Transferring images from a PC to a TV via Wi-Fi: all the working methods

Transfer photos from your computer to a big TV screen via wireless network It saves time and eliminates the need for flash drives or cables. However, not all users know that modern TVs support several wireless transmission protocols—from the standard DLNA to proprietary solutions like AirPlay (For Apple) or Miracast (For Windows And Android). The choice of method depends on the TV model, PC operating system, and even the speed of your router.

In this article we will look at 5 proven methods Wi-Fi image transfer - from built-in functions Smart TV to third-party apps. You'll learn how to set up each method, the limitations of each protocol, and why the picture on your TV screen can sometimes "lag" even with a stable signal. And at the end of the article— comparative table by transfer speed and compatibility, which will help you choose the best option for your equipment.

Method 1: Miracast (Wireless Display) – Direct Streaming Without a Router

Miracast — is a wireless screen sharing technology that works without an internet connection. It is built into Windows 10/11, in the majority Android-devices and is supported by TVs with Smart TV (since 2013-2014). The main advantage is minimal delays (up to 50 ms), which is critical for viewing high-resolution photos.

To transfer the image via Miracast:

• 📺 Make sure your TV supports Miracast (look for items in the menu Screen Mirroring, Wireless Display or AllShare Cast).
• 🖥️ On PC with Windows click Win + K (or open Settings → System → Display → Connect to a wireless display).
• 🔄 Select the name of your TV from the list of available devices.
• 🔒 Confirm the connection on the TV screen (a PIN code may be required).

If your TV does not appear in the list, check:

• 🔌 Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (even if Miracast works without the Internet, some TVs require preliminary synchronization).
• 🔄 The TV is in the "Standby" mode. Screen Mirroring (on Samsung This Smart View, on LG — Screen Share).
• 🚫 Disable your VPN or firewall on your PC—they may be blocking the connection.

⚠️ Attention: On Windows 7 and older versions macOS Miracast not supported. For Mac use AirPlay, For Linux - third-party utilities like gnome-network-displays.

2. Method: DLNA - transmission via home network

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a standard for exchanging multimedia between devices on a local network. Unlike Miracast, here it is not the screen that is transmitted, but the files themselves, which is convenient for viewing photos in the TV gallery. Most Smart TV (including Samsung, LG, Sony Bravia) support DLNA "out of the box".

How to set up DLNA on PC:

1. 📂 Make sure the folder with photos allowed for public accessRight-click on it → Properties → Access → Share.
2. 🌐 Turn on DLNA server:
   • On Windows: open Control Panel → Network Settings → Media Streaming and enable the option.
   • On macOS: use iTunes (tab General access) or third-party servers (Plex, Kodi).

If photos are not displayed:

• 🔧 Check what's on your PC and TV one subnet (for example, both devices must have an IP of the type 192.168.1.x).
• 🔄 Reboot your router - sometimes it blocks multicast-traffic required for DLNA.
• 📋 Make sure the files are in a supported format (.jpg, .png, .bmp). HEIC (photo from iPhone) may not open.

The photo folder is shared on the network|The DLNA server is enabled on the PC|The TV and PC are on the same subnet|The file format is supported by the TV|The router does not block multicast-->

3. Method: Google Cast (Chromecast) - for Android and Chrome

If you have a TV with Android TV or a connected device Google Chromecast, you can use the protocol Google CastIt allows you to send a photo from your PC to your TV via a browser. Chrome or special applications. The main advantage is no connection to TV brand: the method works even on older models if you connect it to them Chromecast.

Instructions for Windows/macOS:

1. 🖥️ Open the photo in your browser Google Chrome (for example, through Google Photos or local file).
2. ⚙️ Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Hand over → select yours Chromecast or Android TV.
3. 📺 The photo will appear on the TV screen in full resolution.

For bulk transfer:

• 📁 Upload photos to Google Photos (https://photos.google.com) and use the function Cast in the upper right corner.
• 🔄 Alternative: app Photo Cast For Android TV, which automatically synchronizes folders with your PC.

⚠️ Attention: When transferring via Google Cast photos in format RAW or TIFF may not be displayed. Convert them to JPEG in advance.

4. Method: AirPlay - for Apple owners

If you have Mac or iPhone, and the TV supports AirPlay (For example, LG OLED 2019+, Samsung QLED 2020+, or connected Apple TV), transferring photos will take literally seconds. Protocol AirPlay 2 optimized for multimedia and supports 4K HDR.

How to transfer photos from Mac:

1. 📁 Open the photo in the app View or Photo.
2. 🔄 Click on the icon AirPlay (rectangle with a triangle at the bottom) in the menu bar.
3. 📺 Select your TV from the list.

WITH iPhone/iPad:

• 📱 Open a photo in the gallery.
• 🔄 Click Share → AirPlay.
• 📺 Select your TV and wait for it to sync.

If AirPlay doesn't work:

• 🔌 Make sure that the TV and Apple- the device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network (5 GHz is preferred).
• 🔄 Reboot Apple TV or update the TV firmware (on LG AirPlay appeared only with webOS 4.0).
• 🚫 Turn it off Screen lock on iPhone - She can interrupt the transmission.

5. Method: Cloud services are a universal option

If none of the previous methods work (for example, you have an old TV without Smart TV), you can use cloud storage like Google Drive, Dropbox or Yandex DiskThis method works on any device, but requires a stable internet connection.

Algorithm of actions:

1. 📤 Upload photos to the cloud from your PC.
2. 📺 On your TV, open a browser (if available) or an installed cloud service application (for example, Google Drive For Android TV).
3. 🔍 Find the downloaded files and open them.

Pros and cons of the method:

⚠️ Attention: When viewing through the TV browser, some formats (for example, WEBP) may not be supported. Please use JPEG or PNG.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To determine the optimal method, evaluate three criteria: transmission speed, image quality And compatibility with your equipment. Below is a comparison table:

For maximum quality choose DLNA or AirPlay (if you have technology Apple). For minimal delays — MiracastIf you need to transfer photos to your old TV, connect Chromecast or use cloud.

Common problems and solutions

Even with proper setup, image transfer over Wi-Fi can still experience issues. Here are some common errors and troubleshooting steps:

• 🔴 The TV is not visible in the list of devices:
  • Check that the TV is in the "On" mode. Screen Mirroring or DLNA.
  • Reboot your router - sometimes it blocks mDNS (device discovery protocol).
  • Turn it off Airplane mode on PC/smartphone.
• 🔴 Photos are transmitted with lags:
  • Switch the router to the range 5 GHz (less interference).
  • Reduce the resolution of your photos to 1920×1080.
  • Close background applications on your PC that consume traffic (torrents, updates).
• 🔴 No sound when sharing the screen:
  • IN Windows check that in Sound parameters chosen Wireless display as an output device.
  • On Mac open System Preferences → Sound and select TV.

If the problem persists, update your TV firmware and the Wi-Fi adapter drivers on your PC. Samsung And LG New versions of software often fix compatibility issues with Miracast And DLNA.

⚠️ Attention: On some routers (for example, TP-Link with firmware Older than 2020) the function may be disabled AP Isolation, which blocks data exchange between devices on the network. Go to your router settings and disable it.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

sudo apt install gnome-network-displays
gnome-network-displays