Easy Ways to Mirror Your Android Screen to TV: A Step-by-Step Guide

After a long day at work, one only wants to sit back and relax while binge-watching favorite shows.

Sure, mobile is the handiest device, but let’s be real.

Streaming content on a small screen doesn’t do it justice. You need something bigger, something better, something that transports you into the world of your favorite characters.

That’s where mirroring your Android device to your TV comes in handy.

This article will show you how to mirror Android to the TV so you can enjoy your favorite shows, movies, and games on your biggest home entertainment screen. 

Compatibility & Requirements

1. Requirements for the Android device

To mirror Android to your TV, your phone or tablet must support screen mirroring (also known as “cast” or “share”) functionality. It is typically available under the Display settings on your Android device. 

Additionally, your device should be running on Android 5.0 or later, though we recommend installing the latest OS version. Finally, your Android device should have a stable Wi-Fi or cellular network connection to ensure smooth mirroring.

2. Requirements for the TV

Your TV should also have certain capabilities. Firstly, it should support screen mirroring or casting functionality. This is often found under your TV’s settings or input options and may be labeled as “Screen Mirroring” or “Cast,” depending on your TV’s manufacturer. 

If not, your TV should have an HDMI port, which you can use to connect your Android device to the TV.

3. Compatibility of the devices

Compatibility between your Android device and your TV ensures successful screen mirroring. To check compatibility, ensure your Android device and TV support the same screen mirroring standards, such as Google Cast or Miracast. You can check the manufacturer’s website or documentation for specific compatibility information.

4. Common issues and limitations:

Despite meeting the requirements and ensuring compatibility, there may still be some limitations when it comes to mirroring your Android device to your TV. 

For example, some apps may not be optimized for screen mirroring and may not display correctly on your TV. Moreover, some older Smart TV models have limited compatibility with newer Android devices. 

Network connectivity issues, such as interference or distance between your Android device and TV, can also impact the quality of the mirroring experience. Keep these issues in mind and troubleshoot as necessary to ensure smooth mirroring. 

Screen Mirroring Android to TV via Wireless Methods

Explanation of Wireless Display

Wireless display technology allows you to mirror the screen of your Android device to your TV without the need for cables or physical connections. Two popular wireless display technologies are widely used for screen mirroring: Chromecast and Miracast.

Step-By-Step Guide To Mirror Android To Tv Using Chromecast

Follow the steps below: 

1. Connect your Chromecast device to your TV’s HDMI port and turn on your TV.
2. Ensure your Chromecast and Android devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Download and open the Google Home app on your Android device.
4. Tap on the “Add” button in the app and select “Set up device.”
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your Chromecast device to your Wi-Fi network.
6. Once your Chromecast device is connected, open the app you want to mirror on your TV.
7. Tap on the “Cast” icon located in the top right corner of your Android device’s screen.
8. Select Chromecast device from the list of available devices and wait for the connection to establish.
9. Your Android device’s screen will now be mirrored to your TV via Chromecast.

Step-By-Step Guide To Mirror Android To Tv Using Miracast

This is Android’s native mirroring option and has been available since Android version 5.0. It enables users to mirror their phone screens to a TV that supports the Miracast protocol. Follow the steps below to connect the two: 

1. Turn on your TV and go to the input settings.
2. Select the “Screen Mirroring” option and enable it. 
3. On your Android, go to the “Settings” app and select “Display.”
4. Tap the “Cast Screen” option and select your TV from the list of available devices. (It’s called Cast in Xiaomi and Smart View in Samsung phones)
5. Wait for the connection to establish, and your Android device’s screen will be mirrored to your TV via Miracast.

Pro Tip: Keep your phone in landscape orientation to match the TV’s display. Note that Android’s native screen mirroring feature works best when your phone and TV are from the same brand.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages: 

• Enjoy mirroring without additional hardware
• Easy to set up
• Straightforward to use

Disadvantages:

• Network connectivity issues
• Compatibility issues

Screen Mirroring Android to TV via Cable

A Step-by-Step Guide to Connecting via HDMI Cable

Follow these instructions:

1. Turn off both your TV and your Android device.
2. Connect one end of the cable to the HDMI port on your TV and the other end to the HDMI port on your USB-C to the HDMI adapter.
3. Use a USB-C cable to connect your phone to the adapter. 
4. Turn TV on and set it to the HDMI input into which you plugged the cable.
5. Turn on your Android device and wait for it to recognize the connection.
6. Your Android device’s screen will now be mirrored on your TV via the HDMI cable.

