How To Connect a Smartphone to a Non-Smart TV? (Wired & Wireless)

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Connecting a smartphone to a smart TV is easy enough as both support casting and screen mirroring. 

However, you recently moved to a new home with a non-smart TV and aren’t sure how to connect your smartphone to watch your favorite shows. 

Lucky for you, I’ve compiled a complete guide with 9 ways to connect your smartphone to a non-smart TV using the most efficient wired and wireless methods. 

Are you ready to watch your phone’s contents on an old TV or a smart one but without HDMI ports? 

Let’s get started!

Mirror vs. Cast 

To avoid any confusion, let’s quickly summarize the fundamental differences between mirroring and casting. 

Mirroring doubles your phone’s screen on the TV, so you can see your phone’s entire screen. This means that everything on your phone’s screen will be visible to anyone watching the TV, including any notifications you may receive. 

Casting only sends specific content in a program or app to your TV. For instance, you can cast specific videos from YouTube or Netflix to your TV without worrying about other people in the room seeing any private messages others may be sending you. This also allows you to continue navigating your phone while the video plays on the TV screen. 

Since mirroring and casting use the Wi-Fi network to connect to your TV, it’s usually impossible to do so on dumb TVs since they can not connect to a Wi-Fi network. 

Luckily, there is still a way to connect your smartphone to an old TV with the proper adapter or using wireless workarounds. 

How to Connect a Smartphone to a Non-Smart TV Using the HDMI Adapters (Wired)

Before setting up one of the wired connections listed below, it’s imperative to verify that your smartphone supports an HDMI connection. Otherwise, your TV will not be able to receive and display its AV signals. 

If you haven’t already checked that your smartphone is HDMI-enabled, head over to our article Which Phones Have HDMI Outputs To Connect to a TV (or Projector)? for a step-by-step guide on how to do so. 

Note: These methods use an HDMI adapter, which can also be used to connect your smartphone to a smart TV. 

Use a Lightning to HDMI Adapter

Materials:

• Apple Lightning to Digital AV Adapter 
• HDMI Cable 

Instructions:

Step 1: Plug your lightning to digital AV adapter’s lightning connector into your iPhone. 

Step 2: Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the adapter’s HDMI port and the other end into your TV’s port. 

Step 3: Change the TV input to that HDMI. 

Use a USB-C to HDMI Adapter/Cord

Materials:

• USB-C to HDMI Adapter  & HDMI Cable 
• OR USB-C to HDMI Cord 

Instructions:

Step 1a: Connect the USB-C to HDMI adapter’s attached USB-C cable to your phone. 

Step 1b: OR, plug the USB-C to HDMI cord’s USB-C connector into your phone and its HDMI connector into your TV. 

Step 2: Switch your TV’s input to that HDMI. 

Use a Micro USB to HDMI Adapter

Note: This solution can only be used with MHL-compatible smartphones and TVs with an MHL-enabled HDMI port. MHL is not the same thing as HDMI, so if you’re unsure if your smartphone supports this function, search for its model number on the official MHL website.

Materials:

• Micro USB to HDMI Adapter 
• HDMI Cable 

Instructions:

Step 1: Connect the micro USB to HDMI adapter’s attached micro USB cable to your smartphone. 

Step 2: Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the adapter and the other into your TV. 

Step 3: Change your TV to the proper HDMI input. 

Use a Micro HDMI (HDMI Type D) to HDMI Cable 

Materials:

• Micro HDMI to HDMI Cable 

Instructions:

Step 1: Plug the cable’s micro HDMI connector into your phone’s power port before connecting the cable’s HDMI connector to your TV.

Step 2: Then, change your TV’s input to the correct HDMI port. 

Use a Mini HDMI (HDMI Type C) to HDMI Cable

Materials:

• Mini HDMI to HDMI Cable 

Instructions:

Step 1: Connect the cable’s mini HDMI connector to your smartphone and the HDMI connector to the TV. 

Step 2: Adjust your TV’s input to the same HDMI port your phone is connected to. 

How to Cast (or Mirror) a Smartphone to a Non-Smart TV Through a Streaming Device? (Wireless)

Non-smart TVs do not support casting since they can not be connected to the Wi-Fi network. 

However, you can still wirelessly connect your phone to them using a streaming device. This device connects to your TV’s HDMI port, though it can also be plugged into other ports as well using an adapter. 

If your dumb TV doesn’t have a functioning HDMI port, check out our guide How to Connect a Roku Player to a TV Without the HDMI Port? for instructions on how to hook up a streaming stick to it.

Cast onto a Roku Streaming Player

Many Roku users (myself included) find Roku devices to be the easiest to cast in comparison with the other streaming sticks found in this list.

Before following the instructions below, ensure your Roku is connected to your TV’s HDMI port and a stable power source. 

Android Phones

Step 1: Connect your Roku device and smartphone to the same Wi-Fi network. 

Step 2: Pull up your phone’s Quick Settings menu by swiping down on the screen before opening an option labeled “Screen Cast,” Smart View,” or something with a label similar to “cast” or “mirror.” 

Step 3: Tap your TV name in the device list. 

Step 4: Complete the pairing process by confirming the connection on your Roku before casting to your heart’s delight!

iPhones

Step 1: Check that your Roku and iPhone are securely connected to the same Wi-Fi network. 

Step 2: Go to your Roku’s Settings and open Apple AirPlay and HomeKit. Then, set up your Roku’s AirPlay function by following the instructions on-screen. 

Step 3: Go to your iPhone’s Control Center by swiping down (or up on older iPhones) on the screen. Then, head to the Screen Mirroring option. 

