Wondering how to stream from your phone to TV? It’s actually pretty simple. You don’t need to be a tech guru to get your favourite entertainment up on your big screen. You also don’t need any fancy equipment — just your smartphone and TV will do!
To help you out, we’ve created this easy-to-follow guide. It’s got all the fool-proof ways that you can stream from your phone screen to TV. Jump in and learn how you can get the bigger picture.
How to Stream from Phone to TV: Wireless & Wired Options
There’s a few easy ways to get your shows and films up on your TV screen directly from your phone. Whether you’ve got an iPhone or an Android, it doesn’t matter — you can stream directly to your TV with most smartphones. Here are all the best streaming methods with helpful steps:
Wireless Ways to Connect
These days, you don’t need much to stream from your phone to TV. You just need your chosen streaming platform (like Netflix), a good wi-fi signal, a smartphone, and a TV. There are two main wireless methods for phone-to-TV streaming: screen mirroring and screen casting. Both methods are straightforward to set up and work on Android and iPhone.
Screen Mirroring
Screen mirroring is exactly what it sounds like. It’s when your phone screen is streamed directly to your TV screen, reflecting the exact display on your mobile. When screen mirroring, everything you do on your phone will show up on the TV screen. Types of screen mirroring include AirPlay for iPhone and Smart View for Android devices.
Screen Mirroring with an iPhone:
- If you’ve got the latest model (iPhone X or newer), swipe down from the top-right side of your phone screen. And for older models, swipe up from the bottom.
- Tap on the icon with two rectangles — this is the screen mirroring button.
- Once you’ve tapped it, you’ll get a pop-up list that’s searching for available screens. When your Apple TV or compatible AirPlay TV shows, tap it to connect.
- As soon as your phone connects, your screen should show on your TV.
- When you’re done mirroring, open the Control Center on your iPhone. Then hit the ‘Stop Mirroring’ button.
Screen Mirroring with an Android:
- Swipe down on your Android phone to access Quick Settings.
- Depending on the type of Android you’ve got, Tap the Cast, Screen Cast, Smart View, or Wireless Display option. This will get your screen connected.
- Once you’ve tapped the screen mirroring option, your phone will start looking for nearby devices that are compatible. When your TV pops up, select it to connect.
- Once you’ve chosen your screen, you should see your Android display appear on your TV.
- To stop mirroring your screens, all you’ve got to do is hit the Cast icon again. Then pick the Disconnect option.
Screen Casting
Screen casting only projects the TV show or movie you want streamed. This is different to screen mirroring which livestreams your whole phone screen. It’s great because it lets you still use your phone for other stuff while your entertainment stays on the big screen. Think of it as a sort of split-screen display.
Screen Casting with an iPhone:
- Open your chosen streaming app and pick the movie or series you fancy watching.
- When you’ve got your choice of entertainment open, you’ll see an AirPlay icon. If you can’t see it, look for a rectangle and an arrow pointing up. It isn’t always in the same place on different platforms, but it always looks the same.
- Tap the icon and wait for your TV to show up on the list. Once you’ve found and tapped on your TV, your entertainment will be in full display on your big screen — time to get the popcorn out!
- When you’re done binge-watching your juicy dramas or finished with your action movie marathon, simply hit the AirPlay symbol again. Then tap the Stop AirPlay option.
Screen Casting on your Android:
- Open whichever cast-supported app you want to stream and start playing your chosen TV show or movie.
- While you’ve got your streaming platform open and your show/film selected, tap the Cast icon. This usually looks like a little rectangle with a wi-fi symbol on the corner.
- Select your big screen from the list that pops up and kick back as your content streams in full view.
- To cancel casting, just hit the Cast icon again and select Disconnect or Stop Casting.
Wired Streaming Methods
If you want to stream the old-school way, you can hook your phone screen up to your TV with cables.
Wired methods are great if you don’t have a smart TV, or if your TV doesn’t support the wireless options. This can be much more reliable than wireless connections because you’re relying less on your wi-fi signal which can cause lagging and buffering. It also ensures much better quality, so you can get that 4K cinema experience at home.
Here are some options that work well:
- HDMI Cable with Adapter: Connect your phone with a Lightning-to-HDMI cable for iPhone or a USB-C-to-HDMI for Android.
- USB-C Cable: Some smart TVs have USB-C outlets, so you can use a USB-C-toUSB-C cable to connect your phone. If you’ve got an iPhone 15 or later model or an Android phone, this option will work for you.
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