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Nowadays, we have choices when it comes to entertainment options. From the days of watching programmed television to having massive movie libraries just a tap away on our tablets, we have come a long way. And sometimes, we like to watch tablet content on our large screen TV — why not? And if you love this idea as much as we do, let us show you how to connect tablet to TV in this article. Read on!
How to Connect Tablet to TV
Connecting your tablet to your TV depends on several factors, including your tablet operating system, compatibility with your TV set, wired and wireless methods, streaming dongles, etc. Let’s first look at some wired methods of mirroring or casting your tablet to your TV, and break it down by operating systems (iOS or Android) for simplicity.
Connect Android tablet to TV
Even though iPads are incredibly popular, plenty of people love the Android interface and simplicity. With multiple manufacturers like Samsung, Amazon, Microsoft, Lenovo, etc., launching excellent Android devices, there are many ways to link your tablet to your television set. Let’s take a look at some wired options.
Via USB cable
This is the simplest way of connecting your tablet to your smart TV, but it doesn’t always work if either of the devices or both are too old. All you need to do is connect your tablet via its USB port to the TV’s USB port, and choose hard drive mode/picture mode (also appears as Transfer files/Transfer photos) on your tablet, and your TV will access your tablet like a flash drive. If you don’t see any notification on your screen, simply swipe down from the top, and you should see options for the new connection on your tablet.
Via USB to HDMI adapter
This is the most common method of connecting smartphones or tablets with TVs, all you need is a TV with an HDMI port (which is quite common, thankfully!), a tablet with a USB Type-C port, and a USB to HDMI converter. The USB to HDMI cable or adapter can be easily purchased online or at an electronics store near you. Once you connect your tablet, choose Screen mirroring from the notification shade or the Settings menu. Then choose the right HDMI source on your TV, and you should see your tablet mirrored on your TV screen.
Samsung DeX mode
This method is, of course, restricted only to Samsung tablets — namely, the Galaxy Tab S4, S5e, S6, and S7 series of Samsung tablets. But if you want to connect these tablets and use them in Samsung’s proprietary desktop mode, all you need is a USB to HDMI cable, plug it into your TV or external monitor, and you’re good to go with DeX mode.
Here’s a video we found of the process on Samsung’s YouTube channel:
DisplayPort technology
DisplayPort is a newer, more superior digital display interface that is also backward compatible with HDMI. Though it is more common in PC monitors than TVs, many TV models offer a DisplayPort on the back. To use it with your tablet, simply buy a USB to DisplayPort cable and enjoy mirroring your tablet display.
Via SlimPort
This is a good option to connect your tablet to your TV if your device does not have a Type-C port and has a micro USB port instead. A SlimPort adapter is also helpful if you have an older TV or monitor, as you have output options such as DisplayPort, DVI, and VGA, besides HDMI. Before buying a SlimPort cable, make sure you Google to see if your tablet and TV are supported on the official SlimPort website.
Via Mobile High Definition or MHL
MHL or Mobile High Definition is a technology that is not very different from SlimPort. Like a SlimPort connector, an MHL adapter allows you to mirror your tablet on your TV. One difference between them is that MHL only offers HDMI output, and it won’t work with a TV that has only VGA inputs. And MHL needs power to work, which is advantageous because it won’t drain your tablet battery while you cast content. Another great plus point is the low latency.
You can see a full list of supported devices on the official MHL website.
Connect iPad to TV
After that long list of wired options for Android tablets, do iPads offer just as much flexibility? As it turns out, the answer is no, but the solution is sure to work.
Via Lightning Port
Apple makes custom adapters so that you can connect your iPad to your TV, and these adapters come in two variants — Lightning to HDMI adapter and a Lightning to VGA adapter. You can get the former if your TV has an HDMI port and the latter if you only have a VGA port on the back of your TV. And chances are you have a lightning port on your iPad unless you have an iPad 3 or something older than that. Which reminds us, you should probably check out our exhaustive list of all iPads in the last ten years.
All you need to do is plug in the adapter to the lightning port of your iPad, connect a power supply to the adapter, and then connect your TV to the adapter as well. Happy casting!
How to Connect Tablet to TV: Other Methods
Now that we’ve covered all the ways you can get your tablet working with your TV using wired options let’s look at the wireless methods, which are far more common these days. Most of these methods apply to both Android and iOS tablets, so take a look!
Connect Via WiFi
To connect your smart TV with your tablet, you need a smart TV that supports screen mirroring for your Android tablet, and if you use an iPad, you need Apple TV or an AirPlay 2-compatible smart TV.
So first off, make sure Screen mirroring is enabled on your smart TV and that it’s on the same WiFi network as your tablet. Now open the app on your tablet that you want to cast from. Look for the cast icon (it’s a screen with a WiFi symbol in the corner) and tap it. Try Options/Preferences > Cast in the app if you don’t see a cast icon. Your smart TV may ask for a code to confirm and secure the link between tablet and TV. Switch between portrait and landscape mode as per your preference, and adjust any settings necessary on your TV. You’re good to go!
