March 19, 2024
How to make your phone mhl compatible

How to make your phone mhl compatible

Firstly, you need to understand what MHL is about. It is a connection protocol that was developed in 2010 by a consortium of companies — Samsung, Nokia, Toshiba, Sony, and Silicon image. MHL is the shortened form of Mobile High-Definition Link.

It was developed for smartphones, since the early means of transferring data such as DVI, only works with passive cables and adapter. MHL works with active adapters that convert signals to HDMI so that it can move uncompressed HDCP encrypted high-definition video, control remote devices with Consumer Electronics Control (CEC), and allow eight-channel surround sound.

Smartphones that are enabled with MHL will connect to larger HD TVs so as to display pictures, videos, and games with an immersive surround sound. This simply means whatever you are doing on your phone can be mirrored to the TV for a larger view.

There are other bonuses of MHL — you can use it as your TV’s remote control for the contents you mirror to your screen, and it also charges your phone when you are connected to the TV.

Connecting phone to TV using MHL

To make use of MHL, your phone and your TV must be enabled with MHL. If your TV isn’t enabled, you can make use of an MHL to HDMI adapter. However, if your phone isn’t enabled with MHL, there is nothing you can do to make it compatible.

Some years back you could make use of your phones to connect to a TV with MHL without worrying about its compatibility. However, those days are gone. Most devices stopped supporting the MHL connection. Phones that are from Android 6.0 Marshmallow upwards do not support MHL. Check out MHL official site to see the devices that support MHL. MHL SITE

After ascertaining that your phone is compatible with MHL and your TV too, all you need is an MHL cable. One side will go into the TV MHL port, and the other will go into your phone’s port.

However, if your phone supports MHL but your TV doesn’t, you can make use of an MHL to HDMI adapter. Follow these instructions to set it up:

• Connect the wired part of the adapter to the port of your smartphone. The wired part of the adapter has a micro USB connector, but most phones nowadays have type C USB port. You can connect it to a mini adapter that has a type C USB connector.
• The other part of the adapter is the port for the HDMI cable. Plug one end of the cable inside it, then the other end of the cable will be plugged into your TV’s port.
• Change the TV unit. You will find the unit button at the top or side of your TV, and if you have a remote control, you will also find the TV unit there. Change the channel with this unit button until you find the channel that receives HDMI signals.
• Once you find the channel, your phone content will appear on the TV.

What to do if it doesn’t connect:

If your device is not seen or it is showing a ‘weak signal’ or ‘no signal’ message on your TV, check the TV port that it is connected to, so you can be sure it is the MHL port you plugged the cable into. You can change the cable to other MHL ports and see if it works.

If the problem persists, it might be that the wires weren’t fixed properly. Disconnect the connection at the three ends (the TV port, the adapter port, and the phone port). Then reconnect it again.
Set your TV to the right input/source. If there is only one HDMI port on your TV, it is usually HDMI 3. So make sure that your TV is set to HDMI 3. This will allow it to pick up the signal of your MHL connection.
If it is not still working, change the MHL cable because it might be the problem, also change the adapter. After changing them and it still doesn’t work, that means your phone isn’t compatible with MHL.
You need to consider another connection mode, and connecting to Chromecast is the best choice you have.

Chromecast

Chromecast is a device developed by Google. This device looks like a small dongle. It enables you to connect your smartphone and PCs to a home audio system or high-definition television. This connection is made possible by mobile and web apps that work with the Google Cast technology.
Once you have connected your smartphone to a television, you will be able to stream audio-visual contents.
Unlike MHL, Chromecast works with other apps that allow you to stream videos, music, pictures, and so on. To stream any of these, internet connection and WiFI is required. However, MHL doesn’t require the Internet or WiFi connection.

Nevertheless, there is a way you can set up Chromecast to work without WiFi or the internet, but it is limiting. We will show you various methods you can use in this article. However, before showing you, you need to know how to set up Chromecast.

How to set up Chromecast

Before you start setting up your Chromecast, you need to make sure you have a reliable WiFi connection.

1. Purchase a Chromecast and download the Google Home app
You can get the Google Chromecast from any online store of your choice, or you can just visit any electronics/gadget store near you. It doesn’t cost a fortune, and it is worth the investment. If the Chromecast you have is a hand-me-down, you will have to factory reset it, so that you can start using it with a clean slate.
The Google Home app works for both Android and iPhone users. You can download it from the Google Play Store if you are using Android. If you are using an iPhone, you will get it on the Apple App Store.

2. Plug the Chromecast
The USB cable that comes with the Chromecast has to be plugged into it, while the other end of the cable will be plugged into a wall socket. Then the Chromecast will be plugged into the HDMI port at the side or back of your TV, depending on the type and model you are using. If the HDMI port has a number next to it, you should write it down because you will need it.

3. Find the signal
Turn the TV on, and then press the input button repeatedly on your remote. You can find this button on your TV as well. The number you wrote down is the signal you will connect to, by tapping the input button repeatedly until you get to the number. To know if it has connected, a prompt saying “set me up” will appear on the screen.

4. Sign-in and give permission to Google Home app
Open the app and follow the instructions that appear > tap on ‘get started’ > you will be told to sign in to your Google account or create if you don’t have a Google account > you will also be required to give permission to Google Home to access your information > tap on get started or the icon of a person which you will find at the bottom-right corner of your screen > tap on ‘set up the device.’

5. Set it up
Tap on ‘new devices’, then create a new home. You will be told to choose a nickname or an address. This nickname is what will help you in identifying your TV when you are about to start casting.
Once you start casting, the app will find your device. When it has discovered your Chromecast, tap on “next”. If there are multiple devices, just scroll until you find yours and connect to it.
However, if your device didn’t appear, then tap on the button that asks if you can’t see your device. A code will appear on your TV, and it will also appear on your phone screen. Tap on the button that appears beside the codes.

