Modern Smart TV LG has transformed traditional TV viewing into a multimedia entertainment center, but there's often a need to display content directly from your smartphone on the big screen. This is especially true when you want to share photos with friends, play videos from your browser, or simply prefer watching a movie while lying on the couch rather than holding your phone. Fortunately, the LG webOS ecosystem makes this easy and quick, using only your home network. Wi-Fi.
There are several proven methods for accomplishing this, each with its own advantages and operating system specifics. You can use built-in Miracast features for full screen mirroring, DLNA technology for video streaming, or specialized apps like LG ThinQ. Understanding the differences between these protocols will help you choose the best option for your situation.
In this article, we'll detail all available connection methods, walk you through the step-by-step setup process for Android and iOS devices, and discuss potential connection issues and solutions. Regardless of your LG TV model—2018, 2020, or newer—you'll find a working solution for wireless data transfer here.
Preparing equipment and a Wi-Fi network
Before setting up the stream, you need to make sure your equipment is ready. A fundamental requirement for a successful connection is that both devices—the smartphone and the TV—are on the same local network. This means they 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 the same frequency, although modern routers often have the ability to combine them into a single network. Also, check that Smart Share or Screen Share is enabled on your TV, which may be disabled by default for privacy reasons.
⚠️ Important: If your router has a "Guest Network" feature, do not connect devices to it for streaming. Guest networks often have client isolation, which prevents devices from seeing each other on the local network.
For stable transmission of high-quality video streaming, especially in 4K resolution, it is recommended to use the Wi-Fi standard 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or newer. Older standards may not be able to handle high bitrates, resulting in delays or audio desync.
- 📱 Make sure that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on on your smartphone (for the initial search).
- 📺 Check your TV's firmware version in the menu
Settings → All settings → Support → Software update. - 📶 Make sure the Wi-Fi signal is stable in the area where both devices are located.
Using Screen Share (Miracast)
The most versatile way to stream content from a smartphone to an LG TV is Miracast, a technology LG developed under the name Screen Share. This method allows you to mirror your mobile device's screen to your TV in real time, making it ideal for showing presentations, playing games, or viewing content from apps that don't have built-in Chromecast support.
On the TV side, the setup process is minimal. You'll need to find the "Screen Share" app in the list of installed programs or go to the signal sources menu. On some LG models, simply press the button. Input or Smart on the remote control and select the appropriate item in the top menu.
After activating standby mode on your TV, proceed to setting up your smartphone. Android device owners need to open the notification shade and find the "Cast," "Smart View" (Samsung), "Projection," or "Wireless Monitor" function. The name may vary depending on the device manufacturer.
Your smartphone will begin searching for available devices. Once your LG TV appears in the list, tap it. A connection confirmation prompt may appear on the TV screen, which you'll need to accept using the remote. Afterward, the phone's image will be fully displayed on the big screen.
⚠️ Note: When using Screen Share, your smartphone's screen must be on. If your phone goes to sleep or you lock it, the broadcast will be interrupted, as the video stream is generated in real time.
Broadcast via LG ThinQ app
LG has developed its own app LG ThinQ, which turns your smartphone into a universal remote control and media controller. This solution is especially convenient if you want to control playback without interrupting other phone activities, or if the built-in system functions aren't working correctly.
To get started, download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. After installation, launch the app and sign in to your LG account (or create a new one). The app will automatically scan the network and find compatible devices.
In the app's main menu, select your TV. In the control interface that opens, find the "Screen Casting" button or the smartphone icon. This method is often more stable than standard Miracast, as it uses LG's optimized communication protocols.
- 📲 Download the official LG ThinQ app.
- 🔗 Register your TV in the app by scanning the QR code on the TV screen.
- ▶️ Use the "Media" function to select files from your phone's memory.
A unique feature of the LG ThinQ is the ability to create smart home scenes, but for watching movies, we're primarily interested in the multimedia section. You can select photos and videos from your phone's gallery and send them to the TV with a single tap.
Streaming for iPhone users (AirPlay 2)
Owners of Apple technology are the luckiest, as modern LG TVs support the technology AirPlay 2 Natively. This means you don't need to install any additional apps to stream videos, photos, or music from your iPhone or iPad. Everything works out of the box thanks to the integration of Apple protocols into webOS.
Make sure your LG TV is a 2019 model or newer, or that a software update has been released for older supported models. To activate this feature, go to the TV settings menu and select Connection and find the item Apple AirPlayMake sure the switch is in the "On" position.
On your iPhone, open Control Center (swipe down from the upper-right corner on newer models or swipe up on older models). Tap the Screen Mirroring icon (two rectangles). Select your LG TV from the list.
