A smartphone has numerous features and functionalities, treating it like a little computer. With each generation, smartphone screen sizes increase because seeing content is one of the key reasons consumers purchase and utilize these devices. However, a phone’s screen is limited in size, so it can never provide the same big-screen experience that a TV can.
Use connection techniques like screencasting and mirroring to link your phone and TV without utilizing an HDMI cable. For those who prefer to keep things connected, USB and MHL cables are other solutions. To stream content wirelessly, there are even gadgets like Roku and Google Chromecast.
There are numerous ways to link your TV and phone, depending on your device and the OS platform. For additional information on the various connecting technologies and methods, keep reading.
Why Connect Your Phone to Your TV?
With each new model, phone displays grow larger. The colors are more vibrant, and the screens are getting bigger. Even smartphones with 4K displays are available. However, there is still a sizable difference between what you see on your TV and your phone screen.
Furthermore, it is simpler to display media to a crowd on a TV rather than having everyone swarm your phone.
People Love to Watch on Big Screen
The previous generation of iPhones had small (by modern standards) 3.5-inch (8.9 cm) screens. On the other hand, Android phones have already surpassed the 5-inch (12.7 cm) display limit. The door was opened for smartphones with larger displays when Samsung released the first Galaxy Note with a 5.3-inch (13.4 cm) screen.
Now, smartphones with screens up to 6.7 inches (17 cm) or more significant are available for Android and iPhone users. Because of their large screens, improved picture quality, and higher screen resolutions, these large-screen phones have made it possible for multiple people to use the same device at once to watch media.
Even if there aren’t enough people present, sending content from your phone to a wide screen and watching it still provides a better experience, especially when watching movies or showcasing holiday photos to friends and family.
Play Smart
The majority of’s latest televisions are “smart,” meaning they can connect directly to the Internet and stream apps like Netflix, YouTube, and others. If your TV isn’t brilliant, you can play many streaming media or videos you probably want to access and watch on set-top boxes or streaming sticks.
However, connecting your phone to your TV (wirelessly or with a cable) becomes crucial if you wish to download files, especially from your tablet or phone. These apps are only available on mobile devices or repeatedly play specific files from your phone.
How Does HDMI Work?
The connector and wire that transfer high-bandwidth, high-quality video and audio streams between devices are known as HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). The technology is used with a variety of devices, including HDTVs, DVD players, projectors, Blu-ray players, and more. It essentially sets the bar for connecting two devices.
There are various reasons why many users may want a non-HDMI option over HDMI. Which are:
- A cable mess
- Limited motility
- Damaged, misplaced, or stolen HDMI cables and adapters
- The connecting instructions are unclear
- Intricate, pricey in-wall and floor wiring
Here are a few alternative methods for physically connecting your phone and TV if you don’t want to deal with wires or wish to use a physical connection other than HDMI.
USB Cable
Usually, phone charging cables have USB connectors that may be quickly connected to laptop power adapters. However, not every TV has a USB port. If your TV has one, it will be simple to transfer your phone files to the large screen.
Using a USB cord to link your phone and TV, you are moving files from your phone to open or play on your television. Your TV won’t receive or duplicate the phone’s display if you don’t have the appropriate connector and cable. Therefore, using this technique to view your films and photos is excellent.
You must be able to select the USB option under “Source” on your TV platform, just like you can on your desktop and laptop PCs. Once finished, a prompt allowing you to move files will appear on your phone’s screen (and not just charge your phone using your television).
Here is a video that briefly describes each of the many USB cable types:
Screen Mirroring
You can duplicate or mirror your phone’s display on your TV through screen mirroring. The approach is excellent for apps without a built-in “cast” button, as was already described. To put it another way, this mirroring technique is independent of the app. If your phone supports screen mirroring and your TV is connected, you’re set to go.
Since Android 5.0 up to the most recent releases of the mobile OS, Android phones have supported screen mirroring. Quite plainly, the most recent telephones or gadgets with the most recent OS versions are better tuned for the task and, as a result, operate much more smoothly and consistently.
