How to Connect a Phone to a Projector? (Wired and Wireless）

Introduction

You can easily share a video, slideshow, or app on a whiteboard by connecting it to a projector. It’s a great way to share your screen with a group during hrbrid meetings. You can do that with a cable or go wireless, and both options will work just fine.

We’ll tell you about each method step-by-step. We’ll also help you pick the right tools and avoid problems. 

At the end, we’ll also talk about our favorite choice for this- the StarryHub, which is a device that makes wireless connections easier to solve the screen mirroring not working.

Table of Contents

1. Why Should You Connect a Smartphone to a Projector?

A phone is good for one person. A projector is better for more than one. When you use a projector with your phone, people can sit back and still see the screen. You can show a movie. You can flip through pictures. You can open slides for a meeting. You don’t need extra gear. You just need your phone and a way to link it to the projector.

2. Key Factors to Consider for a Smooth Projection Experience

To make your phone and projector work smoothly, you need to check off some things first. If you skip these, the screen might not even show up, or the sound might not play right.

2.1 Compatibility for Both Phone and Projector

Start by looking at the ports on both devices. A port is the part where you plug in a cable.

• Most new Android phones use USB-C. Older ones use Micro-USB.

• iPhones before iPhone 15 use a Lightning port. iPhone 15 uses USB-C.

• Most projectors use HDMI ports. Some use VGA or USB-C.

You need a port on your phone that can send video out. You need a port on the projector that can take video in. If they don’t match, you will need an adapter between them.

2.2 Cable and Adapter Requirements

The cable or adapter you use has to match both devices. If you get the wrong one, the video won’t come through. Here are the most common setups:

For Android phones:

• Go with a USB-C to HDMI adapter if the projector has an HDMI port.

• Try a USB-C to VGA adapter for projectors that only support VGA.

• If your phone has a Micro-USB port and supports MHL, you can connect it using an MHL-to-HDMI adapter.

• Pick a Slimport to VGA adapter for some older Android models.

• Connect with a USB-C to USB-C cable if both your phone and the projector support video output over USB-C.
  

For iPhones:

• Stick with a Lightning to HDMI adapter for most models before the iPhone 15.

• Use a Lightning to VGA adapter if VGA is the only input on the projector.

• Choose a USB-C to HDMI or VGA adapter if you're using an iPhone 15 or newer.

• Go for a Lightning to USB camera adapter if the projector can accept video through USB-C.

Also, make sure the cable is strong and made for video. 

Look for USB-IF Certified labels. Some trusted brands are Belkin and Anker. Direct USB-C to HDMI cables cost around $10–$50. Adapter and cable setups cost more, around $30–$80.

2.3 Resolution and Audio Quality

HDMI carries both video and sound. VGA carries video only. 

Since VGA doesn’t handle audio, you’ll need to plug your phone into some speakers. You could go wireless with a Bluetooth speaker or just use a regular aux cable.

Most projectors have different display settings. Use Movie Mode or Cinema Mode. These give better color and contrast. Avoid Vivid Mode or Dynamic Mode. 

They often make things look too bright or fake.

2.4 Power Supply

Charging might stop when you hook up your phone with a regular cable. Want it to last longer? Use an adapter that also charges it.

Or use a wireless method so you don’t lose power while sharing the screen.

Figure1-how to connect a phone to a projector

3. How to Connect Your Phone to a Projector Using a Wired Cable？

Using a cable is simple and stable. The picture looks clear, and there is no delay. If the room has a good setup, a wired connection is a good choice.

Method 1: HDMI Cable

Most projectors have HDMI ports. If your phone supports video output, this method usually works without extra setup.

Steps:

1. Look at your phone’s port

2. Pick the right adapter or cable

3. Plug the adapter into your phone

4. Connect the HDMI cable to both the adapter and the projector.

5. Change the projector to the HDMI input

6. On your phone, turn on screen sharing through: 

• Android: Settings > Display > Cast

• iPhone: Control Center > Screen Mirroring
  
  

Method 2: Via the USB Type-C connection

This method is for phones with USB-C ports that support video output.

Steps:

1. Make sure your phone can send video through USB-C

2. Get a USB-C to HDMI adapter

3. Plug the adapter into the phone

4. Plug the HDMI cable into the projector

5. Change the projector’s input to HDMI

6. Start casting your screen on your phone

Method 3: Chromecast

If your projector has an HDMI port, this is a good option. It works best on Android, but is still fairly flexible. 

