Android tablet to HDMI

How to get your tablet or smart phone display graphics to show on your AV system?
Year ago there were HDMI outputs built into several tablets, but nowadays you very rarely see HDMI port in tablet.

✔️ 1. Direct HDMI or micro-HDMI port

Some Android tablets have a micro-HDMI or even a full-size HDMI port.
→ You only need the correct cable (micro-HDMI → HDMI).

If your tablet has micro-HDMI, this is the easiest and most reliable option.

—

✔️ 2. USB-C → HDMI (DisplayPort Alt Mode)

Newer Android tablets may support DisplayPort Alt Mode, which allows video output from the USB-C port to HDMI.

You need either:

a USB-C → HDMI adapter, or

a USB-C docking station with HDMI

HOWEVER, not all USB-C ports support video output.
Support depends on the device.

—

✔️ 3. MHL / Slimport (older tablets)

Older Android tablets with micro-USB sometimes used:

MHL adapters (Mobile High-Definition Link)

Slimport adapters (less common)

These only work if the tablet specifically supports MHL/Slimport.

—

❌ 4. USB-A → HDMI cables do NOT work

Cheap USB → HDMI cables do not work unless the tablet’s USB port supports video output via Alt Mode.
They cannot “convert” the signal by themselves.

—

✔️ 5. Wireless alternatives (if HDMI is not possible)

If your tablet cannot output video at all:

Chromecast → TV: screen mirroring via the Google Home app

Miracast / Smart View (device dependent)

Not as low-latency as HDMI, but fine for movies and presentations.

—

Bonus backup:
Have a video camera that you can connect to your AV system. If everything else fails, install your camera to a suitable camera holder pointing to your tablet or smartphone screen, and show the video you get with the camera. This has worked as good backup option to be able to show the screen of devices where you can’t get video output using other methods.