HDMI Alt mode (or alternate mode) is an ideal solution for quickly mirroring a mobile phone, laptop, or tablet to a TV or monitor. Without the need for an external chip, a single USB - C to HDMI cable can make a TV "smart", enabling plug - and - play functionality. You can easily watch sports events and your favorite movies, and even browse your mobile phone's gallery on a wide screen.
Connection Method and Requirements
The connection process is extremely simple. Just use a USB - C to HDMI cable to connect your mobile phone and TV, and the image will instantly appear on the TV screen. However, if your mobile phone does not support HDMI Alt mode, you won't be able to see any display. Don't worry; a solution will be introduced later.
What is HDMI Alt Mode?
The HDMI alternate mode allows Type - C USB devices (such as tablets, mobile phones, and laptops) to be connected to HDMI - supported TVs, monitors, or projectors. No additional converters or adapters are required, and a single HDMI to USB - C cable will do the trick. It is a cost - effective way to connect to a large screen in just a few minutes, whether for instant entertainment or handling office tasks. It also makes it easy to mirror the screen of a mobile phone or laptop.
However, not all smartphones support the screen - mirroring function. To achieve mobile phone screen mirroring, the device must support MHL or HDMI Alt mode. This is because the USB Type - C port is just a connector, and different protocols such as MHL, DisplayPort, HDMI, and Thunderbolt may use it. Whether to add support for HDMI Alt mode depends on the manufacturer.
How to Determine if Your Phone Supports It
To connect your mobile phone to a TV, the phone needs to have a built - in HDMI Alt mode chip. This chip first converts the signal from the mobile phone's display into an HDMI signal and then sends it to the TV. When connecting, you need a Type - C HDMI cable, and there is no need to use an external adapter or converter that would consume the mobile phone's battery power.
To check if your mobile phone supports the HDMI alternate mode, simply look at the phone's specifications. For example, after searching for the brand and model of my mobile phone on Google, I found that the old Sam-sung Galaxy S9 supports HDMI Alt mode. So, it's worth checking the compatibility of older devices as well.
HDMI Alt mode is compatible with hundreds of devices. Here are some common ones:
Laptops
MacBook (early 2015 and later)
MacBook Pro (2016 - 2021)
MacBook Air (late 2018 and later)
Microsoft Surface Book 2, Surface Go
Google Chromebook Pixel (2015), Pixel Book, Pixel Slate
Dell Latitude 7373/5570/5490/5400 (2019), XPS 13/15
AMD Ryzen 6900hs laptops
Tablets
iMac (mid - 2017 and later models)
iMac Pro (late 2018 and later)
Mac Mini (late 2018 and later)
Apple iPad Pro (2021/2020/2018)
Samsung tablets S7/S8/S9
Mobile Phones
Sam-sung Galaxy S20/S20+, S10e/S10/S10+, Note 9/20, S8/S8+/S9/S9+, S22 Ultra
HTC 10, U11/U11+, U12+
ASUS ZenFone, ROG phone
Powerful Functions of HDMI Alt Mode
According to HDMI.Org, HDMI Alt mode supports the following functions:
Up to 4K resolution (3840x2160), providing a clear visual experience.
Surround sound, offering realistic and immersive audio quality.
Audio Return Channel (ARC), eliminating the need for additional cables.
With Consumer Electronics Control (CEC), you can control devices such as Chromecast and Blu - ray players with a single remote control.
Extreme color depth, making the content you watch as vivid as seeing it with your own eyes.
HDCP 1.4 and 2.2, preventing content theft.
However, it is the manufacturers who decide which functions to add to their products, as the introduction of each component will increase the product price.
Wireless Connection Solutions
If HDMI Alt mode is not available or your mobile phone is not compatible, you can use a third - party device (such as Google Chromecast) to connect your mobile phone to the TV and achieve wireless projection. After setup, you can not only mirror the screen of your laptop and turn it into a more powerful entertainment system but also enjoy web browsing or streaming media on a large screen with just a tap. However, keep in mind that your mobile phone and Chromecast must be connected to the same Wi - Fi network; otherwise, your mobile phone/laptop will not be able to connect to the TV.
HDMI alternate mode is not a new feature, but it has taken longer than expected to be widely adopted in devices. Currently, it is readily available on flagship mobile phones, tablets, and other devices. Google Chromecast has solved some compatibility issues, but its access is limited. For example, you can't take it to a friend's birthday party, and you may not want to spend extra time connecting and setting up Chromecast during an office presentation.
