Modern smartphones of the line Honor have powerful multimedia capabilities, allowing you to store gigabytes of photos, high-resolution videos and music collections. However, the screen of even the most advanced phone cannot compare with the large diagonal of a home theater. There is a natural desire to display the contents of memory on a large screen, and many users first look for a way to do this through a standard one. This seems to be the simplest and most reliable option: no router-dependent Wi-Fi settings, and no delays. USB cable. This seems to be the simplest and most reliable option: no router-dependent Wi-Fi setup, and no delays.
However, direct connection of a smartphone Android to a TV via a USB port for image broadcasting (screen duplication) is technically impossible without the use of specialized adapters. USB port on a TV is designed primarily for reading files from flash drives, and not for receiving a video signal in real time. Understanding this architectural difference is critically important in order not to waste time on obviously non-working methods and immediately choose the right way to solve the problem.
In this material we will analyze in detail which operating modes are available when connecting Honor and Smart TV via cable, how to correctly set up data transfer and what alternative wired solutions exist for full screen duplication. We will look at the nuances of the file system, requirements for video formats, and ways to bypass the limitations of the standard interface.
Technical limitations of a direct USB connection
Before you begin to physically connect devices, you need to clearly understand the difference between transferring files and broadcasting a video stream. When you connect your phone to a computer or TV via cable USB Type-C, a data exchange protocol is established, which by default is set to charging. To access files, the user must manually change this mode in the smartphone settings.
TVs equipped with USB ports work as host devices for storage devices. They can read file systems FAT32, NTFS or exFAT. A smartphone Honor when connected can emulate an external drive in MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) mode. In this scenario, the TV will see the phone as a folder with files, but not as a video source to duplicate the interface.
⚠️ Attention: Directly connecting the USB cable from the phone to the USB port of the TV will NOT allow you to broadcast the smartphone screen (play games or watch YouTube through the phone interface). This method only works for viewing media files through the built-in player of the TV.
There is also a mode PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol), which was historically used to connect digital cameras. Some older TV models can display photos correctly in this mode if MTP does not work. However, the transfer speed and compatibility with modern image formats in PTP are often lower.
- 📂 MTP mode allows you to view photos and videos through the TV menu.
- 🔌 "Charge only" mode hides files from an external device.
- 📷 PTP mode can be useful for older TVs when working with photo.
- 🚫 Live broadcast of the Android desktop via a USB cable is not possible.
It is important to consider the USB protocol version. If your Honor supports USB 3.0 or higher and your TV only has a USB 2.0port, the reading speed of large video files may be limited by the bandwidth of the TV port. This can lead to slowdown when playing heavy content with a bitrate above 20-30 Mbit/s.
Step-by-step guide for connecting and setting up the MTP mode
To organize access to smartphone files through the TV interface, you need to follow a sequence of steps. First, make sure you have a working cable, preferably original or certified, capable of transmitting data and not just providing charging. Cheap cables often have pinouts only for power lines.
Connect one end of the cable to your smartphone Honorand the other to the USB port of the TV. It is recommended to use ports labeled as USB 2.0 or USB 3.0, avoiding service connectors, if any. After the physical connection, a system notification should appear on the phone screen.
☑️ Preparing for connection
Lower the notification shade on your smartphone and find the message “USB Charging” or “USB Settings”. Click on it to expand the list of available modes. Select item "File transfer" or "MTP". It is this action that switches the power controller to data exchange mode.
On the TV remote control, press the signal source selection button (usually indicated as SOURCE, INPUT or a square icon with an arrow). In the menu that appears, select the appropriate USB input. The TV will begin scanning the connected device and display the folder structure of the smartphone.
Navigation is carried out using the remote control buttons. You can go to the folders DCIM (photos and videos from the camera), Download (downloads) or Music. The TV's built-in media player will try to decode the selected file. If the video format is not supported by the TV firmware, you will see a playback error.
If the TV does not see the phone immediately after selecting MTP mode, try disconnecting the cable, rebooting both devices and repeating the connection procedure. Sometimes it takes a few seconds to initialize the protocol.
Format and file system compatibility issues
Even with a successful connection via the protocol MTP users often encounter a situation where the TV sees folders, but does not play specific video files. This is due to the lack of necessary codecs in the TV software. Smartphones Honor often record video in modern formats, such as HEVC (H.265) or VP9which may not be supported by older TV models.
Another common problem is the file system. If you are using an external drive via an OTG adapter, the TV may not see it if it is formatted in NTFS, and the TV only understands FAT32. However, when connecting the phone itself via MTP, this problem is mitigated, since the broadcast occurs at the protocol level, not the block device.
| Video format | File extension | TV compatibility | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| H.264 (AVC) | .mp4,.mkv | High (almost all TV) | Ideal for compatibility |
| H.265 (HEVC) | .mp4,.mkv | Medium (4K TV only) | Check TV specification |
| AVI (DivX/XviD) | .avi | Low (outdated) | Convert to MP4 |
| WebM | .webm | Low | Not recommended for TV |
The audio track also plays an important role. Many TVs do not support audio codecs DTS or new versions AC3. As a result, the video may play without sound. In such cases, the only solution is to convert the file on your computer or use a third-party media player if the TV platform (for example Android TV) allows its installation.
⚠️ Attention: Files larger than 4 GB cannot be written to flash drives with the FAT32 file system. When transferring via MTP from a phone, this limitation is usually absent, but there may be a limitation on the part of the TV on the length of the file path or folder name.
What to do if the video is slow?
