You use your phone for just about everything, from checking your email to watching full-length movies. However, you’re starting to get tired of watching content on such a small screen and would love to view your favorite shows on a TV or projector.
You know some phones have HDMI ports, but how can you tell if your phone is one of them? How can you connect your phone to a TV/projector with or without an HDMI output port?
Keep reading to find out!
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Which Type of HDMI Ports Can a Phone Have?
There are five types of HDMI ports/connectors today. These types include:
- HDMI Type A (Most commonly found on laptops/TVs/projectors)
- HDMI Type B
- HDMI Type C
- HDMI Type D
- HDMI Type E
Given smartphones’ slim design, it’s not a surprise that none of them feature a hefty HDMI A port. However, many models do feature an HDMI Type C and HDMI Type D port (also called a mini HDMI and micro HDMI, respectively).
These HDMI output ports also act as the phone’s charging port, making them dual-purpose.
How to Know If My Phone Supports HDMI?
There are a few ways to check if your phone’s charging port also acts as an HDMI output port.
- Verify what kind of charging port your smartphone has. If it has an HDMI type C (mini HDMI) or HDMI type D (micro HDMI) port, then you’re in luck.
- Check the smartphone’s specifications found on the manufacturer’s official website, Device Specifications, or GSM Arena. Keep an eye out for a few keywords such as “HDMI,” “MHL,” HDMI Alt Mode,” or “Samsung DeX.”
Note: Smartphones with MHL-enabled ports will only work with TVs that have an MHL-enabled HDMI port. Alternatively, you can connect the two using an MHL to HDMI adapter. Learn more about how HDMI and MHL differ by checking out our article HDMI vs. MHL: Understanding the Difference Between Them. - Last but not least, you can look for your phone in the following section “Which Phones Have HDMI Outputs? (Support HDMI).”
Which Phones Have HDMI Outputs? (Support HDMI)
Let’s go over which smartphone models have HDMI output ports, support HDMI Alt Mode, Samsung DeX, or MHL.
Phones with HDMI Type C, D
Head to the GSMArena website to see which smartphone models have an HDMI type C or D port.
Pro Tip: If you’re not sure what your phone model is, check the information in your phone’s settings, the sticker on the back, the phone’s original packaging, or its user manual.
Phones with HDMI Alt Mode or Samsung DeX
HDMI Alt Mode is a standard found in many smartphones that allow them to transmit HDMI signals via a USB-C cable.
Meanwhile, Samsung DeX (or Desktop eXpereince) allows smartphones to output their content to a large display (e.g. monitor, TV, projector). This method uses a similar mechanism to HDMI, and in fact, you can use an HDMI cable to form a Samsung DeX connection.
Smartphones that support either of these features usually have a USB-C port, though not every smartphone with a USB-C port will support HDMI Alt Mode or Samsung DeX.
I’ve already written a detailed article outlining Which Samsung Phones Are HDMI Compatible and listing all smartphones with Samsung DeX. Check it out to see if your Samsung phone can output video and audio signals.
To verify if your smartphone supports HDMI Alt Mode, check its specs as described in this article’s previous section “How to Know If My Phone Supports HDMI?”
MHL-Supported Phones (Often, Phones with Micro USB Ports)
MHL-enabled phones tend to have micro USB ports, but not every phone with a micro USB port will support this function.
These smartphones can only work with TVs and other displays with an MHL-enabled HDMI port.
Bear in mind that even if your TV does support MHL, not all of its HDMI ports will be MHL-enabled. So, check its user manual, manufacturer’s website, or the port’s label to verify that it is indeed MHL-enabled before trying to connect your smartphone to it.
If your TV does not support MHL, you can still connect an MHL-enabled smartphone to it using an MHL to HDMI adapter.
You can confirm if your smartphone is MHL-enabled by searching for it on the official MHL website.
How to Connect HDMI-Compatible Phones to a TV or Projector?
Now that you’ve confirmed that your smartphone does indeed support HDMI, let’s learn how to connect it to an HDMI-compatible TV/projector!
Use a Lightning to HDMI Adapter
Materials:
Instructions:
Step 1: Connect the adapter’s lightning connector to your iPhone’s charging port.
Step 2: Connect one end of an HDMI cable to the adapter’s HDMI port. Then, plug the other end into one of your TV’s HDMI ports.
Step 3: Change your TV to the correct HDMI input.
Use a USB-C to HDMI Adapter/Cord
Materials:
Instructions:
Step 1a: Plug the USB-C to HDMI adapter’s USB connector into your phone’s power port. Next, connect one side of an HDMI cable to the adapter and the other side to your TV.
Step 1b: OR, plug your USB-C to HDMI cable’s USB-C connector into your phone before connecting the HDMI connector to your TV.
Step 2: Lastly, adjust your TV’s input to display HDMI.
Use a Micro USB to HDMI Adapter
Note: This solution is only applicable for MHL-compatible smartphones and TVs fitted with an MHL-enabled HDMI port. You can learn why this is the case by skipping to the section “Are MHL and HDMI the Same?”
