Yes! There are a number of options for getting content from your mobile device or computer to a TV. Many of them are usable without the presence of a local WiFi network.
I’m Aaron, a technology enthusiast who loves experimenting with technology. I’ve been doing so for decades and it hasn’t gotten old yet!
Let’s dive into some of the ways you can get content from your computer or mobile device onto a TV. I’ll start with what I perceive as being the easiest and conclude with the most difficult.
All of the methods I describe here are totally doable by anyone.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- There are lots of options for getting content from your smartphone, tablet, desktop, or laptop to a TV screen.
- The most straightforward way to transmit content from your device to a TV screen is a cable.
- You can also use a compatible Smart TV with Miracast.
- If that doesn’t work, then you’ll need to attach another device, like a Miracast dongle, Roku, Google Chromecast, or Apple TV.
Getting Content from Your Device to the TV
Let’s start with the most straightforward way to get content to your TV…
1. A Cable
I know, this isn’t Screen Mirroring or Airplay, but it is a foolproof way to get content from your device to your TV without WiFi. Desktops, laptops, Apple TVs, and streaming devices all use HDMI cables to connect to monitors and TVs and display content perfectly well.
You can even purchase a USB-C to HDMI cable for iPads and Android tablets and smartphones with a USB-C connection. If you have an older iPad or any iPhone with a lightning port, then you’re also in luck! Lightning to HDMI cables also exist.
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Unfortunately, if you have an older Android phone that uses a micro USB connection, then this won’t work for you.
Fear not! If you have one of those devices, or any other Android or Windows device, then you can use…
2. Miracast
Miracast is a transmission standard technology available on Windows and Android devices for the past decade. If your device is older than that, it is unlikely to support Miracast, but you can always check.
Miracast establishes a peer-to-peer wifi connection between your Windows and Android device and a compatible Smart TV. Outside of the connectivity being different, it functions similarly to Peer-to-Peer Airplay.
Miracast operates similarly to regular screen mirroring. I covered that at length here for both Android and Windows devices.
If your TV doesn’t support Miracast, then you can use…
3. Miracast with a Dongle
Your Windows or Android device may support Miracast. Your Smart TV (or not-so-smart TV) may not. A Miracast dongle plugs into your TV via HDMI and allows you to stream content via Android or Windows devices.
If you don’t want to buy a Miricast dongle, then you could buy a…
4. Roku
Similar to a Miracast Dongle, you can buy a Roku. You may want to do this if you haven’t yet decided to buy into the Google or Apple device ecosystems. Or you may just have a Roku account!
Roku leverages the Miracast transmission standard to support Android and Windows local casting. It’s like a Miracast dongle, except that it also supports streaming other content if you get a WiFi connection at some point.
If you decide Roku isn’t for you, then…
5. Google Chromecast
If you have a Chromecast and an Android device, then you’ll be able to mirror your Android device to your Chromecast. This works via a local WiFi connection, like Miracast, but does not leverage the Miracast standard.
Similar to a Roku, you’ll plug your Chromecast into the HDMI port on your TV and cast to it. Chromecast supports casting from Windows, Android, and iOS or macOS.
If you’re fully invested in the Apple ecosystem, then you’ll likely be able to use…
6. Peer-to-Peer Airplay
Peer-to-Peer Airplay is Apple’s solution for local media content sharing via Apple TV. If you have an Apple TV, you will be able to use this to display some content from your iPhone to your TV. It works by connecting the two devices via Bluetooth.
It’s not without some compromises:
- Non-iOS or macOS devices cannot connect
- You won’t be able to display content from some popular streaming services
If you’re ok with those limitations, then this is the perfect non-cabled solution for you!
FAQs
Here are some questions you might have about getting content from your device to your TV.
Does Screen Mirroring Use Bluetooth?
Yes! On an Apple device with Peer-to-Peer Airplay. There are solutions that let you remotely manage Android and Windows devices using Bluetooth, but they’re not highly recommended because of bad performance. They likely wouldn’t be a good solution to stream video, for example.
Does Screen Mirroring Use Data?
No! All of the connections described above are entirely local and don’t use mobile data to connect. If you stream other content to your phone using a data connection and are also screen mirroring, then the content streaming will use data.
What about Airplay on My Samsung TV?
In 2019, Samsung TVs became the first non-Apple device to support AirPlay2. While AirPlay 2 has some really great features, it also requires a WiFi network to operate. So, unfortunately, your Samsung TV won’t support Peer-to-Peer Airplay, which is required for streaming without WiFi.
Conclusion
There are a surprising number of options when it comes to streaming content from one device to another. Some of those options are device agnostic while others tie you to a specific product ecosystem. Only you can determine what fits your uses best.
What other solutions have you come up with for getting content from one device to another? Let me know in the comments!