Watching movies from the screen a smartphone on a large TV is a convenient solution for a home theater, especially if you don’t have Wi-Fi or Smart TVat hand. Many users Samsung Galaxy do not even suspect that for this it is not necessary to buy additional adapters or use wireless technologies - the standard one USB cablethat comes with the phone is enough. However, there are nuances here: not all TVs support live broadcasting via USB, and the settings Android may vary depending on the firmware version.

In this article we will look at three working ways to output an image from a Samsung phone to a TV via USBincluding modes MTP, PTP and special functions for modern models Samsung DeX. You'll learn what cables and adapters you'll need, how to set up your phone and TV, and what to do if the connection doesn't work. We will separately consider the limitations of video formats and ways to bypass them.

Which Samsung phones and TVs support USB connections

Not everyone Samsung Galaxy can broadcast the screen to a TV via a USB cable. Here are the key conditions of compatibility:

  • 📱 Smartphones: all models with Android 6.0 and newer (for example, Galaxy S8/S9/S10/S21/S22/S23, Note 8/9/10, A-series from A50 and above). Older devices (up to Android 5.1) only support file transfer, but not screen mirroring.
  • 📺 TVs: models Samsung with port USB 3.0 (usually QLED, UHD, SUHD 2016 and newer) or any TV with support MHL/SlimPort. Budget TVs without Smart functions are often limited to only reading files from a flash drive.
  • 🔌 Cables: original USB-C → USB-A (for modern ones Galaxy) or Micro-USB → USB-A (for older models). To mirror the screen, you may need an adapter MHL (for example, Samsung EH-MU90).

Important: if your TV does not support MHL, you can only view files from your phone as from a flash drive, but not mirror the screen. Check support MHL can be found in the instructions for the TV or on the website Samsung by model.

⚠️ Attention: On TVs LG, Sony or Xiaomi without MHL USB connection may not work even with adapters. In this case, use HDMI or wireless technologies (Miracast, Google Cast).
Phone model MHL support Max. resolution via USB Adapter required
Galaxy S23/S22/S21 ❌ No (only DeX) 4K (via DeX) ✅ Yes (USB-C → HDMI)
Galaxy S10/S9/S8 ✅ Yes 1080p ✅ Yes (MHL)
Galaxy A52/A72 ❌ No 1080p (files only) ❌ No
Galaxy Note 20/10 ✅ Yes 1440p ✅ Yes (MHL or DeX)

📊 What TV do you have?
Samsung (Smart TV)
Samsung (without Smart)
LG/Sony/Xiaomi
Another brand
I don’t know the model

Method 1: Watching movies from a flash drive (without mirroring)

The simplest method is to connect your phone as an external drive and play files directly through the TV. This works on all Samsung Galaxy and most TVs. port USB.

Instructions:

  1. Connect the phone to the TV with a cable USB-C → USB-A (or Micro-USB → USB-A for older models).
  2. On the phone in the notification panel, select the mode File transfer (MTP).
  3. On the TV, open the signal source USB (usually the button Source or Input on the remote control).
  4. Select a movie in the TV menu Supported. formats: (depending on the TV model). MTP mode is allowed MP4, MKV, AVI (depending on TV model).

☑️ What to check before connecting

Completed: 0 / 4

Method limitations:

  • 🎬 No screen mirroring - only viewing saved files.
  • 🔊 Sound comes through the TV, but subtitles may not be displayed.
  • 📂 Not all phone folders are visible (for example, DCIM/Camera is usually available, but Downloads is not).

💡

If the TV does not see the phone, try a different cable or the USB port on the TV. Sometimes rebooting both devices helps.

Method 2: Screen mirroring via MHL (for older Samsung models)

If yours Galaxy S8/S9/Note 8/9 supports MHL, you can completely duplicate the phone screen to the TV via a USB port. adapter (for example, Samsung EH-MU90 or universal MHL 2.0).

Step-by-step setup:

  1. Connect the adapter MHL to the port USB-C (or Micro-USB) phone.
  2. Connect the adapter to the TV via HDMIcable (included with the adapter).
  3. Connect the adapter's power to the outlet (required! Without power MHL does not work).
  4. On on your TV, select the source HDMI.
  5. On your phone in the screen settings, enable MHL Safe Mode (if available).

What you need to know:

  • 🔋 Adapter MHL requires external power - without it the image will flicker or be absent.
  • 🎮 Sound delay can reach 0.5–1 second (critical for games, but not for movies).
  • 🔌 Not all TVs support MHL even through HDMI —check the model specifications.

Why is the image interrupted?

If the picture flickers or disappears, check: 1) the adapter is connected to the outlet; 2) the HDMI cable is not damaged; 3) the phone; does not overheat (MHL loads the processor).

⚠️ Attention: On Galaxy S10 and newer MHL is not officially supported, use Samsung DeX instead (adapter required USB-C → HDMI).

Method 3: Samsung DeX for modern phones (USB + HDMI)

Samsung DeX is a desktop mode that converts the TV screen into a full-fledged monitor. It is available on all flagships Samsung s Android 8.0 and newer. An adapter is required for connection. data-i="160">(for example, official USB-C → HDMI (for example, official Samsung EE-MG950 or third-party with support DisplayPort Alt Mode).

How to connect:

  1. Connect the adapter to the port USB-C of the phone.
  2. Connect the adapter to the TV via HDMI.
  3. On the TV, select the source HDMI.
  4. A notification will appear on the phone - click Launch DeX.
  5. Now you can open the video in any player (for example, VLC or MX Player) - it will be broadcast on TV.

