Owning a modern LG Smart TV opens up enormous opportunities for home theater, but often the built-in applications are not enough or the interface seems inconvenient. It’s much easier to find a movie on a smartphone, where all the popular streaming services and players are already installed, and display the image on the big screen. Fortunately, LG's ecosystem and operating system work well together to provide multiple reliable ways to deliver content. There are many scenarios for using this feature, from viewing family photos and videos from the gallery to streaming heavy 4K movies via cloud storage. The main advantage of wireless transmission is the absence of unnecessary wires and the ability to control playback without leaving the couch. However, in order for the picture to be of high quality and the connection to be stable, it is necessary to take into account the technical nuances of your network and software versions. Android and operating system webOS from LG work well together to provide multiple, reliable ways to deliver content.
There are many scenarios for using this function: from viewing family photos and videos from the gallery to streaming heavy movies in 4K resolution via cloud storage. The main advantage of wireless transmission is the absence of unnecessary wires and the ability to control playback without leaving the couch. However, in order for the picture to be of high quality and the connection to be stable, it is necessary to take into account the technical nuances of your network and software versions.
In this guide we will analyze all the current connection methods, from standard system functions to third-party utilities. You will learn how to configure Miracast, use the protocol DLNA and which applications are best suited for specific tasks. Proper setup will turn your TV into a powerful media center, controlled with one touch on the smartphone screen.
Preparing equipment and network
Before you start setting up your broadcast, it is critical to make sure that both devices are in the same network conditions. A fundamental requirement for most wireless protocols to work is that the smartphone and TV are on the same subnet Wi-Fi. If your router supports dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), it is better to connect both devices to the 5 GHz network to ensure high throughput.
Check the software version on your TV LG webOS. Outdated firmware may not support new encryption standards or codecs, which will lead to connection errors. Go to the settings menu and select section All settings → General → About TV → Check for updates. Installing the latest version of software often solves problems with the visibility of the device in the list of available devices for connection.
It is also worth paying attention to the operating mode of the router. Some providers or security settings may isolate client devices from each other (AP Isolation feature), making it impossible for your phone to detect the TV. Make sure that your router settings allow local communication between connected gadgets.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using a guest Wi-Fi network or a corporate network with strict restrictions, the broadcast may not work. In such cases, the devices simply “do not see” each other, even if they are in the same room.
For maximum stability, it is recommended to reboot the router before starting setup, especially if there are a lot of connected devices on the network. This will clear the DHCP cache and provide fresh IP addresses, which will simplify the handshake process between the smartphone and the TV.
☑️ Check before connecting
Using the built-in Screen Share (Miracast) function
The most universal and common way to duplicate the screen is to use technology Miracast, which is implemented in LG TVs through the app Screen Share. This method allows you to broadcast not only video files, but also completely duplicate the smartphone interface, including games and the settings menu. To start working on the remote control, press the button Input or Smart and select the application Screen Share.
After launching the application, a connection waiting window will appear on the TV screen. At this point, enable the wireless display feature on your Android smartphone. The path to this setting may differ depending on the phone model, but usually it is located in the section Settings → Connected devices → Broadcast or in the notification shade called Smart View, Projection or Wireless monitor.
Once the phone finds your TV LG, click on its name in the list. A request to confirm the connection may appear on the TV screen - agree to it using the remote control. After this, the image from the phone will appear on the big screen. Please note that with this method, the phone will consume more energy, since the video stream is actively encoded in real time.
The quality of the picture directly depends on the processor power of your smartphone and the speed of the wireless network. If you notice audio lag or image stuttering, try lowering the broadcast resolution in your phone settings or moving closer to the router.
Casting via the LG TV Plus app
Official app LG TV Plus (formerly known as LG ThinQ) provides a deeper level of integration with the TV than simple screen casting. It allows you to use your smartphone as an advanced control panel, and also easily transfer photos and videos from the gallery directly to the built-in player of the TV, without loading the phone's processor by duplicating the interface.
To get started, download the application from Google Play Market and run it. The app will automatically scan the network and find your TV LG Smart TV. Follow the on-screen instructions to pair; a code will appear on your TV that you need to enter in the app. After successful registration, you will have full access to manage your media files.
To watch a movie, open the application, go to the media section and select the desired file on your phone. Press the broadcast button and the video will start playing on the TV. This is especially convenient because you can minimize the app on your phone, answer calls, or use other apps without interrupting the movie on the big screen.
⚠️ Attention: The LG TV Plus app may not support some specific audio codecs or subtitle formats that are easily read by third-party players. If there is no sound, check the audio settings in the application.
Another useful feature is the ability to create playlists. You can add multiple video files to the playback queue directly from your smartphone, and the TV will switch them automatically. This eliminates the need to constantly go to the TV or look for the remote control to select the next movie.
What to do if the application does not see the TV?
Make sure Bluetooth is turned on on both devices (for initial pairing). Sometimes it helps to temporarily disable the firewall on the router or reset the network settings on the TV itself through the “General” → “Network” → “Reset Wi-Fi settings” menu.
