How to Display a Picture from Your Phone on Your TV

Modern TVs have long become universal devices. However, one problem that has only worsened over the years is their size. You can't easily move a bulky plasma screen to another room or outside — that's what tablets or phones are for. If you start watching something on your phone while on the go, you might want to continue watching it on a larger screen at home. In this guide, we'll cover all the ways to display images from your phone on your TV.

The simplest and most obvious method of connection is through a USB cable. In this mode, the TV only recognizes the phone as a data storage device (flash drive). You need to select the desired file and start playback. This method can hardly be called the most convenient. In the modern world, most information is stored online, meaning it cannot be accessed this way. Additionally, the phone will be constantly «tethered» to the TV.

A charging cable can be used for the connection. Obviously, the TV must have a USB port. If nothing happens after connecting, select Source from the TV menu or remote, and then the specific USB connection. Sometimes, you may also need to confirm the connection on the smartphone screen.

This method is almost identical to the previous one, but uses a different type of cable. An HDMI connection allows you to transfer both image and sound from the smartphone to the TV.

The downsides of this type of connection include reduced mobility and the need to purchase an additional cable. You will need to buy a USB-C to HDMI cable or adapter. It's possible that the TV does not have an HDMI port, in which case you should use an HDMI to VGA (or RCA) adapter. In this situation, the image will be transmitted to the TV screen, but not the sound. If the image does not appear immediately, you may need to change the screen resolution settings on your smartphone.

Devices that support the DLNA interface can form a unified system if they are in the same home network. It's important that a special router with DLNA support is required for broadcasting from the phone to the TV. Unfortunately, not all video formats can be displayed this way. Also, the phone must be running on the Android operating system, which could be a problem for some users.

Ultimately, a TV and router with DLNA support are required for normal operation. Connection to such a network is possible only with certain types of phones with a specific app installed. For example, BubbleUPnP for DLNA. All devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

AirPlay allows for quick and easy transfer of any content between Apple devices without losing quality. Due to its manufacturer-specific nature, this method may not be suitable for everyone, but if you are an Apple product owner, AirPlay can be very handy. Connecting may also require an Apple TV box. On modern TVs, the AirPlay feature is often built-in. Unfortunately, it does not always work stably, and sometimes it simply refuses to recognize devices.

To connect, open the iPhone settings and find the «screen mirroring» menu, or press the corresponding button in the video itself.

Wi-Fi Direct allows devices to be paired without the use of routers. Unfortunately, the transmission speed is extremely low, making it very difficult to play large files.

To activate, simply turn on the feature on the TV, and then on the phone.

Miracast is an interface that works on the basis of Wi-Fi Direct. Devices connect directly to each other, bypassing the router. However, this requires a special program. For example, Samsung has Smart View, Huawei and Honor have Huawei Share. After activating the module, you will see devices available for connection, after which you can establish a connection.

This method requires a Chromecast adapter from Google. The adapter is directly connected to the HDMI port. It is also necessary to download the Google Home app on your phone. After setting up, the devices will connect without any problems.

The Tap View feature is only available in the latest Samsung smartphones. This method also requires a TV from the same manufacturer (starting with model TU7000). When activating the feature to transfer files, simply touch the phone to a specific part of the TV.

The SmartThings app must be installed on the phone. Open it, select «Switch view or sound,» and then touch the other device.

A feature of YouTube is the integration of numerous functions. When playing a video on a smartphone, you can see a broadcast button next to the settings to cast to other screens. If the smartphone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the TV, the phone will detect the available device and easily open the video even on a turned-off plasma. Of course, this only applies to relatively new devices.

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In the 21st century, devices support many ways of connecting. Explore your devices to choose the most comfortable and easily cast videos from your phone to your TV.