How to stream video from your phone to an LG TV via Wi-Fi: all the working methods

Stream video from your phone to a big TV screen LG through Wi-Fi — a convenient way to enjoy content without unnecessary wires. However, not all users know that there are several methods for this: from built-in functions Smart Share And Screen Share to universal protocols like Miracast or Google CastThe choice depends on the TV model, smartphone operating system, and even the firmware version.

In this article we will look at all current wireless broadcasting methods, including nuances for Android And iPhoneWe'll also provide recommendations for troubleshooting common issues—for example, when the TV doesn't detect the phone's network connection or the video is lagging. We'll pay special attention to settings. LG webOS, since this is the operating system used in most modern models of the brand.

If you have previously tried to connect but encountered errors like "Device not supported" or "No displays available", you'll find solutions here. And for those just starting to explore the possibilities Smart TVWe've prepared step-by-step instructions with images (interface descriptions) and helpful tips for optimizing your connection.

1. Preparation: What to check before connecting

Before setting up your stream, make sure your devices meet the minimum requirements. This will save you time and avoid frustration.

Firstly, LG TV must support wireless streamingAlmost all models on webOS (version 3.0 and later) are equipped with this feature, but it may be limited in budget series. Check for the following menu options:

  • 📺 Screen Share (in the section Settings → Networks → Screen Share)
  • 🔄 Smart Share (in the section Settings → All settings → General → Smart Share)
  • 📱 Miracast or Wi-Fi Direct (in the quick settings menu)

Secondly, the smartphone must support broadcast protocols:

  • 🤖 For Android (version 5.0+) — Miracast or Google Cast (depending on the model).
  • 🍎 For iPhone (iOS 12+) — AirPlay (but only on TVs LG with support AirPlay 2, for example, series OLED C1/C2 or NanoCell 2020+).
⚠️ Attention: If your TV LG released before 2018, some features (eg Google Cast) may be missing. In this case, use Miracast or third-party applications like ApowerMirror.

Finally, check your Wi-Fi network:

  • 🌐 TV and phone must be connected to the same network (router or access point).
  • 📶 The signal must be stable (recommended speed is 10 Mbps for Full HD).
  • 🔒 Disable the VPN on your phone—it may be blocking your local connection.

Once everything is ready, proceed to choosing a connection method. We'll cover each method in detail below.

📊 What LG TV do you have?
With webOS (2018 and later)
With NetCast (2012-2017)
Without Smart TV (set-top box required)
Don't know

2. Method 1: Screen Share (Miracast) - a universal method for Android

Screen Share (or Miracast) - is a built-in wireless screen sharing protocol that works on most TVs. LG With webOS and smartphones AndroidIts main advantage is No internet required, just a Wi-Fi Direct connection.

To turn on broadcasting:

  1. On TV LG open Settings → Networks → Screen Share and select "Turn on".
  2. On a smartphone Android open Settings → Connected devices → Screencasting (item name may differ: Smart View, Wireless Display or Miracast).
  3. Select your TV from the list of available devices. LGConfirm the connection on both devices.

If your TV does not appear in the list:

  • 🔄 Restart both devices.
  • 📵 Make sure your TV is turned on Wi-Fi Direct (in some models it needs to be activated separately).
  • 🛠️ Update your TV firmware (see section 6).
⚠️ Attention: When using Miracast There may be a delay in audio (up to 1-2 seconds). This is normal for the protocol, but critical for games. For videos and photos, the delay is unnoticeable.

Advantages of the method:

  • ✅ Works without a router (direct connection).
  • ✅ Supports full screen casting, not just video.
  • ✅ Low traffic consumption (data is transferred locally).

Flaws:

  • ❌ Not all applications support audio streaming (for example, Netflix may block output through Miracast).
  • ❌ Video quality is limited by the phone's screen resolution (for example, Full HD instead of 4K on a TV).

☑️ Check before connecting via Miracast

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3. Method 2: Smart Share – for media files (photos, videos, music)

Smart Share - this is a proprietary technology LG, which allows you to broadcast media files only (videos, photos, music) from your phone to your TV without duplicating the entire screen. Unlike Miracast, there will be no delay, but the functionality is limited.

Connection instructions:

  1. On TV LG go to Settings → All settings → General → Smart Share and turn on the function.
  2. Install the official app on your smartphone LG TV Plus (available for Android And iOS).
  3. In the app, select your TV from the list and confirm the connection.
  4. Open your phone's gallery or video player, select the file and press Send to or Share, then select LG TV Plus.

If the application does not detect the TV:

  • 🔌 Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • 🔄 Restart the app LG TV Plus and service Smart Share on TV.
  • 📱 On Android Give the app permission to access files and local network.

