How to show photos and videos from your phone on your TV via Wi-Fi: step-by-step instructions

Transferring photos and videos from your phone to a big TV screen via Wi-Fi is a convenient way to share memories with family, show off vacation photos to friends, or simply enjoy watching content without an HDMI cable. However, not everyone knows that this doesn't require additional adapters or cables: modern smartphones and Smart TVs support several wireless syncing technologies.

In this article we will look at 5 proven methods broadcasting media files - from built-in functions Android And iOS to universal apps that work on any device. You'll learn how to set up a connection in 2 minutes, what Every method has hidden limitations (for example, why Miracast doesn't work with iPhones, and AirPlay doesn't work with budget TVs), and how to get around typical errors like "device not found" or stream interruptions.

Important: All methods described work through local Wi-Fi network — no internet connection required. However, if your TV doesn't support Smart features, you'll need additional equipment (we'll discuss this in the last section).

1. Miracast: A universal standard for Android devices

Miracast - is a wireless screen sharing technology built into most Android- smartphones (starting with version 4.2) and Smart TVs (starting from 2013). It allows mirror your phone's screen to your TV in real time without lag, which is ideal for viewing photo albums or high-definition videos.

To use Miracast, follow these steps:

  • 📱 On your phone: open Settings → Connections → Screen Sharing (on Samsung — Smart View, on Xiaomi — Wireless Display).
  • 📺 On your TV: Enable the Miracast function in the menu Network → Wireless Screen Sharing (on LG — Screen Share, on Sony — Miracast).
  • 🔍 From the list of available devices on your phone, select the name of your TV.
  • ✅ Confirm the connection on both devices (you may be asked to enter a PIN code).

Android 4.2+ phone|Miracast-enabled TV (2013+)|Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network|Power saving mode is disabled on the TV-->

⚠️ Attention: Miracast not working with iPhone — for devices Apple use AirPlay. Also some budget TV models (for example, TCL or Hisense (Older models) may not support Miracast due to hardware limitations. In this case, try the alternative methods in the following sections.

Advantages of Miracast:

  • ⚡ Low latency (up to 50 ms) - suitable for videos and games.
  • 🔒 Doesn't require internet access - works via Wi-Fi Direct.
  • 📱 Supports touch input (if the TV is equipped with a touch remote control).
What should I do if Miracast doesn't find my TV?

1. Restart both devices.

2. Make sure that "Visible to all devices" mode is enabled on your TV (in the Miracast settings).

3. Disable VPN or proxy on your phone – they may block the local connection.

4. Check if the "HDCP Only" mode is enabled on your TV (disable it in the security settings).

2. DLNA/UPnP: View photos and videos over your home network

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a protocol for sharing media files between devices on the same network. Unlike Miracast, it doesn't mirror the screen, but allows selectively stream photos, videos, and music through standard TV applications.

How to set up DLNA:

  1. Make sure your phone and TV are connected one Wi-Fi router.
  2. On the phone:
    • 📱 Android: use the built-in application Gallery or Files, select file → Share → DLNA/UPnP.
    • 🍎 iPhone: install the application Media Server or Plex (free versions are available in the App Store).
  • On TV:
    • 📺 Open the app Media player, Photo/Video or DLNA browser (on Samsung — Smart Hub → Multimedia).
    • 🔍 Select the name of your phone from the list of sources.
      • Device Supported formats Max. permission Delay
      Android (built-in DLNA) JPEG, PNG, MP4, MKV, MP3 4K (depending on TV) 1–3 sec
      iPhone (via Plex) HEIC, MP4, MOV, AAC 1080p 2–5 sec
      Samsung Smart TV JPEG, MP4, AVI, FLAC 4K HDR 0.5–2 sec
      LG WebOS PNG, MP4, MKV, WAV 4K 1–3 sec

      ⚠️ Attention: DLNA does not support streaming from Netflix, YouTube or other protected services due to DRM restrictions. To do this, use Smart View or specialized applications.