It’s a similar method for your iPad — simply tap the cast button on any video or music app, choose Airplay, and you should see your compatible smart TV listed. Tap it, enter a security code, and you will be able to watch all content on your smart TV. If you need more instructions or have doubts about compatible TVs, here’s the Apple page on using Airplay. You can also tap Screen Mirroring in your Control Center to mirror your iPad with your TV.
Via Chromecast
Google’s Chromecast device is one of the main drivers behind screen casting going mainstream. Newer models of the Chromecast device come with an HDMI out that you can plug into your TV, and once you follow the instructions and set it up, you can cast your Android tablet or your iPad to it quite easily and watch content. All you need to do is tap the Cast icon and choose your Chromecast device.
To use Chromecast with an iPad, you need the Google Home app installed and have a Google account. Once you set up the device and link it to your account, you will be able to cast photos, watch videos, play music, etc., from any app that supports casting.
Connect Tablet to TV with Roku
Roku is similar to Chromecast in many ways. If you have a Roku device connected to your TV and have the Roku app on your tablet, you can cast from any supporting video apps. Once you’re done setting up your Roku device, it will show up when you tap the cast button on apps. You can cast with iPads since Roku supports AirPlay and Apple HomeKit. Note that Roku does not allow using the cast function for the photos, videos, and music stored on your tablet.
Connect Tablet via Amazon Fire TV stick
Besides offering numerous apps for content platforms, the Fire TV stick from Amazon also allows you to cast from your Android tablet. First, keep the Home button on your Fire TV remote pressed until you see the option ‘Mirroring’ appear on your TV. Select it, and then all you need to do is open up a video or music app, tap the cast button, and choose your Fire TV stick. You can also go into your tablet’s settings, search for ‘mirroring,’ and tap that instead.
You can also use iPads with the Fire TV stick, but it requires third-party apps and cannot be cast natively.
Via Miracast
Miracast is a wireless display standard that debuted in 2013 and has seen widespread adoption among electronics manufacturers. This tech uses the WiFi-Direct method to create a connection between your tablet and the TV so that you can mirror it conveniently. While many Android devices and smart TVs today support this feature, unfortunately, Apple is still not on board with it, meaning that you won’t be able to stream to a Miracast-capable TV anytime soon.
Via Samsung-to-Samsung mirroring
As the name would suggest, this option is a method of casting from your Samsung tablet to a Samsung TV, taking advantage of the Samsung ecosystem. So if you have a Samsung smart TV and a tablet from the same brand, you can simply swipe down from the notification bar, tap Smart View, and choose your TV from the list that pops up.
You may have to enter a security code, and that’s pretty much it! Some Samsung TVs also allow you to stream from the TV to your tablet by tapping Other device > Phone in the Smart View menu. You can also cast your tablet display to the TV using the SmartThings app.
Connect Samsung Tablet to TV through DeX
And let’s not forget, Samsung’s mighty DeX feature works quite well wirelessly too. We’ve already told you the wired method above, but if you’re on the same WiFi network that your Miracast-compatible smart TV is connected to, you can use DeX mode. To access it, activate Screen Mirroring on your TV, swipe down on your tablet’s notification bar, and choose DeX Mode.
Benefits of Connecting Your Tablet to TV
- You get to view your favorite movies on a larger screen. That itself is reason enough!
- You can blow up your photos and show them to a large group of people by casting them on your TV.
- Gaming is a lot more fun if you connect your tablet to your TV and use that as the main display. We recommend the cable method for reduced latency issues. Which reminds us, have you seen our list of best games for the iPad?
- It can be convenient to use casting for a presentation or sharing data with teammates or clients in a work environment.
- In some cases, you can continue working on your tablet after casting to your TV, letting you multitask.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I play my tablet through my TV?
To play your tablet through your TV, you will need a USB to HDMI cable, or cast directly to it if you have a smart TV. You can also use a device like a Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV stick.
How can I connect my Android tablet to my TV?
You can connect your Android tablet to the TV either by using a USB to HDMI cable or wirelessly if you have a smart TV and both devices are on the same WiFi network. You can also connect using Google Chromecast, Roku, or Fire TV stick.
How can I connect my tablet to my TV wirelessly?
If you have a smart TV, you can try streaming to it from your Android tablet via WiFi. If you’re using an iPad, you will need Apple TV or an AirPlay 2-compatible smart TV. If you have Roku or Chromecast, you can connect your tablet wirelessly regardless of the operating system.
Can I connect my tablet to my TV without HDMI?
If your TV is a relatively new smart TV, you can connect to your TV wirelessly. If your TV has a VGA input and you want to connect your Android tablet, you will need a SlimPort adapter. If using an iPad, get a lightning port to VGA adapter.
Conclusion
If you were wondering how to connect tablet to TV, we hope our article answered all of your questions. Whether you own an Android tablet or an iPad, there is a way to connect your tablet to your TV, using wireless and wired methods. If one of our methods helped you connect tablet to TV, we’d love to hear which one! Hit us up in the comments.
