How to stream video from a phone to Android TV: all the methods and nuances

Broadcasting video from your phone to a large TV screen is one of the most popular functions of modern Android devices. Whether it's watching movies with the family, sharing vacation photos, or streaming games, the ability to stream images wirelessly or wired saves time and makes content easier to consume. However, not all users know that broadcast methods differ greatly in stability, picture quality and even supported formats.

In this article we will analyze all current screen transfer methods from an Android smartphone to Android TV (including models from Sony Bravia, Xiaomi Mi TV, Nvidia Shield and other brands), compare them in terms of speed, resolution and complexity of setup. We will pay special attention to typical problems - for example, why the video “slows down” or why the sound is transmitted separately from the image. And at the end you will find a FAQ with answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Important: if your TV does not work on Android TV, but on another platform (for example, Tizen y Samsung or webOS y LG), some methods may not be suitable. In this case, pay attention to universal protocols like Miracast or Google Cast.

1. Wireless broadcast via Google Cast (Chromecast)

The most popular and universal method is to use technology Google Cast, which is built into most modern Android smartphones and Android TV. This method does not require additional devices if your TV supports Google Cast (usually indicated in the specifications or on the box).

How it works: the smartphone sends content directly to the TV via a local Wi-Fi network, while the phone screen itself can be used to control playback (for example, pause, rewind). The main advantage is minimum delay (latency) up to 50 ms, which is critical for games or video calls.

• 📱 Step 1. Connect your phone and TV to one Wi-Fi network (important: a guest network or different routers will not work).
• 🔍 Step 2. Open an application that supports Google Cast (for example YouTube, Netflix, Google Photos). Click the broadcast icon (usually in the upper right corner).
• 📺 Step 3. Select yours in the list of devices Android TV. If the TV is not displayed, check whether Google Cast is enabled in its settings (Settings → Devices → Screen casting).
• 🎬 Step 4. Start playback - the video will appear on the TV screen, and the elements will remain on the phone controls.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video) block broadcasting via Google Cast due to DRM protection. In this case, use. method screen mirroring (described below).

2. Screen duplication via Miracast (Screen Mirroring)

Miracast is a wireless broadcast standard that works without the Internet, directly between devices. Unlike Google Cast, it is duplicated the entire smartphone screen, and not a separate video. This is convenient for. presentations, games or applications that do not support Cast.

Disadvantages of the method: higher latency (up to 200 ms) and possible “slowdowns” if the smartphone is weak or there is a lot of interference on the air. But do not require a Wi-Fi connection it is enough for both devices to support Miracast (most Android smartphones starting from version Android 4.2 i Android TV based Android 5.0+).

• 🔄 Step 1. On the TV, activate the mode Screen Mirroring (in the menu Settings → Display → Wireless display or Miracast).
• 📲 Step 2. On your smartphone, open Settings → Connections → Screen broadcast (on Samsung this may be called Smart View, on Xiaomi — Wireless Display).
• 🔍 Step. 3. Find your TV in the list and confirm pairing on both devices.
• ⚙️ Step 4. If necessary, change the broadcast resolution in the settings (for example, from 720p to 1080p for better quality).

Parameter	Google Cast	Miracast
Wi-Fi required	Yes (one network)	No
Delay (latency)	50–100 ms	100–200 ms
Supported applications	Only with Cast function	Any (full screen)
Video quality	Up to 4K HDR. is interrupted, try turning off Bluetooth on your smartphone - it may create interference in the 2.4 GHz range.	Up to 1080p (varies by model)
Sound	Sent along with the video	Sent along with the video

3. Wired connection via HDMI (MHL or USB-C)

If you need maximum quality without delays (for example, to watch movies in 4K HDR or for games), the best option is a wired connection via HDMI. For this you will need:

• 📱 A smartphone with support MHL (for older models) or USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode (for new).
• 🔌 Adapter USB-C → HDMI (for example, Google USB-C Digital AV Multiport or inexpensive analogues).
• 📺 Cable HDMI (version 1.4 for 1080p, 2.0 for 4K).

