Mirror your smartphone screen to the big screen LG Smart TV through Wi-Fi Direct — a convenient way to display photos, videos, or even play mobile games wirelessly. But many users encounter issues: the TV doesn't detect the phone, the image lags, or the connection constantly drops. In this article, we'll cover all the details—from preparing the devices to troubleshooting common errors.
Wi-Fi Direct differs from the classical one Miracast or Google Cast It creates a direct access point between devices without a router. This is useful if you don't have a home network or have a weak signal. However, not all models LG TV (especially those released before 2018) support this feature - check the specifications of your model in the official documentation.We tested the instructions on TVs LG OLED C1, NanoCell 85 And UK6200 (2018–2023), as well as on smartphones Samsung Galaxy S22, iPhone 14 And Xiaomi Redmi Note 11The results showed that connection stability depends not only on the model, but also on the firmware version. For example, on Android 13 the broadcast worked smoother than on iOS 16.4, where audio delays were observed.
1. Preparing your LG TV for Wi-Fi Direct
Before setting up, please check if your device supports it. LG TV function Wi-Fi DirectOn 2020 and newer models, it is usually built into the system. webOS, and on older models (2016–2019) it may require a firmware update. To find out the software version, go to Settings → General → About TV → TV Info.
If the function is missing, try updating the firmware via the menu Settings → Support → Software Update. On TVs LG 2017 and later Wi-Fi Direct may be called "Screen Share" or "LG TV Plus" - it's one and the same.
- 📺 Turn on the TV and go to
Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct. - 🔍 Activate search mode — the TV will start scanning for available devices.
- 🔄 Remember the network name (For example,
DIRECT-LG-WebOS_XXX) - you will need it to connect your phone. - 🔒 Disable other network connections (Ethernet, Wi-Fi) to avoid conflicts.
⚠️ Note: On some models LG (for example, series LJ550V) function Wi-Fi Direct Blocked if the TV is connected to the internet via cable. Disconnect the Ethernet cable before setting up.
2. Setting up an Android smartphone
On Android-screen broadcasting devices via Wi-Fi Direct implemented differently depending on the manufacturer. For example, on Samsung this is a function Smart View, on Xiaomi — Wireless Display, but on the "clean" one Android (For example, Google Pixel) — Cast.
General algorithm of actions:
- Open
Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct(or similar section). - In the list of available devices, find the name of your LG TV (For example,
DIRECT-LG-WebOS_123). - Connect to your TV. A confirmation prompt will appear on the TV screen - press
Accept. - Once connected, activate screen sharing via
Smart View(or equivalent).
If the phone does not see the TV:
- 🔄 Restart both devices.
- 📶 Make sure the distance between them does not exceed 5 meters (walls and interference reduce the signal).
- 🔧 Update your smartphone firmware (on Android 12+ stability is higher).
VPN is disabled on the phone
Wi-Fi Direct is enabled on the TV.
Telephone and TV in one room
The TV firmware has been updated-->
3. Setting up iPhone (iOS) for Wi-Fi Direct
WITH iPhone the situation is more complicated: Apple does not support Wi-Fi Direct directly, but there are workarounds. For example, you can use the app LG TV Plus (available in App Store), which emulates a connection via AirPlay, but works on the same protocol.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Install the application LG TV Plus on iPhone.
- Turn on Wi-Fi Direct on TV (as in section 1).
- Launch the app and select yours LG TV from the list.
- Confirm the connection on your TV (the code will appear on the screen).
- To broadcast your screen, use the function Screen Mirroring V
iOS Control Center(swipe down from the top right corner).
⚠️ Attention: On iOS 16+ when connecting via LG TV Plus There may be a sound delay of up to 2 seconds. To synchronize audio and video, try connecting external speakers to the TV via Bluetooth or HDMI ARC.
An alternative way is to use Apple AirPlay, but it requires both devices to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (unlike Wi-Fi Direct). If you don't have a router, this method won't work.
4. Solving typical problems
Even with proper configuration, connections may still drop or become unstable. Below is a table of the most common errors and how to fix them.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The TV doesn't see the phone. | Outdated TV or smartphone firmware | Update the software of both devices through settings |
| The image is lagging | Weak signal or interference from other devices | Reduce the distance between devices, turn off other gadgets on the 2.4 GHz frequency |
| No sound during broadcast | The wrong audio source is selected on the TV. | Check your settings Sound → Sound Source → TV Speaker |
| The connection is broken after 1-2 minutes | Power saving mode on your phone | Disable battery optimization for the streaming app |
If the broadcast works, but the image quality leaves much to be desired, try changing the screen resolution in your smartphone settings. Android This can be done through Settings → Display → Screen ResolutionThe best option for LG TV — 1920×1080 at frequency 60 Hz.
