How do I cast a local MP4 file from my phone to my TV?

Install CastBrowser on your phone, open its local files section, and pick the MP4 you want to watch. Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi, tap cast, and select your TV — Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, or any DLNA Smart TV. CastBrowser streams the file directly from your phone to the TV's native player, so it plays at full quality without uploading the file anywhere or setting up a media server. MP4 with H.264 video plays natively on almost every TV.

Can I cast MKV files to a TV?

It depends on the target device's codec support. CastBrowser streams the MKV file directly to the TV's own player — it does not re-encode the video. Most DLNA Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony) play MKV with H.264 or H.265 natively, so they work well. Chromecast and some streaming sticks support a narrower set of codecs, so an MKV that uses an unsupported codec may play with no video or no audio. If a particular MKV won't play on a limited device, cast it to a DLNA Smart TV instead, or use an MP4 (H.264) copy.

Do I need a DLNA media server to cast local files?

No. Traditional local-file casting required running a DLNA media server (like Plex or a NAS) on a computer that stays on. CastBrowser turns your phone itself into the source — it serves the selected file directly to the TV over your Wi-Fi, so there is no separate server, no cloud upload, and nothing to keep running on a PC. When you stop casting, the file is no longer shared.

Can I cast photos and audio files from my phone to my TV?

Yes. CastBrowser's local files section supports videos, images, and audio. You can select common photo formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP, and HEIC or HEIF, or audio formats such as MP3, M4A, AAC, WAV, OGG, and FLAC. CastBrowser serves the selected file from your phone to the receiver; final playback or display compatibility depends on the TV or streaming device.

Cast Local Video, Photos & Audio Files to TV (2026)

Quick answer

Install CastBrowser, open its local files section, and choose a video, image, or audio file stored on your phone. Connect the phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi, tap cast, and choose your TV. CastBrowser serves the file directly from your phone — no media server, cables, or upload. Final playback and display support depends on the receiving TV or streaming device.

Cast videos, photos & audio from your phone to a compatible TV — free.

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Cast a local file in four steps

Install CastBrowser on your iPhone or Android phone — free, no account.
Open the local files section and select the video, photo, or audio file you want to cast.
Make sure your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi, then tap the cast icon.
Pick your TV — Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, or a DLNA Smart TV — and playback starts.

Which local media types and formats work

CastBrowser supports the three main media categories in your phone's library — videos, images, and audio — and makes them easy to browse and cast from one place.

Videos: common formats include MP4, M4V, MKV, WebM, AVI, MOV, 3GP, and FLV. MP4 with H.264 is the most broadly compatible option.
Images and photos: common formats include JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP, HEIC, and HEIF. On iPhone, CastBrowser can prepare a JPEG copy of HEIC or HEIF photos before casting.
Audio and music: common formats include MP3, M4A, AAC, WAV, OGG, and FLAC.

CastBrowser serves local media without re-encoding it, so the receiver must support the selected format and codecs. If a file does not play on one device, try a more widely supported format or a DLNA Smart TV with broader native media support.

For video casting sessions with subtitles, CastBrowser can detect available subtitle tracks automatically and lets you use your own subtitle file when the casting path and receiver support it. Subtitle behavior can still vary by TV or streaming device, so test the subtitle track before relying on it for a long movie.

No DLNA server, no cloud upload

The old way to play a downloaded video, music file, or photo on the TV was to run a DLNA media server such as Plex on a computer that had to stay powered on. CastBrowser removes that step: your phone serves the selected media directly to the TV over your home Wi-Fi. Nothing is uploaded to the cloud, nothing keeps running on a PC, and the file stops being shared the moment you stop casting. For the difference between this and a full media-sharing standard, see what is DLNA.

Put Your Local Media on the Big Screen

Download CastBrowser free and cast videos, photos, and audio from your phone to a compatible TV — no cables or server.

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How to Cast Local Media Files to TV

Quick answer

Cast a local file in four steps

Which local media types and formats work

No DLNA server, no cloud upload

Put Your Local Media on the Big Screen

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