Modern Smart TV LG TVs offer a wide range of multimedia capabilities, allowing you to transform your living room into a true cinema. However, smartphone screens are often more convenient for browsing content, especially when watching videos from social media or personal archives. The question of how to connect your phone to an LG TV via Wi-Fi to watch a movie becomes especially relevant when you want to share what you're watching on a small screen with family or friends on a larger screen.
Fortunately, wireless technology has come a long way, and complex HDMI cables or adapters are no longer required for image transmission. Simply connect both devices to the same local network, and you can enjoy high-definition content. In this article, we'll cover all available synchronization methods in detail, from built-in operating system features to specialized apps.
Preparing equipment and network
Before starting any manipulations, you need to make sure that your infrastructure is ready to transmit a heavy video stream. Wi-Fi router must maintain standards no lower than 802.11n, and ideally - 802.11ac or axto ensure stable data transmission without delays and artifacts.
Both devices—the smartphone and the TV—must be connected to the same wireless network. This is critical, as using a guest network or different frequency bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) with client isolation may make device discovery impossible.
Also check your TV's firmware version. Manufacturers regularly release updates that improve the stability of wireless modules and add support for new codecs.
If you are using a router with complex security settings, make sure that it does not have the feature enabled. AP Isolation (access point isolation), which prevents devices within the network from communicating with each other.
⚠️ Attention: Some providers provide routers with limited functionality when connecting to home internet. If you can't find each other's devices, try temporarily sharing the internet from your phone, but keep in mind that streaming high-quality online video will require a significant amount of data.
Screen Share (Miracast) technology for Android
The most common way to stream images from an Android smartphone to an LG TV is using technology Miracast, which is called in the LG interface Screen ShareThis method allows you to completely mirror your phone's screen, making it ideal for displaying photos, videos from your gallery, or even games.
To start working, press the button on the TV remote control. Input or find the shortcut in the application menu Screen ShareA "waiting for connection" message will appear on the screen. On Android smartphones, the path may vary depending on the model, but it's usually found in the notification shade.
Look for a feature called "Cast," "Smart View," "Wireless Monitor," or "Projector Pantalla." After scanning your network, your LG TV should appear in the list.
- 📱 Click on the TV's name in the list of available devices on your smartphone.
- 📺 A connection confirmation request may appear on the TV screen, which you will need to accept using the remote control.
- 🔄 The image from your phone will appear on the big screen, control remains on the mobile device.
It's worth noting that when using Miracast, your phone may become warmer as the video stream is being encoded in real time. Your smartphone's screen will also remain active, which drains battery power.
☑️ Check before connecting Miracast
Using the LG TV Plus app
Official app LG TV Plus (formerly known as LG Remote) provides deeper control over your TV than standard protocols. It not only lets you stream photos and videos, but also use your phone as an advanced remote control with a keyboard.
After installing the app on your smartphone (available for Android and iOS), launch it. The program will automatically scan the network and find compatible LG TVs. When connecting for the first time, a code will appear on the TV screen, which you'll need to enter in the app to pair.
The main advantage of this method is the ability to control playback and volume directly from the application interface, as well as transfer files from the phone's internal memory to the TV for playback using the built-in media player.
| Function | Description | Format support |
|---|---|---|
| Screen mirroring | Full copy of the image | Any screen content |
| Media player | Transferring files for playback | MP4, MKV, AVI, JPEG, MP3 |
| Control | Remote control and keyboard | Text input, navigation |
| Launching applications | Opening of services on TV | YouTube, Netflix, IVI, etc. |
The app is especially useful if the TV's built-in keyboard is inconvenient for entering search queries in a browser or YouTube.
Why doesn't the app see the TV?
If the LG TV Plus app doesn't find your TV, check your router's firewall settings. Sometimes the ports needed to detect devices using the SSDP protocol are blocked. Also, make sure local network communication is allowed in the security settings on your phone and TV.
Broadcast for iPhone owners (AirPlay 2)
For smartphone owners Apple luckiest of all, since modern LG TVs support the technology AirPlay 2 Natively. This means no third-party apps or complicated settings are required to connect.
