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

Watching movies on a big TV screen is always more comfortable than on a smartphone – but how do you transfer the image without unnecessary wires? Wireless video transmission Wi-Fi solves this problem in a matter of seconds, but only if you know the nuances of each method. In this article, we'll look at all the current methods of broadcasting from Android And iPhone on modern televisions Samsung, LG, Sony and others - from built-in functions to third-party applications.

The main problem with this connection is audio delay (lag) up to 2 seconds, which spoils the viewing experience. We tested each method for response speed, connection stability, and supported video formats (including 4K HDR And Dolby Vision). At the end of the article, there's a comparison table of all the methods based on key parameters, so you can choose the best option for your equipment.

Before you begin, check two critical conditions: 1) The phone and TV are connected one Wi-Fi network (or the phone distributes the access point to which the TV is connected). 2) The TV is in signal reception mode (for example, Screen Mirroring or Wi-Fi Direct).

1. Screen Mirroring (Miracast) is a universal standard for Android

Miracast - is a wireless screen sharing technology built into most modern TVs and smartphones Android 4.2+It doesn't require internet access, but works via a direct connection. Wi-Fi Direct, which minimizes lag. Ideal for watching high-definition movies, but has a limitation: Not all applications support the transfer of protected content. (For example, Netflix or Disney+ may block the output).

To activate Screen Mirroring:

• 📱 On your phone: open Settings → Connections → Screen Sharing (on Samsung) or Settings → Display → Wireless Display (on other Androids).
• 📺 On the TV: turn on the mode Screen Mirroring (on the menu Network → Miracast or Connections → Screen Mirroring).
• 🔍 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 it enabled? Wi-Fi Direct on TV (sometimes it is hidden in the section Network → Advanced).
• 🔄 Reboot your router - sometimes double NAT or multicast traffic filtering can interfere.
• 📱 Update the firmware of your phone and TV (especially relevant for models LG 2019-2020).

Phone and TV are on the same network | Wi-Fi Direct is enabled on both devices | VPN and power saving are disabled on the phone | TV is visible in the list of available devices -->

⚠️ Attention: On TVs Sony Bravia Miracast may not work reliably with phones from 2021-2023 Xiaomi due to a conflict between encryption protocols. In this case, use alternative methods (see Section 3).

2. AirPlay is the best choice for iPhone and Apple TV owners

If you have iPhone or iPad, and the TV supports AirPlay (or connected Apple TV), this method will provide the highest quality broadcast with minimal latency. Unlike Miracast, AirPlay optimized for video streaming and supports Dolby Atmos, HDR10, as well as protected content from Apple TV+, Netflix and other services.

Broadcast instructions:

1. Make sure that iPhone and TV (or Apple TV) are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Open Control center on iPhone (swipe down from the upper right corner).
3. Click Screen mirroring (or Screen Mirroring) and select your TV from the list.
4. Launch the video in any app and it will automatically start streaming on TV.

For TVs Samsung (models 2018 and newer), LG (With webOS 4.0+) And Sony (series X90J/X95J) AirPlay is supported natively. Other brands may require Apple TV 4K or third-party adapters (eg Roku Streaming Stick+).

3. DLNA/UPnP – stream media files without screen mirroring

DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is a protocol for transferring media files between devices on a local network. Unlike Miracast or AirPlayIt doesn't mirror the entire phone screen, but only displays a selected movie, music, or photo. Key advantages:

• 🎬 Supports almost all video formats (.mkv, .mp4, .avi).
• 📶 Works even on old TVs (2012-2016).
• 🔋 Minimal load on the phone battery.

How to set up DLNA:

1. Install a media server application on your phone, for example:
   • 🤖 BubbleUPnP (Android) is the best choice for advanced users.
   • 🍎 Infuse (iOS) - Supports movie metadata and covers.

Open the app and allow access to files.

On your TV, launch the built-in media player (for example, SmartShare on LG or Media Player on Samsung).

Select your phone from the list of DLNA devices and launch the desired file.

⚠️ Attention: Some televisions (eg. Philips 2017-2019) do not support DTS- DLNA audio. In this case, the sound will be played without it or there will be no sound at all. Solution: convert the audio track to AC3 or AAC before watching.

4. Smart View (Samsung) and SmartShare (LG) - proprietary solutions

TV manufacturers often offer their own wireless streaming technologies. These are optimized for specific models and often perform more reliably than universal protocols.