If there are lags when playing heavy 4K video, try lowering the file bitrate on your computer or using a network connection (DLNA), as USB 2.0 bandwidth may not be sufficient for the streams above 40 Mbit/s.
Using OTG adapters and external drives
Sometimes direct connection of the phone is inconvenient, for example, if you need to leave the smartphone free for calls or if the cable is too short. In this case, you can use OTG adapter (On-The-Go). This small adapter allows you to connect a regular USB flash drive or external hard drive to your smartphone. Honor a regular USB flash drive or external hard drive.
First, connect the flash drive to the adapter, and the adapter to the phone. The smartphone will offer to open a file manager to view the content. Your task is to copy the necessary media files from the phone’s internal memory to external storage. Once copying is complete, unplug the drive and insert it directly into the TV's USB port.
This method has a number of advantages. First, it takes the load off the phone's processor and doesn't drain its battery while browsing. Secondly, the file system of the flash drive will be native to the TV, which guarantees maximum compatibility. Thirdly, you can prepare in advance a collection of films in a format that is exactly supported by your TV.
- 💾 The flash drive works autonomously from the smartphone.
- ⚡ The phone's power consumption is reduced (there is no active data transfer).
- 🛠 Guaranteed support for codecs by the TV (if correct format).
- 🔄 Ability to quickly replace content without reconnecting the cable.
Make sure that your adapter OTG supports the USB 3.0 standard if you plan to transfer large files. This will greatly speed up the process of copying 4K movies. Also check whether your model Honor supports the OTG function - in modern models it is enabled by default, but in some older versions of the shell EMUI it was required to activate it in the settings.
Using a flash drive via OTG is the most stable way to view local files, eliminating problems with MTP and drivers connection breaks.
Alternative wired methods: HDMI and USB-C to HDMI
If your goal is not just to open a folder with files, but to broadcast the image from the smartphone screen (screen mirroring, games, browser), then a regular USB cable will not work. You will need technology MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) or DisplayPort Alt Mode, implemented through an adapter USB-C to HDMI.
Not all smartphones Honor support video signal output via the USB-C port. Flagship models usually have this feature, while budget and mid-range models may lack video output. You can check this in the device specifications on the official website or in the user manual, looking for a mention of support Video Out.
To connect, purchase an active adapter USB Type-C to HDMI. Connect the HDMI cable from the adapter to the TV, and the adapter itself to the phone. The TV will automatically detect the new signal source. The image from the phone screen will appear on the large display in real time.
It is important to note that with such a connection the phone may quickly discharge, since the process of encoding and transmitting the video stream requires significant resources. Many high-quality adapters have an additional port USB-C for connecting a charger, which allows you to simultaneously watch content and charge your smartphone.
⚠️ Attention: When using a USB-C to HDMI adapter, the output resolution may be limited by the capabilities of the phone. Some models only support 1080p, even if the TV is 4K. It is also possible for the smartphone to overheat when used for a long time.
This method is the only wired way to (truly) mirror the Android interface on the TV. It does not depend on the TV codecs, since the video stream is generated by the phone and transmitted in a ready-made form through the interface HDMI.
Diagnostics and solutions to typical connection problems
Despite the simplicity of the interface, users often encounter the fact that the TV does not see the phone or does not read files. The first diagnostic step should always be to check the cable. Try connecting the same cable to your computer: if the PC does not see the phone in file transfer mode, then the cable is faulty or is intended only for charging.
The second common problem is screen locking. Some TV models stop reading data from the MTP device if the smartphone screen goes dark and goes into sleep mode. Leave the phone screen on while navigating through files on the TV, or change the display timeout settings in Settings → Display and brightness → Sleep mode If the TV sees folders, but the files are displayed as damaged or cannot be opened, the problem lies in the codecs. Try playing the same file on another device. If the problem only plays on TV, you will have to convert the video to a more compatible format (for example, H.264 in an MP4 container) before copying. Settings → Display and brightness → Sleep mode.
If the TV sees the folders, but the files are displayed as damaged or cannot be opened, the problem lies in the codecs. Try playing the same file on another device. If the problem only plays on TV, you will have to convert the video to a more compatible format (such as H.264 in an MP4 container) before ripping.
In rare cases, you may need to turn on USB debugging. Although this is not usually required for MTP mode, activating this mode in the menu For developers can help the system correctly detect the device. To get to the developer menu, click 7 times on the build number in the section About phone.
Why doesn't the TV see files in the DCIM folder?
Folder DCIM may contain subfolders with different names. Some TVs only scan the root directory or standard folder names. Try moving the files to the root of the internal memory or to a folder with a simple name in Latin, for example, "VIDEO".
Is it possible to charge the phone while viewing files via USB?
Yes, when connected to a TV, the smartphone usually charges, but the charging current from the TV's USB port is very small (often no more than 0.5A). If you watch a video for a long time, the charge may decrease faster than it is replenished. It is recommended to use external power.
Do all Honor models support image output via USB-C?
No. Only models with USB 3.0 or higher, and some specific USB 2.0 models, support DisplayPort Alt Mode. Budget series often have a port that only works for data transfer and charging.
Which flash drive format is best to use for a TV?
The most universal is FAT32, all TVs can read it. However, it does not support files larger than 4GB. For modern TVs, it is better to use exFAT or NTFS, but first check the support of these formats in the instructions for your TV model.
Why does the phone only charge when the cable is connected?
By default, Android selects the “Charge Only” mode for security purposes. You need to unlock the screen, lower the notification shade and manually select the "File Transfer" (MTP) mode in the system notification.