March 18, 2024

How to connect phone to tv without wifi

Connecting your phone to a TV without WiFi is possible, and the best part is that it is easy to set up. Whatever you want to mirror from your phone to your TV will appear without latency because an Internet connection is not required.

In this article, we will focus on three devices you can use to connect your phone to your TV (Chromecast, Miracast, and MHL). We will talk about each of these devices in-depth so that you can find the one that suits your need.

 

What is Chromecast?

Chromecast is a device that allows you to use your smartphone to access videos from YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and several other services, and then viewing them on your TV. You can also use Chromecast to stream any kind of content from the Chrome browser. Updates have been rolled out, and among them is the streaming of audio.

One great advantage of Chromecast is that it is already supported on lots of apps that allow you to stream videos and audio. All you need to do to ascertain that an app supports Chromecast is to look for a rectangular icon with curves at the bottom left corner. Check the image below to see the cast icon:

How to connect phone to tv without wifi

 

Moreover, Chromecast has gone through three generations of upgrades, and during these upgrades was when Google made it possible for phones to connect to Chromecast if there is no stable internet connection or WiFi.

Chromecast is powered by a USB cable, and to start using Chromecast, you will have to plug it into your TV’s HDMI port.

Mirroring phone to Chromecast

While streaming requires an active internet connection, mirroring your phone onto the TV doesn’t require an Internet connection. This means you can’t have access to videos, pictures, and audios on the internet, but you can access the contents on your phone.

However, this requires your phone to be active. Unlike when you stream, you can choose to lock your phone or put it to sleep without affecting the feed; however, you won’t be able to do that when you are mirroring your phone to the TV.

Mirroring your phone to tv without WiFi might be limiting, but it is still the only option you have if there is no WiFi.

Google Chromecast app

There is no app by Google that is dedicated to Chromecast. However, you can use Google Home to connect your Chromecast to your phone and use it as a remote control. The Google Home app is available for both Android and iPhone users. If you don’t want to use Google Home, there are many third-party apps you can use.

 

The ways to use Chromecast without WiFi

  1. Use Guest Mode

In the latest software version of Chromecast, there is a feature called “Guest mode.” When it is activated, guest users in close proximity with the host will be able to cast photos and videos from their mobile device onto the host’s television, without having to connect to the host’s WiFi network.

This is a preferable method to use if you are planning to give someone access to your Chromecast.

Steps to set up Guest mode

Make sure you update your Chromecast to the latest version of its firmware if it hasn’t been updated. This is important because only the most recent software of Chromecast will allow you to connect to it without WiFi or the Internet.

The host device will activate the Guest mode. First, the host device has to be connected to the same WiFi network as the Chromecast.

Install the Google Home app. If it’s already installed, just open it > In the upper right corner you will see “Account” tap on it > you will see “Devices” tap know it > now scroll down until you see the Chromecast device that is available.

Once you are connected to the device, you will see a menu button in the top right corner of the Chromecast device you connected to > tap on the menu button > then tap on Guest Mode.

Turn on the Guest Mode. Now everything has been set up. Your guest can cast their videos and photos to the screen.

 

  1. Use a travel router

This is a nice method to connect your phone to the TV if you are on the road or lodged in a hotel. You can easily find portable routers in the local electronics store. The portable routers are small devices that connect to mobile broadband or ethernet. They also function as a secured WiFi repeater/extender.

Steps to set up a travel router

You will need a portable router, a laptop, and a Chromecast device.

Plug the router into a power socket so that it will turn on.  Now, connect it to your laptop and type http://192.168.1.253. This address that you input will open the admin settings of the router. You will then assign a network name(SSID) and choose a password.

Plug the Chromecast device to a TV, then use the Chromecast app on your Android or iOS device to connect the Chromecast to the travel router. Now that you have connected it, your router will register with the Chromecast. When next you are on the road, in a private hotel, etc. You can easily connect the router to your Chromecast. The router will create a hotspot while your Chromecast will swiftly connect to it even if there is no internet.

