How to Connect Your Phone to an LG TV via Wi-Fi: 5 Proven Methods

Wirelessly connect your phone to your TV LG opens up a ton of possibilities: from broadcasting photos to a big screen to streaming videos 4K wirelessly. However, not all users know that LG There is three different protocols for such synchronization—and each works differently. In this article, we'll examine all the current methods, including hidden settings that the manufacturer doesn't advertise.

The main problem when connecting is incompatibility of firmware versions or an incorrectly selected mode. For example, owners iPhone often encounter the fact that AirPlay does not work on older models LG (until 2018), and users Android can't find the function Wi-Fi Direct in the TV menu. We'll show you how to bypass these restrictions and what alternative apps to use.

We will pay special attention to hidden lags When streaming—why video can lag even on high-speed Wi-Fi, and how to fix it by changing the router channel. At the end of the article, you'll find a model compatibility chart. LG TV with different smartphones - this will save you hours of experimentation.

1. Preparing your LG TV for wireless connection

Before connecting devices, you need to activate network features on the TV itself. The models LG 2019–2026 (series OLED C/X, NanoCell, QNED) the path to the settings is the same, but in budget lines (for example, UK6300) some options may be missing.

First, check that the TV is connected to your Wi-Fi network:

1. Click the button Settings (gear) on the remote control.
2. Go to All Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Connection.
3. Select your network and enter the password.

Critical setting, which many people miss: turn on the mode Mobile device on the menu Network → Additional Settings → Miracast/Wi-Fi DirectWithout this, the phone simply won't see the TV in the list of available devices.

For models with webOS 6.0 and later (2021-2026) also requires a firmware update:

Settings → Support → Software Update → Check Now

⚠️ Attention: If your TV offers an over-the-air update but the process is stuck at 0%, don't force it. Wait 10-15 minutes—sometimes LG It takes a long time to check the servers. If the update doesn't start, download the firmware from official LG website to a flash drive (file with extension .epk) and install manually.

2. Method 1: Wi-Fi Direct (direct connection without a router)

This is the most reliable method for Android-smartphones, because it creates direct access point Between your phone and TV. The main advantage is that you don't need a home Wi-Fi network, but the disadvantage is that you can't use the internet on your phone at the same time.

Instructions for TVs LG With webOS 4.0–7.0:

• 📺 On TV: Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct → turn on the function.
• 📱 On your phone: open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct (on Samsung) or Settings → Network → Advanced → Wi-Fi Direct (on Xiaomi).
• 🔍 Select your device from the list of devices LG TV (the name will be something like LG_webOS_TV_XXXX).
• 🔑 Confirm the connection on both devices (you may need to enter a PIN code from the TV screen).

Important: Once connected, your phone will automatically switch to the TV's network, and mobile data will be disconnected. To restore network access, disable Wi-Fi Direct in your smartphone's settings.

The TV and telephone are located at a distance of up to 5 meters|

Wi-Fi Direct mode is enabled on the TV|

The Wi-Fi power saving mode is disabled on the phone|

The password is entered correctly (if required)-->

3. Method 2: Miracast (Wireless Display for Android)

Miracast — is a wireless screen broadcasting standard that is supported by all modern Android-devices (starting with version 4.2) and TVs LG With webOS 3.0+. Unlike Wi-Fi Direct, it transmits the entire phone screen, not individual files.

How to enable Miracast on LG TV:

1. Open Settings → Connections → On-Screen Display (or Screen Share in the English-language firmware).
2. Select Miracast or Wireless Display.
3. Activate the function on your phone Wireless display (on Samsung — Smart View, on Xiaomi — Wireless Display in quick settings).

If the phone does not find the TV:

• 🔄 Restart both devices.
• 📶 Make sure your router is in wireless mode 802.11n/ac (Miracast does not support legacy 802.11b/g).
• 🛠️ Update your TV firmware (in the menu Settings → Support → Software Update).

Why is Miracast lagging?

The main reason is an overloaded Wi-Fi channel. TVs LG Miracast automatically selects a channel, but if you have a lot of devices on your network, there may be delays. Solution:

1. In the router settings, manually set channel 1, 6 or 11 for 2.4 GHz.

2. For 5 GHz, select channels 36–48 (they are less crowded).

3. Disable background apps on your phone that use the internet (such as downloads or streaming).

4. Method 3: Smart Share (file transfer over a local network)

Function Smart Share on TVs LG allows view photos, videos, and music From your phone without direct screen sharing. This is convenient if you want to show specific files rather than your entire smartphone desktop.

How to set up Smart Share:

• 📺 On TV: Settings → All settings → General → Smart Share → turn on the function.
• 📱 On your phone: Install the official app LG TV Plus (For Android) or LG ThinQ (For iOS).
• 🔗 In the app, select your TV from the list and confirm the connection.

With Smart Share you can:

• 📷 View photos from your phone gallery directly on your TV.
• 🎬 Play video (supported formats) MP4, MKV, AVI).
• 🎵 Play music from playlists.

⚠️ Attention: Smart Share only works within the same local network. If your phone is connected to mobile data (4G/5G) and your TV is connected to Wi-Fi, synchronization will not work. Also, some models LG (For example, UK6200) do not support video playback in 4K via Smart Share - the maximum resolution will be 1080p.

