To connect a phone to a non-smart TV wirelessly, you need an external streaming device because the TV itself lacks built-in Wi-Fi and casting support. The main options are an Apple TV for iPhones, or a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Chromecast for most phones, which act as a bridge between your phone and the TV's HDMI port.
The real way to connect a phone to a non-smart TV wirelessly
A non-smart TV has no Wi-Fi or network features of its own, so it cannot receive a wireless signal directly from your phone. The only practical way to get your phone's screen onto the TV is to plug a dedicated streaming device into the TV's HDMI port. That device connects to your home Wi-Fi network and handles the wireless communication with your phone, while the TV simply displays whatever the device sends to it. The main options are Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, and Chromecast, and the right choice depends on the phone you own.
What you need before you start
Before you can wirelessly connect your phone to a non-smart TV, you need four things in place. First, you need a streaming device such as an Apple TV, Roku, Fire Stick, or Chromecast. Second, your TV must have an available HDMI port, since all of these devices plug into the TV through HDMI. Third, you need a stable Wi-Fi network that both your phone and the streaming device can join. Fourth, you need a compatible smartphone, meaning an iPhone for AirPlay or a Samsung Galaxy phone for Smart View.
Connect an iPhone with AirPlay
Apple documents AirPlay as the wireless method to mirror an iPhone screen to a TV, and for a non-smart TV, the Apple TV 4K is the specific model documented as an AirPlay receiver. An AirPlay 2-enabled smart TV is a documented compatible target. Once the Apple TV is connected to your TV's HDMI port and powered on, the setup process is straightforward. Apple's guide for hotels says to scan an AirPlay QR code on the room TV with the iPhone camera, then follow onscreen instructions to connect to the Wi‑Fi and TV.
- Connect the Apple TV to your TV's HDMI port and turn on the TV.
- Make sure your iPhone and the Apple TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open Control Center on your iPhone.
- On iPhone X or later, swipe down from the upper-right corner. On iPhone 8 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom edge.
- Tap Screen Mirroring.
- Select your Apple TV from the list of available devices.
- If a passcode appears on the TV screen, enter it on your iPhone to complete the connection.
To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and then tap Stop Mirroring. Your iPhone and the Apple TV must be turned on, near each other, updated to the latest software, and on the same Wi-Fi network for this to work reliably.
Connect a Samsung Galaxy phone with Smart View
Samsung Galaxy phones use Smart View to mirror their screen to a TV wirelessly, and the phone and the TV must be on the same network. Since a non-smart TV cannot join a network on its own, you need a streaming device connected to the TV that supports Smart View on the same Wi-Fi network. Samsung's German support page shows the TV-side path as Einstellungen > Verbindung > Screen Mirroring on some models.
- Connect your streaming device to the TV's HDMI port and turn on the TV.
- Make sure your Galaxy phone and the streaming device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the notification panel on your Galaxy phone by swiping down from the top of the screen.
- Tap Connected Devices, then tap Smart View.
- Select your TV or streaming device from the list of available devices to begin mirroring.
The exact menu path on the TV side can vary by model, with some Samsung TVs showing the option under Settings, then Connection, then Screen Mirroring. On the phone side, Smart View is the consistent method across Galaxy devices, and the phone must stay on the same network as the TV for the connection to hold.
Troubleshooting common wireless connection problems
If your phone will not connect to the TV wirelessly, the most common causes are network mismatches, outdated software, or devices that are too far apart. Apple's troubleshooting guidance for AirPlay applies to the iPhone side, and the same principles generally apply to Smart View on Galaxy phones.
- Check that both your phone and the streaming device are on the same Wi-Fi network. This is the most frequent cause of connection failures.
- Make sure both devices are turned on and near each other. Physical distance can weaken the wireless signal.
- Update both your phone and the streaming device to the latest software versions, since outdated software can cause compatibility issues.
- Restart both your phone and the streaming device to clear temporary glitches.
- On an iPhone, check Settings, then General, then AirPlay & Continuity to verify that AirPlay receiving is enabled and set up correctly. On iPhone, AirPlay receiving is managed in Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity.
- If your streaming device was set up in Apple's Home app, check the Home app settings to make sure AirPlay is not restricted for that device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do this without any cables?
Yes, the connection between your phone and the streaming device is entirely wireless over Wi-Fi. The only cable involved is the HDMI connection between the streaming device and the TV, which is required because a non-smart TV has no wireless receiver built in.
What is the best device to buy?
For iPhone users, an Apple TV is the best choice because it is the documented AirPlay receiver.
Does Bluetooth work for screen mirroring?
No, the official documentation from Apple and Samsung covers Wi-Fi-based mirroring only, and neither company documents Bluetooth as a method to mirror a phone screen to a TV. Bluetooth is not suitable for video transmission, so you need a Wi-Fi connection and a streaming device.
Can I use the same steps to screen mirror Android phones other than Samsung?
How To Screen Mirror Android devices from other brands depends on the specific phone and the streaming device you choose, and you may need to use the casting app that comes with your Roku, Fire Stick, or Chromecast instead.
