TOP 6 Ways to watch movies on TV via phone | Instructions for Android and iOS

Yaroslav Dragun 11/25/2021

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This question was asked by almost everyone who purchased a modern TV with the Smart TV function. After all, connecting a smartphone to a TV is quite convenient. You can even play on the big screen. What's not to love?

In general, there are enough ways to connect a smartphone to a TV. It all depends on what kind of phone you have and what wireless standards it supports. If the gadget is quite ancient, then you will have to use wires.

However, at the moment, even five-year-old devices can provide a wireless connection to a TV. But in this material we will need to consider all the methods. Therefore, we will talk about wired options.

We will tell you about the most appropriate connection methods and provide instructions on what and how to do. But let's talk about wired connection methods first.

Setting up a Computer (laptop)

Go to Control Panel-Network and Sharing Center . And by clicking on your network, in the window that opens, select “ Home Network ”

We do this so that from other devices we have access to folders on this computer with media content.

By default, these are the Videos , Music , Pictures in C:Users (c:Users).

But if you wish, you can add your own folder with media content. Let's immediately describe how to do this:

In Windows Media Player, go to Library

Next Organize-Manage Libraries , where we select which library (photos, videos, music) to add the folder to. If you have a folder with heterogeneous content, then simply add it to both the video and music library, everything will go where it needs to be (video to video, music to music)

Note : Transferring and launching high-quality video of several gigabytes in size located on a computer from a tablet and even via Wi-Fi is not a very good idea (no one has canceled the maximum bandwidth of communication channels)

Next In Windows Media Player Go to “ Stream - Advanced streaming options” and click “ Allow all ”

There, in Windows Media Player - Stream about and " Automatically allow devices to play my media"

USB cable

Another very simple method that does not even require additional cables and adapters, but it also has a number of disadvantages.

In order to connect your device and your TV, you only need a fiber-optic USB cable, which comes with almost any phone.

Next, follow the algorithm:

Rice. 4 Connection type

Step 1. Connect the cable to the USB port of your TV - currently such a port is available on absolutely all models and you do not need any adapters (the TV must be turned off at this time);

Rice. 5 Setting up work

Step 2. Connect the mini-USB plug to the phone, after which the corresponding menu will open in which you will be asked to choose what exactly you need to do - select Enable USB storage , because with this approach your device simply works like a flash drive;

Rice. 6 TV setup

Step 3. Turn on the TV and go to the menu to the list of connections - this should happen differently on different device models - select USB output in the menu.

When using this method, your smartphone works as a memory card, a file archive, that is, you will not see your desktop - only a list of folders on a black background.

Using the TV remote control, switch between folders and directories, external and internal phone memory, and select the files you need.

Pros:

• Very low price or completely free, since fiber optic cable comes standard with almost all smartphones;
• There are no problems with sound, since you are simply playing the file from the drive;
• There is no need to adjust screen parameters;
• Absolutely all smartphones, even weak and old ones, support this format of operation.

Minuses:

• Inability to watch videos online – you can play/view only what is in the phone’s memory;
• You cannot connect a keyboard or mouse for ease of use because your phone is not considered a smart object by the system;
• You can't see the desktop etc.

However, the method is popular if you need to look at a photo. Downloaded videos, play music. Moreover, there are almost never problems with file incompatibility. And you don't need to configure anything.

Realme TV Stick 4K

For those who like to get everything at once, Realme has released something between Mi TV Stick and Mi TV Box - Smart Google TV Stick . This, as the name implies, is the same stick flash drive with an HDMI connector, but more technically advanced. Here you no longer get 1 GB of RAM, but 2, and no support for 4K video instead of Full HD.

Realme TV Stick 4K is cooler than Xiaomi's Mi TV Stick

In terms of capabilities, this is a classic TV stick based on Android TV with all that it implies:

• Installing applications
• Smartphone mirroring
• Voice control
• Google Play support

Price: 2949 rubles (with promotional code 400PODAROK)

Buy Realme TV Stick

As with the Mi TV Stick, the Realme solution comes with a proprietary remote control with a basic set of buttons and a built-in microphone that receives voice commands and sends it to the TV through the stick. This is very convenient, since you no longer have to write the names of films or TV series manually.

MHL

Strictly speaking, this cable combines the advantages of USB and HDMI cables.

Its advantage is that in addition to the fact that it transmits the picture to the TV monitor in HD format, it is also capable of simultaneously charging the device from the TV circuits, i.e., ultimately, from an alternating current network.

The cable combines the best features of HDMI and USB without requiring you to plug your phone into a charger.

