How to Throw Video to Your Television from Your Smartphone

One question I’ve been asked frequently is how to throw video your television from a smartphone or tablet. Do you need special cables or a certain type of television for it to work? Do the videos need to be transferred to a different device, like a computer, before they can be viewed on a big screen?

Since it’s a fairly simple process – and something most people will likely want to do at some point – I thought I’d devote a post to it! To get you started, here’s a quickie guide to casting video from Apple and Android devices. You’ll be streaming in no time.

Love this TV? Me too, totally obsessed. Check it out here.

If you’re an Apple user

Use the AirPlay function to stream photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to your Apple TV. Get the full Apple tutorial here.

What you’ll need: An Apple TV that’s second generation or later.

Option 1: Play Your Video Directly to Apple TV

1. Connect the device with the video on it to the same Wi-Fi network your Apple TV is on.
2. Swipe up on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch screen to open the Control Center, then swipe horizontally to find the Now Playing Screen.
3. Then, go to the AirPlay Device list and select your Apple TV. On an iPad, this appears as a list; on iPhones and iPods, you need to tap the Airplay icon – which looks like a triangle with round bands around it – for the list to appear.
4. Your device and Apple TV should now be connected. Go back to your video and hit play.

Option 2: Mirror Your Device Screen on Apple TV

Using a similar set-up process, this option instead makes your entire screen visible on your Apple TV (so if you have sensitive info on your iPhone, you may want to stick to set-up option 1).

1. Connect the device with the video on it to the same Wi-Fi network your Apple TV is on.
2. Swipe up on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch screen to open the Control Center. Here’s where it’s different than set-up 1: Tap AirPlay Mirroring and select your Apple TV from the list. Enter your password on your device if it prompts you to do so.
3. Your device and Apple TV should now be connected. If your device’s zoom and aspect ratios don’t match those of your TV screen, adjust them on your TV.

If you have an Android TV

You can stream video from your Android smartphone to an Android TV that’s equipped with Google Chromecast. See the full Android tutorial here.

What you’ll need: An Android TV with Chromecast.

Option 1: Play Your Video Directly to Android TV

1. Connect the device with the video on it to the same Wi-Fi network your Android TV is on.
2. On your device, open an app that supports casting (see the full Google Cast app list here).
3. Click on the Cast icon, which looks like an open rectangle with round bands on the lower left corner, and choose your Android TV.
4. Press play on your device and the video should appear on your Android TV.

Option 2: Mirror Your Device Screen on Android TV

This function is admittedly a bit more complicated to set up and navigate, but should be quick once you get the hang of it. See the full tutorial here.

1. 1. Make sure your Android device is running Android version 4.4.2 or higher. Also note that it doesn’t work on iOS or Windows-supported devices.
2. Turn off “Power Saving Mode” on your device to allow maximum processing speed.
3. If you’re using the Google Play Services app, the microphone permission needs to be turned on. Do it by going to the Settings menu on your Android Device and navigate through Apps>Google Play Services > Permissions. Find the Microphone option and slide it on.
4. Connect your Android device with the video on it to the same Wi-Fi network your Android TV is on.
5. Open the Google Home app and tap the Menu option on the upper left corner.
6. Click on Cast Screen / Audio and select your TV. The video should appear on your TV screen.
   7. To adjust the volume, go back to the Google Home app and tap Devices on the upper right corner of the screen. Find your TV and click on it. A volume adjustment toggle should appear.
7. To stop casting from your Android device, either pull down the top drawer menu on your device’s home screen and click Disconnect in the notification bar, or open the Google Home app again and access the Cast Screen / Audio via the Menu again. Click on Disconnect.

Have you come across any other helpful device-to-TV video transfer tutorials? Tell me about them in the comments below.