How to Mirror a Tablet to a TV Wirelessly

Screen mirroring vs casting

Screen mirroring sends the tablet's entire display to the TV, so anything you open appears on the big screen. Casting sends a specific video or audio stream from an app, and the TV often handles playback directly. The terms are used interchangeably, but the steps are different.

The three wireless methods you will see are AirPlay, Google Cast, and Miracast. A TV can support one, two, or all three depending on its software. If your TV does not list a protocol, a small receiver plugged into an HDMI port can add it.

Before you start, confirm that the tablet and the TV are on the same local network. Most mirroring methods expect that. For a closer look at Wi-Fi differences, see the Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 5 comparison.

AirPlay for Apple tablets

Apple tablets mirror to a TV through AirPlay. Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and choose the TV. Some TVs show a code on screen that you enter on the tablet.

If your TV does not support AirPlay, add an AirPlay-compatible receiver. It must be connected to the TV and on the same network. If the TV does not appear, update the receiver's firmware and restart it. If you are comparing Apple tablets, our Apple tablet guide covers the families that support AirPlay.

Google Cast for Android tablets

Android tablets can use Google Cast for both full-screen mirroring and app-level casting. Open the notification shade and look for a Cast tile, or use the Cast icon inside an app such as YouTube. The TV must have Google Cast built in or have a compatible receiver attached.

Built-in casting on TVs is often labeled as Android TV or a similar smart-TV platform. Android TV is part of the Android device ecosystem, according to the Android Open Source Project, so Android tablets tend to pair with it smoothly. For current Android tablet recommendations, see our Android tablet guide.

When Google Cast is not available, many Android tablets fall back to Miracast-style mirroring, which the next section covers.

Miracast for Windows and other tablets

Miracast mirrors the whole screen over a direct wireless link. Windows tablets expose it in the Action Center under Connect, and many Android tablets call it Screen Cast or Smart View. If the TV has a Miracast receiver, select it and accept the connection.

Because Miracast is a direct connection, the tablet and TV should be close together. Some TVs list it as Mirroring or Wireless Display. For tablets that are mostly used at home, the large screen tablet guide can help you compare screen sizes.

Windows tablets also support Miracast when the TV or receiver is Miracast certified. If you are comparing Windows tablets, the Windows tablet guide includes models with this feature.

Reduce lag while mirroring

Lag usually comes from the network path. Keep the tablet and the TV within a reasonable range of the router, and avoid placing metal objects between them. Closing apps that use the network can also free up bandwidth.

If your router supports a less congested frequency band, connect both devices to that band. For fast games, wireless mirroring will almost always feel less responsive than a wired connection, so consider whether a cable or a native casting app fits the activity.

A tablet's screen refresh rate also affects how smooth animation appears when mirrored. The refresh rate article explains what to look for.

Fix dropped connections

If the connection drops, restart the router, then restart the tablet and the TV. Update the TV's firmware and the tablet's operating system after the restart. That clears many temporary issues.

Power saving can interrupt the stream. On the tablet, disable aggressive battery settings for the app you are using, or keep the tablet plugged in. On the TV, turn off sleep timers and auto-off features while you watch.

During long mirroring sessions, charging the tablet is practical because USB Power Delivery lets a wall-powered display charge a connected device while it continues to show content, according to the USB Implementers Forum. If the problem persists, see the external display troubleshooting guide.

Choose the right method

The simplest choice is driven by your tablet's operating system. Apple tablets work best with AirPlay, Android tablets with Google Cast, and Windows tablets with Miracast. If your TV lacks support, an external receiver adds it.

When buying a new tablet, think about where you will mirror. A large Android tablet can serve as a home casting source, while an Apple tablet fits well into a household with AirPlay receivers. The large screen tablet guide and the Apple tablet guide both cover models suited to this.

If you often leave mirroring on for hours, energy efficiency is worth comparing. ENERGY STAR certified computers, which include tablets, use about 30 to 40 percent less energy than standard models, according to ENERGY STAR. That can matter over a long movie or presentation.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Is screen mirroring the same as casting?

No. Mirroring sends the whole tablet screen to the TV. Casting sends a specific video or audio stream from an app, and the TV often plays it independently. Use casting when you want to watch a single show, and mirroring when you want everything on the tablet to appear on the TV.

Why won't my tablet find the TV?

Check that both devices are on the same local network and that the TV's mirroring feature is enabled. Restart both devices and update their firmware. Some TVs require the receiver to be selected in an input menu before it appears in the tablet's list.

Does mirroring use cellular data?

No. Wireless mirroring happens over your local network, not over the cellular connection. If the tablet has a cellular plan, disable mobile data when mirroring so the stream stays on Wi-Fi.

Can I mirror a tablet to an old TV?

Yes, if you add a receiver that supports your tablet's protocol. The receiver connects to an HDMI port and joins your Wi-Fi network. Confirm the protocol before choosing anything, because AirPlay, Google Cast, and Miracast are not always interchangeable.

Is there a way to reduce lag for games?

Wireless mirroring adds delay that can make fast games feel unresponsive. Use an app-level cast when available, or connect the tablet to the TV with a wired adapter if the tablet supports video out. Otherwise, some delay is normal.

How do I keep the tablet charged while mirroring?

Plug it into a USB-C charger that supports USB Power Delivery. A wall-powered display or a supported dock can often provide power to the tablet while the stream runs, according to USB Power Delivery specifications.