Modern Huawei smartphones running on the Android operating system have powerful multimedia potential, which often surpasses the capabilities of built-in Smart systems in TVs. Users often look for a way to display images or files on a large screen using a physical connection to avoid wireless protocol delays or Wi-Fi compatibility issues. Connecting via a USB cable is a reliable method, which, however, has its own specific nuances depending on the TV model and EMUI version.
Unlike simple HDMI cables, the USB connection between the phone and the TV is most often used for two purposes: transferring multimedia files (photos, videos) or organizing a USB modem for Internet distribution. Direct broadcast of the screen (Screen Mirroring) via a standard USB cable without the use of special adapters (USB-to-HDMI) or software is not possible on all TV models. You need to clearly understand what kind of result you want to get, since the algorithm of actions will be radically different.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available scenarios for using a USB port for connecting Huawei and a TV. We'll look at setting up storage mode, activating a USB modem for network access on Smart TV, and mention the limitations faced by owners of devices without MHL or SlimPort support. Be prepared to work with system settings, as a standard charging cable may not be suitable for data transfer.
Checking compatibility and preparing equipment
The first step before any connection is to audit the existing equipment. Not all USB cables are created equal: many of Huawei's included cords are designed solely for charging and don't have internal data lines. You will need a high-quality standard cable USB Type-C or Micro-USB (depending on the phone model), which is guaranteed to support data transfer.
It is also critical to understand the capabilities of your TV. Older Smart TV models may not support the MTP (Media Transfer Protocol), which is necessary to read files from the phone as from a flash drive. In such cases, the TV will see the device, but will not be able to open its contents. Modern models from Samsung, LG, Sony and other brands usually work correctly with Android devices in storage mode.
⚠️ Attention: If your TV does not respond to the connected phone, try replacing the cable. Cheap cables without markings often do not have wired contacts for data transmission (Data+ and Data-), operating only from the power line.
For successful synchronization, make sure that both devices are working. The Huawei phone's screen must be unlocked and the corresponding Source must be active on the TV. In some cases, it is necessary to pre-install firmware updates on the TV so that it can correctly identify the Android file system.
Storage mode: transferring photos and videos to TV
The most common scenario for using USB is turning your phone into an external drive. In this mode, the TV reads media files from Huawei memory as if a regular flash drive was connected to it. To do this, after physically connecting the cable, you need to change the USB operating mode in the Android settings.
After connecting the cable to the USB port on your TV and phone, a system notification will appear on the screen of your Huawei smartphone. By default, the system can select the "Charge Only" mode. You need to click on this notification and select the option "File transfer" or "MTP"in the menu that appears. Without this step, the TV will not see the internal memory of the device.
On the TV side, the action algorithm is as follows:
- 📺 Press the "Source" or "Input" button on the remote control.
- 📂 Select your phone in the list of sources (maybe be called "USB Device", "Huawei" or phone model).
- 🎬 Go to the folder with media files (usually DCIM, Pictures or Video) to start playback.
It is worth noting that navigating the file system through the remote control may not be the most convenient. TVs often have restrictions on the length of file names and the depth of nesting of folders. In addition, high-definition video playback (4K HDR) can cause stuttering if the USB 2.0 bandwidth (which is most often soldered into TVs) is not enough to decode the heavy stream.
Use the file manager on the TV to find the "DCIM" folder - this is where photos and videos taken with a Huawei camera are stored by default.
Organization USB modem for Smart TV
If your TV does not have a built-in Wi-Fi module or the wireless connection is unstable, you can use Huawei as a USB modem. This allows you to stream online content (YouTube, Netflix, online cinemas) via mobile data or phone Wi-Fi, transmitting the signal to the TV via cable.
To activate this function on Huawei smartphones with EMUI or HarmonyOS shell, you need to go to the settings. The path usually looks like this: Settings → Wireless networks → Other connections → USB tethering. The switch must be activated only after the cable is already connected to both devices.
An important condition is the presence of drivers on the TV side. Most modern Smart TVs (based on Android TV, Tizen, WebOS) have built-in support for RNDIS protocols necessary to work with Android modems. However, on budget or older models this function may not be available, and the TV will see the device, but will not be able to access the network.
⚠️ Attention: Using the phone in USB modem mode leads to increased traffic consumption and increased heating of the device. Make sure that you have a tariff with unlimited Internet or a sufficient data package.
The advantage of this method is the stability of the connection, which is often higher than that of Bluetooth adapters or older Wi-Fi receivers. The data transfer speed is limited only by the speed of the mobile data and the bandwidth of the TV's USB port, which is usually sufficient for streaming video in Full HD and even 4K.
