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10 Tech How-To

How to Connect Samsung Galaxy J7 to TV

Guide 10-21332 · Updated · Step by step

This guide walks you through every way to connect a Samsung Galaxy J7 to a TV, from wired HDMI cables to wireless screen mirroring. You will learn which method works for your TV model, how to set it up in under five minutes, and what to do when the connection fails.

What You’ll Need

  • A Samsung Galaxy J7 (any variant: J7, J7 Prime, J7 2017, J7 2018)
  • A TV with an HDMI port (most modern TVs)
  • One of the following depending on your method:
    • MHL adapter or SlimPort adapter (for wired connection)
    • HDMI cable (if using a docking station)
    • Wi-Fi network (for wireless mirroring)
    • Chromecast, Fire TV Stick, or Roku (for casting apps)
  • The TV remote control

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Wired Connection Using MHL or SlimPort

  1. Check your J7 model. The Galaxy J7 (2016) and J7 Prime support MHL 2.0. The J7 (2017) and J7 (2018) do not support MHL, so skip to Method 2 or 3 if you have those models.
  2. Purchase an MHL-to-HDMI adapter (for J7 2016) or a SlimPort adapter (for J7 Prime) that is compatible with Samsung’s 11-pin port. Most adapters include a micro-USB power cable.
  3. Plug the adapter into the phone’s charging port.
  4. Connect an HDMI cable from the adapter to an available HDMI port on your TV.
  5. Plug the adapter’s power cable into a wall charger. This step is required—without external power, the adapter will not work.
  6. Turn on the TV and switch its input source to the HDMI port you used (usually by pressing the “Source” or “Input” button on the TV remote).
  7. Your phone’s screen should appear on the TV within a few seconds. If not, unplug and replug the HDMI cable.

Method 2: Wireless Screen Mirroring (Smart View)

  1. Make sure your TV supports screen mirroring. Most Samsung Smart TVs (2016 and newer) support it natively. If your TV does not, you can use a Chromecast, Fire TV Stick, or Roku plugged into the TV’s HDMI port.
  2. Connect both the phone and the TV (or streaming device) to the same Wi-Fi network. This is essential—they must be on the same network, not just close together.
  3. On your J7, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel.
  4. Swipe down again to reveal the quick settings toggles.
  5. Look for an icon labeled “Smart View” (it looks like a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner). If you don’t see it, tap the pencil or edit icon to add it to your quick settings.
  6. Tap “Smart View.” The phone will scan for available devices.
  7. Select your TV or streaming device from the list.
  8. If prompted, accept the connection on the TV screen (some TVs ask for a PIN or confirmation).
  9. Wait a few seconds. Your phone’s screen should now be mirrored on the TV.
  10. To stop mirroring, tap “Smart View” again and select “Disconnect.”

Method 3: Casting Apps (YouTube, Netflix, etc.)

  1. Ensure your TV is a Smart TV with built-in casting support, or that a Chromecast/Fire TV Stick/Roku is plugged in and set up.
  2. Connect your J7 to the same Wi-Fi network as the TV or streaming device.
  3. Open a casting-compatible app on your phone, such as YouTube, Netflix, or Hulu.
  4. Start playing a video.
  5. Tap the cast icon (a rectangle with a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner, usually at the top-right of the video player).
  6. Select your TV or streaming device from the list.
  7. The video will play on the TV while your phone remains free for other tasks. This is not screen mirroring—only the app content appears on the TV.
  8. To stop casting, tap the cast icon again and choose “Disconnect.”

Common Mistakes

  • Using the wrong adapter: The J7 (2017) and J7 (2018) do not support MHL. Buying an MHL adapter for these models will not work. Check your exact model number in Settings > About Phone.
  • Not powering the MHL adapter: MHL and SlimPort adapters draw power from an external charger. If you skip this, the screen will flicker or not display at all.
  • Phone and TV on different Wi-Fi networks: If you have a dual-band router with separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, both devices must be on the same one.
  • Using an incompatible HDMI port: Some TVs have HDMI ports that are not ARC-enabled, but for mirroring this doesn’t matter. However, if you plugged into a port labeled “MHL” on an older TV, that port may be for a different device.
  • Forgetting to switch the TV input: Always press the “Source” or “Input” button on the TV remote to select the correct HDMI port.

