How to play on TV via Android phone: a complete guide with settings

Modern smartphones Android are not inferior in power to many game consoles, but the small screen makes it difficult to enjoy the process. Connecting your phone to your TV solves this problem - games look brighter, controls are more comfortable, and multiplayer modes finally make sense. However, not everyone knows that for this it is not necessary to buy an expensive console: it is enough to correctly configure the transmission of image and sound.

In this article we will analyze 5 proven methods outputting a game from a Androiddevice to a large screen - from wireless technologies like Miracast i Google Cast to wired solutions via HDMI or USB-C. We will pay special attention to setting the input delay (lag), choosing the optimal resolution and solving typical problems: connection loss, image artifacts or lack of sound. And at the end - an FAQ with answers to frequently asked questions, including compatibility with specific models of TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony Bravia) and phones (Xiaomi, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel).

1. Wireless connection via Miracast (Screen Mirroring)

Miracast —a standard for wireless screen transfer supported most modern TVs and smartphones (starting from version 46). Its main advantage is the absence of wires and minimal delays (from 30–50), which is critical for dynamic games. ms Android-smartphones (starting from version 4.2). Its main advantage is the absence of wires and minimal delays (from 30–50 ms), which is critical for dynamic games. However, the quality of communication depends on the distance between devices and the presence of interference in the network Wi-Fi 5 GHz.

To connect:

• 📱 On the phone: open Settings → Connected devices → Screen sharing (on Samsung — Smart View, on Xiaomi — Wireless Display).
• 📺 On the TV: turn on the mode Screen Mirroring (in the menu Network → Miracast or Sources → Wireless projection).
• 🔄 Select the name of your TV in the list of available devices on your phone.

If the image is slow or torn, try:

• 📶 Switch to Wi-Fi 5 GHz (less loaded than 2.4 GHz).
• 🔌 Disconnect other devices from the network.
• 🖥️ Reduce the phone screen resolution to 720p in the settings Miracast.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MediaTekprocessors (for example, Redmi Note 10there may be no support Miracast due to chipset limitations. In this case, use alternative methods (see section. 3).

2. Google Cast (Chromecast) - for streaming games and videos

Google Cast (implemented in devices Chromecast and built into many TVs with Android TV) allows you to broadcast content from your phone to a large screen. Unlike Miracast, not the entire screen is transmitted here, but only the selected application - this reduces the load on the network, but limits the functionality. For example, not all games support Cast directly.

How to set up:

1. Connect Chromecast (or turn on Google Cast on TV) to the same network Wi-Fias the phone.
2. Open a game that supports Cast (for example, Stadia, NVIDIA GeForce NOW or YouTube Gaming).
3. Click the icon Cast (📡) in the application interface and select your TV.

List of popular games with support Google Cast:

Game	Type	Latency (ms)	Account required
Stadia	Cloud gaming	20–40	Yes
NVIDIA GeForce NOW	Cloud gaming	30–50	Yes
Minecraft	Local/online	50–80	No
Asphalt 9	Local	60–100	No

Important: For cloud services (Stadia, GeForce NOW), the Internet speed must be no lower than 25 Mbit/s, otherwise there will be lags. If the game does not support Cast, use a workaround - broadcasting the entire screen through the app Google Home (but the delay will increase to 100–150 ms).

3. Wired connection via HDMI or USB-C

If wireless methods give lags, wired connection is the best choice for competitions or games that require precise control (for example, shooters or fighting games). data-i="120">wired connection

• 🔌 Adapter USB-C → HDMI (for modern phones) or Micro-USB → HDMI (for older models).
• 📺 TV with port HDMI (supporting MHL or DisplayPort Alt Mode).
• 🔋 Power supply for the phone (if you play for a long time, the battery will drain faster).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Connect the adapter to the phone, and then connect it to TV via HDMI.
2. On the TV, select the appropriate signal source (HDMI 1/2/3).
3. On the phone, you may need to enable the mode USB debugging (Settings → For developers) or confirm the image output resolution.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Minimum delay (10–20 ms).
• 🎮 Support for resolutions up to 4K@60Hz (if the adapter and TV are allow).
• 🔋 Ability to charge your phone while playing.