      📊 What is the brand of your TV?
      Samsung
      LG
      Sony
      Xiaomi
      Philips
      Another

      3. Smart View (Samsung) and Screen Mirroring (for other brands)

      TV manufacturers often develop their own wireless broadcasting solutions. For example, Samsung offers technology Smart View, A LG — Screen ShareThese features work similarly to Miracast, but with advanced capabilities (such as support HDR10+ or control your TV from your phone).

      Instructions for Samsung Smart View:

      1. On the phone Samsung (or another Android-device) open the application SmartThings (download in Google Play).
      2. Select your TV from the list of devices (it must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network).
      3. Tap on the icon Smart View and confirm the connection.
      4. To stream individual files, use the tab Media in the appendix.

    For TVs of other brands:

    • 📺 LG: Settings → Network → Screen Share.
    • 📺 Sony: Settings → Wireless → Miracast.
    • 📺 Xiaomi: Settings → Connections → Miracast.

    Advantages of proprietary solutions:

    • 🎮 Support for game controllers (eg. Samsung GamePad).
    • 🔊 Audio transmission in format Dolby Atmos (on supported models).
    • 📱 Possibility to use your phone as a remote control.

      • 4. AirPlay: The Best Choice for iPhone and Mac Owners

      AirPlay — proprietary technology Apple, which allows you to stream media files from iPhone, iPad or Mac to compatible devices. It only works with TVs that support AirPlay 2 (For example, Samsung QLED 2018+, LG OLED 2019+, Sony Bravia 2020+), or via the prefix Apple TV.

      How to use AirPlay:

      1. Make sure that iPhone and the TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
      2. Open Control center (swipe down from the top right corner to iPhone X and newer).
      3. Click Screen mirroring (or Screen Mirroring).
      4. Select your TV from the list.
      5. To transfer individual files (photos/videos), open them in the application Photo and tap on the icon AirPlay (rectangle with triangle).

      ⚠️ Attention: AirPlay does not support streaming content from DRM protection (for example, films from Apple TV+ or Netflix (in high definition). To do this, use the TV's built-in apps.

      5. Universal apps for any device

      If built-in functions don't work (for example, due to an outdated TV model), third-party applications will come to the rescue. They support cross-platform broadcasting (With Android on iOS and vice versa) and often offer additional features like streaming from cloud storage.

      Top 3 verified apps:

      Application Platform Peculiarities Cons
      LocalCast Android Chromecast, DLNA, and Miracast support. Streaming from Google Drive. Advertising in the free version.
      ApowerMirror Android/iOS Screen mirroring + broadcast recording. Works with Windows PC. Paid version for 4K.
      Plex Android/iOS/TV Media server creation, subtitle support, transcoding. Complex setup for beginners.

      How to use LocalCast (for example):

      1. Download the app from Google Play.
      2. Open the gallery and select the file to broadcast.
      3. Tap on the icon Cast (in the upper right corner).
      4. Select your TV from the list of devices.
      5. Adjust playback settings (resolution, subtitles).
      How to stream YouTube videos using LocalCast?

      1. In the appendix YouTube Click "Share" below the video.

      2. Select LocalCast from the list of applications.

      3. Click Cast and select TV.

      4. The video will start playing on TV without loss of quality (if there is no DRM).

      6. If the TV does not support Smart functions: adapters and set-top boxes

      What if you have an old TV without Wi-Fi or Smart TV? In this case, external devices connected via HDMI or USB:

      • 📱 Google Chromecast (from 3,000 ₽): supports Miracast, DLNA and broadcast from Android/iOS Via apps. Works with any TV with HDMI.
      • 🍎 Apple TV (from 8,000 ₽): the best choice for the ecosystem Apple. Supports AirPlay And HomeKit.
      • 🖥️ Android TV Box (from 4,000 ₽): a full-fledged set-top box with Google Play, supports all formats and applications.
      • 🔌 Wi-Fi adapter for TV (from 1,500 ₽): for example, AnyCast or Miracast DongleConnects to HDMI and adds wireless streaming support.