Advantages DeX:

  • 🖥️ Full desktop with mouse and keyboard support (on Bluetooth).
  • 🎥 Ability to watch movies in high definition (4K on supported models).
  • 🔊 The sound is transmitted to the TV without delay.

Limitations:

  • 💰 The official adapter Samsung is expensive (from 3000–5000 ₽).
  • 🔋 The phone is fast is running low - it’s better to connect the charger.
  • 📱 Not all applications are optimized for DeX (for example, Netflix may block output to an external screen).

💡

Samsung DeX is the best way for modern phones, but requires a USB-C adapter → HDMI. Supports 4K and multitasking.

What video formats are supported when connected via USB

Even if you have successfully connected your phone to the TV, not all videos will play. It depends on the capabilities TVand not the smartphone. Here are the typical limitations:

Format Extension Support on Samsung TV Max. resolution
H.264 (AVC) .mp4, .mkv ✅ Yes 4K
H.265 (HEVC) .mp4, .mkv ✅ Yes (on 2018+ models) 4K
MPEG-4 (DivX/Xvid) .avi, .divx ⚠️ Partially (depending on the codec) 1080p
VP9 .webm, .mkv ❌ No (only on new QLEDs) 1080p
AV1 .mkv, .mp4 ❌ No —

If your movie does not play:

  • 🔧 Re-encode the video to H.264 using HandBrake or VLC.
  • 📁 Check if it is protected file DRM (for example, downloaded from Netflix or KinoPoisk).
  • 🔊 If there is no sound, try changing the audio track in the TV player.

💡

To play MKV with subtitles, use player VLC on the phone and broadcast the screen via DeX or MHL.

Problem solving: what to do if the phone does not connect to the TV

If the TV does not see the phone or the image does not appear, check the following points:

⚠️ Attention: On Android 12 and later, you may need to allow access to media files in the settings Applications → Special access → Access to all files.
Problem Possible reason Solution
The TV does not see the phone Wrong USB mode Select MTP or PTP in the notification shade
No image with MHL Not enough power Connect the adapter to the outlet
Video lags Weak cable or port Use USB 3.0 or HDMI 2.0
No sound Wrong audio output In the phone settings, select HDMI as device output

Additional steps:

  1. Reboot both devices.
  2. Update the firmware of the TV and phone.
  3. Try a different cable or port USB/HDMI on TV.
  4. Disable USB debugging in the developer settings (sometimes interferes with the connection).

How to enable developer mode?

Go to Settings → About phone → Software information i Click on Build number7 times. Then return to Settings → System → For developers.

Alternative ways to cast from your phone to TV (if USB doesn't work)

If connecting via USB is not possible, consider these options:

  • 📶 Wi-Fi Direct / Miracast: Wireless screen mirroring (works on Samsung TV 2016+ and phones with Android 5.0+). Enabled in Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct data-i="259">(for example, Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct.
  • 📱 Google Cast / Smart View: Broadcast via YouTube, Netflix or Samsung Smart View. Requires Wi-Fi.
  • 🔌 HDMI adapter: Universal adapters USB-C → HDMI (For example, Baseus or Anker) work without MHL, but may not support 4K.
  • 💾 Flash drive or external drive: Copy the movie to the drive and connect to TV.

Comparison of methods:

Method Quality Latency Required
USB (MTP) ⭐⭐⭐ (up to 1080p) ❌ No USB cable
MHL ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (up to 4K) ⚠️ 0.5–1 s Adapter + HDMI
DeX ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4K HDR) ❌ No USB-C → HDMI adapter
Wi-Fi Direct ⭐⭐⭐ (1080p) ⚠️ 1–2 s Wireless network

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connecting Samsung to TV via USB

❓ Is it possible to connect the Galaxy A10/A20/A30 via USB to a TV?

Yes, but only for viewing files (like a flash drive). These models do not support MHL or DeX. For screen mirroring, use Wi-Fi Direct or an adapter USB-C → HDMI (if the TV supports DisplayPort Alt Mode).

❓ Why does the Samsung TV not see the phone via USB?

The reasons may be as follows:

  • 🔌 The cable is used only for charging (you need USB cable with data transfer).
  • 📱 The mode is not selected on the phone MTP (check the notification shade).
  • 📺 The port USB on the TV is intended only for service functions (try another port).
  • 🔄 The TV firmware needs to be updated.
❓ How to enable sound via HDMI when connected via DeX?

By default, the sound can go through the phone. To redirect it to the TV:

  1. Connect DeX.
  2. In the phone notification panel, click on the icon Sound.
  3. Select output device HDMI or DeX.

If the option is missing, check the settings Sound → Advanced → Audio output via HDMI.

❓ Is it possible to watch Netflix/YouTube via a USB connection?

Depends on the method:

  • 🎬 MTP (flash drive): No - Netflix and YouTube block video downloading for offline viewing on external devices.
  • 🖥️ DeX/MHL: Yes, but Netflix may limit the resolution due to DRM (maximum 720p).
  • 📶 Smart View: Yes, but requires Wi-Fi.

💡

To view Netflix in high quality, use the built-in application on Smart TV or a set-top box (Apple TV, Nvidia Shield).

❓ Which adapter should I buy for the Galaxy S22/S23?

For modern flagships Samsung suitable:

  • 🔌 Official Samsung USB-C to HDMI Adapter (EE-MG950) - supports 4K@60Hz and DeX.
  • 💰 Budget option: Baseus USB-C to HDMI (up to 4K@30Hz, without DeX).
  • 🎮 Universal dock: Anker 565 (support HDMI, USB-A, Ethernet).

Please note: cheap adapters without a chip DisplayPort Alt Mode will not work!