Watching a mirrored phone screen on the TV is an easy way to share photos, videos, and games with the whole room.
Mirroring puts your Android phone screen on the TV, live, so everyone in the room can see it.
It is perfect for photos, games, presentations, and videos from apps that have no cast button of their own.
This guide covers every reliable method, from the two-tap Quick Settings tile to a wired cable fallback.
Key Highlights of Android Screen Mirroring
Same Wi-Fi is the golden rule. Your phone and TV must share one network, or they cannot find each other.
Quick Settings is fastest. Most Android phones mirror in two taps with the Cast or Screen Cast tile.
Samsung uses Smart View. Galaxy phones mirror to Samsung TVs with the Smart View tile instead.
Mirroring is not casting. Mirroring copies your whole screen, while casting sends only one app's media stream.
A cable never fails. A USB-C to HDMI adapter works when Wi-Fi is weak, if your phone supports video output.
Expect a small delay. Wireless mirroring usually lags half a second to two seconds behind your phone.
Mirroring vs. Casting: Pick the Right One
Mirroring shows everything on your phone, including notifications, messages, and whatever app you open next.
Casting is narrower: an app hands one video or song to the TV, and your phone simply becomes the remote.
Use mirroring for photos, games, and presentations, and use casting whenever you only want to play a video.
Before You Start Mirroring
Put your phone and TV on the same Wi-Fi network, since a guest network counts as a different network.
Your phone needs Android 8.0 or newer for Google's own screen mirroring, which covers nearly every modern handset.
Your TV needs a receiver: Chromecast built in, a Google TV Streamer, a Samsung TV, a Roku, or an adapter.
Turn on Do Not Disturb first, because every notification that pops up on your phone appears on the TV.
Which Method Should You Choose?
If you own a Chromecast or Google TV, start with Quick Settings or Google Home for the simplest setup.
Samsung owners should reach for Smart View first, since it is tuned for Samsung TVs and Galaxy phones.
Roku households can use the same Quick Settings tile, while everyone else can rely on an affordable cable.
Method 1: Mirror With the Quick Settings Tile
This is the fastest route, and it works on most Android phones without installing any extra app.
Swipe down twice. Pull down from the top of the screen to open the full Quick Settings panel.
Tap Cast or Screen Cast. On Samsung phones the tile is called Smart View instead of Cast.
Pick your TV. Your phone scans for nearby receivers, then lists every compatible TV or streaming device.
Tap Start now. Confirm the prompt, and your phone screen appears on the TV within a few seconds.
If the tile is missing, tap the pencil or edit icon in Quick Settings and add the Cast tile.
To stop mirroring, open Quick Settings again and tap the same tile, or tap Disconnect on the notification.
Method 2: Mirror With the Google Home App
The Google Home app is Google's documented route for a Chromecast, a Google TV Streamer, or a Cast TV.
Open Google Home. Make sure your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as the TV device.
Touch and hold the TV tile. Find your TV or streaming device under Favorites or Devices, then press and hold.
Tap Cast, then Cast my screen. Confirm the prompt, and your whole screen mirrors to the television.
Stop from the same place: open the device controls in Google Home and tap Stop mirroring when finished.
Method 3: Mirror With Samsung Smart View
Galaxy phones pair best with Samsung TVs, which have supported Smart View screen mirroring since 2016.
Open Smart View. Swipe down twice for Quick Settings and tap the Smart View tile on your Galaxy.
Choose your Samsung TV. Your phone lists nearby Samsung TVs; tap the one you want to mirror to.
Allow the connection. If the TV asks, choose Allow, and your screen appears in a few seconds.
Smart View also offers a phone-aspect option, so videos can fill the screen without black bars on the sides.
Method 4: Mirror to a Roku TV or Player
Roku TVs and players support screen mirroring for Android through the Miracast wireless display standard.
Enable mirroring on Roku. Go to Settings, then System, then Screen mirroring, and set the mode.
Cast from your phone. Use the Cast or Smart View tile and pick your Roku from the device list.
If your Roku never appears, check that both devices share the same network and that mirroring is enabled.
Method 5: Mirror With a USB-C to HDMI Cable
A wired connection is the most reliable fallback when Wi-Fi is weak, crowded, or simply refuses to cooperate.
You need a USB-C to HDMI adapter and an HDMI cable, plus a phone that supports video output over USB-C.
Not every Android phone supports video out, so check your model's specifications before buying an adapter.
Plug in the adapter. Connect the USB-C end to your phone and the HDMI cable to a free TV port.
Switch the TV input. Use the TV remote to select the HDMI input you plugged the cable into.
Your phone screen should appear at once, with no network setup, no lag, and no pairing step at all.
Troubleshooting Common Mirroring Problems
TV not showing up? Restart your phone and TV, then confirm both sit on the exact same Wi-Fi network.
Move closer to the router, or switch to the 5 GHz band, since weak signals cause stuttering and sudden disconnects.
If video plays but audio stays on the phone, check the TV volume and the media output setting on Android.
Some apps block mirroring for protected content, so a black screen during a stream usually means copy protection.
For those apps, cast from inside the app with its Cast button instead of mirroring the whole screen.
Tips for a Better Mirroring Experience
Rotate your phone sideways for videos and games, because landscape mode fills the TV screen far better.
Keep your phone charging during long sessions, since mirroring drains the battery faster than normal use.
Lower the phone's brightness or enable battery saver only if lag appears, as both can slow the stream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mirror without Wi-Fi?
Yes, Miracast works without a router on supported phones and TVs, and a USB-C cable needs no network at all.
Why does my screen lag behind the TV?
Wireless mirroring always adds a short delay, typically half a second to two seconds on a normal home network.
Can I use my phone for something else while mirroring?
No, mirroring copies your live screen, so anything you open also appears on the television.
Use in-app casting instead if you want to keep using your phone privately during playback.
Does mirroring work on an old non-smart TV?
Yes, plug in a Chromecast, Google TV Streamer, Roku, or Fire TV Stick to give it mirroring support.
Start with the Quick Settings tile, since it mirrors most Android phones to most TVs in seconds.
Fall back to Google Home, Smart View, or a cable when needed, and enjoy your phone on the big screen.