A proprietary app for screen sharing may be available on some smartphones. For instance, Samsung’s Smart View function enables you to exchange material from and to your mobile device while connecting your Samsung smartphone to your TV.
A Negative of Screen Mirroring
Screen mirroring has a problem because it completely mirrors your phone’s actions. For instance, if your phone screen dims when plugged into your TV, both screens would dim.
Your phone’s screen should be set to stay awake while it is linked to your TV to prevent similar problems. However, this would deplete your phone’s battery.
You cannot use your phone for any other reason when it is linked to your TV if you are mirroring it.
This is not an issue while using screen casting. You can use your phone for any other reason after casting phone content on your TV, like checking messages, making calls, browsing social media, and even leaving the room where your TV is placed. While you are occupied with other activities on your phone, the broadcast content will continue to play on your TV.
Screen mirroring might not be the best option if numerous people are watching the video and you want to use your phone for something else. Screen mirroring is still very relevant and helpful for many things, even though the screen casting option is only available in a few apps.
Screen Casting
Playing content from your phone, tablet, or other comparable devices onto a TV is known as casting. It enables you to see films, television programs, and different types of entertainment directly from the source device, in this case, your phone.
Many well-known streaming services, like Netflix and Hulu, allow for screen casting. The “cast screen” feature is absent from many other applications. In these circumstances, screen mirroring comes to the rescue.
Devices like Google Chromecast and Roku streaming players can be used for casting. Third-party apps are also integrated into smart TVs to support casting.
Unlike screen mirroring, the apps you cast to your TV won’t replicate your Android phone’s screen or user interface. Alternatively, you’ll see videos and photographs in your preferred format and resolution.
A Negative of Screen casting
Unfortunately, if you play media at a speed of more than 1x, you can experience problems. You might be out of luck if, like me, you enjoy listening to Audible at 1.5x speed while watching YouTube videos.
Google Chromecast
You can link your phone to your TV and watch material there if your TV is equipped with Google Chromecast functionality or if you have the necessary adapter. However, not every app on your phone may be compatible with Chromecast. Some supported apps are Google Photos, Netflix, HBO Now, and others.
Confirm that your phone and intelligent/Chromecast TV use the same Wi-Fi network to connect. Select the device you want to cast to once the network is established and the status is verified. Not all apps offer the ability to cast. The screen mirroring technique is advised for such apps.
Read Also: Chromecast Vs Fire Stick
Apple and Android cellphones are both compatible with Chromecast. Once connected, you may control material by pausing, rewinding, or skipping it using your smartphone as a remote. The small, straightforward attachment provides access to over 1,000 programs, including streaming services like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube.
AirPlay (iOS)
Use AirPlay, a feature exclusive to iPhones and Apple TVs, to wirelessly transmit video and audio. Unsurprisingly, non-Apple hardware is incompatible with AirPlay. The technology transfers material from your iOS phone to your iPad, Apple TV, etc.
Start by joining the same Wi-Fi network with the source and receiving Apple devices. When the two devices are linked, they will automatically recognize one another, and you may then select the AirPlay connection option in your iPhone’s settings. Similar to how Bluetooth connects to devices wirelessly, this is how it works. However, AirPlay is unlike Bluetooth because it relies on Wi-Fi and—more importantly—uses Apple-exclusive technology.
AirPlay allows for far greater distances between devices when playing or streaming information. This means you wouldn’t need to worry much about losing connectivity as you move around a room.
Most crucially, AirPlay uses lossless compression, ensuring that the source data is duplicated on the receiving device. There is additional synergy because AirPlay enables direct communication between two Apple devices. For instance, the volume controls on your iPhone or iPad may be used to adjust the HomePod’s loudness.
A Negative of AirPlay
Unfortunately, if you play media at a speed of more than 1x, you can have problems. The video played when I Airplayed a YouTube video from my iPhone to my AppleTV at 1.5x, but the sound wasn’t transmitted.
Miracast
A smartphone, PC, or tablet can wirelessly display or mirror its screen to a TV using the Miracast standard without actual HDMI wires. The Wi-Fi Alliance, which developed the technology in 2012, has a long-term goal of eliminating the need for HDMI cords.
