From watching movies to giving business presentations, there are many reasons you may want to mirror your Android device screen over to a larger television display. Thanks to options like Chromecast, Miracast, HDMI cables and more, beaming the screen of your Android smartphone or tablet to a TV is easier than ever.
This guide will explain the major methods for wirelessly mirroring Android screens to televisions along with step-by-step instructions for each approach. Read on to learn how to mirror that Android device to the big screen!
What is Android Mirroring and Why Do It?
Android mirroring, also called Android screen mirroring or Android screen sharing, is the process of displaying the exact screen and content from an Android tablet or smartphone onto a separate monitor or television set. This creates a mirrored version of the original device’s display in real time.
There are several key benefits of mirroring your Android device screen to a TV:
- Entertainment – Stream shows, play Android games and more on a large screen TV
- Productivity – Run work presentations, share documents and collaborate using the TV
- Convenience – Quickly display vacation photos to family gathered around the TV
- Flexibility – Mirror screens whether working nearby or around your home
Now let’s look at the main methods available for mirroring Android devices to televisions.
Mirroring Android Using Chromecast
One of the most popular options to wirelessly mirror Android screens is with a Chromecast device.
A Chromecast is an HDMI-connected dongle that plugs into the TV and streams content through WiFi connectivity with tablets, phones and computers. Starting at around $30 USD, setting up a Chromecast is fast and affordable.
Key benefits of using Chromecast include:
- Streams content from 1000s of Chromecast-enabled mobile apps
- Easy to configure with user-friendly setup
- Works for mirroring both Android and iOS devices
- Portable to use with hotel TVs and monitors with HDMI ports
Let’s walk through how to mirror that Android screen using a handy Chromecast:
Step 1 – Plug Chromecast into TV
The Chromecast device simply plugs into an open HDMI port on the back of your television:
[table]
Device | Connection Type |
Chromecast | HDMI port |
Android Tablet/Phone | WiFi connection |
TV with open HDMI port | HDMI cable |
[/table] |
You’ll then follow the on-screen instructions to connect it to the WiFi network you want to use.
Step 2 – Connect Android Device to Same WiFi Network
Next, on your Android mobile device, connect to the same local WiFi network that the Chromecast is configured on. This allows it discover and communicate with the TV device.
Step 3 – Open Chromecast-Supported App
Now open an Android app that has Chromecast streaming integration built-in such as:
- YouTube
- Netflix
- Google Photos
- Spotify
These apps make it easy to tap a “Cast button” and automatically have that Android screen mirrored to the television display.
Step 4 – Tap Cast Button to Mirror Android Screen
Inside your streaming media or Chromecast-enabled app, tap the “Cast button” which will be labeled with a TV icon:
Your Android screen will then appear mirrored on the TV screen! You can now enjoy controlling apps, playing videos, viewing photos and more from your Android device on that larger display.
Using this wireless mirroring technique with a Chromecast makes it quick and convenient to start beaming your Android screen over to any HDTV.
Mirror Android Using Miracast
Another great wireless option for mirroring your Android screen over to TVs is through Miracast connectivity.
Miracast is a wireless standard that lets devices broadcast their screen over WiFi Direct connections. Many smart TVs have Miracast built-in, allowing you to mirror content straight from a compatible Android device.
Benefits of using Android’s Miracast function include:
- Allows complete mirroring of Android display
- Works wirelessly without cables or dongles
- Supported on many late model HDTVs
- Free to use once TV and device support Miracast
Here is a step-by-step guide to mirroring that Android screen to a TV using Miracast:
Step 1 – Check TV for Miracast Support
Start by verifying your television has Miracast enabled. Many smart TVs and streaming boxes list it as an option called Screen Mirroring, Screen Sharing, or Wireless Display.
Consult your TV manual for details if needed.
Step 2 – Enable Miracast on Android Device
On your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app and navigate to:
Connections > More connection settings > Wireless display
Or search Settings for: “Wireless display”
Enable the Wireless display toggle there. This activates Miracast on the device.
Step 3 – Tap Nearby TVs to Connect
With Miracast now active on both the TV and Android, you simply select the correct TV name from “Available devices” list to connect it.
