Owners of mid-range smartphones often wonder how to display images on a larger screen to watch movies or photos. Model Samsung Galaxy A20Despite its age, the iPad remains a popular device supporting modern wireless data transfer technologies. Connecting to a TV via Wi-Fi opens up multimedia entertainment options without the need for unnecessary wires and adapters.
There are several proven methods for accomplishing this, each with its own specifics depending on your TV brand and operating system version. In this article, we'll take a detailed look at native Android features, Samsung's proprietary utilities, and third-party content streaming solutions. You'll learn how to set up a stable connection and avoid common device syncing errors.
Before you begin setup, it's important to make sure both devices—your smartphone and your TV—are on the same local network. Wi-Fi router The router acts as a central hub transmitting the video stream, so connection quality directly depends on the stability of your router. If the network is overloaded or the signal is weak, image lag or audio desynchronization may occur.
Preparing equipment and setting up the network
The first step is to properly prepare your infrastructure. Make sure your TV supports Smart TV technology or has built-in Wi-Fi. Older models without smart features will require additional set-top boxes, such as Chromecast or Android TV Box, to receive the signal from your phone.
For smartphone Samsung A20 It is critical to update your software to the latest available version. This ensures that all necessary security and compatibility protocols are in place. Go to Settings → Software Update → Download and Installto check for patches.
Particular attention should be paid to the wireless network frequency. Smartphone Galaxy A20 supports the standard 802.11 ac, which allows operation in the 5 GHz band. This band is preferable for transmitting heavy, high-definition video content, as it is less congested by neighboring networks.
- 📡 Check that your TV and phone are connected to the same SSID (network name).
- 🔄 Restart your router if your connection is unstable or slow.
- 📱 Disable mobile internet (LTE/4G) during setup to prevent the system from trying to use it for data transfer.
- 🔐 Make sure your router doesn't have any MAC address restrictions for new devices.
Sometimes automatic network detection may fail. In this case, try manually entering DNS servers in your phone's Wi-Fi settings, for example, using Google's public servers (8.8.8.8). This can improve traffic routing within the local network.
Screencasting via Smart View
The most convenient and functional way for Samsung equipment owners is to use the built-in function Smart ViewThis tool not only allows you to mirror your screen, but also control media playback, turning your smartphone into a remote control.
To activate the feature, swipe down from the top of the notification shade. Look for the Quick Settings icon among the shortcuts. Smart ViewIf it's not on the first screen, swipe the panel to the right. Once you tap it, the system will begin searching for available devices within Wi-Fi range.
☑️ Smart View Pre-Launch Check
When your TV's name appears in the list, tap it. A request to allow the connection may appear on the TV screen; confirm this with the remote. After that, the image from Samsung A20 will appear on the big screen.
⚠️ Attention: When streaming your screen in high resolution, your smartphone may become significantly hot. This is a normal reaction from the processor as it encodes the video stream in real time, but it's recommended to remove the case for better heat dissipation.The Smart View feature also allows you to change the aspect ratio of the broadcast image. If you're watching 4:3 content on a widescreen TV, you can stretch the image or leave black borders at the edges using the broadcast settings menu.
📊 Which connection method do you use most often?Smart ViewGoogle HomeThird-party applicationsHDMI cableUsing the SmartThings platform
Ecosystem SmartThings is a more advanced version of Samsung device management. If you have a modern Samsung TV, this method will provide the best integration. The app may be preinstalled, but it can also be downloaded from Google Play.
After installing the app, sign in to your Samsung account. The system will automatically prompt you to add new devices. Select your TV from the list of found devices and follow the on-screen instructions to pair it. This method not only allows you to mirror your screen but also manage your TV's settings.
Unlike simple streaming, SmartThings lets you create scenarios. For example, when you start a video on your phone, your TV can automatically turn on and switch to the desired source. This is especially convenient for creating a home theater experience.
Function Smart View SmartThings Screen mirroring Yes Yes TV control Limited Complete Scenarios No Yes Work without the Internet Yes (locally) Account required It's important to note that all SmartThings features require a stable internet connection, not just a local network. This is necessary for authorization and data synchronization via the manufacturer's cloud.