Instead of physically attaching your device to a TV, Miracast provides a wireless standard that enables various devices to find, connect with, and wirelessly mirror the contents of their screens.
Miracast is a cross-platform technology, unlike Apple’s AirPlay and Google’s Chromecast. It has therefore been created just as a protocol for “screen mirroring.” It cannot hand off the streaming and display a different interface on your phone while your TV or another device linked to it shows some other material, making it less “smart” than comparable protocols.
In other words, unlike what its name might imply, Miracast is only capable of “screen mirroring” and not “casting.”
What Miracast can do
- Windows PCs (Windows 8.1 and higher)
- Android 4.2 and above
- Kindle Fire OS (since the OS is built atop Android)
However, iOS and macOS are not supported by the wireless standard. And since Apple would want to promote its AirPlay technology in its place, that is unlikely to happen.
Currently, Windows and Android are supported by Miracast. Although there isn’t any official support for Linux PCs, there may be workarounds. Additionally, Chromebooks lack native support for Miracast. However, Roku streaming sticks support Miracast. Other than the ones described above, many specific Miracast receivers are available on the market.
Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL)
A lesser-known wired technique called mobile high-definition link (MHL) enables you to connect your smartphone and other mobile devices to your TVs, projectors, and audio receivers. In essence, it is an HDMI modification for mobile devices.
You need an MHL cable connecting to your phone’s micro USB connector and the HDMI port on your television to create an MHL connection. Please take note that the connection requires MHL support on the HDMI port. Not every HDMI port will take an MHL link with ease.
Like HDMI, MHL is compressed, allowing you to operate in real time. This also elevates it above the majority of wireless options. The distinctive characteristic of MHL is that it enables TV remote control access to phone functionalities.
Your mobile device has to have a micro-USB port for this connection to function. However, if you want to use MHL, acquire a USB Type-C to micro USB converter or connection since more and more smartphones, tablets, and similar devices are embracing Type-C USB ports (and rightfully so). The JXMOX USB Type-C Adapter is a reliable small connector for the job.
Stream With DLNA
Your smart TV should be able to stream content via the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) protocol. You can stream media to your television using DLNA from your smartphone or any other device.
However, DRM (Digital Rights Management) characteristics shouldn’t be included in your streaming media files. You could only broadcast your music and videos, in other words. Netflix-like apps won’t be supported.
Other streaming applications like LocalCast, AllCast, Plex, and others use your TV’s DLNA capabilities.
Media management software called Plex also has DLNA streaming capabilities. Your computer’s Plex server can store videos, music, or images and stream those media to your TV. Look through your library using the Plex mobile app, select the media files you want to flow, and then transfer them to your TV using DLNA or Chromecast.
Wired Or Wireless?
It may seem weird and unnecessary to insist on having wired connections in the modern era of wireless technologies and devices. However, wired connections offer an advantage over wireless technologies in several aspects, which keeps them current. The benefits of wired connections include the following:
Hardwired connections have low latency, so that’s what they are. In other words, the lag is significantly decreased if you connect your smartphone to your TV via wires rather than wirelessly.
No signal problems
You need a robust and dependable Wi-Fi signal in your area for wireless phone-to-TV connections to function. A cable connection is advised to avoid potential connection problems and streaming hiccups if you don’t have Wi-Fi or if your wireless signals are poor.
Less complicated
You can wirelessly connect your device in various ways. Apple products operate uniquely. There is a Chromecast from Google. Additionally, OEMs like Samsung are releasing proprietary technology. It might be challenging to stay current with all of these varied requirements. Although laborious, wired connections are relatively easy to set up.
Conclusion
The HDMI port is required for many of the abovementioned ways to connect your phone to your TV. For instance, the HDMI connector on your TV accepts the HDMI dongle you use to wirelessly connect your two devices and stream media. In other words, the HDMI port is still frequently needed even if you can do without the HDMI cord.
However, you may connect your phone to your TV without using an HDMI wire. Consider using the very powerful but underappreciated MHL technology if you prefer to keep things conventional and cannot stand lag times of even a few milliseconds between your phone and TV. Numerous wireless techniques are available if you wish to do away with cords.