Simply open Control Center on your iPhone (swipe down from the upper-right corner or up from the bottom on older models) and tap the "Screen Mirroring" button. Select your LG TV from the list.
If you simply want to send a video from the YouTube or Netflix app, use the cast icon (the rectangle with waves) within the app itself. The picture quality is often higher this way, as the TV downloads the stream from the internet, and the phone acts only as a remote control.
- 🍏 Make sure AirPlay support is enabled on your TV in the settings
General → Apple AirPlay and HomeKit. - 🔒 When you first connect, a 4-digit code will appear on the TV screen, which you need to enter on your iPhone.
- ⏯️ Playback controls (pause, rewind) are available directly from the iPhone lock screen.
AirPlay 2 technology also allows you to create stereo pairs or multi-room systems if you have multiple compatible Apple and LG devices.
⚠️ Attention: AirPlay may be disabled by default on some TV models or in certain regions. If you don't see the option, check the "General" section of your TV's settings or update your TV's software to the latest version of webOS.
Third-party apps and DLNA
When standard methods don't work or require advanced functionality, third-party solutions come to the rescue. Protocol DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a universal standard for sharing multimedia within a home network.
Popular app TV Cast for LG TV or Web Video Caster Allows you to stream video from virtually any browser on your phone. You open a movie site in the app, and it sends the streaming link directly to your TV's media player.
This method is advantageous because the phone isn't burdened with video decoding, but merely manages the process. However, for the source site to work, it must support a direct link to the video stream, which isn't always possible due to DRM protection.
Other applications such as Plex or Kodi, require installation of the server part on a computer or NAS, but allow you to create a beautiful library with posters and descriptions for your personal files.
Troubleshooting and diagnostics
Despite the simplicity of the technology, users often encounter difficulties. The most common issue is that the TV isn't visible in the list of available devices. In 90% of cases, this can be resolved by checking whether it's on the same network.
Sometimes rebooting the router and both devices helps. It's also worth checking whether the router has a limit on the number of connected clients or whether the DHCP pool has reached its limit of IP addresses.
If the image is transmitted but the sound is missing or delayed, try changing the audio output settings on your TV or in the source app. Audio delays often occur when using the Miracast protocol due to encoding issues.
⚠️ Attention: The webOS interface on LG TVs may vary slightly depending on the model year and firmware version. Menu item names may vary, so please refer to the icons for their meaning.
Comparison of connection methods
The best method depends on your goals: whether you just want to share photos with friends, watch a movie from an online cinema, or play a mobile game on the big screen.
Miracast or AirPlay are best for gaming, as they provide minimal input lag, although it can still be noticeable in fast-paced shooters. For watching movies from your gallery, DLNA or LG's built-in player are ideal.
Online services like YouTube are best launched through the built-in app on the TV, using the phone as a remote control to save battery life and processor power.
Why doesn't my LG TV detect my phone?
Most often, the problem lies in the fact that the devices are connected to different networks (for example, one to a guest network, the other to the main network). Inter-network communication may also be blocked by the router's security settings or by antivirus software on the PC if the data is being shared through it.
Is it possible to connect a phone to a TV without WiFi?
Without a WiFi router, you can use WiFi Direct mode if both devices support it, or use the phone's hotspot mode, which the TV can connect to. However, in the latter case, the phone won't have internet access unless mobile data is used.
How to improve picture quality over a wireless connection?
Move closer to your router, use the 5 GHz band, close any data-consuming background apps on your phone, and make sure no one else on the network is downloading large files.
Does broadcasting work via mobile internet?
Technically, yes, if you create a hotspot on your phone and connect your TV to it, but this will quickly use up your data plan. For online movies, it's better to let the TV connect to the WiFi itself and let your phone manage the process.
What should I do if the video is choppy or choppy?
This is a sign of a weak signal or channel congestion. Try lowering the video resolution in the source app settings or rebooting your router. Switching to a wired connection, if your TV model allows it, may also help.