How to Stream Video from Your Phone to Your TV via Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide (2026)

Want to watch a movie or video from your phone on the big screen, but don't know how to do it wirelessly? Modern TVs and smartphones support several wireless technologies for streaming content, from standard DLNA to advanced Miracast or proprietary solutions like Samsung Smart View or Apple AirPlayThe main advantage of this approach is the lack of need for cables, adapters, or additional devices.

In this article, we will look at all the current methods of transferring video from Android And iPhone to TV via Wi-Fi, including nuances for different TV models (Samsung, LG, Sony, Xiaomi and others). You'll learn which method to choose depending on your equipment, how to troubleshoot common connection errors, and which settings to optimize for stable, lag-free streaming. And if your TV doesn't support modern protocols, we'll show you workarounds.

Before you begin, please check two key conditions: 1) The phone and TV are connected one Wi-Fi network (or the TV supports Wi-Fi Direct). 2) The TV is in signal reception mode (for example, Screen Mirroring or Miracast).

Method 1: Screen Mirroring (Miracast) - a universal method for Android

Miracast — is a wireless screen sharing standard that works on most modern TVs and smartphones. Android (starting with version 4.2). Unlike DLNAIt transmits not only video but also the entire phone screen in real time, including sound. This is convenient for watching movies in apps that don't have a built-in feature. Cast (for example, in local players or browsers).

To turn on Screen Mirroring:

• 📱 On your phone: open Settings → Connections → Screen Sharing (on Samsung) or Settings → Display → Wireless Display (on others Android).
• 🖥️ On the TV: activate the mode Screen Mirroring (on the menu Network → Miracast or Source → Screen Display).
• 🔍 Select the name of your TV from the list of available devices on your phone.

If your TV does not appear in the list, check:

• ⚙️ Is the TV firmware updated (especially relevant for models LG until 2019).
• 📶 Wi-Fi signal: Miracast requires a stable connection on the frequency 5 GHz (on 2.4 GHz lags are possible).
• 🔋 Power saving mode on your phone: Disable it to avoid connection drops.

Phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network | Miracast is enabled in TV settings | Power saving mode is disabled | TV firmware is updated -->

⚠️ Attention: On some TVs Sony (series Bravia 2018–2020) function Screen Mirroring can be called Wireless Display and require prior activation in the menu Settings → Network → Home Network.

2. Method: DLNA - for watching movies from the gallery or local files

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a protocol for transferring media files (video, photos, music) between devices on a local network. Unlike MiracastIt doesn't mirror your phone's screen, but only streams the selected file. This is convenient if you want to show a movie downloaded to your phone or photos from your gallery.

How to use DLNA:

1. Make sure your TV is turned on. DLNA server (on the menu Network → Home Network or Multimedia).
2. Install a player app with support on your phone. DLNA, For example:
   • 🎬 VLC (free, supports all formats)
   • 📺 BubbleUPnP (for advanced settings)
   • 📁 LocalCast (useful for local files)

In the application, select the file and click the button Cast (or Send to DLNA), then select your TV from the list.

If your TV is not visible in the list of devices:

• 🔄 Reboot the router and both devices.
• 🛠️ Check that it is enabled in your router settings UPnP (usually in the section Local area network).
• 📂 Make sure the file is in a supported format (e.g. MP4 with codec H.264).

3. Method: Branded applications (Smart View, AirPlay, Google Cast)

TV and smartphone manufacturers are developing their own wireless streaming solutions, which are often more stable than universal protocols. Let's look at the most popular ones:

📱 Samsung Smart View (for Samsung phones and TVs)

Application SmartThings (previously Smart View) allows you to broadcast your screen Samsung Galaxy on TVs Samsung (2016 and newer). The advantage is minimal latency and support. HDR.

• 📲 Install SmartThings from Google Play.
• 🔗 Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🖥️ In the app, select your TV and press Share your screen.

🍎 Apple AirPlay (for iPhone and compatible TVs)

If you have iPhone and a TV with support AirPlay 2 (Samsung 2018+, LG 2019+, Sony Bravia 2020+), you can stream videos without third-party apps:

• 📱 Open the video in an app (for example, Photo or Safari).
• 🔍 Click the button Share (↑) and select AirPlay.
• 🖥️ Select your TV from the list.

🌐 Google Cast (for Android and Chromecast-compatible TVs)

Many TVs (Philips, TCL, Xiaomi) support Google Cast - a technology similar to ChromecastFor broadcast:

• 📱 In the application (for example, YouTube or Google Photos) press the button Cast (📡).
• 🖥️ Select your TV from the list of devices.

⚠️ Attention: On TVs LG With webOS before version 4.0 (2018 and older) Google Cast may not work correctly. In this case, use DLNA or Miracast.

4. Method: Wi-Fi Direct - if there is no router

Wi-Fi Direct Allows you to connect your phone directly to your TV without the need for a router. This is useful if you don't have a home network or are in an area with poor coverage. The technology works on most TVs. Samsung, LG And Sony (2015 and newer).

How to set up Wi-Fi Direct:

1. On TV:
   • 🖥️ Go to Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct.
   • 🔄 Enable the function and remember the network name and password (if required).

On the phone:

• 📱 Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
• 🔍 Find the network with the name of your TV (for example, DIRECT-SamsungTV-123) and connect to it.
• 🔑 Enter your password if prompted.
• Start broadcasting via Miracast or DLNA (as described above).

