Modern technology allows you to transform your smartphone into a powerful remote control and multimedia center for your home theater. If you're wondering how to connect your phone to an LG TV via Wi-Fi, you want to get rid of unnecessary wires and enjoy content on the big screen with maximum comfort. This allows you to access photos, video archives, and even your mobile device's screen on the TV's display.
The process of synchronizing devices has become much easier thanks to the implementation of standards Miracast And DLNA to Android and iOS operating systems. You don't need to be a network expert to establish a stable connection. Simply have both devices on the same local network, and you'll be streaming content almost instantly.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at all available connection methods, from built-in operating system features to dedicated manufacturer apps. You'll learn how to avoid image lag, which video formats are supported natively, and what to do if devices don't see each other in the list of available devices. Let's start with preparing the equipment.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure "AP Isolation" isn't enabled on your router. If this option is enabled, devices connected to the Wi-Fi won't be able to communicate with each other, and your phone won't be able to find the TV.
Preparing equipment and network
The first and most critical condition for a successful connection is that both devices are on the same subnet. This means that both the smartphone and Smart TV must be connected to the same router. If you have a dual-band router broadcasting both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, make sure both devices are connected to one of them, although modern routers usually allow devices to be seen across bands.
Check your LG TV's software version. Older firmware versions may not support the latest data transfer protocols or may have Wi-Fi module errors. To check, go to the settings menu and select General, then About TV and press Checking for updates.
- 📱 Make sure your smartphone's wireless module is enabled and it is not in airplane mode.
- 📡 Check the Wi-Fi signal strength where the TV is installed; a weak signal will cause the picture to become out of sync.
- 🔄 Restart your router if the network is unstable or the device list isn't updating.
- 🔋 Charge your mobile device, as active video streaming quickly drains the battery.
Sometimes antivirus programs or firewalls on your phone can block local device scanning. If you use third-party data protection apps, check their local network permission settings. In most cases, the default security settings are sufficient for uninterrupted operation.
☑️ Check before connection
Using LG's built-in Screen Share feature
LG TVs are equipped with proprietary wireless casting technology based on the Miracast standard. This method allows you to fully mirror your smartphone's screen to your TV, making it ideal for presentations, gaming, or watching videos from apps that don't have built-in Cast support. Getting started requires no additional cables or complicated router setup.
On the remote control, find the button that says Input or the house icon to open the signal source selection menu. From the list of available inputs, select Screen ShareOn some models with webOS, this feature may launch automatically when you try to connect from an external device while the TV is in standby mode.
After launching the Screen Share app on your TV, it will enter connection standby mode. The TV model name and the "Ready to connect" status may appear on the screen. In this mode, the device actively scans the airwaves for requests from mobile devices.
Why can't I see my TV in Screen Share mode?
If your TV doesn't appear in the list of available devices, Wi-Fi Direct may be disabled in the hidden settings. Try going to Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct and make sure the toggle is enabled. Renaming the device in the Screen Share menu to clear the connection cache can also sometimes help.
It is important to understand the difference between the operating modes. In the mode Mirror Link (or simply duplication) the phone transmits what its camera or desktop sees. In the mode Media You can select a specific file from your gallery, and the TV will play it automatically, offloading the smartphone's processor. Mode selection often occurs automatically depending on the type of content being streamed.
Connecting Android smartphones
Android smartphone owners have several options for achieving this goal, as manufacturers often implement their own skins on top of the standard operating system. This feature may be called by different names: Smart View at Samsung, Broadcast at Xiaomi, Screen projection Huawei or just Cast in pure Android.
Pull down the notification shade on your smartphone and find the icon for image sharing. If you don't see it right away, it might be hidden in the additional quick access button editing menu. Tap it, and your phone will begin searching for available devices on your local network.
When the name of your LG TV appears in the list (often it contains the model, for example, LG OLED55C9), tap it. A confirmation message may appear on the TV screen. Use the remote control to press "Accept" or "Confirm," and the image from your phone will appear on the big screen.
For more advanced controls, such as using your phone as a touchpad or keyboard, you can install the official app. LG TV PlusIt allows you to not only stream photos and videos, but also control your TV settings, launch apps, and even change digital TV channels directly from your smartphone screen.
⚠️ Attention: When mirroring your screen in landscape orientation, the image may not automatically expand to fill the entire screen. You'll need to rotate your phone or change the scaling settings in the TV menu under "Screen Format" or "Just Scan."
