It's hard to imagine a modern home without the ability to stream photos, videos, or games from your phone to a big screen. Connecting a TV to a smartphone via Wi-Fi This problem is solved without unnecessary wires—all you need to do is set up the connection correctly. However, there are pitfalls here, ranging from protocol incompatibility to image lag issues. In this article, we'll explore these. all current wireless synchronization methods (including hidden Smart TV functions) and provide checklists for troubleshooting.
Modern televisions Samsung, LG, Sony Bravia and even budget models on Android TV support at least 2-3 wireless transmission protocols. And smartphones on Android 10+ And iOS 14+ They can automatically adapt to available standards. But what if the devices can't "see" each other? Or the image is lagging? Find the answers below.
1. Preparing devices: what to check before connecting
Before attempting to pair your phone with your TV, make sure both devices meet the minimum requirements. 90% of problems Connection problems arise due to overlooked details: outdated firmware, different Wi-Fi networks, or disabled features.
Start with software updatesOn your TV, check that the software is up to date in the menu. Settings → Support → Software UpdateUpdate your smartphone's operating system and apps. Google Home (For Android) or Apple TV (For iPhone). Televisions LG 2019-2020 model years require mandatory updating to webOS 5.0+ for stable operation of Miracast.
Next - network settings:
- 📶 One Wi-Fi network: The phone and TV must be connected to the same router. If you use a repeater, disable it as it may interfere.
- 🔒 Disable VPN: Virtual networks block local device discovery.
- 📵 Airplane mode: Make sure it is turned off on both devices.
- 🔄 Reboot: Restart your router, phone, and TV - this will reset the network connection cache.
For models Samsung QLED 2021+ And Sony X90J may require activation of the feature Remote control in the network settings. On iPhone check if it is turned on AirPlay and HomeKit V Settings → General → Screen Sharing.
⚠️ Attention: If your TV is connected to the Internet via cable (Ethernet) and your phone is connected via Wi-Fi, some protocols (for example, DLNA) may not work. In this case, temporarily connect the TV to the same wireless network.
2. Method 1: Miracast (Screen Mirroring) is a universal standard for Android
Miracast — is a screen mirroring technology built into most modern devices. It works offline, creating a direct connection between your phone and TV via Wi-Fi Direct. Its main advantage is minimal latency (up to 50 ms), which is critical for gaming.
To activate Miracast:
- On TV:
- Open
Settings → Connections → Screen Mirroring(on Samsung) - Or
Settings → Network → Miracast(on Android TV) - Select mode
Waiting for connectionorIncluded
- Open
- Open
Settings → Connections → Screen Sharing(on Samsung) - Or
Settings → Display → Wireless Display(on Xiaomi/Redmi) - Select the name of your TV from the list
If your TV doesn't appear in the list, try:
- 🔄 Restart Miracast on your TV (turn it off and on again)
- 📱 Turn on your phone
Developer modeand activateDebugging over Wi-Fi - 🔌 Connect your phone to a charger when the battery level is low Android may block mirroring
TV and phone on the same Wi-Fi network
Miracast is enabled on both devices.
VPN and power saving modes are disabled
The TV is not in sleep mode-->
⚠️ Attention: On iPhone Miracast is not supported - please use AirPlay (See Section 4). Televisions LG older than 2018 may require additional software LG Screen Share for Miracast.
| Device | Minimum OS version | Max. permission | Latency (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S20+ | Android 10 | 4K @30 Hz | 40-60 |
| Xiaomi 12 Pro | MIUI 13 | 1080p @60 Hz | 30-50 |
| Sony Bravia XR-55A80J | Android TV 11 | 4K @60Hz | 20-40 |
| LG OLED C1 | webOS 6.0 | 4K @30 Hz | 50-70 |
3. Method 2: DLNA - for transferring media files without mirroring
DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) allows you to stream to your TV media files only (photos, videos, music), but not the entire screen. This protocol is ideal for watching movies or listening to music without straining the phone's processor.
How to set up DLNA:
- On TV:
- Activate the function
DLNAorMedia serverin network settings - On Samsung this can be called
AllShare, on LG —SmartShare
- Activate the function
- Install the media server application: BubbleUPnP (Android), 8player (iOS)
- Or use the embedded player (for example, Galaxy Media on Samsung)
- Select the file and click "Play on..." → select your TV
DLNA supports the following formats:
- 🎬 Video:
MP4,MKV,AVI(with codecH.264) - 🎵 Audio:
MP3,FLAC,WAV - 📷 Photo:
JPEG,PNG,HEIF(on iPhone)
If the video is slow or won't play:
- 🔧 Check if your TV supports the file codec (e.g.
