How to connect a TV to Wi-Fi via a phone: all the methods and nuances

Modern TVs support live streaming from mobile devices, but what if your model doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi or it's broken? Or if you're in a location without access to a router but have mobile internet on your smartphone? In such cases, what happens? Connecting a TV to Wi-Fi via a phone becomes the only solution for watching online cinemas, YouTube or streaming services.

This article will examine in detail all the current methods - from standard Internet distribution (USB/Wi-Fi tethering) to advanced protocols like Miracast And Wi-Fi DirectWe took into account the peculiarities of different operating systems (Android 12-15 And iOS 16-18), popular brands of televisions (Samsung QLED, LG OLED, Sony Bravia, Xiaomi TV) and even older models without Smart capabilities. You'll also learn how to avoid common connection errors and speed up data transfer.

Important: If your TV was released before 2015, some methods may not work due to a lack of support for modern protocols. In this case, please pay attention to USB adapters or external consoles (For example, Google Chromecast or Apple TV).

Method 1: Sharing Wi-Fi from your phone (USB/Wi-Fi tethering)

The most universal method is to turn your smartphone into access point, which the TV will connect to. This works on all devices that have a Wi-Fi menu, including budget models without Smart TVThe main condition is that the phone must have mobile Internet (3G/4G/5G) or access to another network via an Ethernet adapter.

Instructions for Android:

1. Open Settings → Connections → Hotspot & Tethering.
2. Select Mobile hotspot (or Wi-Fi tethering).
3. Set the network name (SSID) and password (minimum 8 characters).
4. Activate the access point.

Instructions for iPhone:

1. Go to Settings → Tethering.
2. Turn on Allow others.
3. Remember the password (by default it is a random set of characters).

Now on TV:

• 📺 Log in Settings → Network → Wi-Fi.
• 🔍 Find the name of your phone's access point in the list.
• 🔑 Enter your password and connect.

The phone is connected to the mobile Internet

Wi-Fi is turned on on the TV.

The access point password has been saved.

The phone's power saving mode is disabled (this may cause the connection to be disconnected)

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⚠️ Attention: On iPhone When connecting for the first time, you may be asked to trust the device. Without this, the TV will not be able to access the network. Also, some mobile operators block tethering. In this case, please contact support to activate this feature.

2. Method: Wi-Fi Direct (direct connection without a router)

Wi-Fi Direct allows you to connect your phone and TV directly, without the need for an access point. This method is suitable for file transfer, screen mirroring, or streaming content from your phone. The main advantage is low latency (important for games) and no dependence on an external network.

How to turn on on TV:

• 📺 Samsung: Settings → General → Wi-Fi Direct.
• 📺 LG: Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct.
• 📺 Sony: Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct Setup.

How to connect from a phone (Android):

1. Open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct.
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).

On iPhone Wi-Fi Direct not supported directly, but an alternative can be used - AirPlay (only for TVs with Apple TV or built-in support AirPlay 2, For example, Samsung QLED 2019+ or LG OLED 2020+).

Method 3: Miracast (screen mirroring without internet)

Miracast - is a standard for wireless transmission of images and sound from a phone to a TV without a network connectionUnlike Wi-Fi Direct, there is no need to configure the connection manually - it is enough that both devices support the protocol. Most Android-smartphones (starting with version 4.2) and TVs after 2014 are equipped with Miracast.

How to turn on on TV:

• 📺 Samsung: Settings → General → Screen Mirroring.
• 📺 LG: Settings → Network → Miracast or Screen Share.
• 📺 Sony: Settings → Connections → Screen Mirroring.

How to connect with Android:

1. Open Settings → Connections → Screen Sharing (or Smart View, Cast).
2. Select your TV from the list.
3. Confirm the connection on TV (you may be asked for permission).

For iPhone Miracast not available - used instead AirPlayIf your TV does not support AirPlay, you will have to use an adapter (for example, Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter for wired connection).

⚠️ Caution: When using Miracast A sound delay of up to 0.5–1 second may be observed. This is normal for the protocol, but critical for games. For video streaming (YouTube, Netflix), the delay is unnoticeable.

Why doesn't Miracast work on some phones?

Some manufacturers (eg Huawei or Xiaomi) disable Miracast in their shells. In this case, try installing a third-party application, for example Screen Mirroring or ApowerMirrorAlso check if power saving mode is blocking the connection.

4. Method: Connecting via USB (Reverse Tethering)

If the TV has USB port, but there is no Wi-Fi, you can use reverse tethering (Reverse Tethering). This method allows you to transmit internet from your phone to your TV via cable. Suitable for models without Smart TV, but with USB network support (for example, Samsung Series 5/6, LG 43LK5xxx).

