Currently, most TV users are switching to streaming as their primary platform of entertainment. Because of this, manufacturers have now, more than ever, given more emphasis to manufacturing faster devices to help their users’ stream content.
One of the best options for streaming is the Amazon Firestick. This device will give you a wide range of channels to watch, and it won’t buffer if you have a stable Wi-Fi connection. But what is it capable of? Let us look deeper into this:
Can You Cast To Firestick?
Yes, you can cast video or images from other devices such as laptops, Smartphones, and other compatible devices onto your Amazon TV stick to enjoy the high-quality image.
The process is similar for all android devices, but it could have a different name depending on the brand you use. Laptop and tablet setup also depends on the Operating System that runs on your device.
How To Cast Your Android To Firestick
The Amazon Firestick TV is one of the best platforms for watching since it will give you a better picture on a larger scale.
The procedure is simple for android devices, and it is the same across brands. Let us break them down and see the details;
Before doing anything else, you have to ensure that your Firestick and android devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This setting will give the two devices a platform for them to communicate.
On your Firestick, scroll over to Settings, then go to network. Here, check and see which network your Firestick is connected to so you can match it with that of your phone. After this is done, go back to your home screen to continue with the setup.
While at the home screen, hold down the home button on your Firestick TV remote for about 4 seconds until a new page pops up. In the list of options, scroll sideways to the option for mirroring and select it.
In the next Window, your TV will say, Display Mirroring, and underneath the icons will be the name of your TV.
This is the name you will be looking for on your device; you have to leave the screen open on the TV to connect to another device.
Go to your android device, drag the settings at the top of your screen, click the settings icon, or go to the settings app.
Open the settings for Wi-Fi and internet to confirm the phone is connected to the same network as your TV.
Go back to the settings’ landing page and select the option for Bluetooth and other connections. Halfway down the list, you should see the option for casting. Selecting this option will have your phone search for all the networks you can cast to.
On a Samsung phone, all you need to do is swipe down and scroll along with the settings on the top screen until you see the smart view option.
Click on smart view, and you will see all the devices you can connect with to select your device from the list.
In the list, look for the name of your Firestick TV and click on it. The connection will get established between 5 and 10 seconds, and once it is done, you should see exactly what is showing on your phone on your TV screen.
If you want to watch a video or do anything else on your phone, you will be able to see it on your TV.
The biggest issue most people face here is caused by connecting the devices, especially the phone, to the wrong network or using mobile data.
The Wi-Fi network is the point of contact for your devices, so they will not connect if they don’t share a Wi-Fi network.
How To Cast Through Apps
You could be watching on your phone; then, you spontaneously decide to switch to the TV. Some apps allow you to cast to the Firestick and watch the videos, and the connection will automatically break once you close the app.
This will be convenient since you probably want the content of these apps on a big screen and not your data.
You can cast the view on your phone onto your Firestick on applications like YouTube and Netflix to enjoy videos.
On YouTube, all you need to do is click on the cart icon at the top of the screen. Once you do this, a window will pop up showing you all the devices that have an open link.
Netflix also has an option for casting, and when you click on it, it will show you the devices you can cast to.
You always have to ensure that the two devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network; otherwise, the app will not connect.
You need to know that not all phones have a screencasting option. In such a case, you would have to buy Google Chromecast or consider using another phone with higher performance and better specs.
What To Do When Having Trouble Mirroring The Devices
You could have done everything right, but the TV and phone don’t get connected. It would help if you kept in mind that devices malfunction at times, and could be frustrating. This is what you need to do to make your TV and device connect.
You need to check the Wi-Fi network. Ensure the router is working correctly and that both devices are connected to the same router and stable.
Instability might cause the devices to miss each other since they will be connecting and disconnecting.
Disconnect the two devices, reconnect them to the Wi-Fi network, and see if the issue is resolved.
If it does not work, try rebooting the phone and unplugging the TV for a few minutes to get the network settings right.
If the problem persists, it could be a software issue, so you need to update the phone and TV software. It could be that one device has outdated software that can’t connect to the other device.
Having the latest software on each device will ensure compatibility and increase the chances of connecting the devices.
If the wireless connection is still not responding, you could go old-school and connect the TV and phone using a USB-C connector.
You can use a USB-HDMI adapter to connect the devices directly, but this will limit how much you can move your phone.
Some new generation TVs and Phones can allow you to mirror without a Network or an internet connection on both devices. This would be an excellent choice to save on data usage and make the links easier on you.
Firestick TV 4K Review
The Firestick TV 4K is essentially the same as the Firestick TV, but it is almost double their latest product.
Before you go out and buy this product, you need to weigh on all its merits to see whether it is worth the money, so let’s get into it:
This stick is convenient for you because you can plug it directly into your TV, unlike other streaming options that need a cable to connect to the TV. It will allow you to stream almost unlimited content.
You can enjoy viewing options such as Amazon, Netflix, Apple TV Plus, Disney, and all the channels you would get from cable TV.
This device also offers you high definition 4K video, so you have the best experience possible watching.
You will only enjoy these services if your internet connection is fast enough to stream 4K and you have a 4K screen.
You will enjoy a video of up to 60 fps, giving you an unmatched watching experience with vivid images.
This device also comes with Alexa to make your operation easier since you can give the AI vocal commands.
The voice activation is simple, and it will be easy to enjoy the hands-free experience since Alexa can be a guide for you as you look for movies.
The only problem you might have with the stick is that it’s a bit fat. This feature was meant to make it easier to plug in, but it might compromise the other HDMI ports if they are close to each other.
The remote is also a significant advantage for this stick. The remote will allow you to control any compatible TV, soundbar, and receiver alongside the Firestick TV. The remote has all the controls you need, including a mic button to activate Alexa.
Conclusion
You can cast most mobile devices on your Firestick TV and enjoy the content on a higher quality screen. The basic concept for all the devices is to share a network they connect to since they use Wi-Fi.
If you have issues connecting the two devices, they could be on different Wi-Fi networks or are incompatible. To ensure compatibility, you should make sure both devices are running on the latest updates.
