Modern televisions have long since ceased to be mere devices for receiving broadcast signals, becoming powerful multimedia centers capable of playing content from any source. One of the most sought-after features today is the ability to stream audio files or music directly from a smartphone to a home audio system built into the TV. This allows you to enjoy your favorite tracks in high quality without the need for unnecessary wires, using your phone as a convenient remote control.
The basis for this data transfer is a local wireless network, which connects devices into a single ecosystem. Unlike Bluetooth, which often compresses audio codecs and has a limited range, Wi-Fi connection Provides more stable high-resolution audio transmission. The user can choose from several transmission protocols, each with its own configuration features and compatibility with various operating systems.
In this article, we'll cover all available device synchronization methods in detail, from built-in Smart TV features to third-party apps. You'll learn how to set up a DLNA server, use screen mirroring, and stream via popular streaming services. It's important to understand that the success of this operation depends not only on the phone model but also on the capabilities of the TV itself.
Preparing equipment and setting up the network
Before pairing your devices, you need to ensure that all devices are connected to the same network. A fundamental requirement for any wireless media streaming is that both devices—the smartphone and the TV—are connected to the same Wi-Fi access point. If your router supports dual-band, it's best to have both devices operate on the same frequency, such as 5 GHz, to ensure maximum throughput.
Make sure your TV's software is up to date, as manufacturers regularly release updates that improve the stability of network protocols. Go to your TV's settings menu and find the section Support → Software Update and run a check. Outdated firmware may block modern media streaming standards, such as AirPlay 2 or newer versions of DLNA.
It's also worth paying attention to your smartphone's power-saving settings. Some operating systems aggressively disable Wi-Fi or limit background app activity to conserve battery life, which can interrupt music playback. It's recommended to temporarily disable strict power-saving modes before beginning setup.
☑️ Checking connection readiness
Using DLNA technology to transmit audio
One of the most universal and time-tested methods of broadcasting music is the protocol DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance). This technology enables the creation of a local network in which devices exchange multimedia content without loss of quality. In this setup, the TV acts as a renderer (playback device), and the phone acts as a controller or server storing media files.
Implementing this method on Android smartphones usually doesn't require installing additional software if the system already has a built-in media player with casting support. However, for advanced functionality, including support for various audio codecs and playlist creation, it's better to use specialized controller apps. The iOS App Store also offers a wide selection of such utilities, as native DLNA support on the iPhone is limited.
The process for starting a stream typically looks like this: open the player app on your phone, select the desired track, and press the output device selection button (often marked with a rectangle with waves). Your TV should appear in the list of available devices. Once selected, the connection is established automatically, and the phone begins streaming directly to the TV.
⚠️ Please note: The DLNA protocol does not support phone volume control on some TV models. You may need to use your TV remote to adjust the volume.
A key advantage of DLNA is its ability to manage playback queues. You can add dozens of songs to the list, and the TV will play them sequentially, even if you minimize the app on your phone or use it for other tasks. This makes the technology ideal for creating a background musical atmosphere during parties or work.
Mirror your screen and audio using Miracast and Wi-Fi Direct
If your goal is to stream not only music but also video clips with an app or game interface where the audio is part of the video stream, screen mirroring technology is the optimal solution. In Windows and Android, it's known as Miracast, and in Apple products it's called AirPlay. Unlike DLNA, it transmits not just a file, but a real-time video signal, allowing you to display what's happening on your smartphone's display on a larger screen.
Wi-Fi Direct technology allows you to establish a direct connection between your phone and TV without a router. This is especially useful if your router is underutilized or is located far away. However, keep in mind that when Wi-Fi Direct is enabled, your phone may temporarily lose internet access as its Wi-Fi module switches to a direct connection with the TV.
To start mirroring on Android, you need to open the notification shade and find the button Broadcast, Smart View or ProjectAt this time, you may need to open the appropriate application on your TV, for example, Screen Share on LG or Smart View On a Samsung. Once paired, the phone's screen is cloned onto the TV, and any audio player launched will play through the TV speakers.
| Characteristic | Miracast / Wi-Fi Direct | DLNA | AirPlay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission type | Screen mirroring (video + audio) | File streaming | Streaming (Apple ecosystem) |
| Router dependency | Not required (Wi-Fi Direct) | Necessarily | Preferably (one network) |
| Phone battery consumption | High | Average | Average |
| Sound quality | Depends on the video compression codec | Original (lossless) | High (Lossless) |
Screen mirroring has one significant drawback: increased smartphone power consumption. Since the processor and graphics chip are actively encoding the video stream, the battery drains significantly faster than with standard DLNA streaming. Therefore, this method may not be the most effective for listening to music for several hours.
