Have you ever watched a video on your Android phone and wished you could see it on your big screen TV instead? I know I definitely have!
Well, you‘re in luck – mirroring your Android screen over to TV is a super handy capability built right into many devices these days. In this guide, I‘ll explain exactly what mirroring means, why you‘d want to do it, and guide you step-by-step through 3 different methods to connect your Android gadgets for big screen fun.
Whether you‘ve just updated to a smart new LG OLED or that vintage tube TV in the basement, I‘ve got you covered with wireless, wired, modern and retro options. Let‘s dive in!
What is Screen Mirroring?
Simply put, screen mirroring lets you show the entire display contents from one device onto the screen of another, bigger display. We‘re focused on mirroring from Android devices like smartphones, tablets, or even laptops over to the largest screen in the house: your beloved television!
By "mirroring" we mean exactly duplicating what‘s on your Android‘s screen in real time – whether it‘s photos, videos, apps, games, even emails and websites. Pretty much anything that appears on your phone or tablet can be mirrored to the TV with the right setup.
And that‘s where our guide comes in handy – helping connect these devices in the easiest ways possible!
Why Mirror from Android to TV?
Great question! Here are the top 4 reasons people love casting their Android screens up onto the big televisions:
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Entertainment – The small 5-7" screens on phones look tiny watching Netflix shows. Enjoy videos, music, games and more to the max!
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Convenience – Today‘s wireless tech lets you mirror Android stuff to TV without hassling with cables and adapters (usually)
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Presentations – Use your mobile screen to wirelessly project business slides, app demos, and more to wow the conference room!
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Collaboration – Circulate documents, photos, and other visual content seamlessly from your device to TV for combined viewing.
Now that I‘ve hopefully convinced you of the value to view your Android on TV, let‘s get to the good stuff…how to pull it off!
Method 1: Cast with Chromecast
The mighty little Chromecast device is likely your fastest route to wirelessly mirroring from Android to TV. And bonus – it works great with iPhone, iPad, and laptops too!
I‘ll summarize how Chromecast mirroring works before providing a step-by-step walkthrough:
- Plug the small Chromecast "puck" device into a spare HDMI port on your television
- Use the Google Home app to connect Chromecast to your WiFi network
- Open the app on your Android device and choose the "Cast screen" option
- Boom! Your phone or tablet display appears on the TV after a few seconds
Let‘s get that babies connected…here is how to set up Chromecast mirroring:
What You‘ll Need
- Android phone or tablet with Android 5.0 or newer
- Chromecast device and TV with HDMI port
- Google Home app installed on your Android device
- Shared WiFi network connection
Step-by-Step Guide
- Plug your Chromecast device into an open HDMI port on TV and power it on
- Download the Google Home app on your Android phone or tablet
- Follow the app‘s instructions to set up Chromecast and connect it to your WiFi
- Once setup completes, select your Chromecast device name in the Home app
- Choose "Cast my screen" from the menu to initiate display mirroring
- Confirm the prompt on your Android and begin viewing its screen on your TV!
And that‘s it! Chromecast will now actively mirror everything shown on your Android over to the television. Pretty slick.
To disconnect or stop casting, simply use the on-screen controls in the Google Home app or quick settings on your device.
Chromecast Mirror Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive and portable | Can introduce minor lag |
| Super simple setup | Requires purchasing device if no native Chromecast in TV |
| Works great with Android + iOS/tablets/laptops | Only duplicates screen – no extended displays |
Up next is checking for built-in mirror powers on your smart TV…
Method 2: Built-in Screen Mirroring
Lots of modern smart TVs actually have screen mirroring functionality baked right in – no Chromecast required! Manufacturers like Samsung, Sony, LG, and VIZO have gotten hip to the mobile mirroring trend.
Here I‘ll cover a general overview of accessing built-in wireless display options across today‘s smart televisions:
- Your TV and Android device must both support mirroring protocols like Miracast
- Enable mirroring/casting in your TV‘s Settings menu or Input Source list
- Access wireless display options in Android Settings and select your TV
- Agree to any permission prompts and your display will mirror over!
Of course manufacturers also add their own flair, like in the case of Samsung‘s "Smart View" mirroring suite designed specifically for their Galaxy phones and 2021 model TVs.
But the key is that MORE new TVs allow casting without extra equipment like Chromecast. Here are some high level steps:
What You‘ll Need
- Android phone or tablet running Android 5.0+
- Compatible smart TV that supports wireless mirroring (ex: Samsung, LG, Sony Bravia with casting)
- WiFi network connection
Step-by-Step Guide
- On your Android, access wireless display settings (ex: Smart View on Samsung Galaxy phones)
- Select your TV model from the list of compatible display devices
- Follow any confirmation prompts to pair the Android and TV
- Your mobile display will begin mirroring onto the television
- Use on-screen controls or Android quick settings to adjust or stop casting
And you‘re screen beaming wirelessly over WiFi directly from the brilliant engineering brains over at Samsung/LG/Sony/VIZIO central HQ – no middleman Chromecast required!
Built-in Casting Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No added equipment needed for supported TVs | Generally less cross-brand compatibility |
| Efficient mirroring directly between same-brand devices | Older televisions likely lack casting abilities |
| Dedicated casting functions on both TV and Android | WiFi connection more prone to interruptions |
Of course even without all those bells, whistles, and WiFi waves there IS hope yet to get Android screens over onto plain classic TVs. Keep reading!
Method 3: Wired Casting with USB-C
When the wireless juju fails or you have a vintage TV lacking smarts, BREAK OUT THE CABLES!
Wired casting delivers solid, lag-free Android mirroring onto any TV with an open HDMI port. And it ONLY requires a simple USB-C to HDMI adapter cable.
Here‘s a high-level picture before walking through connection steps:
- Plug USB-C connector into Android‘s charging port
- Route the HDMI end into an open port on Television
- Allow permission prompts on Android to initiate display output
- Enjoy rock solid wired casting over HDMI cable!
I‘ll be honest – setup is short and sweet since the cable does all the work. But for sake of being thorough, let‘s walk through it:
What You‘ll Need
- Android device with USB-C charging port
- USB-C to HDMI adapter cable
- HDMI cable
- TV with HDMI port
Step-by-Step
- Obtain USB-C to HDMI adapter compatible with your Android device if needed
- Attach adapter end into your Android‘s charging port
- Take an HDMI cable and connect from adapter to open HDMI input on TV
- Allow screen output permissions to appear on Television display!
See, I told you that would go fast! But the beauty lies in that simplicity – bypassing WiFi and mirroring Android directly through a video pipeline using the HDMI adapter.
USB-C Wired Casting Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Works with any TV that has HDMI ports | Must connect cable each time – not as portable |
| Very reliable hardline connection | USB-C to HDMI adapter required to enable video output |
| No latency, disruption risks streaming wireless | Not an option on Android devices lacking USB-C |
So there you have it – whether you fancy splurging on a snazzy new 8K wonder panel or just resuscitating Dad‘s old CRT, mirroring your Android phone or tablet display is readily achievable.
In summary:
- Chromecast – my top rec for affordability and wireless convenience
- Built-In Casting – modern TVs removing the middleman gadgets
- USB-C Cables – old school hardline connections when WiFi not cutting it
Hopefully this guide serves you well on the illuminated path to beaming that Android screen up onto the big stage where it belongs. Go enjoy those small screen videos and TikTok dances the WAY they were meant to be seen!
Let me know if you have any other questions on mirroring methods or run into any snags setting things up. I‘m always happy to help get your devices playing nicely together.
