Modern Huawei smartphones boast powerful screens and performance that are often sufficient for comfortable viewing, but sometimes you want a more immersive experience. Casting images to a large TV screen transforms an ordinary evening into a home theater, allowing you to share photos with friends or show presentations to colleagues without the hassle of cables. Wireless connectivity has become standard, eliminating the need for HDMI cables and adapters.
In this article we will discuss in detail how to set up wireless projection screen using the built-in features of EMUI or HarmonyOS. You'll learn the intricacies of the Miracast and DLNA protocols and understand why some apps may block image output. Proper network configuration and the appropriate method will ensure a stable image without lag or artifacts.
Technical Basics of Wireless Video Transmission
Before you begin the practical setup, you need to understand the basic principles of the connection between your mobile device and TV. The main standard here is Miracast Miracast is a technology developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance that enables the transmission of uncompressed high-definition video and audio. Unlike internet streaming, Miracast creates a direct connection between devices or uses the router's local network, ensuring minimal latency.
It's important to note that both devices must support the appropriate coding standards for successful operation. Huawei smartphones use proprietary add-ons to the standard, such as Huawei Share, which speed up the search for compatible devices. However, the basic protocol remains universal, allowing connection not only to Huawei TVs, but also to panels from Samsung, LG, Sony, and other manufacturers.
⚠️ Note: The Miracast protocol is sensitive to interference in the 2.4 GHz band. If you experience choppy video, try switching your router to the 5 GHz band or moving your phone closer to the TV.
Broadcast quality directly depends on channel bandwidth and airtime congestion. Modern Huawei models, such as the P40, P50, Mate 40 and newer routers are equipped with WiFi 6 modules, which significantly improve stream stability. However, if your router is older, it may become a bottleneck, limiting the resolution of the streamed image.
Preparing the network and equipment for operation
The foundation of stable operation is a properly organized local network. The first and most important rule: both devices must be on the same subnet. This means the smartphone and Smart TV must be connected to the same router. If you have a guest network or client isolation configured on the router, the devices simply won't "see" each other.
Check your router settings. In some cases, especially in multi-apartment buildings with high WiFi network density, it may be advisable to manually set a static channel for the 2.4 GHz band to avoid frequency overlap with neighboring networks. For the 5 GHz band, it's best to leave it set to automatic, as modern routers can effectively bypass occupied frequencies.
It's also worth making sure that the signal reception function is enabled on your TV. It may have different names in the Smart TV menu: Screen Share, Smart View, Wireless Display or simply MiracastWithout activating this mode, the TV will not respond to search requests from your Huawei smartphone.
☑️ Checking connection readiness
Using the built-in "Screen Projection" feature
The fastest and most reliable way to display an image is to use the built-in feature of EMUI or HarmonyOS. It's deeply integrated into the system and optimized for the phone's graphics accelerator. You don't need to download any third-party software to launch it; simply unlock your smartphone's screen.
Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open Control PanelFind the icon labeled "Screen Projection" (or "Wireless Projection"). If the icon isn't visible, tap the pencil or edit button to add it from the list of hidden switches. Once activated, the phone will begin scanning for available devices within range.
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. After this, the entire image from your phone will be copied to the big screen. In this mode, the phone functions as a trackpad, and control is via the touchscreen.
It's important to understand the difference between simple mirroring and expanded mode. In mirroring mode, you can't use your phone for other tasks without interrupting the TV experience. However, some apps, such as video players, can automatically expand to full screen while you maintain control of your phone.
Broadcast via Huawei Share and TV+
For more advanced control, especially if you only need to stream specific files (photos, videos), it's more convenient to use specialized apps. Huawei Share allows you to transfer files directly, but streaming content to other brands' TVs often requires an app. AI Life or built-in media player.
Open your smartphone's gallery or video player. Select the desired video or photo album. Find the icon in the top or bottom corner of the interface. DLNA or "Broadcast" (rectangle with a triangle inside). Click it and select the target device from the list.
The advantage of this method is that it doesn't mirror the entire screen, but only transmits the media stream. This means you can minimize an app, answer a call, or launch another game, and playback on the TV won't be interrupted. In this case, the TV acts as an independent client, downloading data directly from the phone or the network.
If the standard player doesn't detect the TV, try installing the app AI Life from AppGallery. It automatically detects Huawei and Honor smart devices, as well as many third-party devices. The AI Life interface allows you to customize the image output more flexibly, choosing the resolution and frame rate.
