How to connect your phone to an LG TV via WiFi to watch YouTube

Modern smart TVs While living rooms have been transformed into full-fledged multimedia centers, smartphone screens remain the primary source of content for many users. It's common to want to share videos from your vacation with friends or watch a movie on the big screen to enjoy the high-quality image. Fortunately, technology wireless transmission data allows you to do this in a matter of seconds without unnecessary wires and complex settings.

Equipment owners LG Electronics are in an advantageous position, as the company has implemented support for most current standards broadcasts. If you have a device based on Android or iOSThe algorithm will be similar, although there are some nuances in the interfaces. The main task is to ensure a stable connection between the gadget and the TV, which in most cases is achieved through a single local network.

In this guide, we'll cover all available methods, from built-in operating system features to specialized apps. You'll learn how to troubleshoot common connection errors and why videos sometimes YouTube may not be displayed on the TV screen even though the devices are successfully paired.

Preparing equipment and checking the network

The first and most critical step is to ensure that both devices are on the same network. Your router should distribute a signal that is received by both the smartphone and the TV at the same time. If one of the devices is connected via Ethernet cable, and the other via WiFi, the broadcast can still work, but only on condition that the router correctly processes internal requests (multicast protocols).

Make sure that on your TV LG feature enabled Smart Share or a similar device detection option. In newer models with the operating system webOS This feature is often enabled by default, but in older firmware versions, it must be activated manually through the network settings menu. Without it, the TV will be "invisible" to your phone, even if both are connected to the same router.

⚠️ Important: If your router supports dual-band operation (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), make sure both devices are connected to the same frequency. Sometimes routers create isolated subnets for different bands, which can prevent devices from discovering each other.

Check the software version on both devices. For Android** devices version updates Google Play Services critical, since this service is responsible for the protocol Cast. On TVs LG outdated firmware may not support new codecs or security protocols used by the application YouTube.

📊 What smartphone do you use to connect to TV?
iPhone (iOS)
Samsung (Android)
Xiaomi / Redmi
Another Android
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Stream YouTube using the built-in Cast feature

The easiest and most reliable way to play a video on a big screen is to use the app's native feature. YouTubeThis method does not require installing additional software and works on almost all modern smartphones. Technology Google Cast allows the phone to act as a remote control, transmitting only a link to a video stream to the TV, which the TV downloads on its own.

To get started, open the app YouTube on your mobile device. In the upper right corner of the interface, you'll see an icon resembling a rectangle with WiFi waves in the corner—that's the button. broadcastsClicking on it will start a scan for available devices on your local network. Your TV should appear on the list. LG, often with the addition of "YouTube" or the device model.

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After selecting a device, a connection confirmation request may appear on the TV screen. This is a precaution. security, preventing unauthorized access to your screen by strangers in public places (such as hotels or offices). Confirm the request with the remote control, and the video will automatically switch to the big screen.

⚠️ Please note: Playback quality depends on the internet speed available to your TV. If the router is far from the TV, the video may buffer, even if your phone has a great internet connection.

The advantage of this method is that you can minimize the application YouTube Or even turn off your phone's screen, and playback on your TV won't be interrupted. This frees up your smartphone's resources for other tasks, such as replying to messages or checking social media while the movie plays on your TV.

Using Screen Mirroring on Android

If you need to stream more than just videos from YouTube, but also the entire screen content (for example, a browser or photo gallery), use the function Screen MirroringOn devices Samsung This function is called Smart View, on XiaomiBroadcast or Cast, but on a clean one Android it can be called Screencasting.

On TVs LG with the system webOS you need to run the application Screen Share (Screencasting). It's usually found in the start menu or under "My Media." Once launched, the TV will enter connection standby mode, displaying the model name and instructions on how to select the device on your mobile device.

Phone brand Function name Where to find Peculiarities
Samsung Smart View Notification shade Stable connection, high resolution support
Xiaomi / Redmi Broadcast Settings / Connections Requires Miracast to be enabled on TV
Google Pixel Broadcast Quick Settings Uses the Google Cast protocol
Huawei Projection Notification shade Low latency, good for gaming

It is important to understand the difference between protocolsThe Cast function (from the previous section) only streams video, while Screen Mirroring duplicates the entire smartphone screen in real time. This puts a lot of strain on WiFi channel and the phone's battery, since the video stream is encoded and transmitted continuously.