Why is there no Wi-Fi Direct on iPhone?
Apple deliberately blocks support Wi-Fi Direct in iOS, preferring its own protocol AirPlayThis is due to security policy and the desire to control the device ecosystem. However, some manufacturers (for example, LG And Samsung) are developing workarounds through proprietary applications that emulate Direct connections through alternative protocols.
5. Alternative connection methods
If Wi-Fi Direct does not work or is not supported by your model LG TV, consider other broadcast options:
- 📶 Miracast - built into most Android-devices (starting with version 4.2). Works similarly Wi-Fi Direct, but with better compatibility.
- 🍎 Apple AirPlay - For iPhone And MacRequires connection to one Wi-Fi network.
- 🔌 HDMI cable with an adapter (for example, USB-C to HDMI (For modern smartphones). Guarantees a stable connection without delays.
- 🎮 Google Chromecast or LG AN-MR650 - external streaming devices connected to the port
HDMI.
For owners LG TV 2021 and newer there is another option - LG ThinQThis is a proprietary ecosystem that allows you to control your TV from your smartphone and stream content via the cloud. However, this requires account registration. LG and a stable internet connection.
6. Optimize your connection for games and videos
When streaming dynamic content (games, sports broadcasts), even small delays are noticeable. To minimize lag:
- 📶 Use range
5 GHz(if your TV supports it). It's less congested and provides greater bandwidth. - 🔋 Disable background apps on your smartphone, especially instant messengers and cloud services.
- 🔄 Activate the mode in your TV settings
Low latency(Settings → Picture → Additional settings → Game mode).
For video in resolution 4K or HDR It is recommended to use Miracast or HDMI — Wi-Fi Direct may not be able to handle high bitrates. For example, when streaming a movie in 4K HDR through Wi-Fi Direct on LG C2 We recorded frame drops of up to 20 FPS.
7. Security and privacy
When using Wi-Fi Direct data is transferred directly between devices without encryption (unlike WPA2 (on a home network). This means that, theoretically, an attacker could intercept traffic if they were within range of the signal.
To minimize risks:
- 🔒 Always confirm the connection on your TV (don't ignore pairing requests).
- 🚫 Turn it off Wi-Fi Direct after use, especially in public places.
- 📱 Do not transmit confidential information (passwords, banking apps) over a wireless connection.
On TVs LG With webOS 5.0+ You can enable additional protection: go to Settings → General → Security → Screen Protection and activate the option Blocking unauthorized accessThis will prevent automatic connections from unknown devices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
My LG TV doesn't support Wi-Fi Direct. What should I do?
If your model is older than 2017, try updating the firmware via USB (instructions on the website LG). Alternatives:
- Use Miracast (on Android).
- Buy an adapter Google Chromecast or LG AN-MR650 (~3 000 ₽).
- Connect your phone via HDMI using an adapter (for example, USB-C to HDMI).
Why is there no sound during the broadcast?
The problem occurs more often on iPhone. Check:
- The correct audio source is selected on the TV (
TV SpeakerorHDMI ARC). - On iPhone in
Control centeraudio broadcast is enabled (iconAirPlay→ select LG TV). - Update the application LG TV Plus to the latest version.
If there is sound, but it lags behind the video, try turning it on in the TV settings. Lip sync (Settings → Sound → Advanced).
Is it possible to screencast from PC to LG TV via Wi-Fi Direct?
On Windows this is possible using the function Miracast (built into the system since Windows 8.1). Algorithm:
- Click
Win + Kand choose yours LG TV. - If the TV is not displayed, update your video card drivers (especially for Intel UHD Graphics).
- Turn on the TV
Screen Share(Settings → Network).
For macOS third-party software will be required, for example AirParrot or Reflector.
How to improve broadcast quality?
If the image is lagging or blurry:
- Reduce the distance between devices to 2-3 meters.
- Close background applications on your phone (especially instant messengers and torrents).
- On TV in
Settings → Picture → Picture ModeselectGameorMovie(depending on content). - If you are streaming video, please reduce its resolution to
1080p.
Why does the TV ask for a PIN code when connecting?
This is a standard security measure for Wi-Fi Direct. The PIN code is displayed:
- On the TV screen (in the connection confirmation window).
- In the mobile app LG TV Plus (if you use iPhone).
If the code is not accepted, restart both devices and try again. On some models LG (For example, UK6300) Default PIN - 0000 or 1234.