Do you want to connect your Android to the TV with a USB cable, but you have no idea how to do it? Don’t worry, in this article we will show you in detail the methods you can use.
Surely, sometimes you have wanted to enjoy the content stored on your mobile phone on a larger screen. Thanks to technology, you can now connect your Android to your TV and enjoy movies, shows, videos, music, photos, and games, all in better resolution.
Advantages of connecting your Android to the TV with a USB cable
Although there are currently wireless ways to connect a mobile phone to the television, the use of the USB cable is still present and can have its advantages. One of them is that almost all phones and TVs have a USB port. All you need to get connected is the appropriate cable.
For the TV to recognize a smartphone, the smartphone must be set to transfer data, otherwise it will only charge the smartphone . In addition, the appropriate cable will allow the connection between the devices , offering an optimal solution, especially when you have a weak wireless signal.
The advantages of connecting via USB include synchronization with all your devices. In addition, you will not need to adjust the screen, nor will you have problems with the sound. Another important aspect is that the delay that occurs between the emission of the signal and its reception is reduced .
Methods to connect your Android to the TV using a USB cable
Connections via USB ports are usually the most obvious. However, it is important to know how to connect a USB device to your Android, as sometimes you will need adapters for the link to work properly .
There are several methods that you can use to connect your Android to the TV. First of all, you must be sure that your mobile device has a USB type C connector and that the television also has an HDMI port. You can do this using:
- USB-C cable with DisplayPort interface.
- USB cable with MHL connectivity.
- USB cable with SlimPort adapter.
Next, we will explain each of them.
How to connect your Android to the TV using a USB-C cable with the DisplayPort interface
An easy way to connect your Android to your TV is by using a USB-C cable. The functions of the USB-C port of the mid-range and high-end Android mobile will allow you to make this type of connection for data transmission. Additionally, the DisplayPort interface increases audio and video performance , as well as data transfer speed.
To make the connection, simply attach your Android to the USB-C cable and then to a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter. This adapter is important because it allows the mobile phone input to be compatible with the interface used by the TV .
How to connect your Android to Smart TV using a USB cable with MHL
The MHL is a technology available in different devices that allows the connection between a mobile phone and a television. This interface uses 5 pins to stream Android content to an MHL compatible monitor.
To use this technology, you will need: an Android smartphone and a MHL-enabled TV, a USB cable with MHL, an HDMI cable, and a power cable. Now just connect the mobile to the MHL adapter which should be attached to the power cable. Finally, connect the adapter to the TV using the HDMI cable.
How to connect your Android to TV using a USB cable with SlimPort adapter
SlimPort is a slightly different technology than MHL, which does not require a separate power supply. It is just an adapter or cable that can convert power from USB to HDMI .
A nice feature of Slimport is that it consumes less power and doesn’t quickly drain your device’s battery . Plus, it has an extra port where you can plug in your charger while you stream. If your TV doesn’t support HDMI cable, you can use a Slimport adapter for streaming.
To make the connection from your Android to the television, you must first verify that the mobile phone is compatible with SlimPort, you must also use a SlimPort micro-USB cable or adapter and a video cable.
Start by connecting the SlimPort adapter to the Android, then connect the adapter to the TV using the compatible video cable (HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort or VGA), and finally make sure that the screen of your mobile device is visible on the TV .
What to do if the TV does not recognize your Android?
It is very likely that after connecting your Android to the TV using a USB cable, you will not be able to establish a connection. There are many factors that influence this problem and to solve it we suggest you follow the following instructions:
- Check the USB ports on the TV. If it doesn’t work properly , update the TV software via the Internet or with a USB memory.
- Perform a self-test of the HDMI cable on the TV. If the result is negative at the end of the test, the source or the cable may be defective.
- Check the USB cable. If the cable is defective, replace it with a better quality one.
- Check device compatibility.
- Check the specifications and settings of the mobile device.
- Check that the images, music or videos are in the correct directory.
As you may have noticed, there are different ways to connect your Android to the TV when you don’t have a wireless connection . The USB cable is very useful in this case, but remember that its capabilities may vary depending on the device we are using.
You might think that these types of connections are very simple, but they are not. Connecting successfully will depend on several factors such as the brand of the mobile phone, the built-in transfer capabilities or the functions of the TV.
Do not forget to use good quality cables in your connections, this will guarantee that the transmission is done without problems, so that you can fully enjoy the content of your mobile phone and mirror your Android screen on a television easily.
