What is Screen Mirroring? Screen Share from Phone to TV

We all know that sometimes, bigger really is better—and even if you have a larger screen phone like an iPhone 16 Pro Max, Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, you may still want to view your phone on something larger. If so, screen mirroring is your answer. 

With screen mirroring, you can make viewing content like photos and videos on your phone even better by moving them to your television screen. But what exactly is screen mirroring, and how can you screen share from phone to TV? 

Here, we'll explain how to use screen mirroring for Apple iPhones and Android phones. All you’ll need is a second compatible device, like a TV or digital media player.

Screen Mirroring Explained

Screen mirroring lets you display the content on your smartphone on your TV in real time. It’s like turning your TV into a bigger version of your phone, making it a great way to watch videos, scroll photos, or even play mobile games from your phone on a big screen. 

Not to mention, this can be especially useful when you want to stream music or movies while visiting friends or family but don’t want to use your account’s sign-in credentials on their television. 

The best part? iPhone and Android devices make it easy to mirror your screen with just a few simple steps. While wireless screen mirroring is the most popular option, using a cable is also possible (we’ll cover that later). 

Casting vs Mirroring: What's the Difference?

Now that we’ve answered “What is screen mirroring?” and how it can help in specific situations, we’ll explain how “casting” is another slightly different option you can use to share your phone to a TV. Note that screen mirroring and screen casting are often used interchangeably but they don’t work exactly the same way.

So, what’s the difference between casting vs mirroring? Here's a quick breakdown of each:

• Casting: When you cast, you send specific content from an app—like a YouTube video or Spotify song—from your phone to your TV. Once the media is playing on your TV, it no longer displays on your phone, and you can continue using your device for other things like texting or browsing. For example, if you cast a YouTube video from your phone to your TV, you can still open other apps on your phone while the video plays on the bigger screen (as long as you don’t manually close the app). 
• Mirroring: Screen mirroring is different because it duplicates your entire phone screen to your TV. Everything you do on your phone is visible on the TV—whether you're navigating apps, browsing the web, or watching a video. So, be mindful of what’s on your phone before sharing it to a TV with others. 

Casting is great for streaming videos or music, while mirroring is great if you want to share your whole screen for apps that may not have a native casting option and if you’d like to be able to move between different apps quickly. 

However, some movie and video apps may block content from being mirrored for copyright reasons. If this happens, casting is the best option. 

Now, let's walk through how to screen share from phone to TV for iPhone and Android.

How to Screen Share from iPhone to TV

If you want to screen share from an iPhone to a TV, Apple makes it easy with their AirPlay and screen mirroring features.

AirPlay works with an Apple TV device or any smart TV that's AirPlay 2-compatible. Keep in mind that AirPlay is a version of casting, so it won't mirror everything on your phone screen, only the specific app that activated it. 

AirPlay functionality is usually indicated by one of two icons, as seen in the image above. Look for one of these AirPlay icons:

• Music apps: A triangle with a signal icon on top.
• Video, photo and other apps: A triangle with a square icon on top.

If you want to mirror everything on your iPhone screen, that’s where Screen Mirroring comes in. 

Just look for the icon of the two overlapping rectangles (an example of the icon is in the image below). You’ll find it as a default option in the Control Center on recent iPhones. 

How to Activate AirPlay from iPhone to TV

• Ensure your iPhone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible smart TV.
• Open the app with the content you want to stream.
• Tap the AirPlay button:some text
  • In some apps, like the Photo app, you might need to tap the Share button first (square icon with arrow pointing up), then choose AirPlay.
  • For videos, look for the AirPlay icon while the video is playing (usually on the right side of the device’s screen). 
• A list of available devices will pop up. Select your TV or digital media player, and your content will appear on the TV.
• To stop streaming, tap the AirPlay button again, then choose your iPhone from the list of devices, and AirPlay will disconnect. 

How to Activate Screen Mirroring iPhone to TV

• Make sure your iPhone and your TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• Open the Control Center on your iPhone:some text
  • For iPhones with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner.
  • For iPhones with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
• Tap the Screen Mirroring icon (double squares).
• Select your TV or streaming device, like an Apple TV, from the list of available devices.
• Follow any on-screen prompts, such as entering an AirPlay code shown on your TV.
• To stop mirroring, go back to the Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

How Does Android Screen Mirroring Work?

If you have an Android phone and want to screen share from Android to TV, the process is just as simple (and similar) as it is with iPhone. 

Most Android phones have a built-in screen mirroring feature that works with Google Chromecast, smart TVs, and other streaming devices. The Cast icon is visible in the image below, and it’s represented by a square with three wave lines in its bottom left corner.

Screen mirroring on Android can also use wireless tech like Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth to connect your phone to your TV. Wi-Fi Direct is different from regular home Wi-Fi in that it allows two devices to communicate with each other using Wi-Fi technology (not necessarily to connect to the internet). 

There are Android devices that also support Miracast, a wireless standard that uses Wi-Fi Direct for a low-latency connection that’s great for streaming videos or gaming.

How to Setup Screen Mirroring Android to TV

Some TVs may have their own screen mirroring feature that can work with other Bluetooth devices. To find out, search the settings on your TV for a screen sharing or Bluetooth menu.

The built-in screen mirroring feature for many Android devices can often be found in the Quick Settings menu. However, Samsung phones call this menu "Smart View,” and other Android models may label it differently as well. 