Step 4: When your Roku’s name pops up in the device list, tap it 

Step 5: Type the AirPlay code that appears on your Roku into your iPhone. Now, your iPhone’s screen will be visible on your TV. 

Cast onto an Apple TV

Apple TV is Apple’s dedicated streaming device. So, naturally, it works best with iPhones, allowing iOS users to easily connect their devices to their Apple TVs as long as both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi. 

Step 1: Ensure your Apple TV and iPhone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. 

Step 2: Open your iPhone’s Control Center by swiping down (or up depending on your iPhone model) on the screen. Then, go to Screen Mirroring. 

Step 3: Tap on your Apple TV name in the device list. 

Step 4: Take note of the AirPlay code on your Apple TV and correctly type it into your iPhone. Now you’ll be able to see your iPhone’s screen on your TV. 

If you have an Android phone, you must use a third-party app to cast its screen on your Apple TV. Check out this detailed guide for instructions on how to do so. 

Cast onto a Fire TV Stick

Android Phones

Step 1: Ensure your Fire TV Stick and Android smartphone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. 

Step 2: Launch the Quick Menu by long-pressing the Fire TV remote’s Home key. Then, navigate to Screen Mirroring. 

Step 3: Swipe down on your Android phone to access the Quick Settings menu. From here, find an option like “Screen Cast,” “Smart View” (on Samsung phones), or something similar to “cast” or “mirror.”

Step 4: In the available devices list, select your Fire Stick’s name to start casting your phone’s content on your TV. 

iPhones

Casting content from an iPhone to a Fire TV Stick is a slightly more involved process as you must install the AirScreen app on your Fire TV. Follow the steps below to install and use this nifty app. 

Step 1: Verify that your Fire TV Stick and iPhone are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network. 

Step 2: Navigate to the Fire TV Home screen and go to Find, marked by a magnifying glass icon. Then, click on Search. 

Step 3: Type AirScreen into the search bar, and when it pops up, Get it. 

Step 4: Once installed, launch the app. From here you can choose to read the tutorials or simply skip them. 

Step 5: Then, you must enable the app’s AirPlay function. 

1. Head to AirScreen’s Settings. 
2. Go to AirPlay and tick the ON box. 
   

Step 6: Then, turn your attention to your iPhone, swiping down (or up depending on the model) to open the Control Center. Then, select the Screen Mirroring option. 

Step 7: Find and select your Fire TV Stick name. 

Step 8: When you see the AirPlay code on your TV, enter it into your iPhone to start casting its content. 

Cast onto a Chromecast or Chromecast with Google TV

Only for Android Phones and Chromecast with Google TV

Step 1: Confirm that your Chromecast with Google TV and Android phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. 

Step 2: Launch the Quick Settings menu by swiping down on the screen. Look for an option related to “cast” or “mirror,” such as “Screen Cast” or “Smart View” (for Samsung smartphones). 

Step 3: When your Chromecast with Google TV name pops up, select it. 

Step 4: When prompted, confirm the connection on your TV before casting your phone’s content. 

For Both Android Phones and iPhones

Step 1: If you haven’t done so already, set up your Chromecast on your TV. If the Chromecast is connected to a different Wi-Fi network from the last time you used it, press the button on the device to factory reset it.

Step 2: Download the Google Home app on your Android or iPhone and open it accordingly. 

Step 3: In the app, sign into your Google account (i.e., Gmail). 

Step 4:  Head to the + icon in the top left corner of the screen. 

Step 5: Tap Add another home to create a new Home for your Chromecast. Then, click on Next. 

Step 6: Go to Set up a device, followed by New device.

Step 7: Tap on the Home you’ve just made for your device, before selecting Next. 

Step 8: Turn on the Location and Bluetooth functions on your phone. 

Step 9: Once the app has located the Chromecast, tap Yes. 

Step 10: Click on Connect before confirming the app’s code matches the one on your TV by tapping Yes. 

Step 11: Follow any additional on-screen instructions to complete the setup process. 

Step 12: In the Google Home app’s Home screen, tap on your Chromecast’s name.

Step 13: Then, select Cast my screen followed by Cast screen. 

FAQs

Can I Cast (or Mirror) My Phone to a Non-Smart TV without Wi-Fi? 

No. Since casting/mirroring requires a Wi-Fi connection, you can not cast your phone’s screen to non-smart TV or smart TV without Wi-Fi.

However, you can mirror your phone’s screen to a non-smart TV using a streaming device as we’ve outlined above. 

That said, you must still have a Wi-Fi connection when casting to a streaming device as the network acts as a bridge between the streaming device and smartphone, allowing you to cast or mirror content. 

Can I Cast (or Mirror) My Phone to the Non-Smart TV’s USB Port?

No. You can not mirror your phone’s screen to a non-smart TV via its USB port.

While you can connect your phone to a smart or dumb TV’s USB port, you will not be able to transfer any AV signals through it as you would through an HDMI port. 

TV USB ports can only supply power (i.e., charge your phone, power streaming stick, etc.) or receive data from a USB flash drive. 

Wrapping Things Up

Your non-smart TV may not have all the fancy features a smart TV does, but that doesn’t mean you can’t cast or mirror content to it. There are several wired and wireless ways you can cast specific content from your smartphone or mirror its entire screen. 

While wired connections can be set up with or without Wi-Fi, you must have a stable Wi-Fi network to wirelessly cast/mirror content to your dumb TV. So, you must invest in a streaming device or a proper adapter, as a non-smart TV does not natively support casting since it can not connect to the internet. 

What’s your experience connecting a smartphone to a non-smart TV? Do you prefer wired or wireless connections, and why?

Let us know in the comments below!

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