Now that it is registered, you can open the WiFi settings of the device you are going to cast. Then input the router’s credentials you set.

Once this is done, open your Chromecast app and then select the TV you will like to cast your media on. Once it has connected, you can start viewing your content without an internet connection.

 

  1. Use the connectify app

This is a virtual router that is easy to use. It shares the internet from one device to the other. There are 9 languages on the Connectify app, so you can pick any you are fluent in. This method of connecting phone to TV is a nice choice to opt for if you can’t get a travel router. The app will connect to the Chromecast seamlessly.

It is a paid app, but there is also a free version available, which you can use to connect your phone to a TV.

Steps to set up the Connectify app

You will need the Connectify application and a laptop.

Install the application on your laptop, then open it and create a WiFi hotspot. Join the WiFi hotspot with your phone.

Make sure the Chromecast is connected to the TV, then run the Google Home setup utility on your phone. Different prompts will appear. Follow them all until you get to the ‘WiFi setup.’

Pick your WiFi Hotspot as your network. Then you will enter the password and then click on the ‘set network.’

Once your Chromecast connects to the hotspot, you will be able to cast your content.

 

  1. Use Ethernet Cable

Another method you can use to connect your phone to TV without WiFi is through an ethernet cable. You can use the ethernet adapter for Chromecast to directly connect your Chromecast to an Ethernet port. Once it is connected, you will be able to create a reliable and fast link for your Chromecast.

Steps to set up ethernet cable

You need an ethernet cable with an ethernet adapter, a USB cable, a router, and a Chromecast.

You will connect the USB cable to the Ethernet adapter, then to the Chromecast. Make sure the Chromecast is connected to the TV. 

The Ethernet cable will run from the ethernet adapter to the router. The adapter has to be plugged into a power socket.

Once you have done all these, the Chromecast device will automatically set up because of the Ethernet connection you are using in place of the WiFi network.

 

  1. Use Google Home App

This method of connecting phone to TV only works with Android phones. iPhone users won’t be able to connect with this method.

You will need a Google Chromecast that is updated to the latest firmware, a phone with the Google Home app installed in it.

Steps to set up Google Home App m

Connect the Chromecast to the TV you want to cast to.

Open the Google Home app on your phone. Tap on the cast button at the top of the page.

It will start searching for the Chromecast. Once you see the screen you want to cast to, tap on it.

 A 4-digit pin will appear on the screen. Enter it into the app so that it will connect, and once it has successfully connected, you will be able to mirror the contents on your phone to the TV.

 

What is Miracast

Miracast was launched by Wi-Fi Alliance at the end of 2012. It makes use of Wi-Fi Direct technology, so it doesn’t need a WiFi signal to work. Instead, it will create ad-hoc privacy networks for file sharing.

However, Miracast is not as prevalent as Chromecast. It isn’t enjoying widespread acceptance even though it supports both HD and 4K streaming, H.264, and 5.1 surround sound audio.

Moreover, it doesn’t work with newer Androids. Starting from Android 6.0 Marshmallow that was released in 2015, Android devices were made to no longer support Miracast. Instead, smartphone manufacturers were shifting to Chromecast connectivity. You will need a Miracast app for it to work on newer Android devices. Also, Miracast doesn’t work on macOS or iOS devices.

Miracast vs. Chromecast

The process of connecting your phone to Miracast devices is almost similar to that of Chromecast devices. Besides, if Chromecast dongle is on your home network, Miracast will also be listed alongside it. You will see it among the possible connections you can pair with. Nevertheless, bear in mind that Miracast and Chromecast aren’t the same. Apart from the slight similarity in the connection process, there are many differences you will encounter.

For the initial setup, Chromecast relies on your device for this. Afterward, the dongle takes charge and does all the heavy lifting. Once it is connected, you can use your phone to perform other tasks or put it to sleep. Whatever you do won’t affect playback. However, since you will be connecting to Chromecast without WiFi, your phone has to be active, and you can’t multi-task.

