Modern smartphones based on Android have become powerful multimedia centers capable of playing content in high definition. However, watching movies, photos or playing games on a small screen is not always convenient. This is where smart TVs LG with an operating system WebOScome to the rescue, which make it easy to duplicate an image or broadcast media files over a wireless network. Correctly setting up the connection allows you to access a huge screen without unnecessary wires and complex equipment.
The process of synchronizing devices may vary depending on the model of your TV and the version of the operating system on your smartphone. In this article we will analyze in detail all available methods: from built-in functions Miracast to wired connection via HDMI. You'll learn how to avoid image delays, which apps to use for streaming, and how to adjust your audio. Following these instructions will turn your home theater into a single ecosystem.
Before you begin setup, make sure that both devices are charged and in working order. Sometimes simple things, such as updating the TV's firmware or turning on the module Wi-Fi on the phone, solve 90% of connection problems. We will consider both standard means LGand third-party solutions if standard methods do not work for some reason.
Preparing devices and checking the network
A successful wireless connection directly depends on the quality of the network and the correctness of the initial settings. The first step is to make sure that your smartphone and TV LG Smart TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is critical to the operation of device discovery protocols. If one gadget is on the guest network and the other on the main network, they simply “will not see” each other in the list of available devices.
Go to the TV settings using the remote control and go to the Settings → Network → Wi-Fi connectionsection. Check the access point name. Perform a similar action on your smartphone: lower the notification shade and make sure that the same router is selected. For stable video transmission in resolution 4K it is recommended to use the frequency 5 GHzas it is less loaded and provides greater bandwidth.
It is also worth checking the software version on the TV. Outdated firmware WebOS may not support new video encoding standards or have errors in the operation of the module Wi-Fi Direct. Updating the system often solves problems with an unstable connection. If the network is working correctly, but the devices do not find each other, try rebooting the router by disconnecting it from the power supply for 10-15 seconds.
⚠️ Attention: Some corporate or public Wi-Fi networks have Client Isolation. In such networks, devices cannot communicate with each other directly, even if they are connected to the same router. In this case, a wireless connection is not possible, and you will have to use other methods.
☑️ Check before connecting
Using the Screen Share (Miracast) function
The most popular and universal way to connect Android to a TV LG is a technology Miracastthat the company LG implemented under the name Screen Share. This method allows you to completely duplicate your smartphone screen onto your TV display in real time. The image is transmitted via a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, without the participation of a router, which reduces delays.
To activate the function on the TV, press the button Input on the remote control and select the application Screen Share from the list of signal sources. A connection waiting window will appear on the screen. On a smartphone, the process may differ depending on the manufacturer's shell. Usually you need to go to Settings → Connections → Broadcast or find the “Wireless Monitor” function in the notification shade.
After starting the search on your phone, your TV should appear in the list of available devices LG. Click on it to establish a connection. If a confirmation request appears on the TV screen, use the remote control to select the item Accept. After this, the image from your phone will instantly appear on the big screen. The picture quality can be automatically adjusted to the channel speed.
- 📱 On smartphones Samsung the function is called Smart View and is located in the quick settings panel.
- 📱 On devices Xiaomi i Redmi look for the “Broadcast” or “Cast” item in the “Connection and Sharing” menu.
- 📱 On “pure” Android (Pixel, Motorola) the option is often hidden in the “Settings → Connected devices → Connection settings → Cast” menu.
It is worth noting that with active screen duplication, the smartphone may heat up more, since the processor and Wi-Fi module work under increased load. This is ideal for watching movies, but for fast-paced games, a delay of 0.5–1 second can be noticeable. In such cases, it is better to use a wired connection or game modes, if they are supported by a specific TV model.
LG TV Plus app for advanced control
Official app LG TV Plus (formerly known as LG ThinQ) provides a deeper level of integration between your smartphone and TV than simple screen casting. With it, you can not only display photos and videos from the gallery, but also use your phone as a touch control panel, a keyboard for text input, or even a gamepad. This is especially convenient when you need to quickly find a movie by title without clicking the virtual key on the remote control.
Download the application from the store Google Play and run it. The app will automatically scan the network and find compatible TVs LG. After selecting your device, a verification code will appear on the TV screen, which you need to enter in the application. After pairing, you will have access to full control of the interface WebOS. The “Media” function allows you to select files on your phone and send them to the TV for playback, without taking up the entire smartphone screen.
An important advantage of this method is the ability to play in the background. You can send the video to your TV, minimize the application and continue to use your phone for other tasks - chatting in instant messengers or reading the news. The TV will play the content on its own, using its decoding resources, and not just display the picture from the phone.
If the application does not see the TV, try temporarily disabling the firewall on your router or antivirus on your smartphone, as they may block local detection of devices.
The application's functionality also includes setting a schedule for turning on the TV and creating smart home scenarios. If you have other compatible devices LG, they can be combined into a single network. However, it is worth remembering that all functions require a stable Internet connection, since some commands may pass through the manufacturer’s cloud servers.
Wired connection via HDMI and MHL
When the wireless connection is unstable or maximum image quality without compression is required, a cable is the best solution. Connection via port HDMI guarantees signal transmission in original quality, be it Full HD or 4K HDR. However, most smartphones do not have a full HDMI port, so special adapters or adapters will be required.
For modern smartphones with a port USB Type-C there are adapters USB-C to HDMI. It is important to check whether your specific phone supports USB video output technology (for example DisplayPort Alt Mode). Budget models often lack this feature, and the adapter will only work for charging or data transfer, not video. Flagship models from Samsung, Huawei and Sony usually support image output.
