How to Share Internet from Your Phone to an LG Smart TV: 5 Proven Methods

Connecting a TV LG Smart TV Sharing your internet connection via a smartphone is a convenient solution when you don't have a router or cable connection. This method allows you to stream high-definition video, update your TV firmware, or use streaming services without the hassle of cables. However, not everyone knows how to properly set up this method to avoid issues with speed, connection stability, or device compatibility.

In this article we will look at 5 working methods Share Wi-Fi from your phone LG Smart TV (including models with webOS 4.0–23), taking into account the peculiarities Android And iPhoneYou will learn how to choose the optimal method depending on the TV software version, and avoid common errors (for example, "Unable to connect to the network") and speed up data transfer. And if you encounter the "no sound" issue while streaming, there's a separate section with solutions at the end of the article.

Before you begin, check two key points: 1. The TV must have the function enabled. Wi-Fi Direct or Screen Share (depending on the model). 2. There is enough traffic on the smartphone (distribution “eats up” up to 30% more data, than normal use due to service packages).

1. Sharing Wi-Fi via an access point (Hotspot) is a universal method

The easiest way to connect LG Smart TV To access the internet via your phone, create a hotspot on your smartphone. This method works on all TV models with webOS 3.0 and newer, and doesn't require any additional apps. The main advantage: a stable connection with the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously (for example, a TV and a laptop).

However, there are some nuances:

• 🔋 Fast battery drain — Wi-Fi sharing increases smartphone power consumption by 40–60%. We recommend connecting your phone to a charger.
• 📶 Speed ​​limit — If your mobile Internet plan has a limit (for example, 100 Mbps), then the actual speed on TV will be 15–20% lower due to overhead costs.
• 🔒 Blocking by operator - some mobile operators (for example, Tele2 or Iota) limit traffic distribution. Check your plan terms.

Instructions for Android:

1. Open Settings → Connections → Hotspot & Tethering.
2. Select Mobile hotspot and activate the slider.
3. Click Setting up an access pointto set the network name (SSID) and password (we recommend using WPA2-PSK).
4. On your TV, go to Settings → Network → Wi-Fi connection and select the created network.

Instructions for iPhone:

1. Go to Settings → Tethering.
2. Activate Allow others and set a password (minimum 8 characters).
3. On LG Smart TV In the Wi-Fi menu, find the network with the name of your iPhone (For example, iPhone from Ivanov) and connect.

Make sure your phone has mobile internet enabled.

Check that the "Power Saving" mode is disabled on the TV (it may block Wi-Fi)|

Reboot both devices if the network is not detected|

Use a password without Cyrillic characters (some LG models do not support them)

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2. Connecting via Wi-Fi Direct (direct connection without the Internet)

Wi-Fi Direct — a technology that allows you to connect devices directly, without a router. This method is suitable if you need only broadcast the phone screen to TV (for example, to show photos or videos), but no internet access is required. Data transfer speeds are higher than those of a classic Hotspot, and delays (lag) are minimal.

Limitations of the method:

• 🎮 No internet access - the TV will not be able to update or use YouTube/Netflix.
• 📱 Compatibility - on iPhone Wi-Fi Direct works only with some models LG (For example, OLED C1 or NanoCell 90).
• 🔄 Automatic shutdown - If the phone goes into sleep mode, the connection will be broken.

How to connect on Android:

1. On TV: Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct and activate the search for devices.
2. On the phone: Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct (on Samsung — Settings → Connections → Advanced → Wi-Fi Direct).
3. Select yours from the list LG Smart TV (the model name will be displayed, for example, "LG_OLED55C1").
4. Confirm the connection on both devices.

For iPhone: use the function Screen Mirroring (V Control center), but first make sure that the TV supports it AirPlay 2 (available on models LG With webOS 4.5+).

What to do if the TV doesn’t see the phone?

If the devices cannot find each other, try:

1. Turn off Bluetooth on both devices (sometimes it interferes with Wi-Fi Direct).

2. Restart your phone and TV.

3. Update the TV firmware (in Settings → General → About TV → Software Update).

4. Use the app LG TV Plus (available for Android/iOS) to force a connection.

3. Using a USB cable (Android only)

If you have Android smartphone with support USB-ethernet (or USB-tethering), you can connect your phone to the TV via a cable. This method guarantees the most stable connection without loss of speed, but requires:

• 🔌 OTG cable (or adapter USB-C → USB-A, if the phone does not have a standard connector).
• 📺 USB port on TV with support Ethernet over USB (available on models LG With webOS 5.0+, For example, LG GX or CX).

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Connect your phone to TV via OTG cable.
2. On the phone: Settings → Network & Internet → Hotspot & Tethering → USB Tethering.
3. On TV: Settings → Network → Cable connection (Ethernet).
4. Wait for the IP address to be configured automatically (this may take up to 30 seconds).