To do that:

• Plug a Google Chromecast into the projector’s HDMI port.

• Connect your phone and Chromecast to the same Wi-Fi.

• Set it up with the Google Home app.

• Either mirror your screen from the app or cast directly from apps like YouTube, Netflix, or Spotify.

On Android, the “Cast Screen” option in the Google Home app can mirror everything on your phone, even games or presentations. And with iPhones, Chromecast works better for app streaming than full-screen mirroring.

4. How to Connect Your Phone to a Projector Wirelessly?

Forget the wires. You can now connect your phone to most projectors without plugging anything in. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Chromecast, and screen mirror apps are the top choices.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

Bluetooth is mainly good for playing audio, like music or video sound, through the projector’s speaker. But for video, you’ll want to connect over Wi-Fi.

How to do it:

• Turn on both your phone and the projector Wi-Fi.

• Ensure that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.

• Find the screen sharing option (Cast, Smart View, or Screen Mirroring, depending on your phone model).

• Select your projector from the list and connect.

If your projector supports Wi-Fi casting, this method will work reliably. But if it doesn't, you can use a workaround like a Chromecast.

Video Streaming/Screen Mirroring Apps

There are a bunch of apps out there that promise to mirror your screen wirelessly. Some are actually good, others are a buggy mess. Use this route if your projector doesn’t support built-in casting and you don’t have a Chromecast handy.

Popular options include:

• AirPlay (iOS only, works well if your projector supports it)

• Miracast (common on many Android phones and Windows devices)

• Third-party apps like AirScreen, ApowerMirror, and LetsView

What to do:

• Make sure your phone and projector are connected to the same Wi-Fi.

• Install the required app on both devices, if needed.

• Open the app and follow the steps to connect and start mirroring.

Some apps let you control things like resolution or screen orientation. 

But there’s a downside to this- performance will suffer if your Wi-Fi speed is low or if your app is bugged. While these apps are usable, they're sometimes slower and less stable than built-in options or Chromecast. Use them as a last resort, especially if you do important work through screen sharing.

5. StarryHub: Easy Wireless Connection for Android and iOS

StarryHub is a projector with extra features. Through its help, you can share your screen without using a cable. You can connect up to four devices at once. It works with Android phones, iPhones, computers, and tablets.

CZUR Sharing App(Android and iOS)

You can download the CZUR app and connect your phone and StarryHub to the same Wi-Fi. Open the app, log in, and choose the screencasting option to connect to StarryHub. To stop sharing, tap "Disconnect" or close the app.

AirPlay ( iOS)

If you have an iPhone, open the Control Center. Tap Screen Mirroring, then choose StarryHub. Your screen will show up on the projector.

ClickDrop（Android and iOS）

ClickDrop is a small device that works with StarryHub.  Both Android and iPhone users can send their screens wirelessly.

Miracast （Windows and Android devices)

StarryHub also supports the Miracast wireless casting protocol, compatible with Miracast-enabled Windows PCs and Android devices. Simply ensure that both your device and StarryHub are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Windows users can press the shortcut Win+K, then select the StarryHub device to start screen casting.

DLNA(Windows and macOS）

StarryHub also supports DLNA. You can cast your laptop screen via the shortcut “Windows+K”. But this way is not stable like CZUR sharing or ClickDrop. 

For more details, check this Video Guide: 

6. Why StarryHub Works Well?

There are plenty of reasons for us to suggest the CZUR StarryHub. Here’s a quick list of our favorite things about it:

• It shows video in 1080p (Full HD) with up to 2400 ANSI lumens brightness and auto picture adjustments.

• It has good speakers and six microphones that remove background noise and echo.

• It connects with HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, and dual-band Wi-Fi.

• It can take screen input from four devices at the same time via Miracast, Chromecast, AirPlay, or DLNA.

• It works with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux.

Get CZUR StarryHub Now!

Figure2-why StarryHub works well

Conclusion

If the projector works with casting standards like AirPlay, Miracast, or Google Cast, you can connect easily without problems. Although some projectors will ask for a PIN when pairing, but don’t worry, that’s normal.

So, to sum everything up, cables give clear video and steady sound. Wireless setups let you move more and keep your phone unplugged. Make sure you use the right cable or app.  If you want an easier wireless method, try StarryHub. It works with many phones and does not need extra setup.