The connection process is extremely simple: insert the adapter into the phone jack, connect the HDMI cable from the adapter to a free port on the TV. LG. Then use the remote control to switch the signal source to the appropriate input, for example HDMI 1. The image should appear automatically. If the phone supports mode DeX (for Samsung) or a similar desktop mode, a full-fledged desktop with windows will appear on the TV screen, and not just a copy of the smartphone screen.
| Connection type | Required equipment | Image quality | Input Lag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Share (Wi-Fi) | None (Wi-Fi only) | High (compression) | Medium/High |
| HDMI (Adapter) | HDMI cable + Adapter | Maximum (no compression) | Minimum |
| DLNA (Application) | No (Wi-Fi only) | Original | None (streaming) |
⚠️ Attention: When using long HDMI cables (more than 5 meters) without an active signal amplifier, “snow” may appear on the screen or periodic loss of image. For such distances, use HDMI fiber optic cables.
Broadcast via Chromecast and Google Home
Many modern TVs LG have built-in support for the technology Google Cast (Chromecast built-in). This allows you to stream content directly from applications that support this feature, such as YouTube, Netflix, Google Photos etc. Unlike screen mirroring, here the phone acts only as a remote control, and the video is downloaded by the TV directly from the Internet, which saves battery power on the smartphone.
To use this function, make sure that the application is installed on your phone Google Home. Open the application, find your TV in the list of devices and click on it. Select the "Share Screen" or "Cast Audio/Video" option. If you're inside a supported app (like YouTube), just click on the wavy rectangle icon in the corner of the video and a list of available devices will appear automatically.
This method is ideal for watching online cinema, since the quality of streaming does not depend on the Wi-Fi speed between the phone and the TV, but is determined by the speed of your Internet directly on the TV. In addition, you can safely lock the phone screen or minimize the application - playback on the TV will not be interrupted. This is the most energy-efficient way to watch content.
What to do if the broadcast icon does not appear?
Make sure that the applications on your phone and the TV firmware are updated to the latest versions. Sometimes clearing the cache of the Google Play Services application on your smartphone helps. Also check to see if the power saving mode is enabled, which may limit the background operation of network services.
Troubleshooting and troubleshooting
Even if you follow all the instructions, situations may arise when the connection is not established or does not work correctly. The most common problem is that the TV does not appear in the list of available devices on the smartphone. In this case, first of all, check whether the access point isolation mode is activated on the router. Also try temporarily disabling the VPN on your smartphone, as it changes the virtual location and may interfere with local discovery.
If the image is transmitted with severe delays or artifacts, try lowering the broadcast resolution in the phone settings or moving closer to the router. Interference from microwave ovens or nearby 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks may also affect stability. Switching to 5 GHz often solves the problem of picture “slowdown.”
If there is sound but no image (or vice versa), check the output format settings. Some TVs LG may not correctly process specific codecs transmitted from a smartphone. Try using another video player on your phone that allows you to change the software decoder, or convert the video to a more compatible format, for example MP4 H.264.
- 🔄 Restart both devices: unplug the TV for a minute and restart your smartphone.
- 📡 Forget the Wi-Fi network on both devices and reconnect by entering password.
- 🛠 Reset the network settings on the TV through the menu
All settings → General → Network.
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface and item names may vary slightly depending on the version of WebOS (3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0 and newer). If you do not find the specified setting, use the search in the TV menu by pressing the magnifying glass button on the remote control.
The stability of a wireless connection is 90% dependent on the quality of the Wi-Fi signal and the absence of interference on the air. For critical problems, an HDMI cable remains the most reliable solution.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect a phone to an old LG TV without a Smart TV?
Yes, this is possible, but only through a wired connection. You will need an adapter USB-C to HDMI (or Micro-USB to HDMI for older models) and an HDMI cable. Connect the adapter to your phone and the cable to the HDMI port on your TV. Switch the TV source to the appropriate input. Wireless methods (Screen Share, Wi-Fi) on non-smart TVs do not work without purchasing an additional set-top box, for example, an Android TV Box or Chromecast.
Why is there no sound when connecting via Screen Share?
Most often the problem lies in the sound settings on the smartphone itself. When starting a broadcast, make sure your phone is not set to silent mode and the media volume is turned down to zero. Also, in some phone models you need to manually select audio output to an external device in the Bluetooth or connection settings. If this does not help, try restarting the Screen Share application on your TV.
Does my phone support video output via a USB cable?
Not all smartphones with a Type-C port support video output. This technology is called DisplayPort Alt Mode. Typically, flagship and mid-budget models are equipped with it. To check support, go to the specifications of your model on the manufacturer's official website or try connecting the adapter: if after 10-15 seconds the image does not appear, most likely, the port of your phone does not support video output.
How to disable screen broadcasting?
To stop wireless broadcasting, just unlock your smartphone and open the notification panel. There will be an active notification about connecting to the TV (for example, “Screen Cast” or “Smart View”). Click on it and select Disconnect or End Connection. You can also simply turn off the TV or switch it to another signal source (for example, terrestrial TV).
Can you play games on the TV through your phone?
Technically, yes, you can mirror the screen and play. However, due to the delay in signal transmission over Wi-Fi (Input Lag), the controls may seem “wobbly”, which is critical for dynamic shooters or racing. For comfortable gaming, it is strongly recommended to use a wired HDMI connection or special game consoles. It is not possible to play in DLNA mode (via the LG TV Plus app), since only the media file is transmitted, not the interface.