To view photos on an LG Smart TV, mirror a compatible phone wirelessly, share through the LG ThinQ app, or play files from a USB drive. LG’s support instructions describe displaying photos from another device, not a general way to upload them into the TV’s internal storage. The available menus and compatibility depend on your TV model, webOS version, region, and phone.
Choose the method that fits your phone and photos
| Method | Best suited to | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Android Screen Share | Showing a phone screen wirelessly | An Android phone and LG TV that support screen sharing |
| AirPlay | Showing an iPhone screen wirelessly | An AirPlay-compatible LG TV; both devices on the same Wi-Fi network |
| LG ThinQ app | Sharing photos through LG’s app | The ThinQ app and a TV added as a device |
| USB storage playback | Viewing photos copied into a folder on a drive | A USB storage device and image files supported by the TV |
| Phone connected by USB | Viewing photos directly from a compatible phone | A phone that supports PTP; LG says MTP is not supported for this method |
Menu names and availability vary. Check the manual for your exact TV model for its settings, supported image formats, and connection options.
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Mirror photos from an Android phone
- On the phone, open its screen-sharing feature. Depending on the manufacturer, it may be called Screen Share, Smart View, or something similar.
- Select your LG TV from the available devices.
- Accept the connection prompt on the TV if one appears.
- Open the photo or album on your phone. The TV displays the phone screen, so other visible phone content may appear too.
The exact steps and labels depend on the Android phone and TV. LG describes this as wireless mirroring of the phone’s screen and audio, not copying image files into TV storage. LG phone mirroring guide
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- Connect the iPhone and compatible LG TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Make sure AirPlay is enabled in the TV settings.
- Open Control Center on the iPhone and tap Screen Mirroring.
- Select the LG TV. If the TV displays an AirPlay passcode, enter it on the iPhone.
- Open the photos you want to show.
LG’s webOS guide says AirPlay support starts with 2018 TVs running webOS 4.0. That is a starting point, not a guarantee that every model from that year or every regional version supports it; verify the exact model. LG webOS AirPlay guide
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Share photos with the LG ThinQ app
- Open the LG ThinQ app and select your TV’s device card.
- Tap Share, choose a sharing option, and follow the prompts in the app and on the TV.
- Select the photos or content you want to share when prompted.
LG lists photos among the content that can be shared, but the available choices can depend on the app, phone, TV, and software version. LG ThinQ features guide
Play photos from a USB drive
- Copy the photos into a folder on a USB storage device. If you need a drive, a USB flash drive can serve this purpose; wireless methods do not require one.
- Format the drive as FAT32 or NTFS. LG’s support guidance recommends USB memory of 32 GB or less. It also gives a 2 TB or less recommendation for external hard disks; these are support guidelines, not a guarantee for every TV model.
- Insert the drive into the TV’s USB port.
- Open the USB input or Media Player, select the USB device, and choose Photos or the relevant file type.
- Select a photo or start a slideshow if the TV’s player offers that option.
- Use the TV’s eject command before removing the drive.
Supported extensions and image codecs vary by TV model. If a file does not appear or open, check the manual for that model’s supported formats. LG describes USB playback as access to the drive’s photos and other media on the TV screen—not a copy into TV storage. LG USB photo playback guidance and LG USB compatibility guidance
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Connect a phone by USB only if it supports PTP
LG documents a direct phone-to-TV USB option for phones that support PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol). It does not work with every phone, and LG says MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) is not supported for this method.
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- On the phone, select “Transfer Photos and Videos (PTP)” if that option is available.
- On the TV, open Photos & Videos and select the connected device.
If the phone does not offer PTP, use wireless sharing or copy the photos to USB storage instead. LG phone USB guide
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Troubleshoot connection and playback problems
The iPhone cannot find the TV
- Confirm both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and AirPlay is enabled on the TV.
- Check whether the TV model supports AirPlay.
- LG notes that a router using DFS channels 52–144 can prevent AirPlay device discovery. If the issue persists, consult the router’s settings or documentation.
Wireless mirroring stutters
LG recommends reducing obstacles between devices and staying close to the Wi-Fi router. Wireless performance can also vary with the home network and surrounding conditions. LG wireless connection troubleshooting
The USB drive or photos do not appear
- Check that the drive uses FAT32 or NTFS and is within LG’s stated capacity guidance.
- Confirm that the image extension and codec are supported by the TV; consult the model’s manual.
- Try the TV’s USB input or Media Player and select the drive there.
- Eject the USB device through the TV before disconnecting it.
Check model-specific instructions
LG’s guidance is not identical across TV models, regions, or webOS releases. Find the model number on the TV or in its settings, then use the matching manual to confirm menu paths, AirPlay availability, USB limits, and supported photo formats.
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