How to screen mirror on Android

💡 Fast fix

• Use Quick Settings. Swipe down and tap the cast icon to mirror instantly.
• Match Wi-Fi. Make sure your phone and TV are on the same network.
• HDMI backup. No Wi-Fi? Plug in directly using a USB or HDMI cable.
• Still not working? Reboot your devices and update your phone.

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Android™ has a neat feature that lets you display content from your phone, tablet, or laptop on a larger screen. It comes in handy when you want to share media with a larger audience. You can also use it to stream videos from your device to a TV.

Asurion Experts keep your favorite tech devices running smoothly. Whether you need help installing smart TV apps or fixing monitor display issues, we can help. Here's how to screen mirror on Android in a few simple steps.

Using built-in screen mirroring tools

Most Android devices come with pre-installed tools that enable you to mirror your screen. The name of the tool can vary by manufacturer. For example, Samsung® calls their screen mirroring tool Smart View. Other names that it can go by include Screen Mirror and Screen Cast.

Before starting the mirroring process, check if the TV or other streaming device supports it. That information can usually be found on the manufacturer's website or in the user manual. Also, verify that both devices are turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

You can try casting from an Android device to your TV via the Quick Settings menu on your device. To do this, access the Quick Settings panel and find the Screen Mirroring icon. Tap it, then select the TV from the list of available devices. Follow any on-screen prompts to complete the connection.

If you don't have a working Wi-Fi connection, you may be able to mirror the screen using an HDMI or USB cable. To do so, connect the cable between both devices and select the input type on your TV. This process doesn't require you to use the mirroring tool on your Android device.

Connecting over your Wi-Fi network

Screen mirroring from a Google Pixel™ or other Android device only works if the devices share the same Wi-Fi connection. That's easy to check—just verify that the same Wi-Fi name appears on the Android device and TV. If they don't match, take a few minutes to reconnect using the same Wi-Fi network.

If your router has access point (AP) isolation or client isolation enabled, it could prevent you from casting. Keep that in mind as you try mirroring your device. If you run into connection problems, check your router's settings and disable AP isolation if it's on. Your router's user manual may include instructions on how to turn it off. 

Strong internet bandwidth is important for smooth video quality. At a minimum, you'll want at least 3 Mbps for standard definition video. HD streams require at least 5 Mbps, and 4K HD streaming performs well with at least 25 Mbps. Generally, the faster your internet connection, the better your video quality.

Troubleshooting compatibility and app limits

You've enabled screen mirroring on Android, but no content appears on your TV. What gives? It may be one of these issues:

• Digital Rights Management (DRM) protections: Some studios and streaming apps block screen mirroring to prevent piracy. For example, Netflix blocks casting (with a few exceptions) and requires users to stream from a built-in app.
• Outdated devices: Older TVs or streaming sticks may not be compatible with new Android casting tools. Out-of-date operating software can also affect performance.

If it's a DRM issue, you can try casting from another app. For example, YouTube™ generally allows casting, and other streaming platforms may be more lenient.

Simple fixes when screen mirroring won't work

You've tried to turn on screen mirroring on your Roku TV™ with Android, but it's not working as you expect it to. Good news: There are a few troubleshooting steps you can try.

First, give both devices a fresh start. Power them down and turn them back on after approximately 30 seconds. You can also unplug your Wi-Fi router and plug it back in to reset it. Restarting your devices may clear out any temporary bugs that interfere with casting.

Consider updating your Android OS to the latest version. To check for updates, take these steps:

• Open Settings
• Tap System > Software updates
• Follow the prompts to install updates

You can also try clearing the cache on specific apps. This process deletes temporary data from your device, which may improve its performance. For example, if you're trying to cast from YouTube, clearing the YouTube cache could remove old data that's hogging memory on your phone. Try these steps to clear an app's cache:

• Open Settings
• Tap App or Apps and notifications
• Tap the app
• Tap Storage and Cache > Clear Cache

If you continue to have problems with casting, consider using an HDMI or USB cable to connect the two devices instead. It's an easy workaround that most devices support.