How to Connect Phone to TV with USB: The Ultimate Guide for Android & iPhone

Mar 17 ·

14 Min Read

Isn’t it frustrating when you are trying to stream your favorite show from your phone to the big screen, but your Wi-Fi decides to take a break? Or maybe you’re looking to enjoy a mobile game on your TV without any annoying lag? Connecting your phone or tablet to your TV with a USB cable might seem like a techy endeavor, but with the right information, it’s actually quite straightforward. Many people believe it isn’t even possible, but with the correct cable and a little know-how, it is achievable.

This article provides you with the knowledge to establish that connection quickly. You can wave goodbye to those buffering symbols and jittery gameplay.

Why Use USB to Connect Phones, Tablets, and TVs?

While wireless screen mirroring offers a level of freedom, sometimes the old-fashioned wired connection wins.

Why Choose USB Over Wireless?

Lower Latency and Input Lag: This is the most significant advantage, especially for gamers. Latency refers to the delay between an action you take on your phone (like tapping a button) and when it appears on the TV screen. A USB connection dramatically reduces this delay, providing a near real-time experience that’s crucial for fast-paced games. Similarly, input lag, the time it takes for your TV to respond to the input from your phone, is minimized with a wired connection. If you’re serious about mobile gaming on a big screen, USB is the way to go.
Reliability: How often have you experienced your Wi-Fi signal dropping at the most inconvenient moment? A USB connection bypasses this issue entirely. Since the signal is transmitted through a physical cable, it’s far less susceptible to interference from other devices, walls, or distance. This provides a consistent and stable connection, perfect for streaming movies or giving presentations without interruption.
Security: Wireless connections, while convenient, can be vulnerable to security risks. A determined hacker could potentially intercept the signal or gain access to your device. A USB connection, on the other hand, is far more secure. The direct physical link makes it much harder for anyone to eavesdrop or tamper with your data. If you’re concerned about privacy, especially when sharing sensitive information or displaying personal photos, USB offers an added layer of security.

Compatibility Considerations

Connecting your phone or tablet to a TV via USB isn’t always a one-size-fits-all solution. The specific method depends on several factors:

Device Model: Older Android phones might use a Micro-USB port, while newer ones typically use USB-C. iPhones utilize either a Lightning port (older models) or USB-C (newer models).
Operating System: The steps for enabling screen mirroring or file transfer can vary slightly between Android and iOS.
TV Ports: The available ports on your TV dictate the type of connection you can use. Modern TVs usually have HDMI ports, while older models might only have VGA or RCA inputs.

Due to these variations, you might need an adapter to bridge the gap between your phone’s port and your TV’s input. Don’t worry; I’ll guide you through the different types of adapters available and how to choose the right one for your setup. Knowing what to expect and having the right tools on hand ensures a smooth and stress-free connection experience.

How to Connect Android Phones and Tablets to TVs With USB

Android devices offer several methods for connecting to TVs via USB, depending on your device’s capabilities and the available ports on your television. I will go into the main options.

1. Connecting Your Android Phone to a TV Using a USB-C to HDMI Cable

USB-C has become a prevalent standard on modern Android smartphones and tablets, not just for charging and data transfer but also for video output. The USB-C port often supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode (DP Alt Mode), allowing it to transmit video signals directly to an HDMI-equipped TV.

Here’s how to connect your Android phone or tablet to a TV using a USB-C to HDMI cable:

Check for DisplayPort Support: First, ensure that your Android device supports DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB-C. Most flagship Android phones and tablets released in recent years support this feature, but it’s always a good idea to check your device’s specifications to confirm. If your device doesn’t support DisplayPort Alt Mode, this method won’t work.
Gather Your Materials: You’ll need a USB-C to HDMI cable or a USB-C adapter with an HDMI port. If you opt for an adapter, you’ll also need an HDMI cable to connect the adapter to your TV.
Connect the Cable: Plug the USB-C end of the cable or adapter into the USB-C port on your Android device.
Connect to the TV: Plug the HDMI end of the cable into an available HDMI port on your TV. If you’re using an adapter, connect the HDMI cable to the adapter and then to the TV.
Select the Correct Input: Turn on your TV and use the remote control to select the HDMI input that you connected the cable to. This is typically labeled as HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or HDMI 3.
Mirror Your Screen: In most cases, your Android device should automatically start mirroring its screen to the TV. If it doesn’t, you may need to enable screen mirroring in your device’s settings. The exact steps for doing this vary depending on your Android version and device manufacturer, but it’s usually found under “Display” or “Connectivity” settings.
Enjoy Your Content: Once the connection is established, you should see your Android device’s screen displayed on your TV. You can now enjoy watching videos, playing games, browsing the web, or giving presentations on the big screen.