Tips

  • For the most stable wired connection, use a short, high-quality HDMI cable (under 6 feet). Longer cables can lose signal strength.
  • If wireless mirroring is laggy, move your Wi-Fi router closer to the TV or reduce interference from other devices.
  • On the J7, go to Settings > Connections > More Connection Settings > MirrorLink to check if your phone supports MirrorLink (a different wired standard). Few TVs support it, but it’s worth checking.
  • When casting apps, your phone’s screen can be turned off without interrupting playback, saving battery.
  • If you mirror your phone to the TV and then rotate the phone, the TV picture will rotate too. For a landscape video, rotate your phone to landscape before starting mirroring.
  • Keep your phone plugged into a charger during long mirroring sessions—screen mirroring drains the battery quickly.

Troubleshooting

No picture at all with the wired adapter: First, verify your J7 model supports MHL or SlimPort. If it does, ensure the adapter is firmly seated and the power cable is plugged into a working wall charger. Try a different HDMI port on the TV. If the phone shows a notification about “HDMI connection,” the adapter is recognized; if not, the adapter is likely faulty or incompatible.

Smart View can’t find the TV: Confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart the TV’s network connection by turning the TV off and on. On the phone, turn Wi-Fi off and on, then try again. If your TV has a “Screen Mirroring” or “Wi-Fi Direct” setting, make sure it’s enabled. For Samsung Smart TVs, go to Settings > General > Network > Expert Settings and check that “Screen Mirroring” is on.

Connection drops after a few seconds: This is usually a Wi-Fi signal strength issue. Move the router closer, or use a wired connection instead. Also, close any apps running in the background on the phone that might be using heavy data.

Video plays but no sound: On the TV, check the volume isn’t muted. On the phone, make sure media volume is up (press the volume button while a video is playing). If using an MHL adapter, try a different HDMI port—some ports on older TVs don’t carry audio.

Picture is blurry or pixelated: This happens with wireless mirroring when the Wi-Fi is slow. Reduce the distance between router and TV, or switch to a 5GHz band if available. For wired connections, check that the adapter supports 1080p output (most do).

Phone charges but no video output: If the phone is charging through the MHL adapter but the TV shows nothing, the adapter may be a “charging only” cable rather than a true MHL adapter. These look similar but lack the video conversion chip. Purchase a certified MHL adapter from a reputable brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect my Galaxy J7 to a TV without Wi-Fi? Yes. Use the wired MHL or SlimPort adapter method. It requires no network connection at all.

Does the Galaxy J7 support HDMI output? Only the J7 (2016) and J7 Prime support wired HDMI output via MHL or SlimPort adapters. The J7 (2017) and J7 (2018) do not have this capability and require wireless mirroring or casting.

Why is there a delay between my phone and the TV? Wireless mirroring always has a slight delay (0.5–2 seconds) because the video is compressed and streamed over Wi-Fi. Wired connections have virtually no delay. For gaming or video calls, use a wired connection.

Can I use a USB-C to HDMI cable? No. The Galaxy J7 uses a micro-USB port, not USB-C. A USB-C to HDMI cable will not fit. You need an MHL or SlimPort adapter that matches the phone’s micro-USB port.

Will screen mirroring work with a non-Samsung TV? Yes, if the TV supports Miracast or Wi-Fi Direct screen mirroring. Most smart TVs from LG, Sony, Vizio, and others support this. If not, plug in a Chromecast or Fire TV Stick to add the capability.

Does casting apps use less battery than mirroring? Yes. Casting sends a link to the TV, and the TV streams the video directly from the internet. Mirroring sends the phone’s entire screen, which uses more processing power and battery. For long viewing sessions, prefer casting.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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