Screen Mirroring With An Apple TV
Screen mirroring means the same thing regardless of whether you’ve got an Android or iOS device. Once you’re connected, you’ll be able to see exactly what’s on your phone or tablet’s screen on your TV screen.
- Make sure your iOS device and your Apple TV are on the same wi-fi network.
- Swipe up from the bottom of your iOS device to reveal the control centre and select Screen Mirroring.
- Select the Apple TV you want to cast to.
- The Apple TV will then display a passcode, which you’ll need to enter into your device.
If you can’t see Screen Mirroring in the control centre, it may mean the version of iOS your device is running does not support it.
Screen Mirroring Your iPhone To TV
The obvious omission from that list is Apple. Thats because the company uses its own proprietary technology called AirPlay or AirPlay 2.
Its not as widely supported as the Miracast tech that powers the Android solutions, but some sets from big names like Samsung, Sony and LG feature it, though typically in more expensive models. Its also part of the Apple TV streaming hardware, if you happen to own one.
Whether its native to your TV or via the Apple TV hardware, screen mirroring is handled the same way:
1. Open Control Center. This is done by swiping down from the top-right corner on iPhones from 2018 onwards or swiping up on earlier models.
2. Tap Screen Mirroring.
3. Your TV or Apple TV box should appear in a list of available devices. Tap it.
4. The iPhone may ask you for a code to make sure its about to broadcast to the right TV. Just type in the code that appears on your TV screen to continue.
Everything You Need To Mirror Your Android Phone To Your TV
To start, you’ll need an Android phone or tablet running Android 5.0 or later. That version of Android was released in 2014, so odds are your phone or tablet is running a newer version of Android. You can check by opening the Settings app and going to About phone and looking for Android version.
In addition to an Android phone or tablet, you’ll also need a streaming device, like the recently released , a TV with Chromecast built in or a smart display like the . If you don’t know whether your TV has Chromecast support, the best way to check is to see if it shows up as an available casting device when you follow either method below.
Screen mirroring is built into the Home app.
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Use A Dedicated Streaming Stick
If neither of the above options works for you, its time to turn to a third-party solution. Fortunately these are neither complicated nor expensive: for around $30, you can grab a small gadget that plugs into an HDMI port on your TV and lets you stream content direct over Wi-Fi.
Weve covered some of the best streaming sticks in some detail in the past. Any of them will let you use your phone and a Wi-Fi connection to play audio or video content on a television, although they dont all do it in exactly the same way.
The Roku and sticks mainly rely on their extensive collection of streaming apps, which you select in the companion iOS or Android app. Chromecasts use the Google Home app to manage overall setup and playback, and a Cast icon appears in supported apps once youre connected to the device. From there, a single tap offloads the audio and/or video to the TV.
In either case, major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and many others are supported on both devices. Chromecast also lets you stream web pages via the Chrome browser. If youre using an Android phone or tablet and want to stream locally-stored content from your phone to the Roku or Chromecast, an app like AllCast will let you do so.
For iPhone and iPad owners, any of these sticks are good alternatives to Apple TV if youre looking for a cheaper, smaller streaming solution. Theyve also got the advantage of being cross-platform, which is very useful if youre not an all-Apple household.
How To Connect A Phone To Your TV With Usb But Without Hdmi
What if the TV you want to connect your phone to doesn’t have HDMI? It is still possible to connect an Android phone to an old display, but you’ll need dedicated adapters to switch formats and possibly chain them together.
- USB to VGA Adapter: To connect your phone to a VGA TV or display, you’ll need just a USB to VGA adapter.
- Phone to RCA AV: For RCA connections you’ll need a HDMI to RCA adapter along with the USB to HDMI converter mentioned in #1 above. The connection should be chained: phone > USB Port to HDMI adapter > HDMI to RCA adapter > RCA to TV.
- Phone to SCART: Connecting your phone to a SCART TV also requires a dedicated HDMI to SCART adapter along with a USB to HDMI adapter. Chain the connection as follows: phone > USB to HDMI adapter > HDMI to SCART adapter > SCART to TV.
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How To Transfer Files From Phone To TV Using Usb
While the most common use case for connecting a phone to a TV using USB is for screen mirroring, there’s another option. Instead of screen mirroring, you can connect it as a storage device for viewing pictures and videos on your TV.
However, this will require a compatible monitor, TV, or projector. Most modern displays should accept USB storage.
Of the various USB to TV connection options, this is the easiest. Since it only requires a phone, USB cable, and TV with a USB input, it’s simple to set up. Which specific cable you need depends on your phone.