Why is the YouTube app separate?
The YouTube app uses its own casting protocol, independent of Miracast. This allows the phone to act solely as a remote control while the TV downloads videos from the internet, saving battery life.
Third-party solutions for complex cases
There are situations when built-in tools don't work: the TV is old and doesn't have Smart TV, or protocols conflict. In such cases, third-party receiver apps come to the rescue. One of the most popular solutions is to pair an app on your phone with an app on your TV (or set-top box).
Let's consider a popular solution AirScreen or ApowerMirrorThey work by installing a server component on the TV (if it's an Android TV) or using a separate set-top box. In this case, the Huawei smartphone "thinks" it's connecting to a standard output device, but actually controls a software decoder.
For users seeking maximum gaming performance, there are paid solutions with low latency support. These often require installing drivers on the PC connected to the TV, turning the computer into a bridge. This is more complex to set up but provides the best results for fast-paced content.
⚠️ Please note: When using free third-party apps, be prepared for ads or watermarks on your screen. For permanent use, consider purchasing a licensed version or using the built-in features.
Comparison of connection methods and their characteristics
To help you choose the right method, we've organized the main approaches into a table. It'll help you quickly navigate the pros and cons of each option depending on your needs.
| Method | Latency | Image quality | Battery consumption | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miracast (Projection) | Low | High (up to 4K) | High | All Smart TVs |
| DLNA (Player) | Absent | Original file | Average | Media only |
| Google Cast | Average | Depends on the network | Short | Android TV/Chromecast |
| Cable (Type-C to HDMI) | Zero | Ideal | Charging is in progress | Huawei flagships |
As the table shows, DLNA or built-in projection remain the optimal choice for watching movies, as they provide the best picture. However, if gaming is your goal, latency becomes a critical factor, and a wired connection or Miracast, under ideal network conditions, wins.
It's also worth mentioning that some older TV models may not support the codecs used by the phone by default. In such cases, the picture may appear black and white or there may be no sound. The solution lies in changing the resolution settings in the phone's projection menu.
Solving typical problems and malfunctions
Even if you follow all the instructions, problems may still occur. Most often, users encounter a situation where the phone sees the network but not the TV. In 90% of cases, the problem lies in one of the devices being connected to a guest Wi-Fi network, which is isolated from the main network.
Another common issue is audio and video desync. This can be resolved by rebooting the router and clearing the cache for the "Screen Projection" service in your phone's settings. Go to Settings → Apps → Show system processes → Screen projection → Storage → Clear cache.
If the image is choppy or low resolution, check if there are heavy downloads running in the background on other devices on the network. WiFi has limited bandwidth, and torrents on your computer can completely choke the video stream.
Features of connecting old and specific models
Owners of non-Smart TVs can also enjoy content from Huawei, but this will require additional hardware. You'll need any Android set-top box or even a Raspberry Pi with Miracast software installed.
There are also special HDMI adapters (dongles) that plug into your TV's port and create a WiFi hotspot for your phone. This turns any HDMI-equipped TV into a smart screen. When choosing such an adapter, make sure it supports the Miracast standard, not just Google Cast.
For very old Huawei models that don't have a built-in projection function, the only option is to use a USB cable and MHL mode (if supported) or switch to cloud services, running content directly on the TV through a browser.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is there no sound on the TV when connected?
There may be no sound due to specific app settings. Some video services block audio output via Miracast due to DRM restrictions. Try increasing the volume on your phone or using a DLNA app instead of full screen projection.
Can I play games on TV with my Huawei phone?
Yes, you can, but input lag can range from 100 to 300 ms. This isn't critical for turn-based strategy or card games, but it's not suitable for shooters or racing games. For gaming, it's better to use a wired connection or streaming via cloud services.
Does broadcasting use up internet traffic?
When using Miracast (screen mirroring), your internet connection is not used, as data is transferred within the local network. However, if you stream online video (YouTube, Netflix), your phone (or TV, if using DLNA mode) will use up its bandwidth based on the video quality.
Why is the image on the TV not full screen?
This is due to the different aspect ratios of phone and TV screens. Modern phones have elongated screens (19:9 or 20:9), while TVs have a standard 16:9 aspect ratio. The black bars on the sides are normal, maintaining the image's proportions without distortion.