How to connect the phone to Smart TV
Your smartphone has a small screen, compared to the latest smartphones: unfortunately it’s already a few years old and begins to feel the signs of time. Before you finally say goodbye to a newer Android or iOS device, you’re thinking of using it for a last-of-its-kind purpose, that is, remote control for multimedia content playback. You would like to know if there is a way to connect your phone to your Smart TV: this way you can somehow continue to enjoy your smartphone by broadcasting videos, movies and TV series directly on your modern TV.
The answer to this indirect request is affirmative. There are actually several ways to connect a phone to Smart TV and, during this guide, I will go into the details of the most popular ones. Do not worry, the procedures to do are not at all complicated, and anyway, during this tutorial, I’ll explain everything in the smallest detail so that you can understand what your options are.
All you need is a few minutes of free time. Keep your Android and iOS smartphone under control and carefully read the following lines. You will see that, at the end of the reading, you will surely have filled up those who are your technological doubts and you will be able to figure out how to proceed to connect your phone to Smart TV. Are you ready to start? Yup? Very well! All I have to do is to wish you a good read.
How to connect the phone to Smart TV
The most commonly used methods for making a connection between a phone and a smartphone are the use of wireless technologies. This is a technology that involves the use of easy-to-use methods that will ultimately deliver multimedia content. During this guide I will then list the most common uses for audio and video streaming technology wirelessly.
Chromecast (Android / iOS / Windows Phone)
In order to connect a mobile device to the Smart TV and take advantage of a wireless connection (so wireless), I suggest you first use a Chromecast. If you have never heard of it, know that this is a technology developed by Google, a device that connects to the HDMI port of the TV.
Google Chromecast is more difficult to say than done. What you need to know is that all you have to do is configure the device for home Wi-Fi access. As a result, smartphones connected to the same Wi-Fi network will virtually be connected to the TV and broadcast media on the TV screen.
Chromecast is therefore a very useful tool for connecting a phone and a smart TV and is thought to be proper for multimedia content transmission.
Its strength is due to its broad compatibility since, on the smartphone side, it makes it possible to connect between a TV and a mobile device Android, iOS or Windows Phone. You can also stream media from your Windows PC or Mac to your TV using the built-in Chromecast support in Google Chrome.
Interestingly, there is a further possibility offered by Android devices that can also transmit the content of the screen on the TV screen, using the wireless connection from the Chromecast. On the other hand, the smaller the chances of transmission from iOS (and Windows Phone) smartphones to the TV: the audio and video content that can be transmitted is bound to Chromecast support from individual applications.
That said, once you’ve completed the Chromecast configuration (in this regard, if you need detailed instructions on how to proceed.
To then stream media from your phone to the smart TV you will need to start the Chromecast-compatible application and, once media content playback is started, press the button with the broadcast symbol (it is a screen with the waves of the Wi-Fi network at bottom left).
There are several applications that support content streaming via Chromecast, including YouTube ( Android / iOS ), Netflix ( Android / iOS ), Infinity ( Android / iOS ) and Spotify ( Android / iOS ).
Chromecast is available from the official Google store and also in the major electronics stores: the basic model costs 39 euros and is capable of operating even on older generation televisions equipped with HDMI ports.
Miracast (Android)
An alternative system for connecting a phone to smart TV is the use of Wi-Fi Direct technology promoted by Wi-Fi Alliance, Miracast. This technology is at a practical level, much like Chromecast, but works differently by creating a direct network between the two devices, so you do not have to rely on the Wi-Fi home network.
Clearly, in order to make this type of connection, both devices must be able to adopt this technology. At the current level, Miracast technology is supported on Android devices and on many smart TV models (you can see the full list of supported devices at this link).
As for Smart TV, many new generation televisions support this technology but, if not, you can buy an HDMI device to activate the media. Below are some examples of the devices mentioned.
Alternatively, to check compatibility with Miracast, you must read the technical specifications of the device purchased. Lastly, it should be remembered that at present Miracast transmission protocol is not supported by Apple devices, since they use AirPlay technology.
AirPlay (iOS)
Let’s talk about AirPlay right now since this technology is compatible with all iOS devices. Developed by Apple, this wireless technology allows audio and video streaming and is only compatible with the devices produced by the company based in Cupertino. The only exception to this is the support from AirPlay on other devices that have commercial agreements with Apple.
Similarly to Chromecast operation, AirPlay requires both devices to connect (and thus telephone and smart TV) to the same Wi-Fi network. For the rest, multimedia content is supported, but it is also possible to transfer the screen from Apple’s mobile device to television.
Be aware, however, that because of Apple’s wireless technology, you need to buy an Apple TV to make a television compatible with AirPlay . This is a device that will be produced by Apple and will be connected to the HDMI port on the TV and will allow access to various applications and multimedia content, in addition to those transmitted via AirPlay.
If you want to stream media on the TV, taking advantage of AirPlay support, all you have to do is start multimedia playback on your iOS device and then tap the AirPlay icon (it is the screen symbol with the triangle in the center) and then choose Apple TV as a device to transmit. If you only want to transfer your iOS device screen to your TV (always via Apple TV and AirPlay), swipe from the bottom of the screen and, from the iOS control center, press the Duplicate screen to go to Apple TV as transmission destination.
The cost of Apple TV starts at 159 euros and, in addition to the Apple website , it is possible to buy it in the major electronics stores.
DLNA (Android / iOS)
Among the wireless transmission protocols there is also the DLNA, technology used to transmit audio and video content from phones to modern and non-television. Even though this is a bit dated technology, it is still compatible with many Android and iOS devices, so I choose to mention it.
This transmission solution requires the two devices to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network; this is a wireless transmission technology that, as I said, is quite widespread and that, in addition to Smart TV, it is also present in consoles for video games such as PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
On smartphones, if this technology is not supported by default, you can download a special application such as Video & TV Cast DNLA (available for Android and iPhone ) or iMediaShare always available for Android and iPhone .
This wireless technology is the best solution for those who want to access multimedia files that have filed on an ideal solution also for accessing media files stored on NAS (in this regard, I am referring to reading my guide dedicated to the topic if you want to know which NAS buy ).
Other solutions for connecting your phone to Smart TV
As an alternative to the wireless technologies I’ve just mentioned, I suggest you Google Cast, existing support on some smart TVs that allows you to stream media even without the use of a Chromecast.
Finally, the solution for those who want to connect the phone to the smart TV at the “old way” is by using a cable. For the latest iOS devices, you need to buy a Lightning Adapter for AV digital (better if branded Apple). On Android, the cable depends on your device: Generally it can serve as an MHL cable or a Slimport adapter .