Stream from iPhone and iPad (AirPlay 2)
Apple device owners can count on native support for the technology AirPlay 2, if their LG TV is a 2019 model or newer (B9, C9, E9 series and above, as well as newer lines). This ensures the best picture quality and minimal latency without installing additional software.
To start broadcasting, open Control center On an iPhone (swipe down from the upper-right corner or swipe up on models with a home button). Find the "Screen Mirroring" icon (two rectangles) and tap it. Select your LG TV from the list that appears.
When you first connect, a four-digit code will appear on the TV screen. Enter this code on your iPhone screen to confirm the pairing. Your smartphone's screen will then be mirrored to the TV. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again and tap "Stop Mirroring."
| Function | Android (Cast/Miracast) | iOS (AirPlay 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Video quality | Depends on the app, often 1080p | Stable 1080p/4K HDR |
| Latency | Average, noticeable in games | Minimal, optimized |
| Work in the background | Often requires an active screen | You can minimize the application |
| Sound | Broadcast on TV | Broadcast to TV (can be returned to phone) |
If your LG TV is an older model and doesn't support AirPlay 2 directly, you can still use third-party apps. There are many solutions available in the App Store, such as Replica or TV Cast for LG, which emulate the protocol and allow you to broadcast content even on older Smart TV models.
View photos and videos via DLNA
If your goal is not to duplicate the screen, but simply to show your family photos from the last party or to play a movie downloaded to your phone, it is better to use the protocol DLNAIn this case, the phone acts as a server (NAS), and the TV acts as a renderer, decoding the video itself.
On Android, it is convenient to use an app for this. Google Photos or the built-in gallery. Open the desired photo or video, click the "Stream" button (the rectangle icon with waves), and select your TV. The file will buffer and begin playing.
The process is similar for iOS: select a photo in the Photos app, tap "Share," and find AirPlay-compatible devices in the list. Your LG TV will receive the data stream and display the media file in the maximum resolution supported by the TV.
The advantage of this method is that once playback starts, you can lock your phone or leave the room—the video will continue playing on the TV. DLNA also lets you control the playlist: pause, rewind, and change tracks directly from your smartphone screen, using it as a remote.
⚠️ Attention: The DLNA protocol doesn't support all video file formats. If your TV displays the "Format not supported" error, it means the video codec (such as HEVC 10-bit or AV1) isn't decoded by the TV hardware. In this case, only Screen Share can help.
Solution and connection optimization
Despite the simplicity of the technology, users may encounter a number of issues. The most common is that the TV doesn't appear in the list of available devices. Make sure the "Guest Network" option is unchecked on the router. Devices on the guest network are isolated from the main local network where the TV is located and cannot connect to it.
Another problem is audio and video delamination. This often occurs when neighboring routers overload the Wi-Fi channel. Try changing the router's broadcast channel to a clearer one (for example, 1, 6, or 11 for 2.4 GHz) or switching to 5 GHz if both devices support this range.
- 🛑 Reset network settings on your phone if the device list is constantly empty.
- 🔄 Update the LG ThinQ app or built-in TV services through the Content Store.
- 🔌 Disable the VPN on your smartphone, as it changes your IP address and hides your device from the local network.
- 📶 Bring your phone closer to the router if the signal is weak to perform the initial handshake between the devices.
If nothing helps, perform a full network reset on your TV. Go to Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Connection, select "Advanced Wi-Fi Settings" and click "Edit" or "Delete" for your network, then reconnect by entering the password.
Why is the picture worse when connected via Wi-Fi than via HDMI?
Wireless data transmission is subject to compression to save bandwidth and reduce latency. Miracast and AirPlay protocols use video stream compression, which can lead to compression artifacts in fast-moving scenes. An HDMI cable transmits an uncompressed digital signal, so image quality will always be higher and more stable.
Is it possible to connect a phone to an LG TV without a Wi-Fi router?
Yes, many modern LG TVs support Wi-Fi Direct. In this mode, the TV automatically creates a hotspot to which the phone connects. However, data transfer speeds in this mode may be lower, and functionality is limited to screen mirroring without internet access on the TV itself.
The video is lagging when streaming from my phone. What should I do?
Try reducing the streaming video quality in the source app settings. Also, close background apps on your phone that are consuming internet. If you're using the 2.4 GHz band, switch your router to 5 GHz or move the devices closer together.