HEVCmay not work on older models) - 📶 Reduce video bitrate to 10 Mbps using apps like VLC
- 🔌 Connect your TV to your router with a cable – this will stabilize the stream
4. Method 3: Smart View (Samsung) and Screen Share (LG) are proprietary solutions
TV manufacturers develop their own wireless transmission protocols. These are often more stable than universal solutions, but they only work within a single ecosystem.
For Samsung:
- 📺 On TV:
Settings → General → External devices → Connection device → Smart View - 📱 On your phone: Swipe down →
Smart View→ select TV - 🎮 For games: Turn on
Game modein Smart View settings to reduce latency
For LG:
- 📺 On TV:
Settings → Network → Screen Share (Miracast) - 📱 On your phone: Install the app LG TV Plus → select
Screen Share - 🔊 For sound: Activate
LG Sound Sync, if you want to stream audio to your TV speakers
Branded solutions support additional functions:
- 🖱️ Control your TV from your phone as a remote control (on Samsung through SmartThings)
- 📁 Direct access to phone files from TV (on LG through LG Content Store)
- 🎤 Voice input from your phone (works on Samsung QLED 2022+)
⚠️ Caution: When using Smart View on Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra An artifact in the form of a green stripe may appear when broadcasting video in4K HDR. Solution: Lower the resolution to1080pin the transmission settings.
How to eliminate lag in games using Smart View
1. On your TV, turn on the "Game" mode (Settings → Picture → Picture Mode → Game).
2. On your phone, activate performance mode (Settings → Device Maintenance → Performance).
3. Connect your phone to a charger - this will prevent processor throttling.
4. Use a router with support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) to minimize latency.
5. Method 4: AirPlay (for iPhone and Mac) - Apple ecosystem
AirPlay — proprietary protocol from Apple, which allows you to broadcast your screen iPhone, iPad or Mac on compatible devices. It supports 4K HDR And Dolby Atmos, but only works with a limited list of TVs.
List of compatible TVs (as of 2026):
- 📺 Samsung: QLED 2019+ series, The Frame 2020+, MicroLED
- 📺 LG: OLED CX/C1/C2/G2, NanoCell 2020+
- 📺 Sony: Bravia X90J/X95J/A80J/A90J and later
- 📺 Vizio And TCL With Apple TV or built-in AirPlay 2 support
How to connect:
- Make sure the TV and iPhone on the same Wi-Fi network
- On TV: turn on AirPlay in
Settings → General → Apple AirPlay - On iPhone:
- Swipe down to open
Control center - Click
Transfer to screen→ select TV - For media files: open video/photo → press
AirPlay(rectangle icon with an arrow)
- Swipe down to open
If AirPlay isn't working:
- 🔄 Reboot your router - sometimes the DHCP server doesn't assign IP addresses correctly
- 🔒 Disable the firewall on your router (temporarily)
- 📱 Update iOS to the latest version (AirPlay 2 requires iOS 12.3+)
6. Method 5: Google Cast (Chromecast) - for Android and iOS
Google Cast (previously Chromecast) is a technology for streaming content from a phone to a TV. Unlike Miracast, it doesn't mirror the screen, but rather sends a link to the content, which the TV downloads automatically. This reduces the load on the phone and reduces latency.
How to use Google Cast:
- Make sure you have the app installed on your TV. Google TV or Chromecast built-in (found on Android TV, Philips, TCL)
- On the phone:
- Open a supported app (YouTube, Netflix, Google Photos)
- Click the icon
Cast(rectangle with Wi-Fi in the corner) - Select a TV from the list
- Open Google Home → Click on your TV →
Broadcast your screen
Advantages of Google Cast:
- 🎥 Support
4K HDRAndDolby VisionV Netflix/Disney+ - 🔊 Ability to stream audio to speakers Google Nest synchronously with video
- 📱 Low power consumption (the phone does not encode the video, but only sends the command)
Restrictions:
- 🚫 No support
DRM-protected content from some applications (for example, Amazon Prime Video) - 🎮 Latency up to 200ms – not suitable for gaming
- 📵 Requires a stable Wi-Fi connection (minimum 10 Mbps for
1080p)
7. Troubleshooting: What to do when nothing works
If none of the above worked, use this diagnostic guide:
Problem 1: The TV is not visible in the list of devices
- 🔌 Check if the TV is in discovery mode (
Settings → Network → Device Visibility) - 📡 Switch the router to a different channel
2.4 GHz- Some TVs do not support5 GHzfor Miracast - 🔄 Reset the network settings on your TV (
Settings → Network → Reset)
Problem 2: Video slows down or breaks
- 📶 Check your Wi-Fi speed with Speedtest - For
4Kat least 25 Mbps required - 🔌 Connect your TV to your router with a cable (if supported)
- 🎚️ Enable it in your router settings
QoSand set priority for TV
Problem 3: No sound during broadcast
- 🔊 Check that the sound on your TV isn't muted.