For Samsung TVs (2016 and newer):

• 📱 Install the application SmartThings (available for Android And iOS).
• 🔗 Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 🎥 In the app, select your TV → Add content → Broadcast your screen.

For LG TVs (with webOS 3.0+):

• 📱 Use the app LG TV Plus.
• 📺 Turn on the TV SmartShare on the menu Network → Miracast/DLNA.
• 🔄 In the app, click Screen Share and select the file to broadcast.

5. Third-party applications: LocalCast, AllCast, ApowerMirror

If the built-in functions do not work or you need additional capabilities (for example, broadcasting from YouTube Without further ado, third-party apps can help. We tested three of the most reliable:

1. LocalCast (Android/iOS)

• 🎯 Supports Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV and DLNA.
• 📁 Can stream files from cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox).
• ⚙️ There are bitrate settings for stable broadcasting.

2. ApowerMirror (Android/iOS)

• 🖥️ Full screen mirroring (like Miracast, but with greater stability).
• 🎮 Supports game streaming with minimal lag.
• 💰 The free version is limited to 3 minutes per session.

3. AllCast (Android)

• 📺 Works with Chromecast, Xbox, PS4/PS5 and DLNA.
• 🔒 Supports protected content (but not all services).
• 📥 Can download videos directly to the app for offline viewing.

How to bypass Netflix DRM when streaming?

Some applications (eg. Netflix or Amazon Prime Video) block output to external screens via Miracast/DLNA. Solutions:

1. Use AirPlay (if TV supports it) - it is certified for DRM.

2. Connect your phone via HDMI via an adapter (for example, USB-C to HDMI).

3. Launch the video on your TV directly through its built-in apps (if any).

6. Problems and solutions: why the broadcast doesn't work

Even with proper setup, errors can still occur. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

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

• 🔌 Check that the router is turned on Multicast (in settings LAN → IGMP Snooping).
• 📡 Switch Wi-Fi on your phone from 5 GHz on 2.4 GHz (some TVs do not support 5 GHz for Miracast).
• 🔄 Reboot your router and turn it off AP Isolation.

Problem 2: The video lags or slows down.

• 📶 Check your Wi-Fi speed: for 4K no less is needed 25 Mbps, For Full HD — 10 Mbps.
• 🔌 Connect your TV to your router via cable (if supported).
• 📱 Close background apps on your phone (especially instant messengers and cloud syncs).

Problem 3: There is no sound during broadcast.

• 🔊 Check if the sound is muted on your TV or in the app.
• 🎧 If you use DLNA, make sure your TV supports the audio format (eg. DTS may not be playable).
• 🔄 Restart the broadcast or change the protocol (for example, from Miracast on DLNA).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about casting from your phone to TV

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

Yes, there are three ways:

1. Wi-Fi Direct: creates a direct network between the phone and TV (works like Miracast).
2. Bluetooth: only suitable for music or photos (video will be very slow).
3. HDMI adapter: physical connection via USB-C/Lightning to HDMI (no delays, but cable required).

Why isn't Netflix streaming to my TV using Screen Mirroring?

Netflix, Disney+ and other streaming services block withdrawals through Miracast due to content protection (DRM). Solutions:

• Use AirPlay (if TV supports it).
• Launch Netflix directly on the TV (via its built-in application).
• Connect your phone via HDMI with support HDCP.

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

If you have a TV Samsung, LG or Sony (2018 and newer), it most likely supports AirPlay native. For other brands:

• Buy Chromecast with Google TV or Roku Streaming Stick+ (they support AirPlay).
• Use the app ApowerMirror (requires installation of the server part on the TV).
• Connect via HDMI via adapter Lightning Digital AV.

What is the best app for streaming movies from Android to TV?

The choice depends on the task:

• 🎬 For movies from an external drive: BubbleUPnP (DLNA) or VLC (with SMB support).
• 📱 To duplicate your screen: ApowerMirror or built-in Smart View (For Samsung).
• 🌐 For streaming from YouTube: LocalCast (supports ad blocking).

Why does 4K video lag when streaming over Wi-Fi?

Reasons and solutions:

• 📶 Weak Wi-Fi signal: switch to 5 GHz or connect the TV via cable.
• 📱 The phone does not have enough power: Close background apps or reduce resolution to 1080p.
• 🔌 The router can't cope: check if it supports 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6).
• 🎥 Video codecs: H.265 (HEVC) requires less traffic than H.264, but not all TVs support it.