How to Stream Games from Your Phone to Your TV via Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide (2026)

Smartphone games have long ceased to be the domain of casual entertainment - modern mobile projects like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Mobile or Diablo Immortal require a large screen for full immersion. But few people know that you can stream gameplay from your phone to your TV. without wires, using only your home Wi-Fi network. The key is to choose the right connection method to avoid lag, image interruptions, and control issues.

In this article we will look at 5 working methods We'll compare the different methods for displaying images from an Android or iPhone to a TV via Wi-Fi, comparing them in terms of latency, image quality, and setup complexity. You'll learn which protocol is best for fast-paced shooters, which is better for strategy games, how to bypass manufacturer restrictions, and what to do if your TV doesn't support wireless streaming. All instructions are relevant for Android 12-15 And iOS 16-18, as well as televisions Samsung, LG, Sony Bravia and other brands with Smart TV support.

1. Miracast: Direct streaming from your phone to TV without a router

Technology Miracast - is a wireless screen sharing standard that works without intermediaries: The phone connects directly to the TV via Wi-Fi Direct. The main advantage is minimal latency (from 30 ms), which is critical for games. However, there are some nuances:

• 📱 Android: supported since version 4.2, but on new smartphones (Samsung Galaxy S22+, Google Pixel 7) may require manual activation.
• 📺 TV: must have built-in Miracast (look for it in the menu) Screen Mirroring, Wi-Fi Direct or Wireless display).
• ⚡ Limitation: does not work with iPhone - Apple uses its own protocol AirPlay.

To activate Miracast on Android:

1. Open Settings → Connections → Screencasting (on Xiaomi the path may differ: Settings → Display → Wireless Display).
2. Select your TV from the list of available devices.
3. Confirm the connection on both devices (you may be asked to enter a PIN).

⚠️ Attention: On TVs LG With webOS 5.0+ Miracast can automatically downscale the resolution to 720p, even if the TV supports 4KTo fix this, go to Settings → General → Devices → Miracast Settings and manually select the maximum resolution.

Make sure your TV and phone support Miracast|Disable VPN and power saving modes|Check that both devices are not connected to other Wi-Fi networks|Update your TV firmware to the latest version-->

2. AirPlay for iPhone: How to Stream Games to Apple TV or Smart TV

To the owners iPhone Less fortunate: Apple blocks Miracast, offering a proprietary protocol instead AirPlayIt works stably, but with a noticeable delay (80-120 ms), which makes it unsuitable for competitive games. However, the image is transmitted in its original resolution (up to 4K HDR on Apple TV 4K).

List of compatible devices:

• 📱 iPhone: all models with iOS 11+ (including iPhone 15 Pro Max).
• 📺 TVs: Samsung (2018 models and newer) LG (With webOS 4.0+), Sony Bravia (series X90J and above), as well as any TV with a set-top box Apple TV.
• 🔌 Condition: Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network (or use Peer-to-Peer AirPlay on Apple TV).

Connection instructions:

1. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control center.
2. Click Screen mirroring (icon with two rectangles).
3. Select your TV or Apple TV from the list.
4. If required, enter the confirmation code from the TV screen.

For owners Samsung TV It's important to note that AirPlay may be disabled by default. To enable it:

Settings → General → External Devices → Apple AirPlay Settings → Turn on AirPlay

3. Steam Link: Play PC games from your phone on TV

If you prefer PC games, but you want to control them from your smartphone while displaying the image on your TV, Steam Link — the perfect solution. The app streams gameplay from your computer to your phone, and the phone, in turn, can mirror the screen on a TV via Miracast or an HDMI adapter. Latency depends on the PC's performance and Wi-Fi connection, but on average, it's 40-60 ms when connected to a router 5 GHz.

Requirements for setup:

• 💻 Computer: Windows 10/11 with installed Steam and included Remote Play.
• 📱 Telephone: Android 8+ or iOS 13+ with app Steam Link (download in App Store or Google Play).
• 📶 Net: router with support 5 GHz (recommended speed - not less than 30 Mbps).

Step-by-step instructions:

1. On your PC, open Steam, go to Settings → Remote Play and turn on the option Enable Remote Play.
2. Install Steam Link on your phone and log in to your account.
3. Connect your phone to TV via Miracast (Android) or HDMI adapter (for iPhone you will need Lightning-to-HDMI).
4. In the app, select your PC and start broadcasting.

⚠️ Attention: When using Steam Link Image artifacts may occur via Miracast due to double compression (PC → phone → TV). To avoid this, connect your phone to the TV via HDMI or use Apple TV for iPhone.

4. DLNA/UPnP: An Alternative for Older TVs

If your TV does not support Miracast or AirPlay (for example, models Sony 2015 or Philips without Smart TV), you can use protocols DLNA or UPnPThey are originally designed for transferring media files, but with the help of third-party applications (for example, LocalCast or AllCast) allow you to broadcast your screen. The downside is high latency (200+ ms), so the method is only suitable for strategies or viewing recorded gameplay.

