android apps in full-screen desktop mode.
Olixar USB-C to HDMI Adapter: The newest Android smartphones have USB Type-C ports, which are a cylinder-shaped input that replaces the micro-USB port. With a USB-C to HDMI cable, you can use your phone with an external display and enjoy the convenience of fast data transfer and charging.
Google Home: Some recent Android devices support mirroring using the Google Home app. Once you’ve installed the app, you can tap account to see what’s on your screen and select which display you want to mirror it to.
Chromecast: If you have a Google Pixel phone, you can cast your screen to a compatible television or monitor. This is the easiest way to mirror your phone’s screen and view your content on a large TV or display, but it’s also quite expensive and not suitable for all situations.
Other options:
The latest iOS devices don’t have USB, but you can still connect them to a TV using an adapter. For instance, the Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter lets you plug your iPhone into an HDMI or VGA display and charge it at the same time.
Some older iOS devices, such as the iPod Touch and iPhone 5s and 6s, still have a 30-pin connector. This type of adapter is compatible with an older phone, and the cables that fit these types of displays are often cheaper.
In addition to mirroring your phone’s screen, you can also use USB for storage. This is particularly useful for watching movies, as it allows you to store large files without slowing down your TV’s performance.