This article is part of our guide Streaming IPTV on Android Phones and Tablets: A Complete Guide.
Sometimes the quickest way to watch on the big screen is to send video from your phone. Android offers two approaches: casting, where the TV fetches the video itself, and screen mirroring, where your phone's whole screen is copied to the TV. This guide explains both, what you need and how to fix the usual problems. Using an iPhone or iPad instead? See how to use AirPlay.
Casting vs. screen mirroring
| Casting (Google Cast) | Screen mirroring | |
|---|---|---|
| What appears on the TV | Only the video | Everything on your phone's screen |
| Who streams the video | The TV or streaming device | Your phone |
| Quality | Usually better | Depends on Wi-Fi and phone performance |
| Phone battery | Low use | Higher use |
| Can you use the phone meanwhile | Yes | Anything you do appears on the TV |
| Requires app support | Yes | No |
If your player supports casting, use it. Mirroring is the fallback for apps that do not.
What you need
- A TV or streaming device that supports Google Cast (often labelled "Chromecast built-in"). Many Android TV and Google TV devices do; some other Smart TVs also support it.
- Your phone and the TV on the same Wi-Fi network.
- For casting: a player app with a Cast button.
Method 1: Cast from a supported app
- Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open your player and start a stream.
- Tap the Cast icon (a rectangle with Wi-Fi waves).
- Choose your TV from the list.
- Use your phone to pause, change volume or stop casting.
Method 2: Mirror your screen
Mirroring works even if the player has no Cast button.
- Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Swipe down to open Quick Settings.
- Tap Cast, Screen cast or Smart View — names vary by manufacturer.
- Select your TV.
- Open your player and start the stream. Rotate the phone to landscape for full screen.
On some phones you can also mirror through the Google Home app: select your device and choose Cast my screen.
Some phones and TVs use a different mirroring technology (such as Miracast). If your TV does not appear, check its manual for supported mirroring methods.
Fixing common casting problems
The TV does not appear in the list
- Make sure both devices use the same Wi-Fi network — not a guest network.
- Restart the TV, the phone and the router.
- Check that Google Cast is enabled on the TV (some TVs have a setting for it).
- Disable VPN apps on your phone temporarily, as they can hide local devices.
The video stutters
- Move closer to the router or switch to the 5 GHz band.
- Prefer casting over mirroring, since the TV then streams directly.
- Close other apps on your phone.
See Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet for streaming for network tips.
Sound plays on the phone, not the TV
Stop and restart casting. With screen mirroring, check the phone's audio output setting during the mirroring session.
Casting stops when the screen locks
With mirroring, locking the phone often stops the session. With casting, playback should continue. If it does not, set the player's battery usage to Unrestricted, as described in the Android IPTV guide.
When a dedicated device is better
If you watch on the TV every day, installing the player directly on a TV or streaming stick is usually more reliable than casting. See the Android TV and Fire TV Stick setup guides; our Fire TV Stick guide covers the settings that keep a stick running smoothly.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cast to a TV without Chromecast?
You can use screen mirroring if your TV supports a compatible mirroring method, or connect your phone with a USB-C to HDMI adapter if your phone supports video output.
Does casting use my phone's mobile data?
With casting, the TV streams over its own connection, so your phone uses very little data. With mirroring, your phone streams the video, which uses its data if it is not on Wi-Fi.
Why is there a delay when mirroring?
Mirroring encodes your screen and sends it over Wi-Fi, which adds a short delay. Casting avoids this because the TV streams the video directly.
Casting or mirroring: quick recap
Use Google Cast from your player when it is available; fall back to screen mirroring when it is not. Keep both devices on the same Wi-Fi network, and move to a dedicated TV app for everyday viewing. For more mobile tips, see streaming IPTV on Android.