On an iPhone or iPad, use a Lightning cable . Alternately, Android users need a micro-USB or USB-C cable. The USB cable that came with your phone or tablet should work fine.
Connect An iPhone To Any TV With An Av Cable
To connect your iPhone to a TV, you’ll need an adapter cable that matches the style of input on your TV or monitor.
If possible, use an HDMI cable, as that will provide the highest quality. You’ll want to get a Lightning to Digital AV Adapter from Apple. There are third-party options available as well, but they might lack High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection without HDCP, streaming service apps won’t pass video on to your television.
If you have an older monitor without an HDMI input, Apple also sells a Lightning to VGA Adapter.
Once you have an adapter, here’s what to do:
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What Is A Wireless Display Adapter
A wireless display adapter is a device that plugs in to the HDMI port of a TV. Its purpose is to receive the data signal from a smartphone or other mobile device, and then to display it on the TV screen.
ScreenBeams ScreenBeam Mini2 wireless display adapter creates a direct connection with a smartphone using Miracast technology. Miracast is built in to most Android 4.2+ devices and devices using Windows 8.1 or Windows 10.
Connect Phones Tablets And TVs With Usb: Success
While a USB to TV connection varies by device, connection type, and display inputs, it’s thankfully simple to set up. However, don’t forget that wireless casting is usually more convenient.
Regardless of whether you’re using an Android, iPhone, or a Samsung device running DeX, there’s a way to connect your phone or tablet to a TV for viewing on a larger screen.
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How To Connect Your iPhone To Your TV
The easiest way to connect your iPhone to your TV is to do it wirelessly. To do that, you’ll need a TV that supports the most recent version of AirPlay, AirPlay 2. Most TV manufacturers started building AirPlay 2 into their products in 2018 or 2019. You can check for your model on Apple’s list of AirPlay 2-enabled TVs and streaming devices.
To use AirPlay:
If you have an older TV that doesn’t support AirPlay or need to plug your iPhone directly into a TV, you can purchase a Lightning to HDMI adapter. Once you connect your iPhone using the adapter to your TVs HDMI port, you’ll be able to see whatever is on your iPhone’s screen on your TV. Some apps will only display vertically. However, apps like Netflix support screen rotation so you can fill the screen.
I’ve been using and recommend Apple’s Lightning to HDMI adapter, which has a power passthrough port to keep your iPhone charged. You’ll find it for under $50 on Amazon.
Play Video From Your Phone To TV Via Airplay
Perhaps the best wireless method of connecting your iPhone with TV is using AirPlay. The only downside of using AirPlay is that not every TV supports it and may need AppleTV to use this feature. You will easily know how to connect your iPhone to TV by following these steps.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Once again you need to ensure that your Apple TV and iPhone are connected to the same Wi-Fi connection.
Step 2: First, open the video you want to watch on your TV. This can be a video from the photo gallery or any third-party app like Youtube or Netflix.
Step 3: Then click on the Airplay icon located on the top-right of your screen. Alternatively, you can choose the icon and then the icon to use Airplay.
Step 4: Finally, choose your Apple TV or any TV that supports AirPlay to play videos from phone to TV.
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Connect To The TV With Usb
Seems straightforward enough? Most smartphone charging cables end with a USB connector, to easily link up with laptops or power adaptors but if your TV has a USB port, this is a simple way of getting your files onscreen.
You’re technically transferring files to open on the TV, rather than transmitting your phone’s display, though, so this is better for looking at your own photos and videos than anything else.
Like on a laptop or desktop PC, you should then be able to head to Source on your smart TV platform, and select USB. You should get a prompt on your smartphone screen that enabled you to transfer files .
Cast Your Screen To A TV Using The Google Home App
The most reliable and consistent way to mirror your Android phone’s screen is to use the Google Home app. If you’ve already set up any of Google’s smart speakers, Nest Wifi or Chromecast devices, you likely already have it installed. If not, you can .
Open the Home app and select the Chromecast device you want to use. At the bottom of the screen will be a button labeled Cast myScreen tap it. You’ll have to accept the prompt reminding you that whatever is on your phone’s screen will be visible on your TV to anyone in the room with you. You may also see a second prompt warning you if your device isn’t optimized for mirroring. I haven’t had any issues casting my screen when I’ve run into the warning. To stop casting your screen, tap on the button labeled Stop mirroring in the Home app.
There’s a shortcut: the quick settings panel.