Third-party applications for advanced users
If standard tools do not provide the required functionality or quality, third-party solutions come to the rescue. The leader in this niche is the application AirScreen, which is installed directly on the LG TV through the Content Store application store. It emulates support for the AirPlay, Google Cast and Miracast protocols, making the TV visible to any device, even if native support does not work correctly.
After installing AirScreen on the TV, launch it and press the “Start” button. Now your smartphone will see the TV as a Chrome casting device or as an AirPlay receiver. This is ideal for iPhone owners who want to connect the device to LG, but also works great with Android, often providing a more stable picture than the native solution.
Another popular option is to use player apps on your smartphone, such as VLC for Android or BubbleUPnP. These apps have built-in detection of DLNA renderers. Having opened a movie in such a player, just click on the broadcast icon and select your TV from the list. The player itself will send a link to the file to the TV, which will download and play it independently.
| Application | Where it is installed | Main plus | Support for codecs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Share | Built-in TV | Does not require installation | Depends on TV |
| LG TV Plus | Smartphone (Android/iOS) | Control without screen duplication | Standard |
| AirScreen | TV (Content Store) | Support for AirPlay and Chromecast | High |
| BubbleUPnP | Smartphone (Android) | Working with network storage (NAS) | Maximum |
Using third-party software gives flexibility, but requires initial setup. For example, in BubbleUPnP you can configure transcoding on the fly if the TV does not understand the video file format. In this case, the phone will convert the stream before sending, which guarantees the playback of any content.
If the standard LG application does not find the video file, try renaming it by removing special characters from the name. Sometimes Russian letters or punctuation marks in the file name block the operation of DLNA servers.
Wired connection via HDMI and USB
Despite the popularity of wireless technologies, a wired connection remains the standard of stability and quality. If you need to watch a movie at maximum bitrate without any delays or compression artifacts, using a cable is the best choice. To do this, you will need an adapter USB-C to HDMIcompatible with your smartphone.
Not all Android phones support video output via USB. Known as DisplayPort Alt Mode, this feature is usually available in flagship models of the Samsung Galaxy S/Note series, Huawei P/Mate and some others. Budget models often lack this feature, so before purchasing an adapter, you should check the specifications of your device on the manufacturer's official website.
Connect the adapter to your phone, and the HDMI cable to a free port on your TV. Switch the TV signal source to the appropriate input (for example HDMI 1). The image will appear instantly. In the phone settings, you can select the operating mode: screen mirroring or desktop extension (if supported), which will allow you to use the phone for other tasks while viewing.
⚠️ Attention: When using cheap, uncertified adapters, the image may flicker or there may be no sound. It is recommended to use original accessories or products from well-known brands such as Anker or Baseus.
An alternative wired option is to use the USB port on the TV. You can copy the movie to a flash drive, connect it to the USB IN port on the TV panel and start playing through the built-in media player. Although this is not a live phone-to-TV broadcast, this method is often faster and more reliable if you just want to watch the downloaded file.
Solving common connection problems and errors
Even with the correct setup, users may encounter difficulties. One of the most common problems is when the phone sees the Wi-Fi network, but does not find the TV in the list of devices for streaming. In 90% of cases, this is solved by simply rebooting the router and both devices, which resets network caches and updates routing tables.
Another common complaint is desynchronization of sound and image. This occurs due to insufficient video stream processing speed or Wi-Fi channel overload. Try turning off other devices that consume a lot of traffic (torrents, downloads), or switch the TV to a wired connection to the router via a LAN cable, leaving the phone on Wi-Fi.
If when you try to connect you get the error “Could not connect” or the connection keeps dropping, check the date and time settings on both devices. The time difference can disrupt security and authentication protocols, blocking the establishment of a communication session.
80% of the stability of wireless broadcasting depends on the quality of the Wi-Fi signal. If the router is in another room or behind thick walls, use a Wi-Fi repeater or switch the TV to a cable connection to the network.
In rare cases, the problem lies in the antivirus software or firewall on your smartphone that is blocking outgoing connections for media services. Try temporarily disabling protection and checking the broadcast operation. If this helps, add the streaming app to your security settings exceptions.
Why can't the LG TV see my Android phone?
Most often, the devices are on different subnets (for example, one is connected to the main SSID, and the other is connected to the guest network). Also check whether the DLNA function is enabled in the TV settings and whether the antivirus on your phone is blocking the search for devices on the local network.
Is it possible to play games on the phone with output to the TV?
Yes, using the Screen Share (Miracast) mode. However, input lag can range from 100 to 300 ms, which makes fast-paced shooters or fighting games uncomfortable. For quiet strategies or quizzes, this method is quite suitable.
Is the sound broadcast to the TV when watching a video?
Yes, when using Miracast, Chromecast or applications like LG TV Plus, the sound automatically switches to the TV's audio system. If the sound remains on the phone, check the audio output settings in a specific application or in the Bluetooth/Connections system settings.
Does the phone battery drain affect the picture quality?
When the broadcast mode is active (screen mirroring), energy consumption increases significantly, and the phone can quickly discharge or overheat, which will lead to throttling (reduced performance) and video stuttering. It is recommended to connect the phone to a charger during prolonged viewing.