Why might there be a delay in sound when screen sharing?
Latency occurs due to the time it takes to encode the video signal on the phone, transmit it over the network, and decode it on the TV. While this is rarely a problem for music, when watching videos, lip synching and audio may become out of sync.
Syncing iPhone and Apple TV via AirPlay
Apple owners are in a better position thanks to proprietary technology AirPlayThis protocol enables seamless integration between iPhones, iPads, and TVs with built-in AirPlay 2 support or Apple TV. Audio quality is traditionally higher than that of competitors, and advanced codecs and multi-room audio are supported.
To turn on music, just open the application Music, Spotify or any other player that supports AirPlay. In the player's interface, tap the cast icon (a triangle in a circle) and select your TV from the list. The system will automatically detect the device on the network and offer to connect. Notably, AirPlay allows you to use your phone as a fully functional remote control, complete with album art and lyrics.
One of the key features of AirPlay 2 is the ability to create a stereo pair or multi-room system. If you have multiple HomePod speakers or TVs that support the standard, you can distribute music to different rooms or combine them for synchronized sound. Setup is done through the app. House in the section Audio.
⚠️ Important: Make sure Bluetooth is turned on on your iPhone and TV, as Apple devices use it for the initial handshake and discovery, even if the data transfer is over Wi-Fi.
If you use third-party services like YouTube or Netflix, the cast button may be located directly in the video player interface. In this case, the phone acts only as a remote control, and the TV downloads the stream directly from the internet, saving battery life and reducing network load.
Assistant apps and streaming services
Modern streaming platforms like Spotify, Yandex Music, Apple Music And YouTube Music have built-in mechanisms for connecting to external devices. They often use their own protocols on top of standard DLNA or AirPlay, providing more stable operation and a user-friendly interface. For example, the function Spotify Connect Allows you to switch playback between devices with one touch.
For Android TVs or those with the YouTube app installed, the process is extremely simple: open the app on the TV, sign in to your account, then tap the Cast button in the YouTube app on your phone and select the TV. Music starts playing on the TV, and you can use your phone to browse tracks without interrupting playback.
There are also universal controller apps such as BubbleUPnP (for Android) or MCPlayerThey can "see" virtually any DLNA-compatible TV and stream files from cloud storage or local storage. This is a great option for those who store their high-resolution music collection (FLAC, DSD) on their phone or network drive.
Keep in mind that your TV must have internet access for streaming services to work. If you're streaming local files via DLNA, internet access is not required on the TV; a local network is sufficient. This is an important distinction to consider when setting up your home network.
Troubleshooting and troubleshooting
Despite the apparent simplicity, users often encounter situations where the phone "cannot see" the TV or the connection constantly drops. The most common cause is network separation. Check whether your network is split into guest and primary, and ensure both devices are connected to the primary SSID. Some routers isolate clients from each other by default in guest mode.
If devices are on the same network but can't find each other, try rebooting your router. This simple action often resolves issues with frozen ARP and DHCP network tables. It's also worth checking your router's firewall settings—sometimes they block ports required for DLNA (usually port 1900 UDP) or AirPlay.
If you experience audio issues (stuttering, interruptions), try lowering the stream quality in the app settings or switching to a different Wi-Fi frequency. If your network is congested with neighboring 2.4 GHz networks, switching to 5 GHz can dramatically improve the situation. Also, make sure there are no thick concrete walls or metal structures between the router and your devices.
Why isn't my TV showing up in the list of available devices?
This could be caused by several reasons: outdated TV software, client isolation enabled on the router, using different Wi-Fi networks (for example, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz with different names), or being blocked by an antivirus on the PC if a media server is used.
Is it possible to transmit audio in high definition (Hi-Res)?
Yes, DLNA and AirPlay 2 protocols support lossless audio transmission. However, make sure your TV or connected audio system (soundbar, receiver) also supports decoding of FLAC, ALAC, or WAV formats.
Does an incoming call on your phone affect the music on your TV?
When using DLNA, a call may interrupt or pause the stream, depending on the player's implementation. When using Miracast, the call audio will also play through the TV. AirPlay typically pauses music and plays the call through the phone, unless configured otherwise.
How to reduce audio lag when watching videos?
To minimize lag (lip sync), use a wired connection or ensure both the TV and router support the 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard or later. Your TV's settings often include a "Game Mode" option or audio lag correction that can be adjusted manually.