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Connect Your Phone To A Hdmi TV Using Usb Type
The most recent Android smartphones feature a USB Type-C port. Also known as USB-C, this is a cylinder-shaped input that replaces micro-USB and is used for charging and data transfer.
Including support for the DisplayPort standard, it enables USB-C to HDMI screen mirroring of your phone or tablet’s display to a TV.
Simply connect the USB-C cable to Android, then connect this to a suitable docking station with HDMI out or a USB-C to HDMI adaptor.
Screen Mirroring With A Fire TV Stick
Alongside the Chromecast are many other devices that let you mirror content to your screen.
Follow these steps to start mirroring using an Amazon Fire TV Stick.
- Go to the Settings menu on your Fire TV Stick.
- Select Display & Sounds followed by Enable Display Mirroring.
- On your phone, select the screen mirroring option from the quick-access menu.
- Select the Fire TV device you want to connect with.
Check out our to see how it compares to Chromecasts, Rokus and Apple TVs.
Don’t worry if you don’t see a screen mirroring function on your device. There are other ways to connect.
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Use Google Chromecast Ultra
If cords arent your thing, try a gadget that plugs into your TV, connects to Wi-Fi and communicates between your phone and the big screen. Googles Chromecast Ultra lets you play video in breathtaking 4k resolution. It plugs into a TVs HDMI port and connects via your existing Wi-Fi, so you can stream movies, music and games from your smartphone, tablet and other connected devices.
Cast From Phone To Chromecast
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Using A Plug And Play Cable To Connect Your iPhone To Your TV
If you have a TV that allows you to connect a USB to your phone you can get a Plug and Play cable that has an HDMI side, a USB connection and also the Lighting side for your iPhone, instead of having to buy two different cables. But bear in mind that certain HDMI cables will not support paid subscriptions and apps.
How To Stream From Your Phone To An Older TV
What if your TV is so old that it doesnt support streaming from Android or iPhone? Dont worry, you dont need to throw out your old set, unless its so old that it doesnt have HDMI ports .
As long as you have an HDMI port, you can buy and use a streaming stick. In essence, these make dumb TVs smart, introducing the kind of apps and/or interface youd get if you purchased a smart TV today.
There are a number of options available from Roku to . But people looking to stream their phones to an older TV should look to either Apple TV if they own an iPhone, or if theyre on Android
Weve covered the reasons for the former above, but for Chromecast the explanation comes down to its easy integration with all sorts of apps that you might want to broadcast on the big screen. Not only can you mirror your display with all but the oldest Android phones, but a huge range of apps can be instantly broadcast to the big screen too. That includes everything from Google Photos to share your holiday snaps to YouTube for broadcasting your home videos.
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How To Stream From Your Phone To TV
If you want your whole smartphone screen on your TV so any app you use can be seen by all, then youll want to do something called screen mirroring. Note that this will usually mimic your phones aspect ratio meaning that youll often have a portrait view of your phones screen.
Note that if youre just looking to put the likes of Netflix, Disney Plus or Amazon Prime Video on the big screen, then screen mirroring isnt the ideal solution as it often includes latency and/or sound syncing issues. Instead, you should use a smart TVs built-in apps, or something like Chromecast but more on that later.
Connect With Apple Airplay
The easiest way to connect wirelessly is with Apple’s AirPlay feature, which comes built into your mobile device’s operating system. It allows you to mirror or cast content from your iPhone or iPad to your AirPlay 2-compatible smart TV, Apple TV, or certain Roku devices.
To use AirPlay, make sure your streaming device or smart TV is connected to the same home Wi-Fi network as your iPhone or iPad. Open the Control Center on your device by swiping down from the top right of the screen. Tap AirPlay Mirroring and select the appropriate destination. Whatever is on your mobile device’s screen will be mirrored onto your TV’s screen.
You can also send individual pictures and videos to your television by selecting the Share icon inside the Photos app. Tap AirPlay from the pop-up menu and choose a destination. And AirPlay works with third-party apps to stream mediaincluding music, podcasts, movies, TV shows, and morefrom your favorite streaming services to the television.
The Chromecast is different from other media streaming devices in that it uses Google’s Cast protocol over AirPlay. While your iPhone or iPad can’t be mirrored on the TV screen with a Chromecast like with an Apple TV, streaming media can be cast from your device to the TV directly from an app.
One warning regarding this method, though: in very crowded Wi-Fi environments, AirPlay video might break up or stutter. It should work fine in most homes, but if you have a problem, a cable might be your best choice.
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