Advantages of the method: no delays, stable connection, support for high resolutions and sound Dolby Digital. Disadvantages: the phone discharges faster, and during connection it is impossible to simultaneously charge the device (if the adapter does not support Power Delivery).

Check MHL/DisplayPort support in the smartphone characteristics|

Buy a USB-C → HDMI adapter (for new models) or an MHL adapter (for old ones)|

Use a high-quality HDMI cable (version 2.0 for 4K)|

Enable the "Image transfer" mode in the USB settings on the phone

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Instructions:

1. Connect the adapter to your smartphone, and then connect it to the TV via HDMI.
2. On the TV, select the appropriate HDMI input as the signal source.
3. On the smartphone, an option will appear in the notification line Transfer USB images —activate it.
4. If the image does not appear, check whether your phone supports DisplayPort Alt Mode (a list of compatible models is on the adapter manufacturer's website).

⚠️ Attention: On some smartphones (for example, Samsung Galaxy S22+) when connected via HDMI the touch screen is disabled. To control the phone, connect a wireless mouse via Bluetooth.

4. Broadcasting through manufacturers' applications

Many brands develop their own broadcasting solutions, which often work more stable than universal protocols:

• 📺 Samsung DeX. Converts a smartphone into. a full-fledged computer with an interface on the TV screen. Supports multitasking, keyboard and mouse. Works wirelessly (on models Android on the TV screen. Supports multitasking, keyboard and mouse. Works according to HDMI or wirelessly (on models Galaxy S20+ and newer).
• 🎮 Xiaomi Mi Screen Sharing. Built-in function in MIUI, which duplicates the screen Miracast with minimal settings. There is a “Game Mode” option to reduce the delay.
• 🖥️ LG Screen Share. An application for TVs LG (not even on Android TV), which supports broadcasting from Android i iOS.
• 🔄 Sony Video & TV SideView. Allows you not only to broadcast the screen, but also to control the TV Sony Bravia from your smartphone.

As a rule, these applications offer additional functions, for example:

• 🎛️ Setting the broadcast quality (balance between resolution and ping).
• 🔇 Separate audio transmission (for example, through Bluetooth to headphones).
• 📱 Using a smartphone as a remote control or gamepad.

To use a proprietary solution:

1. Install the TV manufacturer's application from Google Play.
2. Connect both devices to the same network Wi-Fi.
3. Follow the instructions in the application (usually just click “Start broadcast” and select a TV from the list).

Why are proprietary applications better than Miracast?

Proprietary solutions are optimized for specific TV models, which reduces latency and improves stability. For example, Samsung DeX uses proprietary protocols for data transmission, and Xiaomi Mi Screen Sharing automatically adjusts the bitrate to the current load on the network. While Miracast is a universal standard that can “slow down” due to the lack of such optimization.

5. Broadcasting via DLNA/UPnP (for local files)

If you need to broadcast video, music or photosstored in the phone's memory (and not streaming services), the protocol DLNAis suitable. It allows you to “distribute” media files to the TV without duplicating the entire screen.

Advantages:

• ✅ No delay (files are played directly from the phone).
• ✅ Almost all formats are supported (MKV, MP4, AVI etc.).
• ✅ Does not require a powerful smartphone (the load is only on data transfer).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Does not work with streaming services (Netflix, YouTube etc. etc.).
• ❌ The TV needs to support DLNA (usually this is indicated in the specifications).

Instructions:

1. On the TV, turn on the function DLNA (in the menu Network → DLNA Server or Media).
2. On your smartphone, install a media server application, for example BubbleUPnP or Plex.
3. In the application, select files to broadcast and specify the TV as the playback device.
4. On the TV, open the media player and select your smartphone as the source.

⚠️ Attention: When broadcasting files 4K HDR on DLNA freezes are possible if the router does not support Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or network speed below 300 Mbit/s.

