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Are you having issues with your Wi-Fi? While Wi-FI is usually a requirement for streaming, there are ways to cast to your TV that don’t require a Wi-Fi connection.
If you have a streaming stick and a smartphone, you may be able to cast your phone screen on your TV. Alternatively, you can connect your phone or a laptop to the TV using a USB cable. These methods will also allow you to broadcast content saved to your device.
Casting Your Phone to a TV With a Streaming Stick
Streaming sticks are small devices that allow you to download apps and stream video on your TV. These devices are usually designed to connect to your TV’s HDMI port, but you can use some streaming sticks without HDMI.
Not all streaming sticks allow you to cast your phone screen, but the Chromecast, Roku, and Amazon Firestick all offer this functionality. There are also devices that are specifically designed from casting from your phone, like the ScreenBeam MyWirelessTV2.
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There are three ways to connect your phone to your streaming stick. The instructions below show you how to do it with a Chromecast, but the process is very similar for Roku sticks for Fire TV Sticks.
Option 1: Create a mobile hotspot
If you have access to more than one device with streaming capabilities, you can turn your phone into a mobile hotspot and use your Chromecast and the other device to cast to your TV. You’ll also need a USB cable, USB adapter, and HDMI cable.
- Connect your Chromecast to a power source with a USB cable and adapter.
- Turn on your Chromecast and hold down the power button until you no longer see blinking lights.
- Use an HDMI cable to connect your Chromecast to your TV.
- Turn your phone into a personal hotspot. On iPhones, you can do this by selecting Settings > Cellular > Personal Hotspot. On Android devices, select Settings > Network and Internet > Hotspot and Tethering.
- Use another device, like a laptop, tablet, or another smartphone, to connect to your hotspot.
- Once connected, download the Google Home app and select “Add Another Home.”
- Connect to the Chromecast and choose your hotspot as your wireless network.
Option 2: Use an ethernet adapter
If you have internet access but don’t have Wi-Fi, an Ethernet adapter will allow you to cast without a wireless connection. You’ll also need an Ethernet cable and an HDMI cable.
- Plug an Ethernet adapter into a router with internet access.
- Connect your Chromecast to your TV using an HDMI cable.
- Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into your Chromecast, and plug the other end into the Ethernet adapter.
- Download and open Google Home on the device you want to cast from.
- Set up Chromecast on your device and start streaming.
Option 3: Download videos
With a little advance planning, you can cast without using your phone data. This is a great option if you’re traveling somewhere without Wi-Fi.
- Download video files to watch later. Make sure that the files are fully downloaded.
- Download Google Home.
- Use an HDMI cable to connect your Chromecast to your TV.
- Open the Google Home app and enable Guest Mode from the menu.
- Select Cast Screen from the menu and play the video files you’ve downloaded.
Alternative Methods for Casting Your Phone to Your TV
Connect over Bluetooth
Most TVs with Bluetooth are capable of using Miracast, an app that lets you share content between devices without the need for Wi-Fi.
In order to cast from your phone, you’ll need to make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both your phone and your TV. Connect your phone to your TV with Bluetooth so that you can mirror the phone to your TV screen.
Hook up a USB cable
Even if you don’t have a streaming stick or a Bluetooth TV, you can still connect your phone and TV with a USB cable. If your TV doesn’t have a USB port, you can use an HDMI to USB adapter to add a USB connection to your TV.
Once your phone and your TV are connected, press the Source button on your remote control and choose USB. After that, your TV screen should start mirroring your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a smart TV for screen casting?
You don’t need a smart TV to screencast from your phone. Instead, you can use a streaming stick or a USB cable to connect your phone to your TV. For detailed instructions, check out my guide to using Firestick on an old TV.
How do you lock your screen orientation when casting?
On iPhones, you can lock screen portrait orientation by swiping downward on your screen and selecting the lock button. On Android devices, go to Settings > Security > Screen Lock.
Does casting drain your phone battery faster?
Casting your phone screen does require more processing power from your phone, which can lead to faster battery drain. You should always plug your phone in if you plan on casting for more than a few minutes.
Can I use my phone while casting?
Yes, you can use your phone while casting. In most cases, casting your screen will not interrupt your ability to use your phone for other tasks.
However, if you’re using a method that mirrors the screen instead of casting it, switching apps will also change what you are mirroring.
What’s Next?
Can you stream without Wi-Fi? Not having a wireless connection can make things tricky, but the answer is still a strong yes. There are several ways to cast to a TV without Wi-Fi.
Screencasting is an excellent option if you want to use your smart TV without internet, and it can also come in handy when you’re traveling. Once you know what you’re doing, you’ll be able to enjoy streaming video even when you can’t use Wi-Fi.
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Zachary has spent 12 hears in the tech industry focusing on automation, analytics, and cybersecurity. His passion is tech education; he uses his industry expertise and STEM PhD to break down complicated concepts into simple step-by-step guides. When he’s not writing or coding, you can find him binging anything Star Trek or Marvel or reading far too many sci-fi novels.