For Miracast, whatever you are using your phone to do will be mirrored on your TV, because your phone is doing the processing and heavy lifting. The downside is that your phone is being used actively, and it will affect your battery life. However, you will enjoy more flexibility because you will be able to use any app without having to worry about the app being supported by Chromecast or being unable to view DRM contents.

When considering the resolution they support, Chromecast has a slight advantage because it offers support for different resolutions. It supports 720p, 1080p, and 4K resolution, while Miracast supports only 1080p resolution.

 

Things you will need to set up Miracast

Android device (must support Miracast or any Miracast app)

TV (must support Miracast or Miracast dongle)

Steps (for phones with built-in Miracast)

  • Prepare the TV for the connection

If your TV already has built-in Miracast, setting it up will be easy. However, if your TV doesn’t have a built-in Miracast, you can use a dongle instead.

After plugging in the dongle to the HDMI port, which is always at the back of a TV, you should turn it on if it has a power button. If your TV isn’t yet on, turn it on too. Then set up your TV input to be at the right HDMI source carrying the signal of the dongle.

  • Set it up

Once you have set up your TV input. You will open the wireless settings on your phone (if your phone has Miracast) and follow these instructions

  1. Go to “settings” and tap on “wireless connection.”
  2. Tap on ” wireless display.” Depending on your device type and model, this might be named something else. You can refer to the user manual of your Android device to know what it is called.
  3. Once “wireless display opens,” you will see a switch. Toggle it on. Devices available for connection will appear, pick the one that is your TV or Miracast dongle.
  4. A security code may appear before the pairing. Input the code.
  5. Your phone will now be connected to the TV.

 

What is MHL?

A consortium of companies in 2010 developed this connection protocol. In full, it is known as Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL).

MHL is a type of HDMI input that allows you to connect your smartphones, tablets, and several other devices to your TV or A/V receivers. It will enable you to cast the contents on your phone onto the computer. Even though it is an old model of connecting your phone to your TV, it is actually easy to set up, with just a single connection.

However, you need to ascertain that your phone and TV support HDMI. You can check it here  Mhltech Website. If they don’t, that means you can’t connect your phone to your TV via MHL.

 

Steps to set up MHL

  1. Purchase MHL to HDMI adapter and HDMI cable

You can get MHL to HDMI adapter and HDMI cable from your local electronics store or get it online. Besides, there is a high chance you might have it at home because it is an old device used back in the days.

However, before purchasing the cable, make sure you ascertain it will work with your TV. There are five types of HDMI connectors (type A, type B, type C, type D, type E). Type A and B are the ones that were released to fit into TV ports. However, type B is no longer in use, so make sure you ascertain that the HDMI cable is a type A.

To make things easier, you can also input the name and model of your TV into a search engine. It will bring results showing the specifications of your TV, and from there, you can know the kind of HDMI cable you should purchase.

  1. Connect the adapter to your phone

The wired part of the adapter has a micro USB connector. You will connect it to the charging port of your phone. If your phone isn’t on, you will have to turn it on.

  1. Plug the HDMI cable

The other part of the adapter has a port. You will plug one end of the HDMI cable into the port, then the other end of the cable will be plugged into the HDMI port on your TV.

  1. Plug the adapter to a wall socket

You will need a charger with a USB connector. If you don’t have one, you can get at your local electronics store. There is a USB port in the adapter. You will plug the charger into this port, then the head of the charger will be plugged into a socket.

  1. Turn on your TV

You can now turn on your TV and change the TV input. There is an input button on the TV, and it is usually at the top or side of the TV. If you have a remote, you will also find the input button there.

Tap on the Input button repeatedly until the TV input corresponds with the HDMI signal that will allow the content on your phone to appear on the TV. Once it corresponds, you can start viewing the contents on your phone on the TV screen.

 

Conclusion

While MHL is outdated, it still works perfectly when connecting your phone to your TV. Moreover, it is cheap so you won’t be incurring lots of expenses. However, if you plan on connecting to your TV with WiFi sometimes, then Chromecast is the best option for you.

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