Explanation of the Process

A few options are available to connect your phone to a display with a cable. Your choice will depend on factors like the type of display, the connection duration, and whether (or not) you need to charge your phone during the process.

The easiest method is to use a USB-C to HDMI adapter, which we used above. It lets you connect your phone to the TV via an HDMI cable. However, your phone must support HDMI Alt Mode, which enables mobile devices to output video. Keep in mind that this method will use up your phone’s charging port, so if you plan to use it frequently, your battery life may suffer. To overcome this, you may use a USB-C to HDMI adapter with a charging port to charge your phone while mirroring content.

If your phone has an older Micro USB-style port, you’ll need a micro USB to HDMI adapter. This method requires support for a different protocol called MHL. If your phone supports this protocol, connect it to the adapter and attach an HDMI cable to connect to the TV.

Advantages and Disadvantages:

Advantages

• Reliable and stable connection
• High-quality video and audio output
• No major network connectivity issues

Disadvantage

• Less portable
• Less convenient

Screen Mirroring Through Third-Party Apps

There are numerous screen-mirroring apps available on the Google Play Store. But each comes with its own unique feature set and supported devices. Most Android screen-mirroring apps are designed to connect to external streaming boxes rather than directly to the TV. If you don’t have a streaming device, ensure that your TV supports Miracast and that your chosen app is compatible. In such cases, the below are app is a great choice.

On the other hand, if you’re using an external streamer with your TV, make sure that the app you select is compatible. Google’s Chromecast is the most widely supported streaming device, with the Google Home app being an excellent choice. Amazon’s Fire lineup is also supported, with the BubbleUPnP app being the best choice. Finally, for Roku, the Cast to TV app is recommended.

Examples of Popular Third-Party Apps

• Apps for TVs that support Miracast: iMediaShare, Plex, MIrrorTo, Universal Media Server 
• Apps for TVs that require a streaming device: Google Home App, AirDroid
• Apps for Amazon’s Fire lineup of devices: BubbleUPnP
• Apps for Roku Streaming Devices: Cast to TV

How to Use Third-Party Apps to Mirror Android to TV

Follow the steps below: 

• Open Google Appstore and download a suitable app
• Launch it 
• Wait a few moments for the app to configure your smart TV
• Now swipe down the notification pan on your phone and access the “screencast” option
• Identify and locate the TV in the list of devices
• Connect the two

Note: Sometimes, you may have to download the same app on your smartphone to start screen sharing.

Troubleshooting Common Issues 

Despite the various methods to mirror Android to TV, you may still encounter some problems. Here are some solutions to the most common problems:

• Connection issues: If you cannot connect your phone to the TV, ensure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. You should also check that your TV supports the mirroring method you’re using.
• Audio issues: If the audio isn’t playing from your TV, ensure your TV volume isn’t muted. Check whether the audio output on your phone is set to your TV.
• Lag or low-quality display: This can be due to weak Wi-Fi or mobile data connection. Ensure your phone is connected to a strong Wi-Fi network, or try using a wired connection via HDMI.

Tips for a Smoother Experience

Here are some tips to ensure a smoother experience when screen mirroring your Android device to your TV:

• Use a strong Wi-Fi network of at least 15Mbps. 
• Close other apps running in the background to free up memory on your phone.
• Keep your phone and TV OS up-to-date with the latest software updates.
• Use high-quality HDMI cables and adapters.
• Turn off the power-saving mode on your phone, as it can interfere with screen mirroring performance.

Final Thoughts

So, that’s a wrap on how to mirror Android to TV. We hope you can connect the two devices to watch your favorite content from your phone on your TV. Android’s native mirroring feature works like a charm most of the time. It’s the best method because it requires no additional hardware or cables. But, If you’re not satisfied with the results, use alternative methods like a streaming device such as Google Chromecast, Roku, or Amazon Fire Stick. Good luck!