Connecting using this technology occurs in exactly the same way as in the first described method - you even need to look for the signal output there, that is, it will be designated as HDMI.

In essence, this technology is HDMI for smartphones, and is supported by almost all modern devices.

Rice. 7 Plugs

Pros:

• Possibility of transmitting high quality images;
• There is no need to additionally connect the charger;
• A simple connection method, just like HDMI.

Minuses:

• The need to adjust the image in some cases;
• Not all TVs and phones support this connection method;
• The cable, most often, has to be purchased separately, despite the fact that it is not very cheap.

The technique is not yet very widespread, since it is relatively new, and not all users yet know about it.

Rice. 8 The meaning of the technique

Connecting a smartphone to TV via AirPlay

A method for true connoisseurs of the Apple ecosystem, since it requires an iPhone and an Apple TV console. The TV can be anything - the main thing is that it has HDMI, through which it will connect to the console.

The pairing itself goes like this:

1. Check that the mobile phone and TV are transmitting data to the same router.
2. Go to your smartphone's desktop and swipe up to open Control Center.
3. Click the “Screen repeat” button
4. Confirm Apple TV streaming.

To connect a smartphone and TV, you need to select interfaces and follow the tips described above. Good luck!

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Why is this necessary?

Once your phone is connected to your TV via Wi-Fi, you can enjoy the functionality of your smartphone on the big screen. The mobile device will act as a projector. The gadget will provide image transmission to TV. This means that you will be able to:

• view photos;
• play video content;
• listen to music;
• run video games and various programs;
• access websites;
• conduct all kinds of presentations and demonstrations.

For the most convenient control, connect a computer mouse, keyboard or game joystick.

Transferring image and sound from your phone to a TV equipped with a built-in Wi-Fi adapter is not difficult. After setting up the connection, you can transform your smartphone into a full-fledged remote control. This is very convenient when the original remote control is broken. Now let's look at the main ways to connect a smartphone to a TV.

Wireless connection

Connecting your phone wirelessly is much more convenient than all the methods described above, which is obvious - you don’t need to connect the device, physically fixing it near the TV, fear that the phone will run out of power while watching, etc.

In addition, this method guarantees the simplest possible control of playback parameters using a phone from a fairly large distance.

However, this method also has its drawbacks. Firstly, it is not supported by all smartphones and not all TVs, and secondly, using Wi-Fi speeds up battery drain, so it is important to charge the smartphone in time when it is transmitting a signal to the monitor.

Special software is also required.

You need to select it depending on the phone model and TV model.

The connection method is available only to owners of smart TVs equipped with a Wi-Fi module, since it is through it that the connection occurs.

Such TVs are quite expensive, but you can buy a separate Wi-Fi transmitter connected to the TV, which, however, is also not cheap.

Another disadvantage of this approach is that in the vast majority of cases, careful fine-tuning of both devices is required.

We broadcast videos using special set-top boxes

If the TV does not support the SmartTV function, but a person wants to equip his device with all the functions of a modern TV receiver, he will need a special set-top box. Such gadgets are sold in every hardware store, as well as on marketplaces like AliExpress or JD. Depending on the store and model, the cost will be from 1000 to 5000 rubles.

To control the set-top box you will need a second remote control. Therefore, this method of displaying images on the screen is not very popular.

The smart set-top box must be connected to a power source and TV using the included HDMI cable. Next, go to the TV receiver menu and select HDMI as the pairing method. Then the image from the set-top box will appear on the screen. Typically this is an operating system that allows you to watch videos online and offline, provided that the video is downloaded to the internal storage.

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How to stream a gallery to TV

The next feature is perfect for those who want to broadcast photos or videos from their smartphone to the big screen. DLNA technology will help us with this. The conditions for connection are as follows:

• Both devices must support DLNA and be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• The TV must be connected to the router via a LAN cable.

Broadcasting images from a smartphone to a TV.

To connect your smartphone to your TV via DLNA , you need to:

• Go to TV Settings.
• Activate the DLNA function.
• Open any media file on your smartphone.
• Next, click on the three dots opposite the photo or video.
• Tap on Select player and indicate your TV in the list of available devices.
• Next, the picture will automatically play on your TV.

If for some reason you were unable to use this feature, Google Play has a special application BubbleUPnP for DLNA that can help you.

The algorithm of actions is approximately the same.

• Make sure that the TV and smartphone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, as described above.
• Launch the application on your Android smartphone.
• Next, go to the Devices tab and select your TV.
• After that, open Library.
• Go to the folder where your photos or videos are stored.
• As soon as you open the file, it will immediately be broadcast on TV.

