Pocket-sized smartphone and tablet screens are good on the go, but if you're in your living room and so why not use your Boob tube's much bigger screen instead? Sharing your screen from your telephone or tablet to your TV is easy, but there are a few different options available. In this commodity, we'll show yous these options and what y'all'll need for each.The start determination yous'll need to make is whether to get wired or wireless. Wired connections are generally more reliable, but may require your device to exist shut to the TV. Wireless connections can sometimes drib out or stutter, but offer more rapid setup and allow you to motility about unimpeded.

Wired

There are iii major wired options for Android devices: USB-C to HDMI, MHL and SlimPort. Your phone or tablet is likely to support one or the other; to find out see the list of MHL supported devices and the listing of SlimPort supported devices.

HDMI to USB-C

Connecting your USB-C enabled smartphone or tablet to a TV, monitor or projector is extremely quick and easy to practice by using this adapter from Olixar. Additionally, different other adapters on the market, this Olixar USB-C to HDMI does not require a power source, making connection even easier, as shown in the video below.

  1. Plug in the USB-C end of the adapter into your smartphone or tablet
  2. Connect a HDMI cable into the adapter
  3. If you've non done then already, plug the other stop of the HDMI cable into a HDMI port on your Television or monitor. HDMI ports are typically plant at the rear of Goggle box'due south, monitors and projectors.
  4. Navigate to the HDMI source on your Television / Monitor
  5. Sit down back and enjoy content including videos, photos, games and more from your phone or tablet on the big screen.

Additionally, the Olixar Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra USB-C to HDMI Adapter has a number of useful features including supporting both 1080p and 4K resolution at 60Hz, meaning you can watch videos with crystal articulate clarity.

MHL

MHL was ane the first major wired standard for connecting Android smartphones and tablets to TVs, and is supported by many Android phones and tablets (list here). It uses a clever system that allows both power and audio/video to be sent through your device's micro USB port.

TVs, monitors and projectors that support the standard (listing here) have at to the lowest degree ane special HDMI port which too provides ability; all you need to do is selection upward a micro USB to HDMI (passive MHL) cable and plug it in.

You can still apply MHL fifty-fifty if your TV doesn't back up the standard with an MHL cable or adapter which has separate HDMI and microUSB ports. The HDMI stop goes into the TV as normal, and a microUSB cable is fastened to a USB port or Air-conditioning adapter.

An MHL cablevision

microUSB (left) for power, HDMI for sound/video

Samsung devices accept their own proprietary MHL adapters ("MHL 2.0") which you'll need to use instead. Information technology's likewise possible to observe these built into docks for Samsung phones or connection kits with boosted ports.

Samsung Galaxy S4 / Note 3 MHL 2.0 HDTV HDMI Adapter

Samsung's proprietary MHL adapter

A third-party MHL adapter for Samsung devices

There's more data about MHL and how to use it here.

SlimPort

SlimPort is another wired pick, which is similar to MHL. The major difference is that a power input is optional. If no ability is supplied, your device won't be recharged, only the HDMI link volition still work. SlimPort is supported by some contempo smartphones, tablets and laptops (listing hither), nearly notably LG and Google devices.

Analogix SlimPort HDMI Adapter for HD Mirroring for Nexus 4

To use SlimPort, you'll need a SlimPort HDMI adapter. The microUSB plug goes into your phone, the USB plug goes into a powered USB port or wall adapter, and an HDMI cable connects adapter and TV.

In that location's more information on SlimPort here.

Wireless

There are several wireless standards to choose from, all of which seem to take 'bandage' in their proper name. Permit's await at the best three.

Android Screen Mirroring

This is a great way for those with a contempo Android device and a smart telly. But swipe down from the meridian and into your notifications console. Inside there you should find a screen mirroring choice, which on Samsung devices is chosen Smart View. Select the TV or monitor you wish to mirror your telephone to and you lot'll exist good to go.

If you lot don't have this feature available, screen mirroring can still be available past downloading the Google Home app. Once downloaded, tap account button at the lesser right corner and curl down to mirror device, then but select your Boob tube or monitor.

Chromecast

The Chromecast is one of the least expensive wireless options for connecting your Android phone or tablet to your non-smartTV.

Chromecast TV DongleChromecast TV Dongle

Instead of mirroring your entire screen, you instead ship specific content from apps on your phone – YouTube videos, Google Music songs, BBC iPlayer shows, Netflix movies – to the Chromecast dongle. It retrieves the content online using its wireless connection and plays it back through your TV.

There's more than information about Chromecast hither.

Miracast

Miracast support is included in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and later. It works by making a direct wireless connection between your device and your TV. In one case the connection is made, your phone'due south screen is mirrored on your TV.

Many modernistic HDTVs have Miracast support built in. The easiest style to run into if your TV is supported is to Google your TV's model name + "Miracast".

If your Telly isn't supported, you can also pick up a Miracast dongle that'll add the necessary capabilities. Only plug it into a power source and an HDMI port, and you'll be ready to begin.

iconBIT Toucan Omnicast TV Dongle for iOS, Android, Windows & Mac

An cheap Miracast dongle

ASUS Miracast Dongle

A premium Miracast dongle from ASUS

Yous tin can enable Miracast in Settings -> Display. From hither, select Wireless display and toggle it 'on' at the summit. Then you can search for Miracast devices and connect to them. Annotation that this process may be slightly dissimilar depending on your phone's Android version and manufacturer.

You lot can find more than information on Miracast here.

AllShare Cast

AllShare Cast is a wireless mirroring standard for Samsung smartphones and tablets (including the Note 2 + 3, Galaxy S3, S4 + S5). The characteristic is built into some recent Samsung HDTVs, but for other TVs you'll need the AllShare Cast Hub.

Samsung Galaxy S3 Wi-Fi Display Hub - EAD-T10UDEGXEUSamsung Galaxy S3 Wi-Fi Display Hub - EAD-T10UDEGXEU

Like other HDMI dongles, y'all'll just need to connect the AllShare Cast Hub to your TV via HDMI and ability it with the supplied cable, then enable the AllShare Cast choice on your Samsung device in Settings -> Wireless and networks -> AllShare Cast.

There's more information on AllShare Cast here.

Annotation that it's possible to use the more widely supported Miracast on Samsung devices running at least Android iv.ii, from the Galaxy S4 and Note 3 onwards.

Questions?

Let united states know in the comments below, or reach us on Twitter @mobilefun. Nosotros'll be happy to answer any questions we tin, and so if at that place'south something we haven't covered hither then please let united states of america know.

Thank you for reading the article and take a skilful one!