Our phones are essentially small supercomputers that make it easy to work on the go. However, some may find it hard to read or be productive on smaller screens and need multiple or larger ones. Need to know how to connect phones to monitors? Read our tips below.
Can you connect a phone to a monitor? Yes, provided you have the correct cable adapter. You can purchase an adapter for HDMI, VGI, and DVA monitor ports on sites like Amazon.
Alternatively, a Chromecast may better suit your needs. No matter what you need from your phone connection, there is sure to be a way to get it working in harmony with a monitor.
Why connect a phone to an external monitor? Some prefer working with larger or multiple screens and find this a more productive setup than just using a phone. If you already have everything set up on your phone, it can be handy when waiting on laptop or PC repairs.
Can I Connect An iPhone To A Monitor?
It is possible to connect an iPhone to an external monitor provided that you have the right cable adapter. iPhones are getting larger with every new iteration, but this may not be large enough for some who need to work or read on one.
It is possible to use wireless or cabled connections to project your phone’s screen on a monitor, making work and play easier on the eyes and posture. If you are looking to connect your iPhone to a monitor, it is possible to purchase an adapter from Apple that works with your phone and the monitor’s ports.
Related: How To Connect A PS4 To A Monitor
How To Connect Phone To Monitor (Different Methods Explained)
Connecting An Android Phone With A Cable Adapter
Here are some tips on how to connect an Android Phone to a VGA, DVI, or HDMI monitor.
Materials:
- 1Do your research when getting an adapter cable and ensure that it has both the right ports and is compatible with both your phone and monitor. Some adapter cables can be used with your phone’s charger to charge it while you use it as a PC.
- 2Once you have everything, insert the HDMI/VGA/DVI end of the adapter into your monitor and the other into the adapter.
- 3Plug the other end of the adapter into the charge port of your phone.
- 4Plug your phone and monitor into power outlets and turn them on.
- 5Switch your monitor’s video source to the correct one if necessary.
Connecting An Android Phone With A Wireless Connection
It is possible to connect your Android phone to your monitor wirelessly by following these steps.
Materials:
- 1Get your wireless dongle and set it up according to the manual’s instructions.
- 2Connect the dongle to your monitor and power it on.
- 3Your dongle will set up a connection, which you can join by finding the network and pin on your monitor according to dongle instructions.
- 4Go to Projection Screen or All Share Cast on your device.
- 5Find the device name and click to join.
Connecting An iPhone With A Cable Adapter
It is possible to use a cable to connect your phone to a monitor using our handy guide below.
Materials:
- 1Plug one end of the adapter into a charge port.
- 2Connect the HDMI/VGA cable to the adapter.
- 3Connect the other end to your monitor.
- 4Power on both the phone and the monitor.
- 5Switch the video source on your monitor if necessary. This can be done using the monitor's buttons or a remote, depending on the model you are using.
Connecting An iPhone With A Wireless Connection
Using screen mirroring is an easy way to project your phone’s screen to an available monitor.
Materials:
- 1Get your wireless dongle and set it up according to the manual’s instructions.
- 2Connect the dongle to your monitor and power it on.
- 3Your dongle will set up a connection, which you can join by finding the network and pin on your monitor according to dongle instructions.
- 4Go to Screen Mirroring in your iPhone’s controller tab.
- 5Search for available devices and select the right one to connect to your dongle’s network.
Troubleshooting - Why Is My Phone Not Detected?
There are a few reasons why your phone is not being detected by your monitor.
Common Phone to Monitor Connection Questions
Can I connect my Samsung phone to a monitor?
Yes, you can with the right equipment. Make sure that the adapter cable you are using has matching ports and is compatible with both your current phone and monitor model.
Can you hook up your smartphone to a keyboard and monitor and use it as a PC?
It is possible to do so by connecting to a Chromecast or using Samsung Dex alongside a Bluetooth-connected keyboard and mouse. Some sites suggest downloading new software to achieve this but do your research to ensure that the links and software are trustworthy.
Conclusion
Overall, it is easy enough to use your phone as a PC once you know how to connect a phone to a computer monitor. As you can see, it is simple if you have the right adapter or wireless dongle on hand. Give our methods above a try for yourself to see if using larger or multiple screens is right for you.
Andrew White is the founder of TechGearoid, a leading technology review & information website that is designed to help consumers make better decisions when it comes to their IT purchases. As a specialist tech writer (nerd) with over 10 years of experience, he enjoys writing about everything there is to do with modern technology & the newest market innovations. When he isn’t providing value for his readers, he’s usually drinking coffee or at the beach. Andrew lives in Sydney, Australia with his wife and family.