What you will need:

• 📱 Android-phone with support USB tethering (on iPhone (doesn't work).
• 🔌 Cable USB-A → USB-C or USB-A → Micro-USB (depending on the connectors).
• 📺 TV with USB port and support for the function Network via USB.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Connect your phone to the TV using a cable.
2. Turn on your phone USB modem (Settings → Connections → Tethering → USB Modem).
3. On your TV, go to Settings → Network → USB Connection.
4. Select Connect and wait until you receive an IP address.

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ Does not work on all TVs (check the instructions for your model).
• ⚠️ Internet speed is lower than Wi-Fi (up to 10–15 Mbps).
• ⚠️ On iPhone USB tethering is blocked by Apple.

5. Method: Using external adapters (Chromecast, Fire Stick)

If the built-in methods don't work, help will come external devices:

• 📱 Google Chromecast (from 3,000 ₽) — connects to the HDMI port and receives Internet from your phone via Wi-Fi.
• 🔥 Amazon Fire TV Stick (from 4,500 ₽) - similar, but with its own interface and support Alexa.
• 🍎 Apple TV (from 12,000 ₽) - optimal for owners iPhone (support AirPlay).

How does this work:

1. Connect the adapter to the TV via HDMI.
2. Set it up through an app on your phone (for example, Google Home For Chromecast).
3. Share the Internet from your phone as an access point (see Method 1).
4. Connect the adapter to the created network.

Advantages:

• ✅ Works on any TV (even without Smart functions).
• ✅ Stable connection (better than Miracast).
• ✅ Additional features: voice search, games, applications.

Flaws:

• ❌ Requires purchase of device.
• ❌ Takes up an HDMI port.

⚠️ Caution: When using Chromecast or Fire Stick an option will appear in the phone menu Broadcast (or Cast). It allows you to transmit the image from your smartphone screen to your TV without connecting to the same network—both devices need to be connected to your access point.

6. Method: DLNA/UPnP for media file transfer

If you don't need full internet access, but only watch movies, photos, or music from your phone, the protocol is suitable DLNA (or UPnP). It allows you to stream content to your TV over a local network. To do this:

On TV:

• 📺 Turn on DLNA in the network settings (usually Settings → Network → DLNA or Media server).
• 📂 Launch a media viewing application (e.g. Photos & Videos on LG or Media Player on Samsung).

On the phone (Android):

• 📱 Install a media server application, for example BubbleUPnP or LocalCast.
• 🔍 Select the files to transfer and find your TV in the list of devices.

For iPhone:

• 📱 Use the default app Photo or Music, then press Broadcast (icon with a screen and a triangle).

Restrictions DLNA:

• ❌ Not all video formats are supported (for example, MKV may not be playable).
• ❌ No screen mirroring - only individual file transfer.
• ❌ The phone and TV must be on the same network (you can use an access point from your phone).

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even with proper setup, problems can still arise. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔄 Update your TV firmware (in the menu Settings → Support → Software Update).
• 📶 Restart your phone and TV (sometimes resetting network settings helps).
• 🛠️ If your TV is older than 2015, you may need an external Wi-Fi adapter (e.g. TP-Link TL-WN725N).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to connect a TV to the Internet via a phone without Wi-Fi (only via USB)?

Yes, but only if the TV supports the function Network via USB (cm. Method 4). This works on some models. Samsung And LG 2016–2020. On iPhone USB tethering for TVs is not supported.

Why does the TV connect to the phone's hotspot, but the Internet doesn't work?

Possible reasons:

• The operator blocks tethering (check your tariff).
• The phone has a VPN or firewall enabled that is blocking data transfer.
• The TV requires proxy settings (go to Network Settings → Advanced and disable the proxy).

How to connect an old TV (pre-2010) to Wi-Fi via phone?

For TVs without Smart TV and there are two options for the USB port:

1. Buy HDMI adapter with Wi-Fi (For example, Google Chromecast or AnyCast).
2. Use AV receiver or prefix (For example, Xiaomi Mi Box), connected to the TV via RCA or HDMI.

Is it possible to connect a TV to a Wi-Fi router via a phone if there is no password?

Yes, if the phone is already connected to this router. Use the function WPS:

1. Press the button on the router WPS (usually on the back panel).
2. On your TV, select Connecting via WPS in the Wi-Fi menu.

If WPS disabled, you can temporarily connect your phone to the router via QR code (if the router supports this function) and then distribute the Internet to the TV.

How to speed up data transfer when screen mirroring?

The speed depends on the protocol:

• Miracast: switch your phone and TV to the range 5 GHz (if supported).
• Wi-Fi Direct: Reduce the distance between devices to 1–2 meters.
• Chromecast: connect the adapter to the network 5 GHz (in settings Google Home).

Also, close background apps on your phone—they can consume traffic.