How to Stop an Android iPhone from Casting to the TV

Last Updated: March 7, 2025

Experiencing unwanted screen mirroring from your smartphone to your TV? You’re not alone. This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step solutions to stop your Android or iPhone from automatically connecting to your TV, along with troubleshooting tips and preventative measures.

Quick Solutions to Stop Casting Immediately

For Android Users

Swipe down twice for Quick Settings
Find and tap the “Cast” or “Smart View” tile
Select “Disconnect” or tap the active connection

For iPhone Users

Open Control Center (swipe down from top-right)
Tap the Screen Mirroring button (overlapping rectangles)
Select “Stop Mirroring”

Detailed Methods to Stop Android Devices from Casting to TV

Android Solutions

1. Disable Screen Mirroring Through Settings

Open Settings on your Android device

Tap Connected devices or Connections (may vary by device)

Find Screen mirroring, Smart View, or Cast

Toggle off the screen mirroring option

2. Using Quick Access Method

Swipe down from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings

Find and tap the Cast or Screen share option

Select Disconnect or tap the connected device

3. Forget TV from Wi-Fi Settings

Open Settings and go to Wi-Fi

Find your TV in the list of saved networks

Select Forget to remove it from known devices

Detailed Methods to Stop iPhone from Casting to TV

iPhone Solutions

1. Disable AirPlay

Open Control Center (swipe down from top-right on iPhone X or newer, swipe up on older models)

Tap the Screen Mirroring button (two overlapping rectangles)

Select Stop Mirroring to disconnect

2. Prevent Future AirPlay Connections

Go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff

Tap Automatically AirPlay to TVs

Choose Never or Ask

3. Forget Bluetooth Connections

Open Settings > Bluetooth

Under My Devices, find your TV

Tap the (i) icon next to the TV’s name and select Forget This Device

4. Use Screen Time Restrictions (For Parental Control)

Go to Settings > Screen Time

Turn on Screen Time and set a passcode

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps

Toggle off AirPlay or Screen Mirroring

Additional Universal Tips to Prevent Unwanted Casting

Advanced Solutions

Disable Wi-Fi Direct

This feature allows direct connections between devices without a router. Disabling it can prevent automatic connections.

How to: Check your phone’s Wi-Fi advanced settings for Wi-Fi Direct options.

Update Your Device

Ensure your phone’s operating system is up to date, as updates often include fixes for connectivity issues.

How to: Go to Settings > System > Software Update (Android) or Settings > General > Software Update (iOS).

Restart Your Devices

Sometimes, a simple restart of both your phone and TV can resolve persistent connection issues.

How to: Power off both devices completely, wait 30 seconds, then power them back on.

Check TV Settings

Some smart TVs have settings to disable automatic device detection or connection.

How to: Navigate to your TV’s network or connection settings and look for device detection options.

Use Airplane Mode

In a pinch, turning on Airplane Mode will disable all wireless connections, including screen mirroring capabilities.

How to: Swipe down for quick settings and tap the airplane icon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common Questions

Will my phone automatically reconnect to the TV once I disconnect it?

It depends on your settings. If you’ve disabled features like Bluetooth or screen mirroring, your phone shouldn’t reconnect automatically. However, if you’ve enabled Auto Connect on your TV, it may still try to connect to devices in range.

Can I selectively allow certain apps to cast while blocking others?

On iOS devices, you can use Screen Time settings to restrict specific apps from using AirPlay. For Android, this feature may vary depending on your device manufacturer and OS version.

What if I can’t find the screen mirroring option on my Android device?

The exact location and name of the screen mirroring option can vary between Android devices. Try searching for “cast,” “screen share,” or “wireless display” in your settings app.

How can I quickly disable casting when I’m in a hurry?

For both Android and iOS devices, the quickest method is to use the quick settings panel (swipe down from the top of the screen) and tap the casting or AirPlay icon to disable it.

Will turning off Wi-Fi completely solve the issue?

While turning off Wi-Fi will prevent most casting connections, some devices can still connect via Bluetooth. For a complete solution, consider the device-specific steps outlined above.

Conclusion

Key Takeaways

Both Android and iPhone devices offer quick methods to stop casting through their respective quick settings panels.
For a permanent solution on Android, disable screen mirroring in Connected Devices settings or forget the TV from Wi-Fi settings.
On iPhones, stop AirPlay through Control Center and prevent future connections by adjusting AirPlay settings or using Screen Time restrictions.
Universal solutions include disabling Wi-Fi Direct, updating your device, checking TV settings, or using Airplane Mode as a quick fix.
Regular maintenance of your connection settings can prevent unwanted casting experiences in the future.

By following these steps, you can take control of your device’s casting capabilities and prevent those embarrassing moments when your personal content unexpectedly appears on the big screen.

Pro Tip: If you frequently have issues with unwanted casting, consider creating a dedicated “Entertainment Mode” using your phone’s automation features that only enables casting when you specifically want to use it.