Compatible file formats for Smart Share:

File type Supported formats Max. permission
Video MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV 4K (3840×2160)
Photo JPEG, PNG, BMP 8K (for 2021+ models)
Music MP3, WAV, FLAC No restrictions
⚠️ Attention: When broadcasting video via Smart Share some DRM-protected files (for example, downloaded from Netflix or Disney+) may not be reproduced due to licensing restrictions.

Smart Share ideal for:

  • 🎬 Viewing home videos and photos.
  • 🎵 Play music through TV speakers.
  • 📂 Stream files without screen mirroring.

4. Method 3: Google Cast (Chromecast) - for streaming services

If you watch often YouTube, Netflix or Twitch, That Google Cast (aka Chromecast) is the most convenient option. It allows send videos directly from the app on the TV without duplicating the phone screen. The main condition is your LG TV must support Google Cast (usually these are 2019 and newer models).

How to use:

  1. Make sure your TV and phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Open a supported application (eg. YouTube) and find the video you want to stream.
  3. Click on the icon Broadcast (usually in the upper right corner) and select your TV LG from the list.

List of popular apps with support Google Cast:

  • 🎥 YouTube, Netflix, Disney+
  • 🎵 Spotify, Google Play Music
  • 📺 Twitch, HBO Max, Prime Video

If the broadcast icon does not appear:

  • 🔄 Restart the app and TV.
  • 📱 Update the app on your phone to the latest version.
  • 🌐 Check that the TV is connected to the Internet (as opposed to Miracast, Google Cast requires network access).

Advantages Google Cast:

  • ✅ No video lag (unlike Miracast).
  • ✅ Supports 4K HDR in streaming services.
  • ✅ You can continue to use your phone while the broadcast is in progress.
⚠️ Attention: Some applications (eg. TikTok or VK Video) do not support Google CastIn this case, use Screen Share.
How do I enable Google Cast on my LG TV if it's not in the menu?

On some models LG function Google Cast hidden. To activate it, go to Settings → All settings → General → Smart home → Google devices and turn on the option Chromecast built-inIf this item is not present, update your TV firmware.

5. Method 4: AirPlay for iPhone (new LG models only)

If you have iPhone or iPad, and the TV LG supports AirPlay 2 (series OLED CX/C1/C2, NanoCell 2020+ or QNED), then you can stream video directly from your device AppleThis method is similar Google Cast, but only works in the ecosystem Apple.

Instructions:

  1. Make sure the TV and iPhone connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Turn on the TV AirPlay: Settings → All settings → General → AirPlay.
  3. On iPhone open the video in an application (for example, in Photo or Safari) and click the icon Broadcast (rectangle with a triangle at the bottom).
  4. Select your TV LG from the list.

Peculiarities AirPlay on LG TV:

  • 🎥 Supports screen sharing (Screen Mirroring) and individual media files.
  • 🔊 Sound is transmitted without delay (ideal for music).
  • 🔒 Requires iOS 12.3 or newer.

If your TV does not appear in the list:

  • 🔄 Restart your router and TV.
  • 📵 Make sure your TV is turned on Wi-Fi And AirPlay.
  • 🛠️ Update your TV firmware (see section 6).
⚠️ Attention: On some models LG AirPlay may not work stably with video in this format HDR10+In this case, try disabling HDR in your TV settings.

AirPlay Best suited for:

  • 🍎 Users iPhone And Mac.
  • 🎵 Listening to music through Apple Music.
  • 📱 Screencasting with minimal latency.

6. Method 5: Third-party applications (if built-in methods don’t work)

If none of the above methods worked (for example, you have an older model LG without webOS or Miracast), you can use third-party applicationsThey work on the principle DLNA or create a virtual one Chromecast.

Top 3 verified apps:

Application Platform Peculiarities
ApowerMirror Android/iOS Screencasting with sound, game support
LocalCast Android DLNA support, local file streaming
AirScreen Android/iOS AirPlay/Chromecast/Miracast emulation

How to use ApowerMirror:

  1. Install the application on your phone and TV (if available) Google Play on LG TV).
  2. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
  3. Launch ApowerMirror on the TV and select the mode Reception.
  4. On your phone, in the app, tap Start Broadcasting and select TV.

Benefits of third-party applications:

  • ✅ Works on older models LG.
  • ✅ Supports game streaming (unlike Miracast).
  • ✅ You can adjust the stream quality.

Flaws:

  • ❌ A delay of up to 3-5 seconds is possible.
  • ❌ Some applications are paid (for example, ApowerMirror has limitations in the free version).
⚠️ Attention: When using third-party applications to stream video from DRM protection (for example, films from Netflix) a black screen may appear. This is a license limitation, not a program error.

If you choose a third-party application, please note:

  • 📌 User reviews (rating above 4.0).
  • 🔒 Traffic encryption (important for public networks).
  • 🎮 Gamepad support (if you plan to play).

