Modern multimedia capabilities make it easy integrate mobile devices into the home entertainment ecosystem. There is often a need to display the contents of the smartphone screen on a large display to watch movies, show photos or run mobile games. Owners of equipment from the Korean brand LG have several reliable options for implementing this task, from wireless protocols to physical connections.
Before you start setting up, make sure that your Smart TV and smartphone are on the same local network. This is a fundamental requirement for most wireless broadcast methods. If you plan to use a cable connection, you will need a special adapter that is compatible with the charging connector of your gadget. Differences in versions of the operating system Android and TV firmware can affect the available functionality, so the relevance of the software plays a key role.
In this article we will analyze in detail each available method, evaluate their advantages and disadvantages. You will learn to use built-in system functions, third-party utilities and hardware solutions. Correctly setting the network and display parameters will ensure a stable picture without delays and artifacts.
Using the built-in Screen Share function
The simplest and most common way of interaction between devices is technology Screen Share, implemented in the webOS shell. It is based on the Miracast standard and does not require installing additional software on your smartphone. To get started, you need to activate the signal reception mode on the TV.
Take the remote control and press the button Input or go to the main menu. Find the application Screen Share or Connecting to a mobile device. Launch it and select the “Screen Cast” mode or a similar item in the list. The TV will go into connection standby mode.
On your Android smartphone, open the quick settings panel by swiping from top to bottom. Find the Broadcast, Smart View, Wireless Display, or Projection icon. The name of the function depends on the manufacturer of your phone (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel). After scanning the network, your TV should appear in the list of available devices LG.
☑️ Check before connecting Screen Share
After selecting a device, a connection confirmation request may appear on the phone screen. Click "Accept" or "Allow" on your TV remote. The image from your smartphone will instantly be reflected on the big screen. It is important to understand that in this mode absolutely everything is duplicated, including notifications and the system interface.
⚠️ Attention: When using Screen Share, the smartphone battery discharges much faster due to the constant operation of the Wi-Fi module and video stream processing. It is recommended to keep the charger handy.
If the connection drops after a few minutes, try disabling power saving on your smartphone. Aggressive power saving settings may block background data transfer.
Connect via LG ThinQ app
For deeper integration and control of the TV from a smartphone, LG has developed a proprietary application LG ThinQ. This method is convenient not only for streaming media files, but also for using the phone as a control panel. The application is available for download in the store Google Play.
Install the application and launch it. The system will automatically start searching for compatible devices on your Wi-Fi network. When your TV appears in the list, click on it to pair. A confirmation code will appear on the TV screen, which must be entered in the application on your phone.
After successful authorization, you will have access to the extended menu. The app's Screen Cast feature is more stable than standard Miracast in some scenarios, especially when transferring photos and videos from the gallery. You can select specific files without revealing the contents of the entire smartphone screen.
| Function | Screen Share (Miracast) | LG ThinQ application | HDMI cable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signal delay | Average | Low (for media) | None |
| Battery consumption | High | Medium | Charging in progress |
| Quality pictures | Depends on Wi-Fi | High | Maximum |
| TV control | No | Yes (remote control) | No |
Use LG ThinQ also allows you to create smart home scenarios and set up a schedule for turning on equipment. This turns your smartphone into a complete media control center. For streaming video from internal phone applications, this method is often preferable.
Broadcasting content via Google Home
Many modern LG TVs support the protocol Google Cast (Chromecast built-in). This allows you to stream content directly from apps like YouTube, Netflix or Google Photos without duplicating the entire screen. This load is distributed more efficiently, since the TV itself downloads the stream from the Internet.
Make sure that the application is installed on your smartphone Google Home. Open it and find your TV in the list of devices. If your TV doesn't show up, check to see if Chromecast is enabled in your TV's network settings. It is usually active by default.
To start broadcasting, open a supported application on your phone, for example, YouTube. Click on the broadcast icon (a rectangle with Wi-Fi waves) in the corner of the video player. Select your TV LG from the list. The video will start playing on the TV, and the phone can be used for other tasks or locked.
Why does the sound disappear during broadcasting?
Sometimes when switching the sound source, Android system settings may get lost. Check in the Bluetooth and audio output settings whether the device is selected “TV” or “TV Speakers” and not “Phone”.
The advantage of this method is the image quality and the lack of load on the smartphone processor. The video stream goes directly from the server to the TV through your router. This is an ideal option for watching movies in high definition 4K.
