Table of contents(13)+
- 01The 30-second test
- 02Method 1: Cast with Android's built-in tool
- 03Method 2: Mirror through the Google Home app
- 04Method 3: Turn on your TV's screen-mirroring receiver
- 05Method 4: Use a third-party app only if you must
- 06Free screen mirroring methods compared
- 07Related guides
- 08Frequently Asked Questions
- 09Do I need to download an app to screen mirror on Android?
- 10What is the best free screen mirroring app for Android?
- 11Why won't my Android phone screen mirror to my TV?
- 12Can you screen mirror Android without Wi-Fi?
- 13Does screen mirroring work on a Hisense TV from Android?
I've mirrored a Pixel 7 and a Galaxy S23 to three Hisense sets. That's a U8 on VIDAA, an A6 on Google TV, and an older R6 Roku TV. Here's the honest part: I almost never install a mirroring app. Android's built-in Cast handles the Google TV and Roku sets in seconds, and the VIDAA set is the only fussy one.
The 30-second test
Before you download anything, run this quick check. Swipe down from the top of your phone to open Quick Settings. Look for a tile called Cast, Smart View, Screen Cast, or Wireless projection.
- Tile is there and your TV shows up? You don't need an app — jump to Method 1.
- Tile is there but no TV appears? Your TV's receiver is off — go to Method 3.
- No tile at all? Your phone may hide it — try the Google Home app in Method 2.
Can't find the physical remote to open your TV's mirroring menu? If it's a Hisense Roku TV, our free browser Roku remote runs right on your Android phone — no app and no account. Type in the TV's IP address and you're navigating the menu in about 30 seconds.
Method 1: Cast with Android's built-in tool
Most Android phones can mirror the whole screen without any download. The feature has a few names depending on your phone.
- Samsung: Quick Settings → Smart View → pick your TV.
- Pixel and stock Android: Quick Settings → Cast → Cast screen → pick your TV.
- Other brands: Settings → Connected devices → Connection preferences → Cast.
Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. This mirrors everything, so notifications show on the TV too. The exact path shifts between Android versions, so poke around Quick Settings if the tile is hidden. For the official steps, see Google's Cast documentation.
Method 2: Mirror through the Google Home app
If the Cast tile is missing or your TV won't appear, the free Google Home app is the backup. It works with any TV that has Chromecast built in — that includes Hisense Google TV models and any TV with a Chromecast dongle.
- Install Google Home from the Play Store and open it.
- Tap your TV in the device list.
- Tap Cast my screen at the bottom, then confirm.
One honest limit: this only works with Chromecast-enabled TVs. It won't mirror to a Roku or an older VIDAA set, since those don't speak the Cast protocol. For Roku, see our guide on how to mirror Android to Roku.
Method 3: Turn on your TV's screen-mirroring receiver
Casting fails when the TV isn't listening. Each Hisense platform turns its receiver on differently.
- Hisense Google TV: Chromecast is on by default — just cast from the phone.
- Hisense Roku TV: Settings → System → Screen mirroring → Screen mirroring mode → set to Prompt or Always allow.
- Hisense VIDAA: open the Anyview Cast app from the home screen, then cast using Smart View or Wireless display (Miracast).
- Fire TV Edition: hold the Home button → Mirroring, or Settings → Display & Sounds → Enable Display Mirroring.
The VIDAA route trips people up. VIDAA uses Miracast, not Google Cast, so a plain Pixel "Cast" may not find it — a Samsung phone with Smart View works best. Full walkthrough: how to screen mirror to a Hisense TV. For manufacturer steps, check Hisense support.
Digging through these menus is rough without the remote. If you also own an iPhone or iPad, HiRemote turns it into a full Hisense remote — handy for opening Anyview Cast on a VIDAA set or switching inputs on any model. It's a free download and pairs over Wi-Fi in about 30 seconds.
Method 4: Use a third-party app only if you must
Reach for a downloaded app only when your TV has no receiver at all — usually an older "dumb" TV. Be honest with yourself first: most free mirroring apps are packed with ads or lock real mirroring behind a paid tier after a short trial.
- If your TV can't cast, a $30 Chromecast or Fire TV Stick is more reliable than any app.
- Plug the dongle into HDMI, then use Method 1 or Method 2 to cast to it.
- Skip any app that asks for account signup or payment just to mirror your screen.
Free screen mirroring methods compared
| Method | Works with | TV must have | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Cast (Quick Settings) | Google TV, Roku, Chromecast, Miracast TVs | Matching receiver | Free | The fastest everyday option |
| Google Home app | Chromecast built-in / Google TV | Chromecast support | Free | When the Cast tile is missing |
| TV receiver (Anyview Cast / Roku mirroring) | Samsung and Miracast Android phones | Miracast support | Free | Older VIDAA sets |
| Third-party app + dongle | Almost any phone | An HDMI dongle | Free tier, often ads | Older TVs with no receiver |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to download an app to screen mirror on Android?
No — most Android phones have screen mirroring built in, so you don't need to download an app. Open Quick Settings and look for Cast, Smart View, or Screen Cast. Tap it and pick your TV. You only need a third-party app if your TV has no built-in receiver and you can't add a casting dongle.
What is the best free screen mirroring app for Android?
The best free option is usually no app at all — Android's built-in Cast tool does the job on most phones. For Samsung phones it's Smart View; for Pixel and others it's Cast in Quick Settings. If you truly need an app, pick one only after your TV's built-in receiver fails, since most third-party apps are ad-heavy.
Why won't my Android phone screen mirror to my TV?
The most common reason is that your phone and TV aren't on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both use the same 2.4GHz or 5GHz band, since some TVs only see one. Next, make sure the TV's screen-mirroring receiver is turned on. If casting still fails, restart both devices and try again.
Can you screen mirror Android without Wi-Fi?
Yes, but only with the right setup. Miracast (Smart View / Wireless display) creates a direct phone-to-TV link that doesn't need a router, and some Android phones support Wi-Fi Direct. Google Cast, though, always needs a shared Wi-Fi network. If your router is down, a wired HDMI adapter is the most reliable fallback.
Does screen mirroring work on a Hisense TV from Android?
Yes. Hisense TVs on Google TV and Roku accept Android casting out of the box — just tap Cast on your phone. VIDAA models are different: they use Miracast, so you need a Samsung phone with Smart View or an Android phone with Wireless display, then open Anyview Cast on the TV. Older VIDAA sets may not support it at all.