6. Personalize you Chromecast device
You will be asked to input a name for your Chromecast. After choosing a name, tap on ‘continue’. A list of rooms will appear. Your device is located in these rooms. You can also add a custom room if you want one. Input the name for the custom room and tap on ‘next’.

7. Connect your Chromecast to WiFi
Once it has connected to your WiFi, then also connect your phone to the same WiFi network that the Chromecast is connected to. Once both devices have connected to your WiFi, you can go through a short tutorial if you want to understand how Chromecast works, or you can skip it and start screencasting.

How to use Chromecast without WiFi

To enjoy Chromecast to the fullest, you need WiFi. The streaming of video and audio requires WiFi because these are streamed from third-party apps and aren’t saved on your phone. However, if the internet connection where you are isn’t strong, then you can access your Chromecast without WiFi. The downside is that you will only be able to view contents saved on your phone.

1. Use Google Home App
To use this method, your phone has to be an Android device. This method can’t be used with iOS devices.
Before you start the connection, make sure your Google Chromecast has been updated to the latest firmware, if not, update it. Also, make sure you have a Google Home app installed on your phone.

Setting it up
The first thing to do is to connect the Chromecast to your TV.
Open the Google Home app. At the top of the app page, you will see the cast button, tap on it.
Once you tap on it, this app will start searching for your Chromecast. It might take a while before it shows your Chromecast. Tap on it when it appears.
You will see a 4-digit pin. Enter the pin into the Google Home app. It will resume the connection to your Chromecast. It might take a while before the connection is successful. When it is, you will be able to start viewing the contents of your phone on the TV.

 

2. Use Ethernet adapter:

This method requires you to connect your phone to your TV using an ethernet adapter for Chromecast. Your Chromecast will be connected directly to the ethernet adapter port. Once you connect it, you will have a reliable and fast link for casting your phone contents to the TV.

Setting it up
You have to get an Ethernet adapter and an ethernet cable, then a USB cable and a router, alongside the Chromecast.
The USB cable will be connected to the ethernet adapter, and then the other end will be connected to the Chromecast. The Chromecast should be connected to your TV.
The ethernet cable will be connected to your adapter then to the router. Make sure the adapter is plugged into a power socket.
Once all these are connected, your Chromecast device will start automatically because the ethernet connection will be used in place of a WiFi network.

 

3. Use a travel router:

If you will be lodging in a hotel, then this is a nice method to opt for. The router will function as a secured WiFi extender/repeater that connects you to ethernet or mobile broadband. Portable routers are inexpensive. You will get one at a local electronics store.
Setting it up
To use this method, you need a portable router and a laptop.
The router will be plugged into a power socket so it will turn on. When it is on, connect it to your laptop then input this address http://192.168.1.253 which will open the router’s admin settings. You will then give it a network name(SSID) and create a password for it.
If the Chromecast isn’t yet plugged into your TV, plug it now. You will now connect the Chromecast to the router through the Chromecast app you have installed on your phone. Once it has connected, you will be able to access it with ease next time. The router would just create a hotspot that your Chromecast will connect to swiftly when there is no internet.
Now that the two devices are connected, open the WiFi settings of your phone, then input the credentials of the router.
After it connects, open the Chromecast app on your phone and then select your TV. When it connects, all the contents on your phone can now be viewed on your TV.

4. Use the connectify app:

You can use this in place of a travel router. The connectify app serves as a virtual router that allows you to share the internet of one device with another device. Most official languages are offered on the connectify app so that it can be accessible by everyone. Using this app to connect your phone to Chromecast is swift. Besides, a wired connection isn’t really needed, unlike other methods.
This app is a paid app, but you can still use it because there is a free version that allows you to connect your phone to a Chromecast.

Setting it up
The first step is to have a connectify application. You will also need a laptop.
Just search for the app in your search engine. You will find it there. Once it is installed, open it and set up a WiFi hotspot. Connect your phone to the WiFi hotspot.
The Chromecast should be connected to your TV. If you don’t have the Google Home app on your phone already, download it, then run the setup utility of this app. You will come across different prompts. Read and follow them until you get to the ‘WiFi setup’.
Pick the WiFi hotspot you created as your network. Then input the password and click on the ‘set network’ button.
Your Chromecast will connect to the hotspot, and you will now be able to cast your phone contents onto your TV.

 

5. Use Guest Mode
Sometimes ago, Chromecast updated their software version so that a feature called ‘Guest mode’ can be included. This feature allows people that are close to you to be able to cast their phone contents onto the television, without having to connect to your WiFi network.
If you want to give someone access to your Chromecast, this is the method to opt for.

Setting it up:

First and foremost, make sure your Chromecast device has been updated to the latest version of its firmware. Having an updated firmware is important because your Chromecast won’t be able to work without WiFi if it isn’t running on the latest firmware.
If it is updated, then the next move is to connect your phone to the Chromecast WiFi network.
You will need the Google Home app, so install it. Open the app. You will see ‘Account’ at the upper right corner, tap on it. When it opens, you will see ‘devices’, also tap on it. Now you will scroll down until you find your Chromecast device.
Connect to it once you see it. Look at the top right corner; you will see a menu button. Tap on this button. When it opens, you will see ‘Guest mode’, tap on it too.
Turn the Guest mode one. Now, your guest can connect to your Chromecast and start casting their phone contents onto the TV.

Conclusion
There is nothing you can do to make a phone compatible with MHL. Only phone manufacturers have the power to do that. However, since every phone manufacturer is now supporting Chromecast, it is better to consider casting with Chromecast.

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