How to Play Games on Your TV Using Wi-Fi on Your Phone: A Complete Guide (2026)

Do you want to bring your mobile games to the big screen, but don't know how to connect your phone to your TV? without wiresWireless Wi-Fi streaming allows you to play games on TV with minimal lag—if you set up the connection correctly. In this article, we'll cover all the current methods, from built-in features Android And iOS to specialized applications like Steam Link or Moonlight.

The main problem when playing on Wi-Fi is lag (the delay between an action on your phone and the display on your TV). We've tested each method and listed the actual latency values ​​in the table below. You'll also learn how to reduce your ping to 10–30 ms, even if your router isn't the most powerful. Important: For stable operation, you'll need Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or the newest Wi-Fi 6 - on outdated standards (802.11n) it will be impossible to play due to FPS drops.

If you have Samsung TV With SmartThings, LG With WebOS or Android TV (For example, Xiaomi Mi TV or Sony Bravia), most methods will work out of the box. For Apple TV or TVs without a Smart platform will require additional equipment—we'll talk about that too.

1. Built-in screen sharing (Miracast/AirPlay)

The easiest way is to use the built-in wireless image transmission protocols. Android This Miracast (or Google Cast), on iPhone — AirPlayAdvantage: no need to install third-party apps. Disadvantage: latency can reach 80–120 ms (critical for dynamic games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty).

How to enable:

• 📱 Android: open Settings → Connected devices → Screencasting (on Samsung — Smart View, on Xiaomi — Wireless Display). Select your TV from the list.
• 🍎 iPhone: swipe up to Control center → click Screen mirroring → select Apple TV or a compatible TV (eg LG with AirPlay 2).
• 📺 On TV: activate the signal reception mode (on Samsung — Screen Mirroring, on LG — Miracast in the network settings).

Important: Miracast only works on Android 4.2+ and requires protocol support from the TV. iPhone without Apple TV broadcasting is only possible on TVs with AirPlay 2 (the list of models is on the Apple website).

⚠️ Attention: When using Miracast on budget routers (TP-Link TL-WR840N, D-Link DIR-615) image artifacts are possible. Solution: switch the router to the mode 5 GHz or use a mesh system.

Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network (2.4 GHz will not work!)

Disable VPN and power saving mode on your phone

Update your TV's firmware (instructions in the menu) Support → Software Update)

Close background apps on your phone (especially instant messengers)

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2. Steam Link: Play PC games on TV via your phone

If you play Steam-games (for example, CS2, Dota 2, Elden Ring), you can stream them from your computer to your TV using your phone as an intermediary. This method requires:

• 💻 PC with installed Steam and the game.
• 📱 Phone on Android 5.0+ or iOS 11+.
• 📶 Router with support Wi-Fi 5/6 (minimum speed - 300 Mbps).
• 🎮 Gamepad (optional, but recommended for shooters).

Instructions:

1. Install Steam Link to the phone from App Store/Google Play.
2. On your PC, open Steam → Settings → Remote Play → turn on Enable Remote Play.
3. Connect your phone and PC to the same Wi-Fi network.
4. Launch Steam Link on your phone, select your PC and stream the game to TV via Screen Mirroring (see section 1).

The delay with this approach is: 30–50 ms (provided that the PC is connected to the router via cable Ethernet). If the game is lagging, reduce the broadcast resolution in the settings. Steam Link to 720p or 900p.

⚠️ Attention: If you have NVIDIA GPU on PC, use Moonlight instead of Steam Link — the delay will be 2-3 times lower thanks to the technology NVIDIA GameStream.

3. Moonlight: Stream PC games with minimal lag

Moonlight — is a client for streaming games from a PC to any device, including phones and TVs. Unlike Steam Link, he works with any games (not only from Steam), if you have a video card NVIDIA (series GTX 9xx and newer) or AMD (with support AMF).

How to set up:

1. Download Moonlight on the phone (official website).
2. Install GeForce Experience on PC (for NVIDIA) or AMD Link (For AMD).
3. Turn on GameStream V NVIDIA Control Panel (Settings → GameStream).
4. Connect your phone and PC to the same network, launch Moonlight and select your computer.

Advantages:

• 🎮 Delay 10–20 ms (better than Steam Link).
• 🖥️ Support for resolutions up to 4K@60fps (if available) Wi-Fi 6).
• 🕹️ Possibility to connect a gamepad via Bluetooth.

