How to connect your phone to the TV, with or without a cable

1. Cable connection (USB-C/Lightning to HDMI)

This is the most reliable option because it doesn't depend on wifi. You need a "USB-C to HDMI" adapter or cable (Android) or a "Lightning Digital AV" one (iPhone), which you connect to your phone on one end and to a free HDMI port on the TV on the other. The TV will show exactly what's on your phone's screen.

2. Chromecast or Smart TV with Google TV

If your TV has Chromecast built in (or you have a Chromecast device connected), you can send content directly from apps like YouTube, Netflix, or Google Photos:

Connect your phone and the TV to the same wifi network.
Open the app (for example YouTube) and tap the "Cast" icon (a screen with waves, top right).
Select your TV from the list and the content will start playing on the TV.

3. AirPlay (iPhone only)

If you have an Apple TV or a Smart TV compatible with AirPlay:

Open Control Center by swiping from the top-right corner.
Tap the screen mirroring icon (two overlapping rectangles).
Choose your TV from the list. Both devices need to be on the same wifi network.

4. Miracast / Screen mirroring on Android

Most Android phones have this feature built in, although the name changes depending on the manufacturer ("Smart View" on Samsung, "Cast" on others).

Swipe down to open quick settings.
Look for the "Cast" or "Smart View" icon and tap it.
Select your TV when it appears in the list.

Important: your TV must support Miracast. Very old TVs without smart features don't support it; in that case, use a cable.

5. Which option to choose for your situation

Old TV without wifi: cable connection.
Smart TV and you want to watch Netflix/YouTube: Chromecast or Google TV.
iPhone and Apple TV: AirPlay.
Android and you want to mirror the whole screen (for example, for a presentation): Miracast/Smart View.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Chromecast and Miracast?

Chromecast sends content directly from the internet to the TV (the phone just acts as a remote), while Miracast literally mirrors the phone's screen, using more battery and with a bit more lag.

Do I need wifi to connect my phone to the TV?

For Chromecast, AirPlay or Miracast yes, both devices need to be on the same wifi network. If you don't have wifi available, the only option is a cable connection.

Why can't my phone find the TV?

The most common reason is that they're on different wifi networks (for example, one on the 2.4 GHz network and the other on the 5 GHz one). Connect both devices to exactly the same network and try again.