Materials:
Instructions:
Step 1: Connect the micro USB to HDMI adapter’s micro USB end to your smartphone.
Step 2: Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the adapter and the other into the TV.
Step 3: Change the TV’s input to HDMI.
Use a Micro HDMI (HDMI Type D) to HDMI Cable
Materials:
Instructions:
Step 1: Plug the cable’s micro HDMI connector into your phone’s power port. Then, plug the cable’s HDMI connector into your TV.
Step 2: Switch your TV’s input to HDMI.
Use a Mini HDMI (HDMI Type C) to HDMI Cable
Materials:
Instructions:
Step 1: Plug the mini HDMI to HDMI cable’s mini HDMI connector into your phone’s charging port before connecting the cable’s HDMI connector to your TV.
Step 2: Change the TV to the proper HDMI input.
Alternative Ways to Mirror a Smartphone onto a Smart TV or a Non-Smart TV
If your phone doesn’t have an HDMI output port, you can still mirror its screen to your TV using some alternate methods. These solutions include both wired and wireless methods depending on whether or not your TV is smart.
For Smart TVs
Follow the instructions outlined below to mirror your Android or iPhone’s screen to a smart TV.
Android Phones
Step 1: Head to your Android and smart TV’s network settings and ensure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This process will not work otherwise.
Step 2: Swipe down on your smartphone screen to reveal the Quick Settings menu. Then, find and tap the cast/screen mirror option which could be labeled as “Screen Cast,” “Smart View” (on Samsung models), or something similar.
Step 3: Find and tap your TV name from the list.
Step 4: If prompted, confirm this connection on your TV by clicking OK or entering the given code. Now you can mirror your phone’s screen or cast content to the TV.
iPhones
Step 1: Check that your iPhone and smart TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 2: Confirm that your smart TV supports AirPlay and activate it accordingly.
Step 3: Swipe down (or up on older models) on your iPhone to access the Control Center. Then, go to the Screen Mirroring option.
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Step 4: In the list of devices, tap on your TV’s name.
Step 5: You should then see an AirPlay code appear on your TV. Enter this code and then watch your iPhone screen appear on your TV.
For Non-Smart TVs
There are a couple of ways you can connect a smartphone to a non-smart TV using different external devices.
Check out our article How To Connect a Smartphone to a Non-Smart TV? (Wired & Wireless) for a detailed guide on how to mirror your smartphone screen on even the dumbest of TVs.
FAQs
Are HDMI and MHL the Same?
No. While both HDMI and MHL can transmit AV signals from a source device to a display, they are not the same connection.
For a more detailed answer to this question and to learn more about HDMI and MHL, read our article HDMI vs. MHL: Understanding the Difference Between Them.
Can You Connect an MHL-Supported Phone to the TV’s MHL-Unsupported HDMI Port?
Yes, though you will need an MHL to HDMI adapter to do so.
While a micro USB to HDMI cable can physically be connected to your MHL-enabled smartphone and MHL-unsupported smart TV HDMI port, it will not transmit any AV signals, leading to a blank screen.
These MHL signals can not be transmitted via an MHL-unsupported HDMI port without an MHL to HDMI adapter. I’ve already outlined how to set up this connection in this article’s previous section, so go back in the article to learn how to complete this process. (I promise it’s easier than it sounds!)
Can Phones with HDMI Alt Mode Transmit Video in 8K?
No. HDMI Alt Mode can not transmit 8K video since its supported formats are similar to those of a 1.4b HDMI version cable/port.
You can find the 1.4b HDMI versions’ specifications (from HDMI.org) listed below.
- Resolutions up to 4K
- Surround sound
- Audio Return Channel (ARC)
- 3D (4K and HD)
- HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC)
- Consumer Electronic Control (CEC)
- Deep Color, x.v.Color, and content types
- High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP 1.4 and HDCP 2.2)
Wrapping Things Up
There are several different ways of verifying if your smartphone has an HDMI output. The easiest is to check if it has a mini HDMI or micro HDMI port, though you can also check the model’s specifications found on the manufacturer’s official website. Finally, you can look for your smartphone model in our section “Which Phones Have HDMI Outputs? (Support HDMI).”
Remember that if your smartphone supports MHL, you must connect it to an MHL-enabled HDMI port or use an MHL to HDMI adapter.
If your phone doesn’t support HDMI, feel free to screen mirror/cast its content to your smart TV or use one of the methods listed in our article How To Connect a Smartphone to a Non-Smart TV? (Wired & Wireless)
What’s your experience connecting your smartphone to a display using its HDMI output port? How did you verify if your smartphone supports HDMI or MHL?
Let us know in the comments below!
Yesenia Achlim is a technical copywriter and editor with a focus on AV equipment. She aims to break down complicated topics and make technology accessible, no matter your technical expertise. When she’s not teaching you how to replace a projector lamp, you can find her reading and baking.