⚠️ Attention: The Google Cast function only works in applications that officially support this protocol. You cannot broadcast arbitrary sites from a browser in this way; screen mirroring will be required.
Wired connection via HDMI adapter
If the wireless connection is unstable or you require maximum quality without compression, use a wired connection. To do this, you need a special adapter MHL or Slimport, or a USB-C to HDMI adapter. Compatibility depends on your smartphone model.
Connect one end of the adapter to the charging connector of your smartphone, and connect a standard HDMI cable to the other end. Insert the second end of the HDMI cable into a free port on the LG TV. Switch the signal source to TV by pressing the button Input and selecting the appropriate port number, for example, HDMI 1.
Unlike wireless methods, network setup is not required here. The image appears almost instantly after connection. Moreover, many adapters have an additional USB port for connecting charging, which allows you to play heavy games without fear of draining the device.
Sequence of actions:1. Connect the adapter to the phone.
2. Insert the HDMI cable into the adapter and TV.
3. Select the HDMI signal source on the remote control.
4. Wait until the resolution is automatically detected.
The wired connection guarantees zero input lag (Input Lag), which is critical for dynamic games and graphics work.
Please note that not all budget smartphone models support video output via the USB port. Before purchasing an adapter, it is recommended to check the technical specifications of your model on the manufacturer's official website. Typically, flagship lines have this function.
Configuring picture and sound parameters
After successful connection, it is important to correctly configure the output parameters so that the picture looks its best. Go to the picture settings on your LG TV. Choose a mode that suits your content: Cinema for movies, Game for action scenes, or Standard for general use.
Pay special attention to the aspect ratio. When mirroring your smartphone screen, black bars may appear along the edges. In the TV menu, find the setting Screen format or Aspect ratio and set the value to “Fit to screen” or 16:9. This will stretch the image across the entire matrix without distortion.
If the sound is played through the phone and not through the TV speakers, check the Bluetooth or audio output settings in the Android notification shade. Sometimes the system will default to using the internal speaker or connected headphones.
⚠️ Note: When changing picture settings in screen mirroring mode, there may be a delay in the changes being applied. Give the system a few seconds to process the new signal.
To watch movies in the dark, turn on "Filmmaker Mode" on LG TVs. It turns off unnecessary post-processing and preserves the director's intent, eliminating the "soap opera" effect.
Solving common connection problems
Often users are faced with a situation where the TV does not see the phone or the connection is constantly disconnected. First, make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi frequency. Some routers broadcast two networks: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The devices must be in one of them.
Check the firewall settings on your router. Sometimes AP Isolation features prevent devices on the local network from communicating with each other. Disable this option in the router settings if it is active.
If the problem persists, try restarting both devices. This clears the network settings cache and resolves temporary software glitches. Also make sure that the latest version of webOS firmware is installed on your TV.
What to do if the picture is slow?
Reduce the load on the network. Disable downloads on other devices. If you are using Screen Share, try lowering the output resolution in your phone settings or moving closer to the router.
In the case of a wired connection, check the integrity of the HDMI cable and the adapter itself. Poor quality adapters often cause no signal or screen flickering. Use certified accessories from well-known brands.
Why doesn’t the phone see the TV in the list of devices?
Most often the problem is that the devices are on different subnets or client isolation is enabled on the router. Also check if the antivirus on your phone is blocking local connections. Make sure that the application is running on the TV to receive the signal.
Is it possible to control the phone from the LG remote control after connection?
No, the standard Miracast and HDMI protocols transmit only image and sound. Control is carried out exclusively from a smartphone. The exception is specialized applications like LG ThinQ, which emulate a touchpad, but do not give full control over the Android interface.
Does the connection affect the quality of mobile communications?
When using Wi-Fi for broadcasting, part of the channel is occupied by transmitting video data. If the signal is weak, it may slow down the internet speed on your phone. With a wired connection via HDMI, the communication module is not used, and call quality does not suffer.
Do older LG models support the Screen Share function?
Most LG Smart TVs released after 2014 support this function. Very old models with NetCast may require a software update or the use of external set-top boxes. The interface may be called differently, for example, "Smart Share".
How to disable screen casting?
On your smartphone, open the notification panel and click the disable casting button or select "Disable". On your TV, you can simply press the button Input and switch to another signal source, for example, terrestrial TV.