Modern users rarely watch content only on the small screen of a smartphone, preferring to transfer the image to a large one. TV For comfortable viewing. Equipment owners LG Users can take advantage of Smart TV's built-in capabilities to instantly stream video without the hassle of wires. Syncing devices wirelessly has become incredibly simple, but requires proper initial setup of both devices.
There are several proven methods that allow you to withdraw YouTube on the TV screen, and the specific method you choose depends on the operating system version and the model of your receiver. The most commonly used technology is Google Cast, built directly into the video service app, making the process intuitive. However, if the standard method doesn't work, you can always resort to alternatives, such as screen mirroring or using DLNA protocols.
For the successful implementation of the plan, it is critical that both devices are in a single information space. This means that your smartphone And Smart TV must be connected to the same network Wi-FiIf you're using mobile internet on your phone or your router is distributing a guest network with client isolation, you won't be able to establish a connection, so check your router settings beforehand.
Preparing equipment and checking the Wi-Fi network
The first step is to ensure a stable connection, as transmitting a high-quality video stream requires good bandwidth. Make sure your router supports the following standards: 802.11n or newer, and operates at 5 GHz to minimize latency. If the TV LG If the device is located far from the access point, the signal may be unstable, which will lead to constant buffering and reduced image resolution.
Check if the Smart TV function is enabled on the TV itself, as some older models WebOS or NetCast The Wi-Fi module may have been disabled in the power saving settings. Go to the menu Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Connection and make sure the connection status is active. It's also worth updating your TV's firmware, as older versions may not work correctly with new data transfer protocols from mobile devices.
It's important to note that dual-band routers can create two different networks with the same name but different frequencies. If your phone is connected to the network Home_5G, and the TV to Home_2.4G, they may not "see" each other despite having the same SSID. In this case, you'll need to either switch one of the devices or merge the networks in the router settings, although modern systems are usually able to route traffic between bands.
Using the built-in Cast feature in the YouTube app
The simplest and most popular way is to use the standard broadcast function, which is built directly into the mobile application interface. YouTubeThis method does not require the installation of additional software and is based on technology Google CastTo get started, open the video you want to watch and look for the distinctive rectangle with waves in the upper right corner of the player—this is the broadcast button.
After clicking the icon, the system will search for available devices on the local network. Your TV should appear in the list. LG with the corresponding model name. When connecting for the first time, a confirmation prompt may appear on the TV screen. Accept this prompt with the remote control. After this, the phone's image will switch to the big screen, and the smartphone will become the remote control.
☑️ Pre-broadcast check
Playback control is completely transferred to your phone: you can pause, rewind, or change the volume without leaving your couch. It's worth noting that after starting the broadcast, you can minimize the YouTube app or even turn off your smartphone's screen—the video will continue playing on your TV, as the stream is coming directly from Google's servers. Smart TV.
⚠️ Note: If the cast button does not appear or is grayed out, check if your phone is in Data Saver mode or has a VPN enabled, which can often block local device searches.
Screen Mirroring
If YouTube's built-in feature isn't working for some reason, or you want to show content from an app that doesn't support Cast, use screen mirroring. On TVs LG This function is called Screen Share or "Screen Casting" and is activated through the signal sources menu or the app drawer. On Android, this option is often hidden in the notification shade under the name "Cast," "Smart View," or "Wireless Monitor."
The operating principle here differs from simple Cast: the phone encodes the video stream in real time and sends it to the TV, which acts as an external monitor. This places a significant load on the smartphone's processor and battery, and can also lead to audio and video desynchronization if the signal is weak. Wi-FiHowever, this method is universal and allows you to display absolutely any content, including games or browsers.
Why might the video lag when mirroring the screen?
When using Screen Mirroring, the phone simultaneously decodes the video, encodes it for transmission, and sends it over Wi-Fi. This triple workload often exceeds the capabilities of budget smartphones or routers, especially at high resolutions.
For users iPhone to connect to LG TV technology support will be required AirPlay 2, which is available on 2019 and newer models, as well as on updated versions of webOS. Owners of older models will have to use third-party intermediary apps that emulate AirPlay reception or connect the device via an adapter.
To activate the mode on your LG TV, go to the menu and select the application. Screen ShareAfter that, search for displays on your phone and select your TV from the list. The image on the big screen may have different aspect ratios than the one on the phone, so you may need to change the aspect ratio in your TV settings. 16:9 or "Original".
Comparison of connection methods and their features
The choice between live streaming via an app or screen mirroring depends on your goals and the technical capabilities of your equipment. Direct Casting saves battery life and provides more stable picture quality, as the TV downloads the stream automatically. Screen mirroring provides complete control over what your audience sees, but requires the smartphone screen to be constantly active.
The table below provides a detailed comparison of the characteristics of both methods to help you choose the best option for your situation. Please note the resource and compatibility requirements.
| Characteristic | Google Cast (YouTube) | Screen Mirroring |
|---|---|---|
| Image quality | Up to 4K HDR (TV dependent) | Depends on the phone's power |
| Phone battery consumption | Minimum | High |
| Multitasking capability | Yes (you can use the phone) | No (phone screen is busy) |
| Connection stability | High | Average (depending on Wi-Fi) |
The protocol is also worth mentioning DLNA, which allows you to stream media files already downloaded to your phone's memory to your TV. To do this, select a video in the YouTube app, tap the three dots, and find the "Cast" option (if available via a DLNA server on your phone), or use file managers that support casting. This method is advantageous because it doesn't require a constant internet connection after buffering, but it's less convenient for streaming content.
Troubleshooting connection and buffering issues
A common issue is when the TV simply doesn't appear in the list of available devices. First, reboot your router, as network services may be frozen. Restarting the YouTube app on your phone and completely turning off the TV (by unplugging it for 10 seconds) to clear the network service cache also helps. WebOS.
If a video constantly pauses to load, this indicates a low data transfer rate. Try lowering the video quality in the YouTube player settings from 4K or 1080p to 720p. Also, make sure no other devices on the network are hogging the bandwidth by downloading large files or playing online games.
⚠️ Caution: Antivirus programs or firewalls on your computer, if it's sharing Wi-Fi, may block device discovery protocols (UPnP/DLNA). Try temporarily disabling network protection to check.
In some cases, clearing the YouTube app cache on your smartphone can help. Go to Settings → Apps → YouTube → Storage → Clear CacheThis will remove temporary files that may have become corrupted and cause conflicts when searching for devices. If the problem persists, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why doesn't my LG TV detect my phone when Wi-Fi is on?
Most likely, the devices are connected to different networks (for example, one to a guest network and the other to the main network) or client isolation is enabled on the router. Also, check if your antivirus software is blocking the local connection.
Is it possible to watch YouTube on TV without the Internet, only via Wi-Fi?
Yes, if you use Screen Mirroring, your TV doesn't need internet access; it will stream the image from your phone. However, your phone must have access to the video (either pre-downloaded or via mobile data if your router doesn't provide internet access).
How do I remove ads when streaming from my phone to an LG TV?
Ads are broadcast alongside the video stream. Officially, they can only be removed with a YouTube Premium subscription. Modified third-party apps can block ads, but using them violates the service's terms.
Do all LG TVs support casting?
Almost all modern Smart TV models (WebOS 3.0 and above) support this feature. Older NetCast models may require a software update or may not support new Google Cast protocols.