You don't need Wi-Fi to get your phone screen onto a TV. Cables work great. Even some wireless options work without a network. Here are 6 methods, from instant plug-in to clever workarounds.
Pick the one that matches your phone and TV.
Use a USB-C to HDMI cable
The simplest wired method for modern Android phones and USB-C iPads. Get a USB-C to HDMI cable ($10-20 on Amazon).
Plug USB-C into phone, HDMI into TV. Switch TV to that HDMI input. Phone screen mirrors immediately. No setup, no Wi-Fi, no apps.
Works only on phones that support DisplayPort over USB-C – most Samsung, Google Pixel, and OnePlus phones do. Cheap budget phones might not. Check your phone's specs for "DisplayPort Alt Mode" or "HDMI out".
Lightning to HDMI for iPhone
For older iPhones with Lightning ports, get the Lightning Digital AV Adapter ($50 from Apple, $20 third-party). Connect Lightning to phone, HDMI cable from adapter to TV.
Audio and video stream to the TV. Most third-party adapters work but use Apple's for best results – some cheap ones drop the connection during videos.
USB-C to HDMI for iPhone 15+
Newer iPhones (15 and later) use USB-C, same as Android phones. The same USB-C to HDMI cable works. Plug in, switch TV input, mirror immediately.
This is great because Apple finally made their cable compatible with everyone else's. One cable can mirror phones from different brands.
Use a Miracast adapter
Miracast is a wireless display standard built into most Android phones. The adapter plugs into your TV's HDMI port and creates its own direct Wi-Fi connection with your phone. No router needed.
Popular adapters – Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter, Anycast dongles ($20-40 each). Plug in. Pair from your phone's Cast or Smart View menu. Mirror without Wi-Fi.
iPhones don't support Miracast. This is Android only.
Mobile hotspot to a smart TV
Turn your phone's mobile hotspot on. Connect your smart TV to that hotspot. Now your phone and TV are on the same network even without a router.
From there, normal screen mirroring via AirPlay (iPhone to AirPlay TV) or Cast (Android to Chromecast/smart TV) works.
Uses your cellular data so beware of streaming videos. Quick demos and YouTube clips are fine. A 2-hour movie might eat 5-10 GB of data.
All the methods compared
| Method | Needs cable? | Phone compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| USB-C to HDMI | Yes | Android, iPhone 15+, iPad |
| Lightning to HDMI | Yes | iPhone 5-14 |
| Miracast adapter | No | Android only |
| Mobile hotspot mirror | No | Both (uses data) |
| Wi-Fi Direct | No | Android Samsung |
| Chromecast (with hotspot) | No | Both |
Use Wi-Fi Direct (Samsung)
Samsung Galaxy phones have a Wi-Fi Direct feature that creates a peer-to-peer connection with compatible Samsung TVs. No router needed.
On the Samsung TV, open Settings > Network > Wi-Fi Direct. On your Galaxy phone, open the Smart View menu and pick the TV. They connect directly.
Works only between Samsung devices that support this. Older Samsung TVs do, newer ones might require the Tizen-based smart features instead.
Cast to a Chromecast via hotspot
If you have a Chromecast but no home Wi-Fi:
- Turn on Personal Hotspot on your phone
- Connect the Chromecast to that hotspot via the Google Home app on a second device (or use a friend's phone temporarily)
- Once paired, your phone with the hotspot can cast to the Chromecast
- Stream videos or mirror screen
Awkward setup but works. Best for situations where you brought your own Chromecast to a place without Wi-Fi.
When wired is better than wireless
Reasons to prefer cables:
- Zero lag – wireless always has small delay
- Higher resolution – HDMI carries 4K easily, wireless often caps at 1080p
- Smoother frame rates for games or fast-action video
- No interference from other devices nearby
- Doesn't drain your phone's battery
If you mirror regularly, get a cable. The convenience of always working without setup is worth $15.
What's the situation – hotel room, vacation house, somewhere with no Wi-Fi? Tell me and I'll point to the cleanest method for that.