Our smartphones come in handy for a range of activities, but what if you’re tired of squinting to see your content on such a small screen?
Fortunately, Smart TVs have made screen mirroring from our phones easy.
Using WiFi and Bluetooth compatibility, the connection is instantaneous.
Here are 3 easy methods to screen mirror a non-smart TV:
- Use a wireless device like Chromecast or a Fire TV stick.
- Link your smartphone and TV via HDMI cable.
- Connect your laptop to your television.
If you’re looking for a more in-depth explanation of how to screen mirror on a non-smart TV, continue reading.
The following paragraphs will describe how to screen mirror using the different methods listed above.
1. Use a Wireless Device, Like Chromecast or a Fire TV Stick
One of the easiest ways to screen mirror a non-smart television is to use a wireless device.
Wireless screen mirroring is one of the most popular options.
For this option, your TV must have an HDMI port for the wireless device (Chromecast, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, etc.) — but doesn’t need to connect to your smartphone via cable.
The smartphone sends a signal to Chromecast, Fire TV stick, or other device that’s plugged into your television.
From there, the device “casts” the screen of your phone to the TV.
The following three wireless devices have this capability:
Apple TV
If you’re trying to screen mirror an iPhone to a non-smart TV, one of the easiest ways to do so is by using an Apple TV, available on Amazon.com.
Even with a non-smart TV, Apple TV can screen mirror and it’s easy to set up.
Here are the steps for screen mirroring with Apple TV:
- Make sure both the Apple TV and iPhone or iPad connect to the same WiFi network.
- Open the control center on your iPhone or iPad.
- Click on “Screen Mirroring.” Your iPhone should be able to recognize your Apple TV console nearby.
- Select the correct Apple TV console you want to screen mirror with, and you’re good to go.
Once you’ve set everything up, you may stream shows, YouTube videos, music, or even view your email or social media from your television.
Amazon Fire TV Stick
An excellent choice for screen mirroring made easy with an older television is the Amazon Fire TV Stick, available on Amazon.com.
With this nifty, remote-controlled device, you can screen mirror on your iPhone, Android, Mac, or PC.
To screen mirror with an Amazon Fire TV Stick:
- Ensure that the device that you want to screen mirror and the Fire TV Stick connect to the same WiFi network.
- Select “Settings” on the Fire TV Stick.
- Navigate to “Display & Sound” and select it.
- Click “Enable Display Mirroring.”
- Open your smartphone or laptop and access the settings for mirroring.
For an iPhone, if you scroll from the top of your phone to view the control center, this option will appear as “Screen Mirroring.” Select the Fire TV Stick from the list of available devices.
For an Android phone, open the device’s settings and search for “Wireless and Bluetooth Connections” or “Wireless Projection.”
After selecting one of these options, your Android should search nearby for devices to connect to, and the Amazon Fire TV Stick should appear as an option.
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Chromecast
Another wireless device that’ll give your non-smart TV screen mirror capabilities is Chromecast, available on Amazon.com.
Chromecast is easy to use because it plugs directly into your TV’s HDMI port.
From there, you can start screen mirroring or “casting” videos and screen mirrors to your television.
To set up Google Chromecast screen mirroring:
- Download the Google Home or Chromecast app.
- Open the menu.
- Tap “Cast Screen/Audio” from the menu options.
- Choose your Chromecast from the list of available devices.
Learn more: Does Chromecast work with an iPhone hotspot?
2. Link Your Smartphone and TV via HDMI Cable
If you’re unable to use a wireless device, try linking your smartphone via HDMI cable. This is an easy way to screen mirror.
For you to achieve this, you need to make sure your TV has an HDMI port. Without an HDMI port, the television can’t screen mirror.
If that’s the case, you’ll need to invest in a newer TV.
In addition, your smartphone must support getting outsourced through HDMI. Most new versions of iPhone and Android phones offer this capability.
Most cables, however, don’t connect directly from an HDMI port to a smartphone. Because of that, you’ll need a converter or adapter.
These cables complete the connection so that your device is supported correctly.
One of the converters you can use to connect your iPhone to your television for screen mirroring is the HDMI Digital Cable Adapter from Amazon.com.
The HDMI cable supports 2K and easily connects to iPhones, iPads, HDTV, monitors, and projectors.
For Android, you can use the USB C to HDMI Cable for Home Office from Amazon.com.
This cable is six feet long, giving you plenty of length to work with.
3. Connect Your Laptop To Your Television
Another option for screen mirroring on a non-smart TV is connecting your iPhone or Android to your Macbook or PC via USB cable.
Then, you can connect your laptop to your television via HDMI cable.
This is simply another way to complete the connection between your smartphone and your non-smart TV.
To complete this set up, you’ll need two cables.
You’ll need a cable that connects the laptop to the phone (USB C to HDMI). In addition, you’ll need a cable to connect the laptop to the TV (HDMI).
To set up your phone, laptop, and television for screen mirroring:
- Plug the USB C side of the cable to your smartphone.
- Connect the HDMI side to the port on the laptop.
- Connect the opposite end of the HDMI cable to the television.
- Access the settings on your laptop and phone for screen mirroring.
- Enable screen mirroring.
If your laptop doesn’t have an HDMI port, you’ll need a different cable. One of the most common cables for connecting a television to a laptop is a VGA to HDMI adapter.
Requirements for Screen Mirroring on a Non-Smart TV
Before you start screen mirroring with a non-smart TV, ensure that your devices meet all of the requirements for this technology to work.
- Televisions should include an HDMI port. Without this, the television cannot use a device to connect to WiFi. In addition, you cannot connect a computer with the TV.
- Smartphones must support HDMI output. Most newer iPhones, Androids, and Google smartphones include this capability.
- You’ll need an HDMI cable. The cable must connect to the smartphone or laptop and work with these devices.
If your television has HDMI capabilities, you can most likely find the port on the back of the TV.
In some cases, flat-screen TVs sometimes have their HDMI port located on their left or right sides.
The port is similar to an upside-down trapezoid shape and labeled “HDMI” on your television.
When choosing a cable, keep in mind that sometimes off-brand cables won’t be recognized by your smartphone, computer, or TV.
Key Takeaways
Screen mirroring has increased in popularity due to wireless and Bluetooth connections across smartphones and smart TVs.
With a non-smart TV, screen mirroring may take a few more steps.
The easiest way to screen mirror your smart device is to use a wireless device like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, or Chromecast.
Another option is to use the HDMI port on your TV and connect it to your iPhone, Android, Mac, or PC using an HDMI converter cable.
Finally, you can connect a phone or tablet to the laptop via USB cable and HDMI adapter.
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