How to Connect a TV With a Phone
If you own a smartphone or tablet and want to connect it to your TV, there are several options available. Each method varies slightly depending on your device and the type of TV you have, but all of them are easy to use.
1. USB Cable
The simplest way to connect your phone to a television is through a USB cable. Most smartphones come with a USB cable, and most Smart TVs also have a USB port. Simply plug your phone into one end of the USB cable, and then your television into the other. Then you can project anything on your phone onto the television screen, whether it’s images, videos, games, or apps.
2. Miracast Wireless Display Standard
Many Android phones (version 4.2 onwards) support the Miracast wireless display standard, which allows you to wirelessly stream content from your phone or tablet to your TV. There are a few ways to do this, though the easiest way is to just open up your smartphone’s display settings and select “Enable Wireless Display.”
3. MHL Passive HDMI Standard
If your Android phone or tablet doesn’t have a physical HDMI port but does support the MHL passive HDMI standard, you can connect it to your TV using a micro USB-to-HDMI cable. These cables are available from most electronics stores and cost around $10.
4. DLNA Apps
If you have an Android phone that supports DLNA, you can connect it to your TV by using a DLNA app. These apps are available from the Google Play Store and allow you to stream media directly from your phone to your TV. You can even use them to share files and data with other devices on your home network.
5. Apple AirPlay & Screen Mirroring
For iPhone and iPad owners, the quickest way to mirror your device’s screen to your television is via Apple’s wireless AirPlay protocol. This can be used to play videos or stream music, and can even let you use the remote control from your iOS device to interact with the content on your TV.
6. Chromecast / Roku Streaming Stick
Another great option is to use a streaming device like Google Chromecast or the Roku Streaming Stick. These devices are small and inexpensive, and allow you to wirelessly cast your content from your phone or tablet to your TV. You can also use them to mirror your Android or iOS device’s screen, as well as play games on the television with the help of a controller.
7. HDMI Alt Mode
Some newer-model Android phones and tablets have an optional “HDMI Alt mode” feature, which allows you to plug your smartphone into the TV’s HDMI input using a USB cable. You can check with your phone’s manufacturer to see if your device has this feature, and how it works.
8. Android Gaming
If you’re a die-hard Android gamer, you can easily connect your phone to the television using an HDMI adapter or even a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. This can be a good way to access the latest games, or to enjoy your own old ones that don’t work on your phone’s screen.