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You can connect a phone to a non-smart TV if the TV has a compatible input and you use a matching video adapter or an HDMI streaming player. First check the TV’s ports; then check your phone’s connector and whether it supports wired video output. For wireless casting, the phone, app, receiver and network must support the same method.
Check your TV’s inputs first
Look at the back or side of the TV for an HDMI port and note which input you plan to use. HDMI is the common connection documented for streaming players. Roku says its players work with televisions that have HDMI; 4K and HDR also require compatible equipment and a suitable display (Roku’s TV requirements).
If your TV has no HDMI port, identify its exact model and available inputs before buying a converter. An HDMI-to-composite or other signal converter is not a universal solution: compatibility depends on the television and converter, and Apple notes that some conversions to DVI, composite or component are incompatible (Apple adapter guidance).
Choose a connection method
Wired phone-to-HDMI adapter
A cable connection can avoid Wi-Fi setup, but the adapter must match both the phone’s connector and its video-output capabilities. Apple’s guidance is to choose a Digital AV or HDMI adapter for the device’s connector—USB-C, Lightning or 30-pin—and says the correct adapter is needed to mirror an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to another display (Apple Support).
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For Android, check the manufacturer’s specifications for your exact phone model before buying a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter. A USB-C socket alone does not establish that the phone can send video over a cable.
Connect the adapter to the phone, connect an HDMI cable from the adapter to the TV, then select the TV’s matching HDMI input. Protected films, shows and some streaming apps may require HDCP-compatible equipment and connections; Apple warns that an incompatible connection can produce an alert or prevent playback. A cable fitting the ports does not guarantee every service will play.
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HDMI streaming player for casting or mirroring
An HDMI streaming player provides a receiver for supported wireless sharing. It needs power as well as an HDMI connection, and you must complete its setup. Your phone can then send content using a supported app’s casting feature or, on compatible devices, mirror its screen.
These are different functions: casting sends content from a supported app to the receiver, while screen mirroring reproduces the phone’s screen. Support varies by phone, app and receiver. Roku lists app casting, Android or Windows screen mirroring, AirPlay on compatible 4K Roku devices, and its Play on Roku/photo features; its mirroring support is qualified and does not cover every Android device (Roku’s phone-sharing options).
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For Google Cast, the phone and receiver must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Open a Cast-enabled app, tap its Cast control and choose the receiver (Google’s Cast instructions).
Compare the practical trade-offs
| Method | What to verify | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Phone-to-HDMI adapter | Phone connector, model-level wired video support, TV HDMI input and HDCP compatibility for protected content. | Direct wired viewing when the phone supports video output and you want to avoid wireless setup. |
| HDMI streaming player | TV HDMI input, player power and setup, supported app or mirroring method, and network requirements. | Supported app casting or compatible wireless screen sharing. |
| Legacy-TV converter | Exact TV model, available inputs and a converter confirmed to work with that equipment. | Only after verifying model-specific compatibility; generic HDMI conversion cannot be assumed to work. |
Set up the connection
- Identify the TV input. Find HDMI and note its label, such as HDMI 1. If there is no HDMI, record the TV model and inputs before choosing a conversion device.
- For a wired connection, verify the phone. Match the adapter to the phone’s connector and confirm that the exact model supports wired video output. Connect the adapter and HDMI cable, then choose that HDMI input on the TV.
- For a streaming player, connect and power it. Plug it into HDMI, use its supplied power adapter, and follow its setup. Connect devices to the required network when the sharing method needs one.
- Start the appropriate sharing method. With Google Cast, put phone and receiver on the same Wi-Fi, open a Cast-enabled app, tap Cast and select the device. With Roku, choose a supported app’s cast option, compatible AirPlay, or supported Android/Windows mirroring as applicable; these methods are not interchangeable.
Fix a black screen or no signal
- Check power and the TV input. Confirm the streaming player is powered, then select the HDMI input where it is connected.
- Reconnect the signal path. Unplug and reseat the HDMI cable and phone adapter or player connection.
- Try another HDMI port. Select the newly used port on the TV as well. Google recommends checking power, input selection and cable fit, then trying another HDMI input if needed (Google troubleshooting steps).
- Check compatibility, not just the plugs. A phone may lack wired video output; an app may not permit the selected mirroring method; or protected content may require HDCP-compatible equipment. For an adapter connection, Apple recommends reconnecting the adapter and cable and notes that some signal conversions are incompatible (Apple adapter troubleshooting).
Resolution and setup requirements
Google specifies HDCP 1.3 or higher for its streaming devices; 4K requires HDCP 2.2, a 4K-capable display and high-speed internet of at least 20 Mbps (Google device requirements). These are requirements for Google’s stated 4K guidance, not a guarantee that every phone, player or TV combination supports 4K. Google currently lists Android 9.0 or later or iOS 17.0 or later for the Google Home app; operating-system and product requirements can change, so check the current requirements for the specific device before setup.
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