Screen broadcasting via USB adapters (MHL/HDMI)
Direct screen image transfer (Screen Mirroring) via a regular USB cable to the TV's USB port is technically impossible without special adapters. USB and HDMI protocols are different and require an external device to convert the video signal. USB Type-C to HDMI adapters that support video signal transmission technology are relevant for Huawei.
Not all Huawei models support video output via the USB Type-C port. This function depends on the processor and whether the standard is supported DisplayPort Alt Mode. Flagship series (for example, Huawei P30 Pro, P40, Mate 20/30/40 and newer) usually have this capability, while budget models (Y series, Nova) may not support image output via cable.
The connection diagram is as follows:
- Connect the USB-C to HDMI adapter into the charging connector phone.
- Insert the HDMI cable with one end into the adapter and the other into the HDMI port of the TV.
- Switch the signal source on the TV to the corresponding HDMI port.
- The image from the Huawei screen should be automatically duplicated on the big screen.
What to do if the adapter does not does it work?
If the image does not appear, check whether your phone model supports video output. Also try reducing the screen resolution in the phone settings or rebooting the device with the adapter already connected.
Using an adapter allows you to turn your smartphone into a full-fledged multimedia console. You can run any applications, browsers and games, displaying the picture on your TV. The delay in this case is minimal, which makes it even possible to use the phone as a game console.
Setting up wireless projection as an alternative to USB
Although the topic of the article is devoted to the USB connection, it should be mentioned that for broadcasting the screen to Huawei there is a more modern and convenient standard - Wireless Projection. It uses Wi-Fi Direct technology and is wire-free, eliminating port and cable compatibility issues.
To activate this feature, pull down the notification shade and look for "Broadcast" or "Wireless Projection". The TV must support Miracast technology (most Smart TVs do). If the TV is old, you can use an external set-top box (TV Stick), which emulates a signal receiver.
A comparison of connection methods is presented in the table below:
| Parameter | USB (Storage Mode) | USB modem | USB-C to HDMI (Adapter) | Wireless broadcasting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Viewing files | Internet access on TV | Screen broadcast | Screen broadcast |
| Quality | Original | Depends on the network | Up to 4K 60Hz | Depends on Wi-Fi |
| Latency | No | No | Minimum | Possible |
| Complexity | Low | Medium | Requires an adapter | Low |
The choice of method depends on your specific tasks. For viewing an archive of photos, the drive mode is ideal, for games - an HDMI adapter, and for quickly demonstrating presentations or videos from the gallery - wireless projection.
Solving common connection problems
During the setup process, users often encounter errors. One of the most common is that the TV sees the device, but writes “Invalid format” or “File not supported.” This means that the TV cannot read the phone's file system (for example, exFAT or Android specific markup). In this case, copying files to a flash drive with the FAT32 file system will help.
If the phone does not charge when connected to the TV, it means that the USB port on the TV does not produce enough current (usually only 0.5A). The phone may require active power to operate and transmit data. When using an HDMI adapter, an additional power connection to the adapter itself via a second USB cable is often required.
☑️ Diagnosis of connection problems
It is also worth considering format limitations video files. Even if your phone is connected as a storage device, the TV may not play MKV videos with the HEVC codec if its built-in media player does not support these standards. In this case, installing a third-party player (for example, VLC) on Smart TV or converting the file will help.
⚠️ Attention: Menu interfaces and item names may differ depending on the version of the EMUI shell (EMUI 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) and the TV model. If you do not find the item described, use the search in your phone settings.
Regularly clear the cache of media services on your phone if the list of files on the TV is displayed incorrectly or contains “broken” thumbnails of old deleted files.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I control the TV from a Huawei phone via USB?
This cannot be done using standard Android tools. The USB protocol is not designed to transmit control commands (CEC) from the phone to the TV in the opposite direction without special applications and root access, which are unstable. For control, it is better to use the IR port (if available) or a remote control application via Wi-Fi.
Why does video from a phone slow down on the TV when connected via USB?
The reason may be the low reading speed of the phone's memory, a weak TV processor that cannot cope with decoding a high bitrate, or the use of a low-quality cable. Try lowering the video resolution or using an HDMI adapter to transmit the video stream directly.
Does my Huawei support image output via USB-C?
This information can be found in the official model specifications on the Huawei website. Typically, the flagship P and Mate series have video output support, starting with certain models. Budget series most often lack this function in hardware.
Are drivers needed to connect Huawei to Samsung TV?
In 99% of cases, modern Smart TVs have built-in drivers for working with Android devices in MTP mode. Special installation of drivers on the TV is not required, everything works on the Plug-and-Play principle.
Huawei USB connection to TV is a universal tool that, when used correctly (drive mode or HDMI adapter), allows you to turn any modern TV into a powerful multimedia center.