Why does the image lag when mirroring the screen?

The lag occurs because the phone must constantly compress the video signal, send it over WiFi, and then the TV must render it. Any drop in network speed or overheating of the phone's processor causes freezing. For video, it's best to use the built-in Cast button in the YouTube app.

Connecting iPhone and iPad via AirPlay 2

Equipment owners Apple can take advantage of proprietary technology AirPlay 2, which is natively supported by modern TVs LG (2019 and newer models with webOS 4.0 and above). This ensures the highest quality image and sound transmission with minimal latency, integrating the TV into the ecosystem. Apple HomeKit.

To connect, open Control center on your iPhone (swipe down from the upper-right corner on models with Face ID or swipe up on models with a home button). Tap the icon Screen mirroring (two rectangles). Select your TV from the list that appears. LGIf this is the first time this happens, a message will appear on the TV screen. confirmation code, which must be entered on the smartphone.

When watching a video in the app YouTube On iOS, the standard Cast button also works. The process is identical to Android devices: tap the Cast icon, select TV, and enjoy the content. However, AirPlay also allows you to cast other content that doesn't support Google's built-in protocol, such as videos from Safari or files from your gallery.

Connection problems and their solutions

Despite the simplicity of the technology, users often encounter a situation where the phone "doesn't see" the TV. One of the most common reasons is the use of guest network WiFi. Many routers isolate guest network clients from each other for security reasons, making it impossible to detect devices on the local network.

Also, outdated software can be a problem security protocol WiFi. If your router is configured to work in WiFi mode only WEP or old standards 802.11 b/gModern smartphones may refuse to work in such conditions or may not recognize media devices. It is recommended to switch the router to mixed mode. 802.11 n/ac/ax with encryption WPA2/WPA3.

⚠️ Warning: Antivirus programs or firewalls on your computer, if it's acting as a router or access point, may block ports required for DLNA and Miracast protocols. Try temporarily disabling your protection to check.

Another important aspect is - IPv6In some cases, enabling this protocol in your router or TV settings causes addressing conflicts. If nothing else helps, try temporarily disabling IPv6 in your TV's network settings. LG (section "Network" -> "Advanced Wi-Fi Settings" or similar), leaving only IPv4.

Alternative applications and third-party software

If the built-in tools don't work or the functionality isn't sufficient, third-party solutions come to the rescue. TV Cast for LG TV or BubbleUPnP Allow you to stream content that is protected from standard streaming (DRM protection sometimes blocks standard Cast). These programs use their own video stream capture algorithms.

A protocol is available for advanced users. DLNABy turning it on in the TV settings LG (usually under "General" -> "Smart Share Menu" -> "On"), you can stream photos and videos from your phone's gallery using any DLNA-enabled file manager. This is a great way to share a presentation or family archive without the internet.

Don't forget about the cable. If your WiFi network is overloaded or unstable, you can always use an adapter. USB-C to HDMI (for Android) or Lightning to HDMI (for iPhone). This will ensure maximum image quality without compression or lag, which is critical for gaming or watching 4K HDR video.

Is it possible to connect a phone to an LG TV without WiFi?

Yes, this is possible via a direct WiFi connection (WiFi Direct), which the TV itself creates a hotspot, or via an HDMI cable with a suitable smartphone adapter. Some models also support connecting flash drives.

Why is only the picture being broadcast without sound?

This most often occurs when using screen mirroring protocols (Miracast) on older TV models that don't support audio transmission over this channel, or due to a codec conflict. Try changing the audio output settings in the YouTube app to "Phone speakers" or restarting the app.

How to improve picture quality during broadcasting?

Make sure your router supports the 5 GHz standard and that both devices are connected to that network. Also, reduce network load by disabling downloads on other devices. For YouTube, quality can be adjusted manually in the video settings (gear icon).