BubbleUPnP application for connecting your smartphone to your TV.

Methods for connecting a phone to a TV via cable

These methods are suitable for “smart” TV and for a 15-year-old “old man”. The main thing is that the smartphone and the TV have suitable connectors. And then it’s a matter of technology. Let's look at 5 common methods of pairing "by wire" brick by brick.

HDMI

A connection type that does not distort the quality of the content. If 4K video is output via a wire to a TV that supports this resolution, every original pixel will be visible on its screen.

The only catch in the modern connection: not all phones have a micro-HDMI connector. An additional port is more often found in tablets and video equipment. But despite this, mobile and TV connect: many manufacturers have created a direct connection via 2E Type-C to HDMI cords. This connection looks as easy as shelling pears:

1. Connect the cord to the required ports. For the TV it is HDMI, and for the phone it is USB-C.
2. Follow the instructions on the TV screen.

If your mobile only has lightning or micro-usb, you need to look for adapters. 2E Lightning to HDMI interfaces with Apple technology. In this case, the connection becomes a little more complicated, but still remains understandable.

• Connect your mobile phone to the adapter.
• Take a familiar HDMI cable and connect it to the TV on one side and the adapter on the other.
• Follow the instructions on the device displays.

Owners of Android phones with a micro USB port should find an adapter to USB-C, as an example - Belkin microUSB to Type-C. Then the connection proceeds in a standard way: phone to the adapter, cable to the TV and smartphone, execute the commands that appear on the device screens.

Interesting article: Smart TV - what is it on TV: 4 advantages and some disadvantages

USB

This method is suitable for almost any TV released after 2014-2015. All you need to connect is a USB cable—even a mobile phone charger will do. The main thing is that the side that will connect to the TV coincides with its connectors.

If the TV was made before 2022, there will only be USB-A (the most common USB), but newer models may also have USB-C. The connection will be as follows:

1. Connect your mobile phone and TV via USB.
2. Turn on the "box".
3. Go to the TV settings and assign the USB port as the source.
4. Confirm this on your mobile.
5. Smart icons or folders will appear on the TV display.
6. Find the content you want and watch.

MHL

MHL is a special TV port designed for connecting with mobile phones. It means Mobile High-Definition, which translates to “high-resolution mobile connection.” Suitable for viewing files and transferring images. It will be possible to surf online on your phone and all this will be displayed on the big screen. If the TV supports this format, at least one of the HDMI outputs will have a similar marking. The connection will look like this:

1. Connect the wire to the mobile phone.
2. Connect the cord to the TV.
3. Turn on both devices.
4. In the TV menu, go to settings and confirm “Auto-change MHL input”. Then, with any connection to a mobile phone, the TV will show what is happening on the mobile phone.

No additional devices such as “additional charging” are required for the adapter.

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Slimport

This connection type, specified by Analogix, works the same as MHL and connects to the Display Port. Connects to the phone via micro USB. To connect, just insert the ends of the cable into the appropriate ports and follow the instructions on the screen, making the mobile phone the main source of the signal.

Mini DisplayPort

If your TV does not have the ability to connect a mobile phone through the usual ports, you should try connecting via Mini DisplayPort. It will display an image with a resolution of almost 2K (2560x1440) and supports most popular formats.

In other technology, it can be found on old MacBooks - before 2017, laptops from different manufacturers before 2018-2019, and some tablets produced before 2016-2018.

Nowadays, in all devices Mini DisplayPort has been replaced by universal USB-C. It is through the USB connection that mobile phones are connected. You just need to find adapters from mini USB or USB-C to classic DisplayPort (almost any TV has it). A great example is the Dell USB-C to DisplayPort Adapter.

To connect your iPhone, you need to take a Lightning to USB-C adapter. Then connect in four steps.

• Connect your mobile phone to the Lightning adapter.
• Connect it to the USB-C to Displayport adapter.
• Connect this wire to the TV.
• Turn on both devices and follow the instructions on the screen.

The connection may be a little confusing, but you can connect your mobile phone even to an outdated TV that is more than 10-15 years old.

Lightning Digital AV Adapter

The method of connecting exclusively iPhone to TV, because this is an original adapter from Apple.

The principle of its connection is reminiscent of pairing an “apple” to HDMI with only minimal differences:

1. The adapter connects to the iPhone.
2. The HDMI cable mates with the adapter.
3. The wire is inserted into the HDMI port of the TV.
4. Next you need to follow the instructions on the display.

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