How to Connect Your Phone to Your TV
One of the biggest reasons most people use their smartphones is to watch media. However, while smartphone screens have been getting bigger and more colorful with each new generation, they still can’t compete with the size of a TV’s display. Luckily, there are many ways to connect your phone to your TV so you can enjoy everything from Netflix shows to your favorite movies and games on the big screen.
USB Cable
Regardless of the type of phone you have, you can usually hook it up to your TV using a standard USB cable. It’s the easiest connection method and requires only a compatible phone, USB cable, and TV with a USB input. It’s also a simple and convenient way to mirror your phone’s screen on the television.
MHL
MHL is a standard for connecting Android phones and tablets to TVs, monitors, and projectors that’s supported by a number of devices (list here). It uses a clever system to allow both audio/video and power to be sent through the phone or tablet’s micro USB port.
You can then plug one end of the MHL cable into your phone’s micro USB port and the other into a special HDMI port on your TV or monitor. Check your device’s documentation to make sure it supports MHL.
iOS and Apple TV
If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can connect it to your TV via a lightning digital AV adapter that has a connector for HDMI outputs. You can also buy a lightning to VGA adapter for older iOS devices with a 30-pin port, though you’ll need a different cable if your phone is an older model.
Miracast
Most modern HDTVs have built-in Miracast support, so you can wirelessly mirror your phone’s screen on a compatible TV without cables. This is a very useful feature for those who don’t want to worry about using HDMI cords or don’t have any other options. It’s also a lot easier to set up than using USB cable, but you’ll need a compatible TV and iPhone or iPad with a supported connection.
Chromecast
The latest Google Chromecasts have a built-in AirPlay feature that allows you to stream music, presentations, photos, and more from your smartphone to your TV. This makes it easy to share your favorite content with friends or family – and you can even cast video from YouTube or Netflix if you have an iOS device.
Google Chromecasts can be a great option if you’re looking for an inexpensive way to connect your phone to your TV. They’re not always easy to find, but if you do happen to have one, they can be a very convenient solution for displaying your phone’s display on the big screen.
MHL+
The latest generation of MHL technology is MHL 2.0 and allows you to use your phone as a remote control with the included Bluetooth adapter. You can even control certain functions of your phone when it’s connected to your TV with the MHL+ remote, like pause and playback controls for music and videos, or the ability to scroll through apps and menus.