⚠️ Attention: some models LG (For example, UK6200) do not support USB-tethering due to firmware limitations. In this case, an error will appear. "Unable to obtain IP address"The solution is to update the TV software or use another method.

4. Screencasting via Miracast (without internet, but with sound)

Miracast — a standard for wireless transmission of image and sound, supported by most LG Smart TV (starting from webOS 2.0). Unlike Wi-Fi Direct, it allows mirror your phone screen on TV in real time, including sound. This is ideal for watching movies, playing games, or giving presentations.

Features of the method:

• 🎬 4K support - on models LG OLED (2019 and newer) broadcasting is possible in resolution up to 3840×2160 at frequency 30 Hz.
• 🔊 The sound is transmitted automatically (in contrast to Wi-Fi Direct, where separate configuration is sometimes required).
• ⚡ Increased energy consumption — after an hour of broadcasting, the phone’s battery will be discharged by 20–30%.

How to enable Miracast on Android:

1. On TV: Settings → Connections → Screen Share.
2. On the phone: Settings → Connections → Screencasting (on Xiaomi — Settings → Display → Wireless Display).
3. Select yours from the list LG Smart TV.

For iPhone: use AirPlay (available on LG With webOS 4.5+). To do this, swipe down on the screen, press Screen mirroring and select TV.

5. Troubleshooting: Why TV won't connect to phone

If you followed the instructions but LG Smart TV If you still can't see your phone's network or it displays an error, check the following:

⚠️ Attention: if you use VPN on your phone, turn it off before sharing Wi-Fi. Some models LG Smart TV (For example, UN7300) block connections to VPN networks due to security policy.

If the problem persists, reset the network settings on your TV: Settings → General → Reset → Reset network settings.

6. Optimizing connection speed and stability

To minimize lag and connection drops when sharing Wi-Fi from your phone, follow these tips:

• 📶 Select a free Wi-Fi channel - use the app Wi-Fi Analyzer (Android) or Network Analyzer (iOS) to find the least crowded channel (eg. 6 or 11 in the range 2.4 GHz).
• 🔋 Disable background apps — Close instant messengers, cloud services, and games on your phone to free up resources.
• 🔄 Use the 5 GHz band - if yours LG Smart TV supports 5 GHz (check the model specifications), switch your phone's access point to this range for less interference.
• 📱 Activate the "Maximum Performance" mode - on Android This can be done in the battery settings.

For models LG OLED (2020 and newer) feature available Wi-Fi 6, which increases speed by 40%. To enable it: Settings → Network → Additional settings → Wi-Fi 6 mode.

7. Alternative methods: if nothing works

If standard methods don't work, try these options:

1. Using the application LG TV Plus:

• Download the app to your phone (Android/iOS).
• Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network (for example, via a different router).
• In the application, select Connect to TV and follow the instructions.

2. Connection via Bluetooth (for control only):

This won't provide internet access, but it will allow you to use your phone as a remote control or transfer files. Setting up: TV Settings → Sound → Bluetooth Devices.

3. Wired connection via HDMI (for Android):

If your phone has an outlet HDMI (or supported USB-C → HDMI), you can connect it directly to the TV. You will need an adapter (for example, Google Chromecast or Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter For iPhone).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share Wi-Fi from my phone to my LG Smart TV if I have an unlimited data plan?

Yes, but please note that some carriers limit speeds after exceeding a certain data limit (e.g., 50 GB). Check your plan's terms in your personal account. Wi-Fi hotspots may also be blocked on plans marked "Smartphone Only."

Why is there no sound on TV when streaming from a phone?

The reasons may be different:

• The sound is turned off in the broadcast settings on the phone (check Settings → Sound → Sound Output).
• The TV is connected to external speakers via ARC (HDMI) — try switching the sound source.
• Used Wi-Fi Direct no sound support (switch to Miracast or AirPlay).

How to share internet from an iPhone to an LG Smart TV if the hotspot isn't working?

If the default access point is not detected, try:

1. Update iOS to the latest version.
2. Turn on Modem mode For USB only (if you connect via cable).
3. Use AirPlay to broadcast your screen (the Internet will not work on TV, but you can watch content from your phone).

On some models LG (For example, UN8500) you may need to manually enter the IP address in the network settings.

How many devices can be connected to the phone's hotspot at the same time?

It depends on the smartphone model:

• Android: usually 5-10 devices (on flagships up to 15).
• iPhone: up to 5 devices (iOS limit).

However, for stable operation LG Smart TV We recommend connecting no more than 2-3 devices at the same time.

Is it possible to share Wi-Fi from my phone to TV if I have a USB modem (4G dongle)?

No, this is not possible directly. A USB modem connects to a computer or router, and the phone cannot act as an access point in this case. Solutions:

• Connect the modem to a router with a USB port and distribute Wi-Fi from the router.
• Use your phone as a signal repeater (if your modem distributes Wi-Fi).