List of applications for broadcasting:

How to set up broadcasting via LocalCast:

1. Install the application on your phone and open it.
2. In the top menu, select Screen Mirroring (or Screencasting).
3. Select your TV from the list of DLNA devices.
4. Confirm the connection and start broadcasting.

Why is DLNA not suitable for fast-paced games?

Latency in DLNA occurs due to data buffering and protocol usage. HTTP for transmission. In games where reaction is important (shooters, fighting games), even 100 ms Delays lead to discomfort. Furthermore, DLNA is not optimized for transmitting rapidly changing frames, which can lead to artifacts and choppy audio.

5. Cloud services: GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and others

If your phone or TV can't handle modern games, you can use cloud gamingServices like NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming or Amazon Luna They launch the game on a remote server and stream the image to your device. The main advantage is that you don't need powerful hardware; a stable internet connection is sufficient (25+ Mbps For 1080p 60 FPS).

Comparison of popular services:

How to play through GeForce NOW on TV:

1. Install the application GeForce NOW to your phone or directly to Android TV (if supported).
2. Log in using your account NVIDIA and connect your library Steam/Epic Games.
3. Select a game and start streaming. Connect to control it. Bluetooth gamepad (For example, Xbox Controller or DualSense).
4. If you are using a phone, mirror its screen on TV via Miracast or HDMI.

⚠️ Attention: When playing through cloud services on iPhone It is impossible to display the image on TV via AirPlay due to limitations DRM. Use Apple TV with the service application installed or connect your iPhone via HDMI.

6. Problems and solutions: what to do if the broadcast isn't working

Even with the correct settings, errors may occur. Here top 5 problems and ways to eliminate them:

• 🔴 The TV is not visible in the list of devices:
  • Check if it is enabled Screen Mirroring in TV settings.
  • Reboot the router and both devices.
  • On Android, turn on Developer mode and activate Debugging over Wi-Fi.
• 🟡 High latency or lag:
  • Switch to frequency 5 GHz in the router settings.
  • Close background apps on your phone.
  • Reduce the broadcast resolution in the Miracast/AirPlay settings.
• 🔊 No sound:
  • Check if the sound on your TV or phone is muted.
  • In the broadcast settings, select Stream sound to your TV.
  • For DLNA, use audio-enabled apps (e.g. BubbleUPnP).

If nothing helps, try alternative connection methods:

• 🔌 HDMI adapter: for iPhone - Lightning-to-HDMI, for Android - USB-C-to-HDMI (need support DisplayPort Alt Mode).
• 📶 Google Chromecast: suitable for broadcasting via Google Home, but with a delay 100+ ms.
• 🖥️ PC as an intermediary: broadcast your phone screen to your computer via Scrcpy, and from PC to TV via HDMI.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

🔍 Is it possible to play via Wi-Fi on a TV without a Smart TV?

Yes, but you will need an additional device:

• 📦 Android set-top box (For example, Xiaomi Mi Box or NVIDIA Shield) - supports Miracast and Steam Link.
• 🍎 Apple TV — for broadcasting from iPhone via AirPlay.
• 🖥️ Raspberry Pi with installed Moonlight (for streaming PC games).

Budget option - Google Chromecast (about 3000₽), but the delay will be higher than with Miracast.

🎮 What latency is acceptable for gaming?

Depends on the genre:

• Shooters (CODM, PUBG): to 30 ms (perfect - 10-20 ms).
• Fighting games (Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat): to 50 ms.
• RPG/strategy (Genshin Impact, Clash of Clans): to 100 ms.
• Turn-based games (Moves, Chess): 200+ ms not critical.

Miracast and Steam Link provide minimal latency (30-60 ms), while AirPlay and DLNA provide 100+ ms.

📶 What router do I need for stable streaming?

Minimum requirements:

• 🔄 Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz).
• 📡 Wi-Fi 5 standard (802.11ac) or newer (Wi-Fi 6 preferred).
• 🔌 Gigabit ports (if you connect TV via cable).
• 📊 QoS (Quality of Service) — to prioritize gaming traffic.

Recommended models:

• TP-Link Archer AX6000 (Wi-Fi 6, 8 streams).
• ASUS RT-AX88U (ideal for gaming).
• Xiaomi AIoT Router AX3600 (budget option with Wi-Fi 6).

🔋 Why does my phone get so hot when streaming?

Reasons and solutions:

• High CPU load: Close background applications, lower the broadcast resolution.
• Weak battery: Connect your phone to a charger (preferably the original adapter).
• Poor ventilation: Remove the cover, do not block the ventilation holes.
• Outdated firmware: update your phone OS.

On Samsung Galaxy can be turned on Cooling down the game V Settings → Device Maintenance → Battery.

🛡️ Is it safe to screen share over Wi-Fi?

The risks are minimal, but there are some nuances:

• Public networks: Do not use Miracast/AirPlay in cafes or hotels - data is transmitted without encryption.
• Personal data: When broadcasting your screen to TV, notifications with confidential information (SMS, emails) may be displayed.
• Malware: Connect only trusted devices - attackers can impersonate a TV on the network.

For protection:

• Use guest mode on TV (if available).
• Turn off notifications before broadcasting.
• Set up MAC filtering on the router.