Modern TV models are capable of not only broadcasting TV shows and movies, their functionality goes far beyond these limits. With their help, you can access the Internet, listen to the radio, view and display files from a mobile device on the screen, connect peripheral devices. In this article, we will look at how to connect your phone to a TV without a wire.
Why is this needed?
For many, the question of how to connect a phone to a TV without a wire remains relevant, and some do not understand the meaning of this action. Let's try to figure it out. It is worth noting that the more expensive your equipment, the wider your opportunities.
By connecting a mobile device to a TV, many of its functions become available on a large screen. In other words, the phone is used as a projector that transmits images from the smartphone to the TV. This givesOpportunity:
- view videos, photos, documents and other media files from your mobile phone;
- run apps and games;
- use Internet resources;
- organize conferences and demonstrations.
For ease of use via Bluetooth, it is recommended to connect an additional headset: mouse, headphones, gamepad or keyboard. More modern TVs with built-in Wi-Fi function can be controlled from your phone, replacing the remote with it, which is especially convenient if it is lost or out of order.
Wi-Fi Direct
If the TV and mobile device are equipped with a Wi-Fi module, you can establish a direct connection between them without using a router. With this interaction, one device is an access point, and the other is a connected device.
How to connect your phone to your TV via Wi-Fi:
- You need to go to the "Settings" tab on your phone and select "Wireless networks".
- In the window that opens, click on the Wi-Fi line and select Wi-Fi Direct from the options provided. If there is no such item, you need to go to the "Additional settings" section.
Wi-Fi Direct is available on almost all TVs with Wi-Fi access. You can enable the option in the TV settings, for this:
- open the main menu on the TV and find the "Network" section;
- in the tab that opens, select the line Wi-Fi Direct;
- afterthis starts the search for available devices, among which the model of your phone is selected;
- leaving to allow the connection.
After the phone is connected to the TV via Wi-Fi, transfer of photos, video files and others is available on the TV screen. Using the Wi-Fi Direct function in the smartphone menu, select the file you want to view on the big screen, and then press the "Send" or "Share" option.
DLNA
This wireless connection method is only suitable for Android phones. In this way, you can transfer video and audio recordings, photos, to a TV, even if it does not have Wi-Fi support. The main requirement is the presence of an HDMI connector in the TV. If both devices meet the stated requirements, you must purchase any budget dongle media player with the ability to support the DLNA protocol.
How to connect your TV and phone wirelessly in this way:
- The dongle media player is connected to the TV, and a special Bubble uPnP utility is installed on the mobile device.
- Next, turn on Wi-Fi on the smartphone and launch the installed application, it will automatically start searching for the dongle, all that remains is to connect to it.
- Now you can transfer any media data from your device to your TV. This method is especially popular with Android users.
Miracast
Another no less popular way to connect your phone to a TV without wires, which is only suitablefor Android devices. Mirror Casting, or Miracast for short, translates as "screen reflection". It is also suitable for use on TVs that do not support Wi-Fi but have an HDMI connector. In any specialized store, you need to purchase a Miracast dongle, or rather a unique device that supports DLNA and Miracast.
How to connect:
- The device is connected to the TV.
- In the smartphone, find and open the "Settings" tab, then "Wireless Connections" and the line "Screen mirroring" is activated. Android since 4th generation supports this feature.
- After that, everything that is currently displayed on the display can be transferred to the screen from a mobile device. This is especially useful for watching movies online and playing mobile games.
Chromecast
Google releases Chromecast media player that connects to TV. It allows you to connect to the TV through your phone and enjoy a number of useful features. Among other things, TVs that support HDMI get some Smart TV functionality. For example, the ability to watch paid movies from Netflix Internet resources. It allows you to stream content from online mode to your TV and use the screen mirroring function.
Step by step instructions:
- Install the Google Home utility to set up screen mirroring, then select Chromecast as the receiving device.
- The picture on the screen of the mobile device will appear onTV. Moreover, it will continue to be displayed regardless of further actions on the smartphone. For example, you can play clips from a YouTube channel, and then go to the games application, the video will continue on the TV screen until it is turned off.
AirPlay
If you are the owner of "apple" devices and don't know how to connect your phone to your TV without a wire, read on. With the exception of a wireless connection to a TV via Wi-Fi Direct, this method is the only one with which you can establish a connection between the TV and Apple gadgets. AirPlay technology is specially designed for the exchange and transmission of data over the air. If we talk about connecting a mobile device and an iPhone, you will need an Apple TV set-top box, which is not very cheap.
The set-top box is connected to a TV of any model, and the application is launched on the smartphone. Enter the password in the mobile phone settings and transfer data to the big screen.
Control your TV from your phone
Few people know that you can connect your phone to a TV without a wire and use it as a remote control. In addition, it is not necessary that it has an infrared port, since control is possible thanks to the Wi-Fi function.
It is worth noting here that the latest models of expensive phones, among other things, have the IrDa function, which greatly simplifies the process in many ways. It is enough to run a special utility, point the smartphone at the TV and switch channels,adjust sound, etc.
Each individual application needs the right setting, it can be manual or automatic. The first option involves synchronization with outdated technologies, which is performed by a special setup program. In the second case, it is enough to select the TV model for which the utility is based.
Connecting to an old TV
Undoubtedly, modern models of TVs with the Smart function open up great opportunities for users, but the owners of older TVs also have options that they did not even know about. So, how to bring the phone to the TV if you have an outdated TV model? Unfortunately, this cannot be done without a wire.
Older devices are mostly equipped with 1 or 2 external interfaces, for example, RCA - better known as "tulips", VGA, SCART or VGA. For a phone, it's micro USB. In some cases, an additional Jack 3, 5 headset output is used, for iPhone a 20-pin connector. All these devices are almost impossible to connect with each other, so it is recommended to purchase universal adapters, such as:
- RCA-micro-USB.
- RCA-Jack 3.5.
- VGA-micro-USB.
- S-Video-micro-USB.
- SCART-USB-micro-USB and others.
In recent years, these types of adapters can be found on sale less and less, as they are less and less in demand. Therefore, in cases of emergencyYou can search online or make your own. Such efforts do not always lead to the desired result: the image ripples, and there may be no sound at all.
A good alternative to wires and adapters is a set-top box. It costs a little more, however, it is able to make a TV with the most modern functions out of a conventional device. It can be an Apple TV set-top box or any other based on Windows or Android. Thanks to it, the TV will have a lot of opportunities for connecting peripheral devices, including a wireless connection with a smartphone.
Possible difficulties
We figured out how to display an image, video or game from your phone to your TV. But what can go wrong? When establishing a connection between the phone and the computer, various difficulties may arise that are specific to a particular type of connection.
Introducing a list of common problems:
- One of them concerns outdated TV models. For example, when there are all the necessary wires, but there is no suitable adapter. Here you need to arm yourself with patience and look in foreign online stores or electronics sales points.
- Mostly, the most expensive TV models are equipped with a wireless connection. Even so, not all mobile devices support Wi-Fi Direct. Therefore, this method is not suitable for everyone.
- USB connection is a rather outdated method with a number of drawbacks. Mainly on the TV screen, onlyseveral video, audio and photo formats. Internet use is excluded.
- One of the most convenient ways to connect your smartphone to your TV is to use the HDMI input. This interface is supported by all models of television devices. Even if this connector is not available, you can purchase the necessary adapter for the minimum price.
Note that wired connection is an old method. But wireless connection is only available for modern devices. Therefore, we recommend that before buying a TV, weigh and consider all the nuances, as well as the purpose of using the device.