Your Android screen will then be wirelessly mirrored to the television! Enjoy viewing photos, movies, apps, games and more from the device on the big screen.
Pro Tip: If you run into issues getting Android to mirror to the TV, manually connecting to the correct TV’s WiFi Direct signal can help.
So in just a few easy taps, Android’s built-in Miracast functionality allows full wireless mirroring to compatible televisions.
Mirror Android using HDMI Cable
If your TV doesn’t have Chromecast or Miracast built-in, don’t worry! You can still mirror your Android’s screen using a handy HDMI cable.
Key benefits of mirroring via HDMI cable include:
- Provides reliable, high quality signal
- Works even if TV lacks smart connectivity
- Cheap cables available starting under $10
Follow these instructions to connect Android using a simple HDMI cable:
Step 1 – Use Appropriate Adapter for Android Device
You first need to determine the proper adapter or dongle to connect your particular smartphone or tablet to the TV, such as:
- Micro HDMI to HDMI cable for many Android phones
- USB-C to HDMI adapter for modern Android models
- MHL to HDMI adapter for older or Galaxy tablets
Step 2 – Connect Adapter to TV’s HDMI Port
Now plug the necessary HDMI adapter into an open HDMI port on the back of the television.
Step 3 – Connect Android to Adapter Cable
Lastly, use a charging cable to connect your device to the appropriate HDMI adapter. Immediately your Android screen will be mirrored onto the TV display via the wired connection!
The HDMI approach may require an extra adapter, but delivers reliable performance for mirroring tablets and smartphones.
Recommendations for Mirroring Android to TV
Now that you know the main techniques available, which option works the best?
Here is a quick summary comparison of using Chromecast vs Miracast vs HDMI to mirror Android:
[table]
Method | Pros | Cons |
Chromecast | Streams 1000s of apps, affordable, portable | Requires purchasing device, some lag |
Miracast | Built into many TVs, wireless | Performance can be inconsistent |
HDMI Cable | Reliable signal, inexpensive cables | Need correct adapter for device |
[/table] |
And some recommendations based on your mirroring use case:
- Chromecast – Great for casual entertainment apps
- Miracast – Easy overall if your TV supports it
- HDMI – Most consistent for mirroring a phone or tablet screen
So in the end, all three main methods offer ways to successfully mirror Android tablets and smartphones to any television.
FAQ’s
How do you cast from an Android phone to a TV wirelessly?
The main ways to cast wirelessly from an Android phone to a TV are by using Chromecast, Miracast screen mirroring, or connecting through a streaming media player like Roku or Fire TV. You connect your devices to the same WiFi network and use the Cast feature in apps or your Quick Settings to mirror your screen.
How do I cast pictures from my Android to my TV?
To cast photos from Android, open the Google Photos app and tap the Cast button while viewing a photo. Choose your Chromecast or smart TV from the device list and your photos will start displaying on the bigger screen.
How do I mirror my Android phone to my TV using Bluetooth?
Most Android phones cannot mirror their screen to TVs over Bluetooth. Bluetooth connections are meant for audio streaming only in this case. To mirror phone screens, you generally need to use either a wired connection like HDMI or a wireless technology like Chromecast or Miracast that’s designed specifically for casting and mirroring.
Can I mirror my phone to my TV without WIFI?
You typically cannot mirror your Android phone to a TV without a WiFi connection. The easiest wireless mirroring protocols like Chromecast and Miracast require both devices to be on the same local WiFi network to discover and connect to each other. The alternative would be using an HDMI cable for a wired mirror connection instead.
Conclusion
As we’ve covered in this guide, wirelessly mirroring the screen of your Android device over to a TV is simpler than ever. Key options like Chromecast, Miracast wireless display standards, and HDMI cables make it easy to enlarge videos, apps, presentations and more from that handy Android screen onto a roomy television display.
Give one a try the next time you need to mirror Android to TV for entertainment, convenience or productivity! Following the step-by-step setup and connection instructions outlined here takes the guesswork out of beaming your smartphone or tablet experience from the small screen to the big screen. The same steps can also apply to mirroring other devices like iPhones or resetting remotes like how to reset apple tv remote.
Rockies Ripple is the founder and lead writer behind the independent blog tvplutos.com