⚠️ Note: When you first connect your iPhone to your LG TV, a 4-digit code may appear on the TV screen. Enter this code on your smartphone to verify that the device is trusted.
Once paired, your phone's screen will appear on your TV. If you're watching a video on YouTube or Netflix, it's best to use the "Cast" button (the square with waves) within the video player itself rather than mirroring the entire screen. This allows your phone to act as a remote, and the TV will buffer the video directly, saving battery life.
What to do if AirPlay isn't working?
Make sure AP Isolation is disabled on your router. Also, check that the date and time on your TV and iPhone are automatically synced, as time misalignment can block the connection.
Using DLNA and media players (VLC, BubbleUPnP)
If you need to play a video file downloaded to your phone's memory (for example, a movie in MKV format), the most efficient way would be to use the protocol DLNAUnlike screen mirroring, DLNA only transmits a data stream, freeing up the phone's processor and providing better picture quality.
To implement this method, you will need a third-party media player. One of the best solutions is the app VLC for Android/iOS or a specialized DLNA controller, such as BubbleUPnP. These apps can find renderers (your TV) on the network and send them content.
Launch VLC on your smartphone and go to the "Network" or "Local Area Network" tab. The app will detect your LG TV. Select the file you want to play and, in the playback menu, click "Exit" or "Cast" after selecting your LG device. The TV will automatically open its media player and begin playback.
| Method | Quality | Impact on battery | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Share | Depends on Wi-Fi | High | Games, presentations |
| AirPlay 2 | High (up to 4K) | Average | iOS users |
| DLNA (VLC) | Original file | Low | Movies from Memory |
| LG ThinQ | Good | Average | Photos and videos |
The advantage of DLNA is that you can use your phone for other tasks or even lock it, and playback will continue on your TV. This is critical when watching long movies, so as not to drain your smartphone's battery after an hour of watching.
Troubleshooting connection issues and errors
Despite the simplicity of the technology, users often encounter situations where the phone can't detect the TV or the connection constantly drops. The most common cause is the use of different Wi-Fi frequencies or guest networks, as discussed earlier, but there are other nuances.
If devices are on the same network but can't see each other, try rebooting the router. Sometimes network ARP tables become full or frozen, and a simple reboot of the network equipment resolves the visibility issue.
☑️ Connection diagnostics
It's also worth checking your smartphone's antivirus or firewall settings, if installed. Aggressive security settings can block incoming and outgoing connections for local devices, considering them a potential threat.
If the video is lagging or choppy, try lowering the stream quality in the source app settings or moving closer to the router. Interference from microwave ovens or neighboring routers can also affect channel stability.
If nothing helps, reset your TV's network settings to factory defaults. To do this, go to Settings → All settings → Support → Reset Smart TV settingsThis will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords and app settings, but often resolves software conflicts.
Comparison of wired and wireless connections
Although this article focuses on Wi-Fi, it's important to mention the alternative. Wireless connections are convenient, but they're always susceptible to external factors. If you need maximum reliability, for example, for watching 3D movies or high-bitrate videos (100 Mbps and above), Wi-Fi may not be enough.
In such cases, the use of an adapter USB-C to HDMI or Lightning to Digital AV Adapter This will ensure uncompressed and latency-free signal transmission. However, this reduces your mobility and requires a free HDMI port.
For most home use cases, the modern Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 standard provides sufficient throughput. The key is to ensure the channel isn't overloaded by other devices actively consuming data.
Is it possible to stream video via mobile internet?
Technically, it's possible, but only if you use a Wi-Fi hotspot on your phone and connect your TV to it. However, this will quickly drain your mobile data and battery. Direct streaming from a 4G/5G mobile network to a TV is impossible without creating a local hotspot, as both devices must be on the same network.
Why is there no sound when screencasting?
This is often due to DRM restrictions in some apps (such as Netflix or online movie theaters), which block audio or video output when mirroring. In such cases, use the built-in "Cast" button within the app rather than the system's screen mirroring feature.
How to improve Wi-Fi speed for streaming?
Place the router in the center of your apartment, elevate it, and make sure it's not obscured by metal objects. Use the 5 GHz band, as it's less crowded and provides higher data transfer rates than 2.4 GHz.
Do older LG TVs support these features?
Models prior to 2018 may not have built-in AirPlay 2, but Screen Share (Miracast) is usually present even on older Smart TVs. They also support DLNA players like BubbleUPnP.
Does broadcasting affect picture quality?
When using Screen Share, the image may be compressed to ensure smooth playback. When using DLNA and AirPlay 2, the original stream is transmitted without loss of quality, network speed permitting.