In this guide
Yes, you can mirror an Android phone to a TV with a cable, as long as your phone’s USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. Use a USB-C to HDMI cable or adapter, plug into your TV’s HDMI port, and your screen mirrors automatically — no apps required.
- Your phone has a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alt Mode support
- You use a compatible USB-C to HDMI cable or adapter
- Your TV has a working HDMI input and is set to the correct source
- Your phone’s USB-C port does not support video output (Alt Mode)
- You use an incompatible or cheap cable that skips video pins
- The app you’re streaming (e.g. Netflix) blocks output via DRM
What Cable Do You Actually Need?
For most modern Android phones, a USB-C to HDMI cable is all you need. Plug the USB-C end into your phone and the HDMI end into your TV. Switch the TV to the matching HDMI input and your phone’s display should appear within a few seconds.
Older Android phones with Micro USB used a different standard called MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link). MHL adapters are harder to find today, and most phones released after 2017 dropped MHL in favour of USB-C.
Does Your Phone Support Video Output?
This is the most common reason the connection fails. Not every USB-C port outputs video. Your phone needs to support DisplayPort Alt Mode — a feature that lets the USB-C port carry a video signal alongside data and power. Not all USB-C ports support video output, so checking your phone’s spec sheet before buying a cable is worth doing.
You can also check the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) for guidance on USB-C video standards and what your device needs to comply with them.
Quick Compatibility Table
| Setup | Works? | Need | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB-C phone + USB-C to HDMI cable | Yes | DisplayPort Alt Mode | Most common modern setup |
| Micro USB phone + MHL adapter | Yes | MHL-compatible phone | Older devices only |
| USB-C phone without Alt Mode | No | — | Phone simply won’t output video |
| USB-C to HDMI with DRM-protected app | Partial | — | Netflix and some apps block wired output |
What If It’s Not Working?
If you’ve connected everything and nothing appears on screen, the most likely causes are: the phone doesn’t support Alt Mode, the cable is a charge-only cable with no video pins, or the TV input isn’t selected correctly. Try a different HDMI port on the TV and confirm your cable is rated for video, not just charging.
- Check your phone’s spec page for “DisplayPort Alt Mode” or “video output”
- Try a different cable — many USB-C cables omit the Alt Mode pins
- Switch to a different HDMI port on your TV
- Test with a basic app like Photos or Files before trying streaming apps
Bottom line: Mirroring an Android phone to a TV with a cable works reliably when your phone supports DisplayPort Alt Mode and you use a proper USB-C to HDMI cable. Check your phone’s specs first — the cable itself is rarely the problem.