⚠️ Attention: Not all adapters USB-C → HDMI support game output. Cheap models (up to 500 ₽) often work only with video, but not with 3D graphics. For games, choose adapters with. chip DisplayLink or official accessories from the phone manufacturer (for example, Samsung DeX Station).

4. Steam Link - games from PC to TV via phone

If you have a gaming PC, Steam Link will allow you to stream games to your TV via your phone, using it as an intermediary. This method is suitable for resource-intensive projects (The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077), which will not run on a mobile device. The delay depends on the network speed and PC power, but under ideal conditions it does not exceed 30–40 ms.

How to set up:

1. Install Steam Link from Google Play to the phone.
2. On PC, run Steam, go to Settings → Remote access and enable Steam Link.
3. Connect your phone and PC to the same network Wi-Fi 5 GHz or via cable Ethernet (for minimal lags).
4. In the application Steam Link select your PC and configure the streaming settings (resolution, bitrate).
5. Connect your phone to the TV via HDMI or Miracast.

Optimal settings for games:

• 🖥️ Resolution: 1080p (if the TV supports 4K, but the network is weak, it’s better to reduce it).
• 📶 Bitrate: 20–30 Mbit/s (for 60 FPS).
• 🎮 Codecs: HEVC (if supported) or H.264.

For control you can use:

• 🎮 Gamepad connected to the phone via Bluetooth (for example, Xbox Controller or DualSense).
• 🖱️ Mouse and keyboard via USB-OTG.
• 📱 Phone touch screen ( Steam Link there are virtual buttons).

What to do if the Steam Link is slow?

Check the download CPU/GPU on PC - if they are 100% loaded, lower the graphics settings in the game. Also disable background apps (for example Discord or Chrome) that may consume the network.

5. Cloud gaming: Stadia, GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud If your phone is not powerful enough for modern games, it will allow you to play on your TV via the Internet. Services like

If your phone is not powerful enough for modern games, cloud gaming will allow you to play AAA projects on TV via the Internet. Services like Google Stadia, NVIDIA GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming process the game on their servers and transmit only the video stream to you. The main plus is that you don’t need to download games, the minus is the dependence on Internet speed.

Comparison of services:

Service	Cost	Required speed	Supported games	Latency
Google Stadia	Free (purchase games) / 9.99 $/month (Pro)	10+ Mbit/s	Exclusives + purchased	20–50 ms
NVIDIA GeForce NOW	9.99–19.99 $/month	15+ Mbit/s	Library Steam/Epic	30–60 ms
Xbox Cloud Gaming	Included Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (14.99 $/month)	10+ Mbit/s	Games from Game Pass	40–70 ms

How to play via the cloud on TV:

1. Install the service application on your phone (Stadia, GeForce NOW or Xbox Game Pass).
2. Connect your phone to TV via HDMI or Miracast.
3. Launch the game in the application and select the option of streaming to a large screen (if supported).
4. Connect the gamepad to the phone via Bluetooth.

⚠️ Attention: When using mobile data (4G/5G) cloud gaming can quickly run out of traffic (up to 7–15 GB/hour v 1080pFor stable gaming, it is better to use a wired connection or Wi-Fi 6.

6. Alternative methods: DLNA, TeamViewer and emulators

If standard methods are not suitable, consider alternatives:

• 📂 DLNA: Suitable for simple games (for example, chess or puzzles). Install an application like BubbleUPnPon your phone, and DLNA client (if supported). The latency is high (200+ ms), but it’s good for slow-paced games.
• 🖥️ TeamViewer: Allows you to control your phone from a PC and display the screen on a TV via HDMI. Useful for strategies where control accuracy is not critical.
• 🎮 Emulators: Applications like RetroArch or Dolphin support output to an external screen. For example, you can play GameCubegames on TV via Dolphin + HDMI adapter.