Using a direct USB-C to HDMI connection provides a simple and reliable way to mirror your Android device’s screen to your TV.

2. Connecting Your Android Phone to TV Using USB With MHL

Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) is an older standard that allows you to connect your phone to an HDMI TV using a USB cable. It was a popular solution before USB-C with DisplayPort became widespread.

Here’s what you’ll need to connect your phone using MHL:

MHL-Enabled Phone: Check if your Android phone supports MHL.
USB to HDMI MHL Adapter or Cable: You’ll need an adapter or cable specifically designed for MHL. This adapter has a USB connector on one end (usually Micro-USB or USB-C) that plugs into your phone and an HDMI port on the other end that connects to your TV.
HDMI Cable: This cable connects the MHL adapter to your TV’s HDMI port.
Power Cable: MHL adapters typically require external power to function correctly. You’ll need a USB cable to connect the adapter to a power source, such as a USB port on your TV or a wall adapter. However some of the newer phones don’t require a power source, still it is generally recommended to keep your device connected to a power source.

Connecting your Android phone to a TV via MHL involves these steps:

Connect the MHL Adapter: Plug the USB connector of the MHL adapter into the USB port on your phone.
Connect the HDMI Cable: Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI port on the MHL adapter and the other end into an available HDMI port on your TV.
Connect the Power Cable: Plug the USB cable into the MHL adapter and connect the other end to a power source.
Select the Correct Input: Turn on your TV and select the HDMI input that you connected the MHL adapter to.
Enjoy Your Content: Your phone’s screen should now be mirrored on your TV.

Overall, Mobile High-Definition Link is one of the solutions for connecting an Android phone to a TV using a USB cable.

3. Connecting Your Android Phone to TV Using USB SlimPort

SlimPort is another alternative to MHL that allows you to connect your Android phone or tablet to a TV or monitor using a USB cable. While MHL is limited to HDMI output, SlimPort supports a wider range of display interfaces, including HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort, and VGA. This makes SlimPort a good option if you want to connect your phone to an older monitor or projector that doesn’t have HDMI.

To connect your phone to a TV using SlimPort, you’ll need the following:

SlimPort-Compatible Phone: Check if your Android phone or tablet supports SlimPort.
Micro-USB SlimPort Cable or Adapter: You’ll need a SlimPort adapter with a micro-USB connector on one end (to plug into your phone) and the appropriate video output on the other end (HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort, or VGA) to connect to your display.
Appropriate Video Cable: Depending on the type of display you’re connecting to, you’ll need an HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort, or VGA cable.

Connect a phone to your TV using a SlimPort adapter by following the steps given below:

Plug in the SlimPort Adapter: Connect the micro-USB end of the SlimPort adapter into the micro-USB port on your phone.
Attach the Video Cable: Connect the appropriate video cable (HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort, or VGA) to the SlimPort adapter and the corresponding port on your TV or monitor.
Select the Correct Input: Turn on your TV or monitor and select the input that you connected the SlimPort adapter to.
View Your Phone’s Screen: Your phone’s screen should now be displayed on your TV or monitor.

4. How to Connect Your Android Phone to the TV with USB But Without HDMI

What if your TV is an older model without an HDMI port? The good news is that you can still connect your Android phone to it using various adapters.

USB to VGA Adapter: VGA is an analog video interface that was commonly used on older TVs and monitors. To connect your phone to a VGA display, you’ll need a USB to VGA adapter. Simply plug the USB end of the adapter into your phone and the VGA end into the VGA port on your TV. Then, select the VGA input on your TV to view your phone’s screen.
Phone to RCA AV: RCA connectors (red, white, and yellow) are another type of analog video interface that was commonly used on older TVs. To connect your phone to an RCA display, you’ll need a USB-C to RCA adapter. Plug the USB-C end of the adapter into your phone and the RCA connectors into the corresponding ports on your TV. Then, select the AV input on your TV to view your phone’s screen.
Phone to SCART: SCART is a connector commonly used in Europe to connect audio-visual equipment. Connecting your phone to a SCART TV requires a dedicated HDMI to SCART adapter along with a USB to HDMI adapter. You’ll need to chain the connections together as follows: phone > USB to HDMI adapter > HDMI to SCART adapter > SCART to TV.

Keep in mind that the picture quality may not be as good as with a digital connection like HDMI.

Can You Connect an iPhone or iPad to a TV With a USB?

Connecting an iPhone or iPad to a TV via USB is possible, but the specific method depends on the model of your iOS device.