How to use Android’s Built-in Casting Option to Cast to TV:

• Connect your Android phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network, and make sure they are within a few feet of each other. 
• Swipe down from the top of your phone's screen to access the Quick Settings menu.
• Go through the setup options if they appear.
• Look for "Cast," "Screen Mirroring," or "Smart View" (depending on your phone). 
• Select your TV from the list of available devices.
• Your Android phone screen should now be mirrored on your TV.

Use Miracast to Cast from an Android Phone to TV:

If your TV and Android phone support Miracast, you can use it for direct screen mirroring using Wi-Fi Direct, which creates a direct connection between your phone and TV.

• Make sure your TV supports Miracast by searching its settings or user manual.
• On your Android phone, go to Settings > Display > Cast Screen.
• Select your TV from the list of available devices.

How to Cast Your Android Phone Screen Using the Google Home App:

You can also use the Google Home app to cast to compatible TVs and devices. 

• Download the Google Home app from the Play Store if it’s not already installed.
• Launch the Home app on your phone.
• Tap Chromecast or the compatible device you want to cast to.
• At the bottom of the screen, tap Cast My Screen, then confirm by selecting Cast Screen on the prompt.

How to Screen Share to Streaming Devices

No smart TV? You can also screen mirror from phone to TV using a streaming box or streaming stick like Roku Express, Google Chromecast, or Amazon Fire TV. 

While Apple TVs work well with other Apple devices, they do not have a native mirroring or casting feature that works with Android phones. 

How to Set Up Screen Mirroring Android to TV Using Chromecast Devices:

• Plug your Chromecast into an HDMI port on your TV if you have not already done so. 
• Connect both your Chromecast and Android phone to the same Wi-Fi network.
• On your Android, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings menu.
• Tap the Cast button. A list of available devices will pop up.
• Tap your Chromecast device from the list.
• When prompted, tap Start Now to begin casting your screen.

You can switch between portrait and landscape modes, depending on what you’re doing, and when you're finished, just swipe back to Quick Settings, tap the Cast button, and disconnect.

How to Screen Share from Android to TV Using Roku:

• Connect both your Android phone and Roku device to the same Wi-Fi network.
• On your Roku, go to Settings > System > Screen Mirroring and set it to Prompt or Always Allow.
• On your Android, swipe down to open Quick Settings and tap Cast or Smart View. If it’s not there, check Settings > Display or Connected Devices.
• Select your Roku TV from the list of devices.
• Accept the mirroring request on your Roku device.

How to Screen Mirror Your Android Phone Using Fire TV

With Fire TV, you can mirror any Miracast-enabled Android device. Here’s how:

• Make sure both your Android phone and Fire TV are on the same network.
• Check your device’s settings if needed.
• Turn on Display Mirroring on Fire TV:some text
  • Go to Settings > Display & Sounds.
  • Select Enable Display Mirroring.
• Note: If you don’t see this option, your Fire TV may not support mirroring.
• Once connected, your TV will reflect everything on your device.

When you’re done, press any button on the Fire TV remote to disconnect. One thing to remember is that Amazon’s Alexa features won’t be available during screen mirroring.

How to Screen Share from iPhone to TV via Roku:

• Connect your iPhone and Roku to the same Wi-Fi network.
• On your Roku, go to Settings > System > Screen Mirroring and make sure it's enabled.
• Use the AirPlay method mentioned earlier to mirror your iPhone screen to the Roku.

To screen share iPhone to Chromecast and Fire TV, you’ll need to use a third-party app. The performance of these apps may vary for some users. 

Screen Sharing with Cables or Adapters

Even though wireless technology has improved over the years, sometimes, a traditional wired connection between two devices is the best route. If you prefer a wired setup or have an older TV that doesn't support wireless screen mirroring, you can still screen share from phone to TV using cables.

For iPhone:

• You'll need an HDMI adapter to connect your iPhone to the TV:some text
  • Older iPhones will need an HDMI to Lightning adapter.
  • iPhone 15 and newer will use an HDMI to USB-C adapter.
• Plug the adapter into your iPhone and connect an HDMI cable to your TV.
• Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input, and your iPhone screen will appear on your TV.

For Android:

• You'll need a USB-C to HDMI adapter (most newer Android phones use USB-C).
• Plug the adapter into your Android phone and connect the HDMI cable to your TV.
• Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input, and you'll see your phone mirrored on your TV.

If your phone isn’t compatible with these adapters, it might be time for an upgrade. Check out our running list of the best iPhone 16 deals, Samsung Galaxy S24 deals, and Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro deals across carriers, updated the moment we detect a change. 

We also recommend trying our free unbiased Phone Deal Finder to quickly find the iPhone and Android deals you qualify for based on your trade-in device and other preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I connect my phone to my smart TV?

There are a few ways you can wirelessly connect your phone to a smart TV if you have an Apple iPhone or Android device. If you have an iPhone, you can use Apple’s AirPlay or screen mirroring options. With Android, you can use Google’s Cast, Screen Mirroring, or Smart View features to connect to a smart TV or streaming device. 

Why won’t my iPhone mirror to my TV?

There are a few things to check if your iPhone isn’t screen mirroring to your TV. First, make sure all your AirPlay-compatible devices are on and within close range of each other. It’s also important to check that your iPhone and TV are updated to the latest versions of their software. Once you check that, ensure they are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If you’re still having trouble, try restarting the devices. 

How do I screencast my Android to my TV?

There are many ways to cast your Android screen to your TV, but one method is to go to your phone’s settings, tap on “Screen Mirroring” or “Smart View,” and pick your TV from the list—just make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi. If your TV doesn’t support casting, you can use something like a Chromecast device or apps that let you cast content directly.