There are times when you're watching something on your phone and you
want to share it with the room, or just see it on a bigger display.
Those with Android devices have a few options, including built-in
features and third-party apps. Let's break down your choices, from
simple to more complex.
Cast With Chromecast
If you have a Chromecast dongle or a TV with built-in Chromecast support,
your best bet is to see if the app you want to watch on TV supports
casting. If so, you can send content from your phone to the TV with a
few taps. Supported apps
include Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, and Google Photos. Just make sure your
device is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast/smart TV. Then
tap the cast icon in the app, and choose the compatible device to which you'd like to cast.
USB-C to HDMI Adapter
The simplest option is an HDMI adapter. If your phone has a USB-C port,
you can plug this adapter into your phone, and then plug an HDMI cable
into the adapter to connect to the TV. Your phone will need to support
HDMI Alt Mode, which allows mobile devices to output video. This method
will take up your charging port, though.
Stream with LocalCasts
LocalCasts is a simple, free app that lets you stream your own music, photos, or videos to a DLNA device like a smart TV or console. It also supports streaming to Chromecast targets, which is handy if you want to share your own files on a TV without mirroring your entire screen. When sharing pictures to a Chromecast device, you can even rotate, pan, and zoom photos, making it helpful for presentations.
1 comment