Lightning Connector Devices (iPhone 3 - iPhone 14, Older iPads): iPhones and iPads with a Lightning port require a Lightning Digital AV Adapter (for HDMI outputs) or a Lightning to VGA Adapter (for older VGA displays). These adapters plug into the Lightning port on your iOS device and provide an HDMI or VGA output that you can connect to your TV or monitor.
USB-C Devices (iPhone 15+, Newer iPads): The iPhone 15 and newer iPads feature a USB-C port, which simplifies the connection process. You can use a USB-C to HDMI adapter to connect these devices to a TV or monitor with an HDMI input.
30-Pin Connector Devices (Older iPads): Older iPads with a 30-pin connector require a 30-pin VGA adapter to connect to a display. These adapters are becoming increasingly difficult to find, so you may need to search online or at used electronics stores to locate one.

Once you have the correct adapter, connecting your iPhone or iPad to a TV is relatively straightforward:

Plug the adapter into the Lightning, USB-C, or 30-pin port on your iOS device.
Connect an HDMI or VGA cable from the adapter to the corresponding port on your TV or monitor.
Turn on your TV or monitor and select the correct input.
Your iPhone or iPad screen should now be mirrored on the TV.

Connecting an iPhone or iPad to a TV With a USB

One advantage of Apple’s official Lightning adapters is that they include an additional Lightning port. This allows you to charge your device while viewing content on a second screen, preventing your battery from draining too quickly.

How to Transfer Files From Phone to TV Using USB

While screen mirroring is the most common reason to connect a phone to a TV via USB, you can also use a USB connection to transfer files from your phone to your TV for viewing. This method is useful if you want to watch videos, view photos, or listen to music stored on your phone without mirroring your entire screen.

To transfer files from your phone to your TV using USB, you’ll need the following:

A phone or tablet
A USB cable that’s compatible with your phone
A TV with a USB port that supports media playback

The specific type of USB cable you’ll need depends on your phone. iPhones and iPads use a Lightning cable (or 30-pin for older devices), while Android phones typically use a Micro-USB or USB-C cable.

USB to TV: Connecting to View Photos

Modern Android devices don’t support USB Mass Storage, so your TV won’t view your device as a true external drive. To connect your phone to your TV for file transfer, follow these steps:

Connect your phone to your TV using the appropriate USB cable.
Turn on your TV and select the USB input.
On your Android device, you may need to change your USB settings to “Transfer files” or “Transfer photos (PTP).” To do this, drag down your notifications from the top of the screen when connected. Tap the “USB is charging this device” notification to change it.
Use your TV’s media player to browse the files on your phone and select the ones you want to view.
Remember that not all TVs support USB Mass Storage for media playback. Some TVs only use the USB port for firmware updates or other non-media-related purposes.

How to Connect a Samsung Phone to a TV With USB and DeX

Samsung DeX is a feature available on select Samsung Galaxy devices that allows you to use your phone as a desktop computer by connecting it to a TV or monitor. When you connect your Samsung phone to a TV using DeX, you’ll see a desktop-like interface on the TV screen, complete with a taskbar, app icons, and the ability to open multiple windows.

To connect a Samsung phone to a TV using DeX, you’ll need the following:

A Samsung Galaxy device that supports DeX
A USB-C to HDMI cable
A TV or monitor with an HDMI port

Connect a Samsung Phone to a TV With USB and DeX:

Connect one end of the USB-C to HDMI cable to the USB-C port on your Samsung Galaxy device.
Connect the other end of the cable to an available HDMI port on your TV.
Turn on your TV and select the HDMI input that you connected the cable to.
Your Samsung Galaxy device should automatically detect the TV and launch DeX. If it doesn’t, you may need to enable DeX in your device’s settings.

Using a DeX Dock

In some cases, you might need a DeX dock to use DeX. Docks offer additional ports, like USB ports for connecting a keyboard and mouse, and an Ethernet port for a wired network connection. If you’re using a dock, you’ll also need a power cable to power the dock and charge your device.

To connect your Samsung phone to a TV using a DeX dock, follow these steps:

Connect the DeX dock to a power source.
Connect the USB-C cable from the dock to your Samsung Galaxy device.
Connect an HDMI cable from the dock to your TV.
Turn on your TV and select the HDMI input that you connected the dock to.
Your Samsung Galaxy device should automatically detect the dock and launch DeX.

Samsung DeX Benefits

You can use all the same Android apps on DeX, but you can also access your phone’s gallery and get everything on the big screen. You’re using your Samsung device as a PC with any compatible TV or monitor.

Knowing how to connect your phone to a TV via USB is a valuable skill. I trust this guide gave you the confidence to try it out.

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Last edited Mar 25