Modern Honor smartphones boast powerful screens and multimedia capabilities, but even a high-quality display can't always convey the scale of what's happening on the screen. There's often a pressing need to show photos from a family celebration to all guests at once or watch a high-definition movie on a large TV screen. Fortunately, wireless data transfer technologies make this possible without the need for unnecessary wires, using only your home Wi-Fi network.
Screen mirroring or content casting on Smart TVs has become a standard feature in the Android ecosystem, which includes Honor devices. You don't need complicated HDMI adapters or cables if both devices are on the same local network. However, despite the claimed simplicity, users often encounter setup issues, especially after updating the Magic UI interface or upgrading to newer Android versions.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at all the current methods for connecting an Honor smartphone to a TV, whether using built-in system features or third-party apps. We'll explore the intricacies of the Miracast and DLNA protocols, and also address common issues that prevent devices from "recognizing" each other. Proper setup will allow you to enjoy content on the big screen with minimal latency.
Preparing equipment and a Wi-Fi network
Before you begin setting up the software, you need to make sure your infrastructure is ready to transmit the video stream. A fundamental requirement is that the smartphone and TV are in the same Wi-Fi networkIf your router broadcasts two networks (for example, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), it is advisable for both devices to be connected to one of them, although modern routers often combine them into a single network.
Pay attention to signal stability. Streaming high-definition video (Full HD or 4K) requires sufficient bandwidth. If your smartphone is too far from the router, artifacts, audio desync, or complete image freezing may occur.
- 📶 Make sure your TV's Wi-Fi module is activated and connected to your home network.
- 📱 Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled on your Honor smartphone and you are signed in to the same network.
- 🔄 Restart your router if your connection seems unstable or your data transfer speed is slow.
- 🔌 Make sure your TV supports Miracast technology or has Chromecast built-in.
⚠️ Important: If your router has a "Guest Network" feature, do not connect devices to it for streaming. Guest networks often block data exchange between connected clients (AP Isolation), so the phone simply won't see the TV.
It's also worth mentioning that some older TV models may require manual activation of the signal reception function. This may be called Screen Mirroring, Miracast or Wireless DisplayWithout activating this mode, the TV may remain invisible to the smartphone.
Using the built-in Wireless Projector feature
The easiest and most native method for Honor owners is to use a system function, which in different versions of the shell may be called "Wireless Projector," "Cast," or "Projection." This method is based on the standard Miracast, which allows you to mirror your smartphone screen to your TV in real time.
To activate this feature, swipe down from the top of the notification shade. In the quick settings panel, look for an icon labeled "Wireless Projector" or "Cast." If you don't see the icon, tap the edit icon (usually a pencil or three dots) and add the toggle to the active area. Once enabled, it will search for available devices.
When your TV's name appears in the list, tap it. A connection permission prompt may appear on the TV screen—confirm it with the remote. From now on, the image from your phone will be streamed to the big screen. Picture quality depends on the router's power and the distance between the devices.
If the standard search doesn't yield results, you can go through the system settings. Go to Settings → More Connections → Wireless ProjectorThe interface may differ depending on the Magic UI version, but the logic remains the same: turn on the slider and wait for the device to appear.
☑️ Check before connection
It's important to understand that when using Miracast, your phone's screen stays on, not dimmed. This can drain your battery faster. Furthermore, minimizing the app or locking the screen may interrupt the streaming, although some Honor models allow video playback to continue in the background.
Broadcast via the Google Home app
For TVs with built-in Chromecast or Android TV support, as well as set-top boxes (such as the Xiaomi Mi Stick or Chromecast), the most stable method is to use the official app. Google HomeIt comes pre-installed on many Honor smartphones, but if you don't have it, you can easily download it from the AppGallery or as an APK file.
The operating principle here differs from Miracast. Instead of fully mirroring the screen (which is resource-intensive), you send a command to the TV to play content from a link or cast a browser tab. This often provides better picture quality and reduces the load on the smartphone's processor.
Launch the Google Home app and wait for it to scan the network. You'll see your TV's card. Tap it, and the "Cast my screen" button will appear in the bottom corner. After confirming, an image of your desktop will appear on your phone's screen.
- 🏠 Open the Google Home app on your Honor smartphone.
- 📺 Select your TV from the list of available devices.
- 🖥️ Click the "Cast Screen" or "Cast Audio" button.
- ✅ Confirm the connection request if it appears on the TV screen.
⚠️ Note: The Google Home app interface may be updated. If you don't see the Cast button, make sure the app has all the necessary permissions, especially access to your local network and location.