Settings → Sound → Output - 📱 On your phone, turn on the screen sharing option in the settings
Transmit audio - 🔄 Restart your broadcast—sometimes the audio stream freezes.
Problem 4: Black screen when connecting
- 🖥️ Turn it off on your phone
Dark theme- some TVs do not process it correctlyHDRin this mode - 🔧 Update the graphics driver on your phone (relevant for Samsung Exynos)
- 📺 Reset the picture settings on your TV (
Settings → Picture → Reset)
⚠️ Warning: On TVs Xiaomi Mi TV 4S (2018-2019) An error may occur when connecting via Miracast"Display format not supported"Solution: Manually set your phone's screen resolution to1280×720in the developer settings.
8. Comparison of methods: which one to choose for your needs
Each connection method has its pros and cons. The choice depends on your goals:
| Way | Delay | Max. permission | Audio support | Energy consumption | Better for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miracast | 30-70 ms | 4K @30 Hz | Yes | High | Games, presentations |
| DLNA | 100-300 ms | 4K @60Hz | Yes | Low | Movies, music |
| Smart View (Samsung) | 40-80 ms | 4K @60Hz | Yes | Average | Multimedia, TV control |
| AirPlay | 50-150 ms | 4K HDR | Yes (Dolby Atmos) | Average | Apple ecosystem, streaming |
| Google Cast | 100-200 ms | 4K HDR | Yes | Low | YouTube, Netflix, photos |
For games optimal Miracast or Smart View (if you have Samsung). For watching movies better DLNA or Google Cast - They put less load on the phone. For owners iPhone all that remains is AirPlay, but with support Dolby Vision.
If you need control your TV from your phone (like a remote control), use proprietary applications:
- Samsung SmartThings — for TV Samsung 2018+
- LG ThinQ - For LG With webOS
- Google TV - For Android TV And Chromecast
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connection
Is it possible to connect a phone to a TV without Wi-Fi?
Yes, there are three alternative ways:
- USB cable (adapter needed)
USB-C/HDMIorMHLfor older models) - Bluetooth — only for transmitting audio (for example, to TV speakers)
- HDMI adapter (For example, Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter For iPhone)
However, these methods require wires and do not support all the features of wireless protocols.
Why is there no sound when connecting via Miracast?
Reasons and solutions:
- 🔊 It's turned off on the TV
HDMI ARC— turn onSettings → Sound - 📱 The Miracast option is disabled in the phone settings
Transmit audio - 🔧 Codec conflict - try changing the audio format on your TV to
PCM - 🔄 Reconnect your devices—sometimes the audio stream freezes.
How to mirror iPhone screen to non-Smart TV?
If your TV does not support AirPlay, there are two options:
- Buy Apple TV (connects via HDMI and adds AirPlay support)
- Use HDMI adapter (For example, Lightning to HDMI) for direct connection
You can also try third party devices such as Roku Streaming Stick+ with AirPlay 2 support.
Can I play mobile games on my TV via Wi-Fi?
Yes, but with some reservations:
- 🎮 Miracast or Smart View - minimal delay (30-50 ms), but artifacts are possible
- 🕹️ For Cloud Gaming (For example, Xbox Cloud) it is better to use Google Cast - It's more stable when streaming
- 🔌 For competitive games (eg. PUBG Mobile) a wired connection via an HDMI adapter is recommended
On TVs Samsung Odyssey Ark (2022+) there is a special Game mode for Miracast with a delay of up to 10 ms.
How to stream audio from a phone to a TV without video?
Use Bluetooth or DLNA:
- 🔵 Bluetooth:
- On TV:
Settings → Sound → Bluetooth devices - On your phone: connect to your TV as a speaker
- On TV:
- Open a music app (eg. Spotify)
- Select TV as the playback device
For iPhone will also work AirPlay — swipe in Control center → Playback controls → select TV.