For We recommend emulators:

• 📱 Phone with a processor no weaker Snapdragon 845 (or equivalent).
• 🎮 Gamepad with support XInput (for example, 8BitDo Pro 2).
• ⚙️ Settings graphics: turn off anti-aliasing and reduce the render resolution to 2x Native.

7. Optimization: how to reduce lags and improve quality

Even with the correct connection, delays or artifacts may occur. Here's how to minimize them:

For wireless connections (Miracast/Google Cast):

• 📶 Use Wi-Fi 5 GHz and place the router closer to the phone and TV.
• 🔧 In the router settings, enable QoS (traffic priority for games).
• 📵 Turn off Bluetooth on your phone - it may cause interference.

For wired connections (HDMI):

• 🔌 Use a cable HDMI 2.0 or later (for 4K@60Hz).
• ⚡ Connect your phone to a charger - when When the battery level is low, performance drops.
• 🖥️ In the developer settings (Settings → About phone → Build number), enable Disable window animation.

For cloud gaming:

• 🌐 Connect to the servers closest to your region (in settings GeForce NOW or Stadia).
• 📡 Close all background applications that consume traffic (for example, Torrent or OS update).
• 🔄 If the image is “torn”, reduce the bitrate to 10–15 Mbit/s.

8. problems and their solutions

Let's look at typical errors and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: The TV does not find the phone when connected via Miracast.

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📱 Turn on the phone Wi-Fi Direct manually (Settings → Wi-Fi → Advanced).
• 📺 On TV, update the firmware (Settings → Support → Software update).

Problem 2: No sound when connected via HDMI.

• 🔊 Check whether HDMI is selected as the sound source in the phone settings (Settings → Sound → Sound output).
• 🔌 Try another cable or adapter - cheap models may not transmit audio.
• 📱 Turn on the mode Developer settings → Debug audio via HDMI.

Problem 3: Lags in cloud games (Stadia, GeForce NOW).

• 📶 Run a test speed on the site Speedtest.net —if the ping is higher 50 ms, try another server.
• 🔌 Connect the phone to the router via cable Ethernet (you will need adapter USB-C → Ethernet).
• 📵 Disable VPN —it can increase the delay.

Problem 4: The image on TV is cropped or stretched.

• 📺 On the TV, turn on the mode Just Scan or 1:1 Pixel Mapping (in the screen settings).
• 📱 On your phone, set the “native” screen resolution (Settings → Display → Screen resolution).
• 🔧 In settings Miracast disable Auto scaling.

⚠️ Attention: On some TVs Samsung (series QLED 2018–2020) when connected via Miracast the sound may disappear in games. The solution is to use an external speaker system (for example, Soundbar) via HDMI ARC.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

❓ Is it possible to play on a TV via a phone without the Internet?

Yes, but only with a wired connection (HDMI) or via Miracast (if the TV supports live broadcasting without a router). Cloud gaming (Stadia, GeForce NOW) and Google Cast require connection to Internet.

❓ Which phone is best for gaming on TV?

Optimal characteristics:

• 📱 Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or newer (for example, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, ASUS ROG Phone 7).
• 🖥️ Support DisplayPort Alt Mode (for HDMI without lags).
• 🔋 Battery 5000+ mAh (games quickly drain the phone).

From budget options: POCO F5 or Realme GT Neo 5.

❓ Why does the game slow down when connected via HDMI?

Possible reasons:

• 🔌 Cheap adapter USB-C → HDMI without support DisplayPort Alt Mode.
• 📱 The phone is overheating - clean it from dust and reduce the graphics in the game.
• ⚡ Lack of power - connect the phone to charger.

❓ Is it possible to use the phone as a gamepad for playing on TV?

Yes, using applications like Unity Remote (for homemade games) or Moonlight (for streaming from a PC). Also, some games (Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG Mobile) support connecting external ones. gamepads by Bluetooth.

❓ How to play Fortnite or Genshin Impact on a TV?

Both options:

1. Connect your phone to the TV via HDMI or Miracast.
2. Start the game and enable the mode Gamepad in the settings (for Genshin Impact an external controller will be required).
3. For Fortnite on Android you may need to bypass the blocking via Epic Games Launcher (relevant for phones without Google Play).