      ⚠️ Attention: Cheap "no-name" adapters (price below 1,000 ₽) often have problems with video delay (lag up to 2 seconds) and do not support 4KBefore purchasing, check reviews for the model that matches your TV.

      How to connect Google Chromecast:

      1. Insert the device into the HDMI port of the TV and connect it to a power outlet via USB.
      2. Switch your TV to the appropriate HDMI input.
      3. Download the app Google Home on the phone.
      4. Follow the setup instructions in the app (select your Wi-Fi network).
      5. To broadcast, click the icon Cast in supported applications (eg YouTube, Google Photos).

      Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

      To make your choice easier, we've compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:

      Method Speed Quality Complexity Suitable for
      Miracast ⚡ Instantly 4K HDR ⭐⭐ Android, games, screen mirroring
      DLNA 🐢 1–3 sec 4K (depending on TV) ⭐ Photos, videos, music
      Smart View ⚡ Instantly 4K HDR10+ ⭐⭐ Samsung, LG, Sony
      AirPlay ⚡ Instantly 4K Dolby Vision ⭐⭐⭐ iPhone, Mac, Apple TV
      Applications (Plex, LocalCast) 🐢 2–5 sec Up to 4K ⭐⭐⭐ Universal option, cloud storage

      Recommendations for selection:

      • 📱 For Android: start with Miracast or Smart View.
      • 🍎 For iPhone: use AirPlay (if TV supports it).
      • 🎬 For videos with YouTube/Netflix: built-in TV apps or Chromecast.
      • 📷 For photo albums: DLNA or Google Photos + Cast.
      • 🕹️ For games: only Miracast (minimal delay).

      FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

      ❓ Why can't the TV detect my phone via Wi-Fi?

      Please check the following points:

      • Both devices are connected to one Wi-Fi network (not to the guest!).
      • The TV is in visibility mode (in the settings) Miracast/DLNA).
      • Turn it off VPN or power saving mode on the phone.
      • Reboot your router - sometimes the DHCP server issues incorrect IP addresses.

      If the problem persists, try connecting via Wi-Fi Direct (direct connection without router).

      ❓ How to stream video from your phone to TV without lag?

      Lag occurs due to:

      • Weak Wi-Fi signal (check the speed via Speedtest — must be at least 10 Mbit/s).
      • Uses DLNA instead of Miracast (DLNA always has a buffer).
      • Cheap adapters (for example, AnyCast for 500 ₽).

      Solutions:

      • Use Miracast or HDMI cable for critical tasks (games, 4K video).
      • Connect your phone and TV to the router via 5 GHz Wi-Fi (less interference).
      • Close background apps on your phone (especially instant messengers).
      ❓ Is it possible to mirror an iPhone's screen to a non-Smart TV?

      Yes, for this you will need:

      • Apple TV (best option, supports AirPlay And 4K HDR).
      • Chromecast with Google TV (requires app installation) Streamer for Chromecast on iPhone).
      • Lightning to HDMI Adapter (wired connection, no Wi-Fi).

      ⚠️ When using adapters Lightning→HDMI some applications (eg Netflix) may block output due to DRM.

      ❓ Why does the video on TV have artifacts or break up?

      Reasons and solutions:

      Problem Cause Solution
      Green stripes on video Incompatible codec (eg. HEVC on the old TV). Transcode the video to H.264 through HandBrake.
      The video is lagging Weak Wi-Fi signal or network congestion. Connect your TV to your router with a cable or use 5 GHz.
      No sound The TV does not support the codec. Dolby Digital. In the broadcast settings, select PCM or AAC.
      How do I transfer photos from my phone to my TV without internet?

      All the methods described (except cloud applications like Plex) work in local network and do not require internet access. The main requirement is that the phone and TV are connected to one router (or used Wi-Fi Direct).

      If you don’t have a router, create an access point on your phone and connect your TV to it (if the model supports it). Wi-Fi Client Mode).

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