The advantage of this method is that you can use your phone for other tasks while watching a video from a supported app (such as YouTube or Netflix) on your TV by launching content directly from them using the Cast button inside the player. This frees up your smartphone and saves battery.
Third-party apps for Smart TV
When Honor's built-in features don't work and Google Home can't detect the TV (which often happens with Samsung, LG, or older Sony models), universal third-party apps come to the rescue. They act as a bridge, converting the signal into a format understandable by the specific TV.
One of the most popular solutions is the application Cast to TV - XCast or Web Video CasterThese programs can find almost any DLNA-compatible TV. After installing the app on your phone, you need to run a network scan. The program will find your TV, and you can select files from your gallery or enter video links.
Popular streaming apps:1. Cast to TV - XCast
2. Web Video Caster
3. TV Cast for Samsung/LG/Sony
4. BubbleUPnP
A unique feature of these programs is that they can often "catch" video files that can't be opened using standard tools, or stream videos from websites protected from embedding. However, free versions of these apps often contain ads that may be displayed on the TV.
Why can third-party applications slow down?
Third-party apps often use software encoding of video streams, which places additional strain on the smartphone's processor. Unlike hardware encoding with Miracast, this can lead to audio and video desynchronization, especially on budget phones or with a weak Wi-Fi signal.
When using third-party software, it's important to grant all requested permissions. Without access to the local network and storage, the app won't be able to find the TV or read the video file. Also, make sure the TV doesn't have a password for connection if the app doesn't support it.
Comparison of connection methods
To help you choose the right method, we've organized the main options in a table. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your purpose: watching a movie, giving a presentation, or playing a game.
| Method | Quality | Delay | Battery consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miracast (Built-in) | High (up to 1080p/4K) | Low | High |
| Google Home (Chromecast) | Maximum (depending on TV) | Minimum | Average |
| Third-party apps | Medium/High | Average | High |
| HDMI cable (adapter) | Ideal | Absent | Low (when powered) |
As the table shows, Google Home or built-in YouTube/Netflix features are best for watching movies, as they put the least strain on the phone. For screen sharing or playing games without TV support, Miracast is optimal, despite its power consumption.
Don't forget about a wired connection via a USB-C to HDMI adapter. This is the only way to get an uncompressed and latency-free image, which is critical for gaming or work. However, this requires additional hardware and a USB 3.0 port or DisplayPort Alt Mode support on your Honor smartphone.
Solved problems and errors
Even with proper setup, issues can still occur. The most common issue is that the TV doesn't appear in the list of available devices. In 90% of cases, this can be resolved by checking the network: make sure the phone isn't using mobile data and that Wi-Fi is actually active.
Another common error is a black screen when streaming audio. This is due to HDCP content protection. If you're trying to stream a paid movie from an online cinema using screen mirroring (Miracast), you'll see a black screen, but the audio will be present. There's only one solution: use the Cast button within the cinema app itself, rather than mirroring the entire screen.
- 🚫 Problem: High image lag. Solution: Move your phone closer to the router and close background apps.
- 🔇 Problem: No sound on TV. Solution: Check the volume settings on your phone and TV; sometimes the audio channels get out of sync.
- 📉 Problem: Low resolution. Solution: Try changing the resolution or frame rate in the Honor wireless projector settings.
⚠️ Please note: Wireless data transmission protocols and Smart TV interfaces may be updated by the manufacturer. If standard methods stop working after a software update, please refer to your TV manufacturer's official instructions to check for new safety requirements.
If all else fails, try "forgetting" the Wi-Fi network on both devices and reconnecting. Sometimes, simply restarting the router can help, as this clears the DHCP server cache and assigns new IP addresses, eliminating addressing conflicts.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Is it possible to display the Honor screen on a TV without Wi-Fi?
Yes, this is possible using a USB-C to HDMI adapter cable. Some Honor models also support Wi-Fi Direct without a router if the TV supports it, but the connection stability is lower.
Why is there sound but black picture when broadcasting a video?
This is HDCP copy protection. You are attempting to mirror your screen (Miracast) while playing protected content. Use the built-in "Cast" button within the app (YouTube, Netflix, Kinopoisk), not the "Wireless Projector" feature.
Does image output affect video quality?
When using Miracast, quality may be slightly reduced due to real-time video stream compression. When using Chromecast or DLNA, the original quality remains, as the TV downloads the stream from the internet.
Does the broadcast work if the phone screen is off?
When mirroring your screen (Miracast), no, the screen must be lit. When casting via Google Home or Cast within apps, yes. You can lock your phone or use it for other tasks, and the video will still play on your TV.