Whether you want to show holiday photos to the family, watch a video on a bigger screen, or play something from your phone through the television, connecting a device to your TV is much simpler than it used to be. You usually have two options: a cable or wireless.
Option 1: Using a Cable (the Simple, Reliable Way)
A physical cable gives you a reliable, lag-free connection. The most common cable for this is HDMI.
- Laptop to TV: Many laptops have an HDMI port — it looks like a flattened trapezoid. Plug one end into your laptop and the other into a spare HDMI port on the back or side of your TV. Then press the Input or Source button on your TV remote and select the correct HDMI number. The laptop screen should then appear on the TV.
- Newer laptops with USB-C: If your laptop only has USB-C ports, you need a small USB-C to HDMI adapter (available for a few pounds online or in tech shops). Plug the adapter into your laptop, then connect an HDMI cable from the adapter to the TV.
- iPhone to TV: Check the charging port on your iPhone. Newer iPhones use USB-C, and older iPhones use Lightning. If the port is USB-C, you need a USB-C to HDMI adapter, but check your phone’s specification first, because not every phone supports video output over USB-C. If the port is Lightning, you need a Lightning to HDMI adapter. Plug the adapter into your iPhone, connect an HDMI cable from the adapter to the TV, and your screen should appear on the television.
- Android phone to TV: Many newer Android phones support USB-C to HDMI. Check your phone’s specification first, because not every phone supports video output over USB-C. If it does, plug the adapter into your phone and then into the TV with an HDMI cable. Your phone should then show its screen on the TV.
Option 2: Casting Wirelessly (No Cables Needed)
If your TV is a Smart TV, or has a streaming stick or box plugged in, you can often cast your screen wirelessly.
- On Android: Look for “Cast” or “Screen Mirror” in your phone’s quick settings (pull down from the top of the screen). Your TV should appear as an option if it is on the same Wi-Fi network. Once the TV is connected, the phone screen should show on it.
- On iPhone: Open Control Centre and tap Screen Mirroring. The way you open Control Centre depends on your iPhone model, and the wording can change between versions. If your TV or streaming box is AirPlay-compatible, it should appear in the list. The phone screen should then show on the television.
- On a laptop: In Windows, press the Windows key + K to open the Connect panel and look for your TV. On a Mac, look for the AirPlay icon in the menu bar. If you cannot see it, search your Mac’s help for ‘screen mirroring’. The wording changes between versions.
Your TV Needs to Be On the Right Input
Whichever method you use, remember to switch your TV to the correct input using the Input or Source button on the remote. The TV will not automatically know you have connected something — you have to tell it where to look.
If the TV still shows no picture after you have checked the cable, the input and the adapter, the problem may lie with the TV or the device. Contact the maker of the TV or of your phone or laptop, or the shop where you bought the adapter, for help.
Once you have done this once, it will feel straightforward every time. Big-screen viewing is only a cable or tap away.
Last updated: October 9, 2026