5. Method 4: AirPlay for iPhone (LG 2019+ models only)

Owners iPhone can use Apple AirPlay, but only on TVs LG 2019 and newer (With webOS 4.5+). This feature allows you to broadcast your screen, video from YouTube or music from Apple Music without additional applications.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Make sure the TV and iPhone connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. On TV: Settings → General → Apple AirPlay → Turn on AirPlay.
3. On iPhone: open Control center (swipe down from the top right corner) → tap Screen mirroring.
4. Choose yours LG TV from the list.

If AirPlay isn't working:

• 🔄 Reboot your router - sometimes blocking multicast traffic prevents devices from being detected.
• 📱 Update iOS to the latest version (AirPlay requires iOS 12.3 or later).
• 📺 On your TV, in the AirPlay menu, enable the option Code required and enter it on iPhone.

6. Method 5: Third-party applications (alternative)

If standard methods don't work, you can use third-party apps. They are suitable for older models. LG TV (before 2018) or if you need to broadcast a screen from Windows/Mac.

Top 3 verified apps:

For use ApowerMirror:

1. Install the application on your phone and TV (via LG Content Store).
2. Launch it on both devices and select Phone Screen Mirroring.
3. Connect to the same Wi-Fi network or use the QR code for a direct connection.

⚠️ Attention: Apps like ApowerMirror can cause audio delays of up to 2-3 seconds. This is critical for games or videos - it is better to use Wi-Fi Direct or Miracast.

7. Common mistakes and their solutions

Even with the correct settings, the connection may not work. Here top 5 problems and ways to fix them:

1. The TV doesn't see the phone in the list of devices.

• 🔌 Check that the TV is in the "On" mode. Wi-Fi Direct or Screen Share.
• 📱 Turn off VPN and power saving mode on your phone.
• 🔄 Reboot your router - sometimes the DHCP server doesn't assign IP addresses for local connections.

2. The video is slow or choppy.

• 📶 Switch your router to a different frequency 5 GHz (if supported).
• 🎮 Reduce the broadcast resolution in the Miracast settings (for example, with 4K to 1080p).
• 🚫 Close background apps on your phone (especially instant messengers and cloud services).

3. There is no sound during broadcasting

• 🔊 On your TV, check if the sound is muted in the menu Settings → Sound → Sound Output.
• 📱 In your phone's settings Wireless display turn on the option Transmit sound.
• 🔄 If you use ApowerMirrorPlease update the app—older versions had a sound bug.

4. The connection keeps breaking.

• 📡 Check the distance between devices - the maximum for stable operation is 8-10 meters.
• 🛠️ Disable this feature in your router settings Band Steering (it may interfere with Miracast).
• 🔋 Make sure your phone has enough battery life—some models disable Wi-Fi Direct when the battery level drops below 15%.

5. The TV screen displays a black screen.

• 🖥️ Try changing the screen orientation on your phone (sometimes Miracast doesn't handle rotation correctly).
• 🔄 Reconnect the devices after disabling the mode Do not disturb on the phone.
• 📺 On the TV menu On-screen display select Duplicate, and not Expand.

8. Comparison of connection methods: which one to choose?

Each method has its pros and cons. Here's a comparison table for different scenarios:

For games or watching movies in high definition better to use Wi-Fi Direct — it provides minimal delays. If you just need to show photos, that's enough. Smart ShareTo the owners iPhone all that remains is AirPlay, but take into account possible lags.

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

My 2017 LG TV doesn't support Miracast. What should I do?

For older models (before webOS 3.0) there are two options:

1. Use Wi-Fi Direct to transfer files or LG TV Plus for management.
2. Buy an external Miracast adapter (e.g. Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter), which connects to the HDMI port.

Also check if your router is blocking multicast traffic—this is a common cause of Miracast problems.

Is it possible to connect a phone to an LG TV via Bluetooth?

No, LG TV Doesn't support screen sharing via Bluetooth. This protocol can only be used to connect headphones, a keyboard, or a mouse. Wi-Fi is required for video/audio streaming.

Exception - some models LG Soundbar can play audio from your phone via Bluetooth, but this does not apply to screen streaming.

Why is there no internet on my phone when connected via Wi-Fi Direct?

This is normal behavior: Wi-Fi Direct creates direct connection between devices by disconnecting the phone from the router. To restore internet:

1. Turn off Wi-Fi Direct in your phone settings.
2. Use Miracast or Smart Share — they work through the home network and do not block the Internet.

How to stream Netflix from your phone to your LG TV without lag?

Netflix and other streaming services (Disney+, Prime Video) block broadcasting via Miracast/Wi-Fi Direct due to DRM protection. Solutions:

• Use the built-in app Netflix on TV.
• For Android: install Google Cast (if TV supports) or ApowerMirror (with loss of quality).
• For iPhone: Use AirPlay (but only for LG TV 2019+).

If lags persist, check your internet speed - Netflix requires at least 25 Mbps For 4K.

Is it possible to connect a phone to an LG TV via USB?

Yes, but it's not a wireless method. To do this:

1. Use a cable USB-C/HDMI (for modern smartphones) or MHL adapter (for older models).
2. On your TV, select the source USB or HDMI (depending on the adapter).

Disadvantages of USB connection:

• The phone will drain its battery faster.
• Not all models LG TV support video playback via USB (photo/music only).