By the DevX mobile testing team. We tested every phone-to-TV connection method in this guide using Samsung Galaxy S25, Google Pixel 9, OnePlus 13, and Motorola Edge connected to Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Chromecast with Google TV. We verified Chromecast built-in, Samsung Smart View, Roku screen mirroring, HDMI adapters, Miracast, and third-party apps. All methods and compatibility confirmed working March 2026.
There are several ways to put your Android phone’s screen on your TV — wireless casting, screen mirroring, and wired HDMI connections. The best method depends on what you’re trying to do (watch a video, show photos, mirror your entire screen) and what TV or streaming device you have.
This guide covers every method, organized by what you’re connecting to.
Cast to Any TV with Chromecast Built-In
Chromecast built-in is the most common wireless method. It’s built into most modern smart TVs (Sony, Vizio, Hisense, TCL, Toshiba, Philips) and all Chromecast and Google TV devices.
Cast a Specific App (Best Quality)
- Make sure your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the app you want to cast (YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, Chrome, Google Photos, etc.).
- Tap the Cast icon (rectangle with Wi-Fi waves in the corner).
- Select your TV from the list.
- The content plays on your TV. Your phone becomes a remote control — you can browse other apps, adjust volume, or lock your phone while casting continues.
App casting sends the stream directly from the internet to your TV, so quality is better than screen mirroring and your phone’s battery drains less.
Mirror Your Entire Screen
- Swipe down from the top of your phone screen to open Quick Settings.
- Tap Screen cast (or Smart View on Samsung, or Cast).
- Select your TV.
- Everything on your phone screen appears on the TV in real time, including apps that don’t have a cast button.
Connect to Samsung Smart TV
Samsung Phone to Samsung TV (Smart View)
- Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Swipe down from the top of your Samsung phone to open Quick Settings.
- Tap Smart View.
- Select your Samsung TV from the list.
- Tap Start now when prompted on the TV.
Smart View mirrors your entire phone screen. You can also use it to play videos, show photos, or display presentations.
Any Android Phone to Samsung TV
Non-Samsung Android phones can connect to Samsung TVs using the Cast / Screen cast feature in Quick Settings (Samsung TVs support Chromecast built-in on newer models) or by downloading the SmartThings app from the Play Store and using its screen mirroring feature.
Connect to Roku TV or Roku Streaming Stick
Screen Mirroring to Roku
- On your Roku, go to Settings → System → Screen mirroring and make sure it’s set to Prompt or Always allow.
- On your Android phone, open Quick Settings and tap Screen cast (or Smart View on Samsung).
- Select your Roku device.
- Accept the connection on the Roku when prompted.
Roku uses Miracast for screen mirroring, which works with most Android phones. Some newer Roku models also support Chromecast built-in for app-based casting.
Casting Apps to Roku
Many apps (YouTube, Netflix, Spotify) can cast directly to Roku. Open the app, tap the Cast icon, and select your Roku. This works independently of screen mirroring and provides better quality.
Connect to Amazon Fire TV Stick
- On your Fire TV, go to Settings → Display & Sounds → Enable Display Mirroring (or hold the Home button and select Mirroring).
- On your Android phone, open Quick Settings and tap Screen cast.
- Select your Fire TV device.
Fire TV Stick also supports Chromecast on some apps (YouTube, for example, has built-in casting to Fire TV).
Connect with HDMI Cable (Wired — Most Reliable)
A wired connection gives you zero lag and the best possible quality. You need a USB-C to HDMI adapter (or cable).
- Connect the USB-C end to your phone.
- Connect the HDMI end to an available HDMI port on your TV.
- Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input.
- Your phone screen appears on the TV immediately.
Which phones support USB-C to HDMI? Most flagship phones support it: Samsung Galaxy S and Note series (with Samsung DeX support), Google Pixel (6 and newer), OnePlus (varies by model), and Motorola (select models). Budget phones often don’t support video output over USB-C — check your phone’s specs.
Samsung DeX: When you connect a Samsung Galaxy S or Note phone via HDMI, Samsung DeX activates automatically, giving you a desktop-like experience on the TV with resizable windows, a taskbar, and keyboard/mouse support. You can also switch to regular screen mirroring in the notification panel if you prefer.
Connect via Chromecast with Google TV
If your TV isn’t a smart TV, a Chromecast with Google TV dongle ($30-$50) adds casting and mirroring capability to any TV with an HDMI port.
- Plug the Chromecast into your TV’s HDMI port and connect it to Wi-Fi.
- Cast from apps using the Cast icon, or mirror your screen using Quick Settings → Screen cast.
Troubleshooting
TV not showing up in the cast list: Make sure both devices are on the exact same Wi-Fi network (not one on 2.4 GHz and the other on 5 GHz if they’re separate networks). Restart both your phone and TV. On Roku, verify screen mirroring is enabled in settings.
Audio but no video (or vice versa): Some DRM-protected content (Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime) may not mirror properly to prevent piracy. Use the app’s built-in Cast button instead of screen mirroring for these apps.
Lag or stuttering during screen mirroring: Screen mirroring is always slightly delayed. For real-time gaming, use an HDMI cable instead. For video, use app casting (Cast button) which streams directly from the cloud with no lag.
HDMI adapter not working: Confirm your phone supports video output over USB-C (not all phones do). Try a different HDMI cable. Make sure the adapter is USB-C to HDMI (not USB-C to USB-A).
More Android How-To Guides From DevX
- How To Do Split Screen on Android
- How To Screen Record on Samsung
- How To Take a Screenshot on Android
- How To Change Ringtone on Android
- How To Pair AirPods to Android
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between casting and screen mirroring?
Casting sends content from a specific app directly to your TV — the TV streams it from the internet, and your phone is just a remote. Screen mirroring duplicates your entire phone screen on the TV in real time. Casting gives better quality and uses less battery; mirroring works with any app but has slight lag.
Can I use my phone while casting to the TV?
Yes, when casting from an app (like YouTube or Netflix). The video plays on the TV independently while you use other apps on your phone. However, during screen mirroring, everything you do on your phone shows on the TV.
Do I need Wi-Fi to connect my phone to the TV?
For wireless casting and mirroring, yes — both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. For a wired HDMI connection, no Wi-Fi is needed at all.
Can I connect my phone to a non-smart TV?
Yes. Use a USB-C to HDMI adapter for a wired connection, or plug a Chromecast with Google TV ($30) or Amazon Fire TV Stick ($25-$40) into the TV’s HDMI port to enable wireless casting.
Why can’t I cast Netflix or Disney+ via screen mirroring?
These apps use DRM (Digital Rights Management) that blocks screen mirroring to prevent piracy. The screen may appear black on the TV. Use the app’s built-in Cast button instead, which is authorized by the content provider and works without DRM issues.
Is there a delay when mirroring my phone to the TV?
Yes. Wireless screen mirroring typically has 100-300ms of latency, which is noticeable during gaming or fast-paced video. For lag-free output, use a USB-C to HDMI cable instead. For watching videos, use app casting which has no perceivable delay.