Connecting to Android TV and Chromecast TVs
If your TV runs on an operating system Android TV or has built-in support Chromecast, the connection process will be different. In this case, the A20 smartphone uses Google protocols for data transfer, ensuring high compatibility with various apps.
Make sure the app is installed and updated on your smartphone.
Google HomeIt serves as a control center for all Chromecast-enabled devices. Open the app, find your TV in the list of devices, and press the button. Broadcast your screen.What should I do if my TV isn't visible on Google Home?
Make sure Google Play services are up to date on your TV. Also, check if your router's antivirus software is blocking the ports used for device discovery (usually UDP 1900).
The advantage of this method is the ability to stream content from specific apps, such as YouTube or Netflix, directly, without loading the phone's processor. In this case, the phone acts only as a remote control, and the TV downloads the video directly from the network.
For users who want to stream browser content or files that don't support Cast, the "Screen Cast" feature on Google Home creates a virtual display. Image quality in this mode may be slightly lower than with native Smart View due to the specifics of Google's codecs.
Stream media via DLNA and third-party apps
Sometimes built-in tools can't play a file of a certain format. In such cases, technology comes to the rescue. DLNA and third-party media player apps. This method is ideal for viewing video files stored on your smartphone without duplicating the interface.
A popular solution is the app VLC for Android or BubbleUPnPAfter installation, launch the app and find the "Renderers" or "Devices" section. Your TV should appear as an available device for audio and video output.
Select a video file on your phone, press the cast button, and select your TV. The video will start playing on your TV, and you can control the volume, rewind, and pause from your smartphone. This saves battery life on your phone, as it doesn't encode the video stream, but only transmits the data.
- 🎬 Support for a wide range of video codecs (MKV, AVI, MP4).
- 🔊 Possibility of transmitting multi-channel audio.
- 📂 Access the file system without having to copy.
- 🚫 No ads in the TV interface (depending on the app).
⚠️ Attention: When using DLNA, some subtitles may not display correctly if they are embedded in the video file in a complex manner. In such cases, it's better to use external subtitle files or the TV's built-in player via USB.Troubleshooting and diagnostics
Even with proper setup, issues can still occur. Most often, users encounter problems with their phone not seeing the TV or the connection constantly dropping. First, check if your router is configured to separate networks for guests (Guest Network). Devices on the guest network are often isolated from the main network where the TV is located.
If the image is choppy or has low resolution, try lowering the quality of the streamed content in the app settings. Restarting the Wi-Fi module on your smartphone may also help: turn on Airplane mode for 10 seconds, then turn it off.
adb shell settings put global wifi_sleep_policy 2This command (requires developer rights) forces the Wi-Fi module to operate in maximum performance mode without going into sleep mode to save power, which can improve streaming stability.
In some cases, resetting the network settings on your smartphone can help. Go to
Settings → General Settings → Reset → Reset Network SettingsPlease note that this will delete saved Wi-Fi passwords, but it often resolves communication protocol issues.Why can't my Samsung TV detect my A20 phone?
Most often, the problem stems from different networks. Make sure one device isn't connected to 2.4 GHz and the other to 5 GHz if the router has separate names (SSIDs) for these networks. Combine them or connect both devices to the same frequency.
Is it possible to connect a phone to a TV without Wi-Fi?
Yes, using Wi-Fi Direct technology, which creates a direct connection between devices without a router. However, the initial handshake and some SmartThings features may still require internet access. A USB cable is also possible if the TV supports MHL or a USB modem.
Does the connection affect internet speed?
When streaming online videos (YouTube, Netflix), the traffic goes directly from the server to the TV, saving the phone. Screen mirroring, on the other hand, downloads the video and streams it to the TV, which can consume more resources and mobile data if the Wi-Fi connection is weak.
How to improve picture quality during broadcasting?
Move closer to the router, close any data-consuming background apps on your phone, and set the maximum resolution in Smart View settings. Also, make sure unnecessary picture enhancements that could cause lag are disabled on your TV.