Wirelessly streaming content from your smartphone to your big TV screen has become a standard feature of modern devices. Honor 9A, despite its budget positioning, supports technology Wi-Fi Direct — direct data exchange between devices without the need for a router. However, many users encounter difficulties when first connecting: the TV doesn't detect the phone, the connection drops, or the image lags. In this article, we'll look into it. Unique features of Wi-Fi Direct implementation in the Honor 9A, which are not described in standard instructions, and we will show how to avoid typical errors.
It is important to understand that Wi-Fi Direct - it's not the same as Miracast or Google CastThe first technology creates a direct network between devices, while the second and third are designed for multimedia streaming. Honor 9A at the base EMUI 10.1 (Android 10) has limited protocol support, so before connecting, it's worth checking which standards your TV supports. For example, models Samsung 2018–2020 often require additional configuration of the access point, and LG With webOS 4.0+ may ask for a PIN code even with Wi-Fi Direct.
If you tried to connect earlier and it didn't work, reset the network settings on your phone (Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and Bluetooth). This will remove any saved invalid connection profiles that could be blocking a new connection attempt. Also, make sure your TV's power-saving mode is disabled; it may automatically disconnect after 5-10 minutes of inactivity.
What is Wi-Fi Direct and why is it better than Bluetooth for the Honor 9A?
Technology Wi-Fi Direct allows two devices to exchange data directly, creating a temporary hotspot. Unlike Bluetooth, which is limited in speed to 3 Mbps (in version 5.0), Wi-Fi Direct provides throughput up to 250–300 Mbps - this is enough to broadcast video in resolution Full HD without delays. For Honor 9A with his MediaTek Helio P22 and with a single-core Wi-Fi module, this is critical: a weak processor simply won't cope with encoding a stream via Bluetooth.
Key benefits of Wi-Fi Direct for connecting to a TV:
- 🔌 No router dependency: the connection is established even without a home network.
- 📶 Long range: up to 20–30 meters indoors (versus 10 meters for Bluetooth).
- 🎮 Low latency: about 30-50 ms, which is important for games with screen mirroring.
- 🔒 WPA2 Security: traffic encryption by default (unlike open Miracast networks).
However, there are also downsides. Firstly, Wi-Fi Direct consumes significantly more energy than Bluetooth: when actively broadcasting Honor 9A discharges by 15-20% per hour. Secondly, not all TVs support this protocol correctly. For example, older models Sony Bravia (before 2017) may require manual entry of an IP address, and some TCL generally ignore requests from smartphones Android 10.
⚠️ AttentionIf your TV was manufactured before 2016, check its specifications on the manufacturer's website. Some models only support Wi-Fi Direct for file transfer, not screen mirroring.
Preparing the Honor 9A for connection: checking settings and updates
Before attempting to connect, make sure your Honor 9A Ready to use Wi-Fi Direct. Let's start by checking the firmware version:
- Open
Settings → System → Software Update. - If a new version is available
EMUI, install it. It is especially important to update toEMUI 10.1.0.130or newer - earlier builds had a bug where Wi-Fi Direct would disconnect when the screen was locked. - Restart your phone after the update.
Next, activate developer mode (if you haven’t already):
- Go to
Settings → About phone → Build number. - Tap it 7 times until the notification "You are now a developer" appears.
- Go back to the main settings menu, open
System → Developer Options. - Enable the option
USB debugging(it is needed for some screen mirroring applications to work correctly).
Now check your Wi-Fi settings:
- Open
Settings → Wireless & networks → Wi-Fi. - Tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select
Additional Features → Wi-Fi Direct. - Make sure the feature is enabled. If the option is grayed out, it means your phone is in power saving mode (turn it off in
Settings → Battery).
Check for EMUI updates|Enable developer mode|Enable USB debugging|Disable power saving|Check Wi-Fi Direct availability in Settings-->
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware versions Honor 9A The Wi-Fi Direct option may be hidden under the name "WLAN Direct" or "Wi-Fi Direct Connection." If you don't find it in the standard menu, try searching through Settings (the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen).
Step-by-step instructions: connecting the Honor 9A to a TV
Once the preparation is complete, let's move on to the actual connection. The instructions are universal for most TVs, but we'll point out some specifics for popular brands. Let's start with the phone:
- On Honor 9A open
Settings → Wireless & networks → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct. - Turn on the device search. Within 10-20 seconds, your TV should appear in the list (for example,
LG_webOS_TV_1234orSamsung-6-Series). - Tap the TV's name. A connection request will appear on the TV screen. Confirm it (you may be asked to enter the PIN code displayed on your phone).
Now let's move on to the TV. The interface may differ:
| TV brand | The Path to Wi-Fi Direct | Peculiarities |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung (Tizen) | Menu → Network → Wi-Fi Direct |
You may need to enable "Remote Control" in the settings. |
| LG (webOS) | Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct |
On some models, you need to enable "Screen Share" first. |
| Sony (Android TV) | Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct |
Supports file transfer and screen mirroring |
| Xiaomi (PatchWall) | Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct |
May require confirmation on both devices |
Once successfully connected, a notification will appear on your TV screen indicating an active connection. Now you can:
- 📱 Duplicate screen: Use the Screen Sharing feature in the notification shade Honor 9A.
- 🎥 Transfer files: send photos/videos via the standard menu "Send" → "Wi-Fi Direct".
- 🎮 Play with TV output: In the game settings, select an external display.
Common mistakes and their solutions
Even with proper setup, the connection may not work. Let's look at the most common issues and how to fix them:
1. The TV doesn't detect the Honor 9A
Reasons and solutions:
- 🔄 Restart both devices: sometimes a simple reboot helps.