Wi-Fi Direct creates a direct access point, so your phone won't have access to the internet while you're broadcasting. If you need to stream video and surf the web at the same time, use a standard connection through a router.

What should I do if Wi-Fi Direct doesn't find my TV?

1. Restart both devices.

2. Make sure that the TV is in the "Power" mode. Visibility for all devices (in Wi-Fi Direct settings).

3. Check if the firewall on your phone is blocking the connection (on Android 10+ it could be in Settings → Apps → Special Access → Wi-Fi Direct).

4. If your TV is older than 2015, it may not support Wi-Fi Direct - use an adapter Miracast or Chromecast.

5. Method: Streaming service apps (Netflix, YouTube, Kodi)

If you are watching a movie on one of the popular streaming services (Netflix, YouTube, Kinopoisk, IVI), the easiest way is to use the built-in function CastMost modern TVs have pre-installed apps for these services, and streaming occurs directly over the internet, without loading your phone.

How to stream via apps:

• 🎬 Open the app on your phone (for example, YouTube).
• 📡 Click the button Cast (usually in the upper right corner).
• 🖥️ Select your TV from the list.
• 🎥 Launch the video—it will play on your TV, and you can use your phone as a remote control.

If the buttons Cast No:

• 🔄 Update the app to the latest version.
• 🛠️ Check that your TV and phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 📋 Make sure that the app for this service is installed on your TV (if not, download it from LG Content Store, Samsung Apps or Google Play for Android TV).

⚠️ Attention: Some services (eg. Netflix) may block streaming to uncertified devices. If the video doesn't play, check if your TV supports it. Widevine DRM (usually this is indicated in the model specifications).

6. Troubleshooting: Why Wi-Fi streaming isn't working

If video isn't streaming or is constantly interrupted, the cause could be either device settings or the network itself. Here are the most common issues and their solutions:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
The TV does not appear in the list of devices	Disabled Miracast/DLNA on TV	Enable the feature in your TV's network settings.
The video is slow or choppy.	Weak Wi-Fi signal or network congestion	Switch the router to a frequency 5 GHz or connect via cable
No sound during broadcast	A different audio source (e.g. Bluetooth headphones) is selected on the phone.	Disconnect all Bluetooth devices and check the sound settings on your TV.
The application returns a connection error.	Outdated firmware for your TV or phone	Update the software of both devices to the latest version

If none of the methods work, try:

• 🔄 Reset network settings on TV (Settings → General → Reset → Network reset).
• 📡 Change Wi-Fi channel on the router (for example, from automatic to fixed 6 or 11).
• 🛠️ Disable VPN on the phone - some protocols (for example, DLNA) do not work through VPN.

7. Alternative methods: if Wi-Fi isn't suitable

If wireless streaming is not possible due to technical limitations, consider alternative methods:

• 📶 Mobile hotspot: Create a hotspot on your phone and connect your TV to it (if the TV supports it) Wi-Fi Direct).
• 🔌 HDMI adapter: Use an adapter USB-C/Lightning → HDMI for direct connection (for example, Apple Digital AV Adapter For iPhone).
• 💽 USB drive: Copy the movie to a flash drive and play it through USB port TV.
• 📡 Chromecast/Fire TV Stick: Connect the external streaming adapter to the HDMI port of your TV.

For owners iPhone and old TVs without AirPlay will do Apple TV (connects via HDMI and supports all functions AirPlay). For Android the analogue will be Google Chromecast or Xiaomi Mi TV Stick.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about streaming video to TV

🔹 Is it possible to stream video from a phone to a TV without Wi-Fi?

Yes, if your TV supports it. Wi-Fi Direct or MiracastThese technologies create a direct connection between devices. You can also use HDMI adapter or USB cable (for some models Samsung And Sony).

🔹 Why does video lag when streaming over Wi-Fi?

The reasons may be different:

• 📶 Weak Wi-Fi signal (switch to 5 GHz or move the router closer).
• 📱 Phone processor overload (close background apps).
• 🖥️ Outdated TV firmware (update software).
• 🎥 High video bitrate (try compressing the file or lowering the resolution).

🔹 How to mirror your iPhone screen to a TV without Apple TV?

If you have a TV that supports AirPlay 2 (Samsung 2018+, LG 2019+, Sony 2020+), you can use the built-in function:

1. Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Open Control center on iPhone (swipe down from the top right corner).
3. Click Screen mirroring and select your TV.

For older TVs you will need an external adapter, for example Roku Streaming Stick+ or Fire TV Stick 4K (they support AirPlay).

🔹 Which app is best for streaming local files from Android?

The choice depends on the file format and TV model:

• 🎬 VLC — a universal player with support DLNA and all codecs.
• 📺 LocalCast - convenient for local files and broadcasting to Chromecast.
• 📁 BubbleUPnP — the best choice for DLNA with advanced transcoding settings.
• 🌐 Kodi — if you need to organize a full-fledged media library with support for network folders.

🔹 Why doesn't the TV detect the phone in Screen Mirroring mode?

The problem may be as follows:

• ⚙️ It's turned off on the TV Miracast (enable in network settings).
• 📱 Power saving mode is enabled on your phone (disable it).
• 🔄 Outdated firmware (update software on both devices).
• 🛡️ A firewall or VPN is blocking the connection (disable them temporarily).

If nothing helps, try resetting the network settings on your TV (Settings → Support → Reset).