Flaws:

• ❌ Requires a powerful PC (minimum GTX 1060 or RX 580).
• ❌ On iPhone A third-party build is required (the official app has been removed from App Store).

4. ApowerMirror and similar: universal streaming

If the built-in methods do not work (for example, you have an old TV without Miracast), use third-party applications like ApowerMirror, TeamViewer or ScrcpyThey allow you to broadcast your phone screen to TV via Wi-Fi or USB, but with a noticeable delay.

Comparison of applications:

• 🔹 ApowerMirror: simple interface, latency ~60 ms, paid ($29.9/year).
• 🔹 TeamViewer QuickSupport: free, but delay up to 100 ms.
• 🔹 Scrcpy: open source, minimal lag (30-40 ms), but requires configuration via ADB.

Instructions for ApowerMirror:

1. Install the application on your phone and PC (developer's website).
2. Connect your phone and PC to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Launch ApowerMirror on PC, select Wi-Fi Connection and enter the PIN code from your phone.
4. Activate TV broadcasting via HDMI (by connecting the PC to the TV) or Miracast (if PC supports it).

⚠️ Attention: When using Scrcpy for games with touch controls (eg Genshin Impact) you'll need mouse click emulation. Setting it up takes 10-15 minutes, but the lag is minimal.

scrcpy --bit-rate 8M --max-fps 60 --lock-video-orientation=0

5. Cloud gaming (Xbox Cloud, GeForce NOW)

If your phone and TV can't handle local streaming, try cloud gamingServices like Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce NOW or Booster allow you to play AAA projects (For example, Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 5) on any device, broadcasting an image from a remote server.

How to connect:

1. Register with the service (for example, GeForce NOW has a free tariff with a queue).
2. Install the application on your phone (Android/iOS).
3. Connect the gamepad to your phone via Bluetooth (recommended) Xbox Controller or DualSense).
4. Launch the game and broadcast the screen to TV via Miracast/AirPlay.

Pros:

• 🎮 No need for powerful equipment—everything is processed on the server.
• 🌍 Access to the game library (for example, Xbox Game Pass includes 100+ projects).

Cons:

• ❌ Dependence on internet speed (minimum 25 Mbps For 1080p).
• ❌ Artifacts may occur if the connection is unstable.

6. Optimize Wi-Fi for lag-free gaming

Even the most advanced broadcasting method will slow down if the network is not configured correctly. 5 key parameters, which need to be checked:

1. Wi-Fi frequency: use 5 GHz (channels 36-48 or 149-165 for minimal interference). 2.4 GHz It is impossible to play due to overload.
2. Channel width: install 80 MHz (in the router settings: Wireless → Channel Width).
3. QoS (Quality of Service): enable priority for devices (DHCP Reservation for phone and TV).
4. MTU: reduce to 1472, if connection breaks are observed.
5. DNS: use 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google) to reduce ping.

If the lag persists, try:

• 🔌 Connect your TV to your router via cable Ethernet (even if the phone remains on Wi-Fi).
• 📡 Use Mesh system (For example, TP-Link Deco or Google Nest Wi-Fi) to eliminate "dead zones".
• 🛑 Disable it on your router WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia), if games slow down when video is running in the background.

⚠️ Attention: On routers ASUS And Netgear there is a function Game Boost — it automatically optimizes traffic for gaming. Enable it in the router's web interface.

7. Alternative methods: USB and HDMI

If Wi-Fi is not stable, consider wired methods:

• 🔌 USB-OTG + HDMI: connect your phone to the TV via an adapter USB-C/HDMI (delay 0 ms, but the phone will discharge faster). Suitable for Samsung DeX or Huawei Desktop Mode.
• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct: direct connection of phone and TV without a router (on Samsung — Smart View → Wi-Fi Direct). Lag ~40 ms, but limited range (up to 5 meters).
• 🖥️ Chromecast/Fire TV Stick: streaming via Google Cast or Fire TV (delay 50-70 ms).

For USB-OTG you will need:

• Adapter USB-C to HDMI (For example, Baseus or Anker).
• Support DisplayPort Alt Mode on the phone (list of compatible models) Here).
• Power supply (the phone will get very hot).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions