Your Android display probably isn't that big. Even if you're using a phablet-sized device, the display will be around seven inches at most.

Meanwhile, the TV on your wall is 40 inches or bigger. So how do you connect your phone or tablet to your TV for the ultimate big-screen Android experience?

Why Connect Your Android Phone to Your TV?

It might be something that has only just occurred to you, but connecting your mobile to your TV is straightforward.

But why would you do this?

  • Gaming: on a big screen, mobile gaming suddenly more immersive. Connect a controller to your device for the best results.
  • Viewing media: your photo and video collections are perfect for sharing.
  • Presentation: if your laptop packs up, or you’re otherwise caught on the hop software, presentation software on your phone can take advantage of an HDMI link to your display.
  • Office tasks and productivity: with a keyboard and mouse connected to your phone, your might connect your phone to your TV for productivity purposes.

So, just how do you connect your Android device to your HDMI TV? Eight options are available:

  • Casting to Google Chromecast
  • Cast to Android TV
  • Screen mirroring with an Amazon Fire TV device
  • Stream via a DLNA device
  • Use a USB to HDMI adapter
  • Connect your phone to your TV using USB
  • Share media on your phone with your Roku device
  • Connect to a wireless-enabled TV from Android

We’ll look at each option below.

1. How to Connect a Phone to Your TV With Google Chromecast

By far the simplest method to connect your phone to a TV is with Google Chromecast. Android phones have the casting feature built-in, so as long as you have a Google Chromecast connected to your TV, you can “cast” to it.

This means anything on your phone—video, the home screen, a particular app, whatever. All it needs is a wireless network that your phone and the Chromecast can connect to.

Google Chromecast has an HDMI connector and a USB power cable to connect to your TV’s USB port. (If this doesn’t supply enough power to the Chromecast, connect it to the nearest outlet instead.)

Setting up a Google Chromecast differs depending on the device, so check the documentation for the correct steps. See our comprehensive Chromecast setup guide for full steps.

Once paired with your Android device, it's ready to use. To cast:

  1. Use two fingers to pull down the Quick Settings menu on Android
  2. Tap Cast or Screencast

Note that specific apps also have a cast button. For example, YouTube and other video apps have a Cast button.

2. How to Cast to Android TV From an Android Phone

With a brand-new TV, you might have the benefit of having Chromecast built-in. This typically happens with devices running Android TV. But it doesn’t matter if you have an actual Android TV, or an Android TV box connected to your LCD or plasma widescreen display.

Chromecast should be enabled by default on Android TV, as long as the TV has a network connection and you’re signed in to your Google account.

If not, open Settings > Device Preferences on Android TV and ensure Chromecast is enabled for receiving shares.

3. Mirror Your Screen With Amazon Fire TV

Enable Mirroring on Amazon Fire TV

Another way to wirelessly mirror your Android device's display is by using an Amazon Fire TV box or Fire TV Stick.

Similar to using Chromecast, you link the two devices over your wireless network. Rather than casting, however, the screen and any running apps are mirrored. You can view content, apps, games, and any streaming media on your TV.

To enable this on your Fire TV device:

  1. Go to Settings > Display & audio
  2. Select Enable Display Mirroring
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect to the Fire TV

At this point, use your phone’s display mirroring or casting feature to connect to the Amazon Fire TV. In some cases (depending on phone manufacturer), additional software may be required (see below).

The Amazon Fire TV is one of Amazon's bestsellers and a far more flexible media center option than the Google Chromecast Ultra. See our guide to setting up an Amazon Fire TV Stick for more information.

4. Stream to TV Over Your Network With DLNA

Various devices, from TVs and Blu-ray players to set-top boxes and consoles, support Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) guidelines. This means that, with the right app installed on your Android device, you can stream media directly to your TV.

DLNA is widely used and built-in to most devices, so you don't need any additional hardware for this. What you will need, however, is an app like BubbleUPnP.

Download: BubbleUPnP for DLNA/Chromecast (Free)

With this app running on your phone, connecting to a DLNA-equipped display or media device should be easy.

5. How to Connect a Phone to an HDMI TV With a USB to HDMI Cable

This option should be among the best for modern Android phones, but unfortunately it is rare.

In recent years, smartphones have moved towards USB Type-C data and power ports. This should mean more bandwidth for things like video output, but few smartphones (beyond Samsung and other manufacturers’ premium ranges) offer this.

For HDMI-out over USB Type-C, the port must support USB 3.x. But most phones feature USB Type-C ports with USB 2.x. Consequently, HDMI-out over USB Type-C is rare.

This is particularly frustrating as many of the last generation of smartphones with micro-USB connectors supported HDMI out.

If your Android phone or tablet supports HDMI-out over USB, you will need a suitable adapter.

Other AV adapter types are available if you don't have an HDMI TV.

Do Android Phones Have an HDMI Port?

An Old Android HDMI Phone

While modern phones are reducing the number of ports, older devices had various input options.

In fact, for a time, various Android phones were released with physical HDMI-out ports. You can find an almost comprehensive list of these devices at GSM Arena. Note that these devices require special HDMI cables, which might be Type D (micro-HDMI), Type-C (mini HDMI), or the standard Type-A.

The problem with these phones, however, is their age. You won't be able to enjoy the latest versions of Android with older hardware, and by extension, the safety and stability of security updates.

6. Connect Your Phone as a Storage Device

Another way to connect your Android phone to your TV is as a USB storage device. While this is no good for screen sharing, it will nevertheless let you view media on your TV.

So while it won’t let you stream live sports to the TV, you'll still be able to share holiday videos. Just make sure the USB port on your TV (or other media device) is for public use. Sometimes (particularly on older TVs) the USB port is limited to engineer use only.

The TV's remote control should also have some media control options, so you can find the files you want to view on your phone. Check out our guide to connecting your phone to your TV via USB for more information.

7. Connect an Android Phone to Your TV Using Roku

A popular alternative to Amazon Fire TV units, Roku devices come in HDMI dongle and set-top box form. As such, Rokus are similar to Fire TV—and you can connect your phone wirelessly to a Roku.

The Roku Express 3700 does not accept screencasting or mirroring. Check your Roku device model in Settings > System > About.

Assuming your Roku device is connected to your network (it’s useless otherwise):

  • Open Settings > System
  • Select Screen mirroring mode
  • Choose Prompt or Always allow, depending on preference

You can then use Android’s casting or screen sharing feature to create a connection. If you selected Prompt in the Roku settings, accept the pairing required on the Roku.

8. Connect to a Wireless-enabled TV With an Android Phone

Essentially a wireless version of HDMI, Miracast is a little like DLNA in that you can stream video data across a network. How the two technologies work is completely different, however.

Most current TVs have Miracast built-in. So, how do you connect your phone to your TV wirelessly?

Start by ensuring your TV is available.

On older phones (running Android 6.0, for example), open Settings > Device Connection > Screen mirroring and follow any prompts.

If you have an older display, without built-in wireless streaming, find a Miracast dongle on eBay or Amazon. This works in the same way, although it takes up an HDMI port.

Now You Know How to Connect Your Android Mobile to Your TV!

With a good network connection and the right hardware, you can send video from your Android phone or tablet to your TV. Whether gaming, looking at photos, or enjoying music, the possibilities are intriguing.

How you use it will depend on the media to be streamed. Just be sure not to drain your smartphone battery while it is connected to your TV. If you’re streaming wirelessly, keep the phone on charge.