6. Using external devices (Chromecast, Fire TV Stick)

If your TV does not support Android TV or it has outdated firmware, you can use external ones media set-top boxes:

• 📱 Google Chromecast. Connects to HDMIport and allows you to broadcast content via Google Cast even to old TVs.
• 🔥 Amazon Fire TV Stick. Supports Miracast and proprietary protocol Fire TV Mirroring.
• 🎮 Nvidia Shield TV. Powerful set-top box for Android TV with support 4K HDR and game streaming (GeForce NOW).

Advantages:

• 🔹 Compatible with any TV (even without Smart TV).
• 🔹 Often better broadcast quality than the built-in functions of the TV.
• 🔹 Additional features (voice search, games, IPTV).

How to set up:

1. Connect the set-top box to the TV via HDMI i set it up (connect to Wi-Fi, log in to your account Google/Amazon).
2. On your smartphone, use Google Cast (for Chromecast) or Miracast (for Fire TV Stick).
3. For Nvidia Shield install an app Nvidia GameStream to stream games from your PC.

7. Solving problems with broadcasting

If the video is not broadcast or the broadcast is interrupted, check the following points:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
TV is not visible in the list of devices	Disabled Miracast/Google Cast on TV	Enable the function in the TV settings
Video slows down or “breaks”	Weak signal Wi-Fi or network congestion	Reconnect to the network 5 GHz or use a wired connection
No sound	The wrong input is selected on the TV HDMI	Check the sound settings on the TV and smartphone
Low image quality	Automatic resolution reduction	Manually install 1080p or 4K in the broadcast settings
The application does not support Cast	DRM protection or developer restrictions	Use screen mirroring (Miracast)

Additional tips:

• 🔄 If the broadcast breaks, restart the router - sometimes changing the channel helps Wi-Fi.
• 📶 For Miracast it is better to use the range 5 GHz —it is less loaded.
• 🔋 For a wired connection via HDMI use power cable (if the adapter supports Power Delivery) so that the phone does not was discharged.

⚠️ Attention: On some TVs (for example, Sony Bravia 2018–2019) after updating the firmware, support may disappear MiracastIn this case, resetting the network settings on the TV or rolling back the firmware (if). available).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to cast the screen from iPhone to Android TV?

Yes, but with restrictions. Apple uses a proprietary protocol AirPlaythat is not compatible with Android TV directly. Options:

• Use a prefix Apple TV as an intermediary. data-i="300">Install on
• Install on Android TV server application AirPlay (for example, AirScreen).
• Connect via HDMI via an adapter Lightning → HDMI.

Quality and stability will be worse than when broadcasting from Android to Android TV.

Why is there no sound when broadcasting via Miracast?

This is a typical problem if:

• The wrong input is selected on the TV in the sound settings (for example, TV speakers instead of HDMI).
• The smartphone blocks sound transmission via Miracast (check the developer settings).
• An incompatible audio codec is used (try changing the audio format in the TV settings).

Solution: reboot both devices and reconnect. If the problem persists, try another casting method (for example, Google Cast).

How to cast the screen from a phone to Android TV via mobile data (4G/5G)?

Technically this is possible, but not recommended due to:

• High traffic consumption (up to 7 GB/hour for 1080p).
• Large latency (latency can reach 500+ ms).
• Unstable connection (4G/5G signal failures).

If you still need: create Wi-Fi hotspot on your phone, connect a TV to it and use Google Cast or MiracastTo reduce traffic consumption, reduce the broadcast resolution to 720p.

What is the maximum resolution supported during broadcasting?

It depends on the method:

• Google Cast: to 4K HDR (with stable Wi-Fi 5/6).
• Miracast: usually up to 1080p, on some devices - 1440p.
• HDMI: to 4K@60 Hz (depending on the adapter and cable).
• DLNA: to 4K, but artifacts are possible at high bitrate.

For 4K be sure to use Wi-Fi 5 GHz or a wired connection.

Is it possible to cast the screen from a phone to Android TV without Wi-Fi?

Yes, but only through:

• Miracast (direct connection without a router).
• HDMI (wired connection).
• Bluetooth (only for audio transmission, no video).

Google Cast i DLNA require a shared network Wi-Fi.