7. Troubleshooting: Why Your Phone Won't Connect to Your LG TV

Even with proper setup, errors may occur. Let's take a look the most common problems and ways to eliminate them.

Problem 1: The TV does not appear in the list of available devices.

  • 🔌 Check that both devices are connected to one Wi-Fi network (not to the guest!).
  • 🔄 Restart your router - sometimes it blocks the local connection.
  • 📱 On Android turn on USB debugging (Settings → For developers) - this can help with problems with Miracast.

Problem 2: The video is slow or choppy.

  • 📶 Check your internet speed: Full HD requires at least 10 Mbps, 4K requires 25 Mbps.
  • 📵 Disconnect other devices from Wi-Fi (they may be loading the network).
  • 🔧 Enable the mode in your router settings 802.11ac (5 GHz) for a more stable connection.

Problem 3: There is no sound during broadcast.

  • 🔊 Check if the sound on your TV or phone is muted.
  • 🎧 If you use Miracast, try switching the audio output on your TV (Settings → Sound → HDMI/ARC Output).
  • 📱 In the broadcast settings on your phone, select Transmit sound.

Problem 4: Apps like Netflix are not broadcast.

  • 🔒 Check if the app supports Google Cast or AirPlay.
  • 📺 Update the application on your TV and phone.
  • 🌐 If you use a VPN, disable it—it may be blocking the stream.

Problem 5: The TV is writing "Not supported".

  • 🛠️ Update your TV firmware (instructions below).
  • 📱 Check your phone's compatibility with Miracast (some budget models do not support this protocol).
  • 🔧 Reset network settings on your TV: Settings → Networks → Network Reset.

If none of the methods helped, try alternative methods:

  • 📁 Connect the flash drive with the video to the TV.
  • 🖥️ Use it DLNA server on a PC (for example, Plex or Kodi).
  • 🔌 Buy an adapter HDMI-Wi-Fi (For example, Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV Stick).

8. How to update your LG TV firmware for stable operation

Many problems with video streaming over Wi-Fi are solved firmware updateThe manufacturer regularly releases patches that improve compatibility with new smartphones and fix bugs. Miracast/Google Cast.

Update instructions:

  1. On the remote control LG press the button "Settings" (gear).
  2. Go to Support → Software Update → Check for Updates.
  3. If an update is available, click "Install" and wait until it is completed (the TV will reboot automatically).

If the TV does not find updates via the Internet:

  • 📥 Download the latest firmware from official LG website (Please indicate the exact TV model!).
  • 📁 Save the file to your flash drive in the following format: FAT32.
  • 🔌 Connect the flash drive to the TV and select Settings → General → Software Update → Update from USB.
⚠️ Attention: Don't turn off your TV during the update! This may cause a system crash. If the update freezes, wait 10-15 minutes before forcing a reboot.

After update:

  • 🔄 Restart your TV.
  • 🔧 Reset network settings (Settings → Networks → Network Reset).
  • 📱 Reconnect your phone - the errors should disappear.

If the problem persists after updating, please check:

  • 📋 Compatibility of the TV model with the selected broadcast method (see documentation).
  • 🛠️ Firewall settings on your router (sometimes it blocks local connections).

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

📱 Is it possible to mirror an iPhone's screen to an old LG TV without AirPlay?

Yes, but this will require third-party application like ApowerMirror or AirScreen, or hardware adapter (For example, Google Chromecast or Apple TV). You can also use DLNA-applications, but they only support media files, not screen mirroring.

🎮 Why is there a lot of latency when streaming games via Miracast?

Lag when using Miracast This is due to the protocol's specifics—it's not optimized for gaming. For gaming, it's better to use:

  • 🎮 Steam Link (if you play on PC).
  • 📶 Moonlight (for streaming from a PC over a local network).
  • 🔌 Wired connection via HDMI adapter (for example, for iPhoneLightning to HDMI).
📺 How to stream YouTube videos if Google Cast isn't working?

If Google Cast not available or not stable, try:

  • 🌐 Open YouTube directly on the TV LG (there is a built-in application).
  • 📱 Use Smart Share (if the video is downloaded to your phone).
  • 🔗 Send a link to the video via LG TV Plus (if the model supports this function).

Also check if your router is blocking the protocol. Google Cast (sometimes this happens on social networks).

🔌 Is it possible to connect a phone to an LG TV without Wi-Fi?

Yes, there are two options:

  1. Wi-Fi Direct: most televisions LG support direct connection without a router. Turn on Screen Share on TV and Miracast on the phone.
  2. USB cable: some models LG (for example, series UK6300 and newer) support connection via USB Type-C/HDMI using an adapter. In this case, the phone will be