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To show photos on an LG Smart TV, use wireless sharing from a phone, the LG ThinQ app, or USB playback. LG’s documented methods generally display photos from a connected device; they do not describe a general way to upload images into the TV’s internal storage. Choose the route that matches your phone, TV model, and where the photos are stored.
Choose the right way to show your photos
| Method | Best for | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Android screen sharing | Displaying photos directly from an Android phone | A phone with Screen Share, Smart View, or a similar feature, and a compatible LG TV |
| iPhone AirPlay | Displaying photos from an iPhone | An AirPlay-compatible LG TV; both devices on the same Wi-Fi network |
| LG ThinQ app | Sharing photos through LG’s phone app | The ThinQ app set up with the TV; available options vary by device |
| USB storage playback | Showing a folder of photos copied to a drive | A USB storage device and files supported by the TV model |
| Direct phone-to-TV USB | Viewing photos from a phone by cable, when supported | A smartphone that supports PTP; LG says MTP is not supported for this method |
LG’s USA support instructions are model- and region-dependent. For exact menus, compatibility, and supported image formats, check your TV’s manual using its model number.
Show photos wirelessly from an Android phone
- Connect the phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network if the phone’s sharing feature requires it.
- On the phone, open Screen Share, Smart View, or the similarly named screen-mirroring feature. The name and location vary by phone.
- Select your LG TV from the available devices.
- Accept the connection prompt on the TV if one appears.
- Open the photo on your phone. The TV mirrors the phone screen, so other on-screen activity may also be visible.
If the TV does not appear, confirm that screen sharing is enabled on the TV and that both devices can discover one another on the network. Menus differ across TV models and phone makers.
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Show iPhone photos with AirPlay
LG’s webOS guidance says AirPlay support starts with 2018 TVs running webOS 4.0. That does not guarantee compatibility for every model in that year or in every region, so confirm AirPlay support for your specific TV.
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- Connect the iPhone and LG TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Make sure AirPlay is enabled in the TV’s settings.
- Open Control Center on the iPhone and tap Screen Mirroring.
- Select the LG TV.
- Enter the AirPlay passcode shown on the TV if prompted.
- Open the photo you want to display.
Screen Mirroring displays the iPhone screen rather than transferring a photo into TV storage.
Share photos with the LG ThinQ app
- Open the LG ThinQ app and select the TV’s device card.
- Tap Share.
- Choose a sharing option and follow the prompts in the app and on the TV.
LG lists photos among the content that can be shared through ThinQ. The precise options depend on the phone and TV, so the app’s available choices may differ from these general steps.
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Play photos from a USB storage device
- Copy the photos from your computer or phone to a USB storage device. A USB flash drive can be used if you do not already have suitable storage; wireless sharing does not require one.
- Format the drive as FAT32 or NTFS. LG USA Support recommends USB memory devices of 32 GB or less. Its guidance also says external hard disks should be 2 TB or less; these are support recommendations, not guarantees for every model.
- Insert the drive into the TV’s USB port.
- Open the USB input or Media Player, select the USB device, and choose the photos or relevant file type. The exact menu wording varies by model.
- When finished, use the TV’s eject command before removing the drive.
LG says connecting USB storage gives the TV access to the device’s video, photo, music, and other contents. Supported extensions and codecs vary by TV model, so check the manual if a file is missing or will not open.
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Connect a phone directly by USB, if it supports PTP
LG documents a phone-to-TV USB method only for smartphones that support PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol). LG says MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) is not supported for this method, so a USB connection will not work with every phone.
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- Connect the phone to the TV using a compatible USB cable.
- If the phone asks for a USB mode, select Transfer Photos and Videos (PTP).
- On the TV, open Photos & Videos and select the connected device.
If the phone does not offer PTP or the TV does not show the device, use wireless sharing or copy the files to USB storage instead.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Fix common connection and playback problems
The iPhone cannot find the TV
- Verify that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Check that AirPlay is enabled in the TV settings and confirm the TV model supports AirPlay.
- LG’s troubleshooting guidance notes that a router using DFS channels 52–144 can prevent discovery. If the issue persists, check the router’s channel settings or consult its support documentation.
Wireless mirroring stutters
LG recommends reducing obstacles between devices and staying close to the Wi-Fi router. Wireless performance can also vary with the network and the devices involved.
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The TV cannot read the USB drive or a photo
- Check whether the drive is formatted as FAT32 or NTFS and follows LG’s capacity guidance.
- Try another USB port or compatible storage device if available.
- Confirm the photo’s extension and format are supported by your exact TV model; consult its manual.
- Use the TV’s eject command before disconnecting the drive.
Which method should you use?
- Use Android screen sharing or iPhone AirPlay when you want to display photos straight from the phone and the TV supports the relevant feature.
- Try ThinQ if you prefer sharing through LG’s app and its options are available for your devices.
- Use USB playback when you want to show photos already copied to a drive without relying on phone mirroring.
- Use direct phone USB only if the phone supports PTP; it is not a universal wired option.
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