- 📡 Check your Wi-Fi range: Some TVs only work in the range
2.4 GHzOn . Honor 9A force it to turn on2.4 GHzVSettings → Wi-Fi → Advanced → Wi-Fi Band. - 🔧 Update your TV's firmware: Older versions of software may not support new security protocols.
2. The connection drops after a few minutes
Energy saving settings are to blame:
- ⚡ On Honor 9A disable "Adaptive Battery" in
Settings → Battery → Advanced. - 🔋 Add the screen mirroring app (if you use it) to the optimization exceptions list.
- 📺 Turn off the sleep timer and eco-power mode on your TV.
3. The video is slow or choppy
Bandwidth issue:
- 📶 Reduce the distance between devices (optimally up to 5 meters).
- 🎞️ Lower the broadcast resolution in the screen mirroring settings (select
720pinstead of1080p). - 🚫 Close background apps on your phone that consume internet (for example, downloads in the browser).
Why doesn't Honor 9A support Miracast?
Honor 9A built on a chipset MediaTek Helio P22, which hardware does not support video encoding in the format H.265 (HEVC) is a mandatory requirement for Miracast. The manufacturer saved on licensing, so the device only implemented H.264, which works via Wi-Fi Direct but is not compatible with the Miracast standard. An alternative is to use apps like ApowerMirror, which emulate Miracast in software, but with greater latency.
Alternative connection methods if Wi-Fi Direct isn't working
If you are unable to set up Wi-Fi Direct, consider other wireless streaming options:
1. Google Cast (Chromecast)
If you have Chromecast or a TV with support Google Cast (For example, Android TV):
- Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
- On Honor 9A install the application Google Home.
- In video apps (YouTube, Netflix), tap the cast icon and select your TV.
Limitation: Only works with supported apps, full screen mirroring is not available.
2. Screen mirroring apps
Popular solutions:
- 📱 ApowerMirror: Supports low latency gaming mode.
- 🖥️ TeamViewer QuickSupport: for remote control of TV.
- 🎮 Screen Mirroring (Xiaomi): works even with non-Xiaomi devices.
Cons: Most apps require a connection to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. USB-C → HDMI cable
For a stable connection without delays:
- Buy an adapter
USB-C to HDMIwith supportDisplayPort Alt Mode. - Connect your phone to the TV using a cable.
- In the settings Honor 9A select mode
HDMIin the screen transfer menu.
Important: Honor 9A does not support image output in 4K — maximum resolution 1920×1080.
How to improve your streaming quality: setup tips
Even if the connection is established, the picture and sound quality may be disappointing. Here's how to optimize your stream:
1. Phone settings
- 🔧 Turn on the mode
High performanceVSettings → Battery → Performance mode. - 📵 Turn off
Dual Wi-Fi/Mobile Network Connectionin the Wi-Fi settings (it creates interference). - 🔊 Install
Absolute loudnessVDeveloper Options, if the sound is too quiet.
2. TV settings
- 📺 Turn on the mode
GameorPCin image settings (reduces lag). - 🔊 Turn off sound processing (for example,
Dolby Digital), if interference is heard. - 🌐 If supported, select a manual Wi-Fi channel (e.g.
6or11in the range2.4 GHz).
3. Content optimization
- 🎬 For video: use formats
MP4with codecH.264(optimal bitrate -5–8 Mbps). - 🎮 For games: lower the graphics to
Averagesettings and turn off vertical sync. - 📷 For photos: convert
HEIFVJPEG(through Google Photos) to avoid artifacts.
If the broadcast is still slow, try using local DLNA server. Install on Honor 9A application BubbleUPnP, and on your TV, open a media player (for example, SmartShare on LG or AllShare (on Samsung). This method is less bandwidth intensive, but does not support screen mirroring.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to connect the Honor 9A to a TV without Wi-Fi Direct?
Yes, there are several alternatives:
- Use Google Cast (if your TV supports Chromecast).
- Connect via HDMI adapter (USB-C → HDMI).
- Install third-party screen mirroring apps (eg. ApowerMirror).
However, Wi-Fi Direct remains the most versatile solution for Honor 9A, as it does not require additional equipment or connection to a common network.
Why does the TV see the phone but not connect?
Possible reasons:
- The TV is in the "Standby" mode.
Only devices with PIN(check your Wi-Fi Direct settings). - On Honor 9A VPN or firewall is active (disable them temporarily).
- The devices are trying to connect on different Wi-Fi bands (
2.4 GHzvs5 GHz). - The TV firmware is out of date (update it via
Settings → Support → Software Update).
Also try resetting the network settings on your phone (Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and Bluetooth).
How to stream audio from your phone to your TV via Wi-Fi Direct?
By default, Wi-Fi Direct is on Honor 9A Streams video only. To stream audio:
- Connect to your TV via Wi-Fi Direct.
- Enable screen mirroring in the notification shade.
- Open
Settings → Sound → Sound Outputand selectWi-Fi Direct (name of your TV).
If this option is not available, use Bluetooth for audio in parallel with Wi-Fi Direct for video (there will be a noticeable delay).
Is it possible to play games on a TV via Wi-Fi Direct?
Technically yes, but with some caveats:
- 🎮 Input lag will make up
50–100 ms(critical for shooters or racing games). - 🔋 Battery consumption will grow to
20–25% per hour. - 📶 Picture quality will worsen to
720pto reduce lags.
For games it is better to use HDMI adapter (delay 10–20 ms) or specialized devices like Razer Kishi with TV output.
How to disable Wi-Fi Direct after use?
To save battery power:
- On Honor 9A open
Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct. - Tap on the connected TV and select
Disable. - Go back to the main Wi-Fi menu and deactivate the option
Wi-Fi Direct(if there is one).
It is also recommended to forget the TV network in the Wi-Fi settings so that the phone does not try to connect automatically the next time Wi-Fi Direct is turned on.