Moto G Phone Guide

Moto G wireless display: the problem and the solution

by 50 Comments

moto-g-wireless-displayWhat is Wireless Display?

As some Android users know that Miracast is officially supported since Jelly Bean 4.2. Most Android phone manufactures usually name this feature as wireless display. Of Course, some vendor give it a different name for marketing purpose, for example, Samsung uses the name of “screen mirroring” for Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3.

Moto G wireless display simply does not work

Moto G come with Jelly Bean 4.3. In last December, Motorola updated the phone to Android KitKat 4.4.2. But you may find out that there is no option to enable Moto G wireless display no matter it is in Jelly Bean 4.3 or KitKat 4.4. There is no way to get wireless display in Moto G.

Of course, if we check the brother of Moto G, you can find out that Moto X fully supports wireless display.

So, missing Moto G wireless display is not an inadvertent mistake; it is done deliberately.

Why Moto G wireless display is disabled?

The question is why Motorola disable this very useful feature.  We haven’t got any official clear answer from Motorola on disabling Moto G wireless display.

The untold truth about Moto G wireless display is that wireless display is enabled in hardware level, but disabled in software level. It is actually due to hardware limitations.

Motorola chose to disable the Moto G wireless display for two reasons:

  1. WiFi connection and Miracast cannot be used simultaneously in Moto G. If the wireless display is enabled (it uses WiFi direct per Miracast standard), the WiFi connection to your router will be shutdown and therefore you have to use mobile data for internet connections.  Some Sony devices (2013) suffer from this issue either. To avoid negative feedback, and inadvertent usage of mobile date (remember that Moto G is targeted at users with moderate mobile data usage), Motorola has  to disable this feature.
  2. Even you manage to enable Moto G wireless display (root is needed, and it is not a simple task. Do NOT ask me how to do this. I do not show things that I do not recommend), the performance is not so good. There is noticeable delay and sound sync seems not good as well. Probably due to hardware issue, or Motorola did not do any optimization, or both  (because it will be anyway disabled).

Alternative solutions for Moto G wireless display

The first solution you may consider is MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) through USB port. Unfortunately, Moto G does NOT support MHL at all. So do not waste money on such gadgets.

To enjoy contents in a large screen from Moto G, the most feasible solution is through Google Chromecast. With the official release of Google Cast SDK, more and more apps, including media players,  will work with Chromecast.

Do you have any other solutions for Moto G wireless display? Please let us know in the comment box below.

You can find more Moto G tutorials on our Moto G how-to guide page.

Comments

  1. I don’t have WiFi with my tv, so I can’t use Chromecast for my Moto G. Is there any way what so ever with wired adapters, or any other alternative that can get my Moto G on my Visio HDTV?

    Reply

  2. I have moto g turbo ediction mobile ..but there is no screen mirroring..options/there is in tool bar a cast is available but..did not show to enable..wireless wi fi ..si what i do..?pls guide me

    Reply

  3. I have just purchase moto g5 plus my 1st moto device.cast option is available on phone ,but it doesn’t display my smart tv name in the cast screen. At the same time tv name shows in my leenovo k5 plus mobile cast option where any cast inbuilt smart feature is there and it will casting my lenovo mobile screen without issue. But no luck for moto g5 plus. Also there is no wireless display check box available which is available on my lenovo k5 plus.
    Can anyone please assist for this?

    Reply

  4. First thanks for the article. But dang CAN NO ONE READ!!! it is explained pretty straightforwardly that you can not mirracast on moto g. you got to use chromecast. I commend Simon for being nice and responding to all the comments but come on people read the article. Sorry for venting but it’s really annoying

    Reply

  6. I Know this is an old thread, but all connect app works like a champ ID you get the app on display and Moto G. But yes mirroring blows for Moto G

    Reply

  7. You must tell me how to connect my Moto G with my Sony Bravia TV. I set up MiraCast and it doesn’t work. Why doesn’t it work? Should I try some other app? Is there one you recommend? Would you please come to my home and set it up for me?

    Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I’m just kidding, btw (hopefully the request for a home visit made that clear, but ya never know). Anyway, I just stumbled across your post and was entertained by the comments (most of which seem to have you confused with their personal tech support guy, or someone with an obligation to make their technology work, rather than a nice guy posting something informative on its own). The least they could do is be somewhat gracious when asking you to solve their problems. But I digress. Just wanted to say I enjoyed your article. Thanks!

    (And I know you probably posted it like a year ago, or more, so you may not even see this, but that’s okay).

    Reply

  8. I have checked wi-fi.org (which certifies devices for using miracast etc), Moto-G2 (XT1068) is there on their list of certified devices. please explain still why we can use screen mirroring.

    Reply

  10. Hi, I am using motog phone and I have recently purchased Sony bravia TV. So problem is I am unable to connect screen mirroring with my phone to TV . pls telle how to connect it.. If not is there apps..

    Reply

  11. i am having moto g 3rd gen and i want to use cast screen as this option comes in display option with my ezcast hdmi stick and when i search in my motog 3rd gen in CAST SCREEN it dont show any avaialble mirroring option while on ezcast app mirroring is on and waiting for pairing.
    please help me regarding this or provide any app through which i can use cast screen option on my moto g 3rd gen mobile.

    Reply

  12. The option of cast screen use to work on my moto g 4g with the factory version of android (4.4.3) and google play services without the necessity of others apps or root.

    Reply

  14. help after install mobile network setting 3g ad signal disappear
    do factory reset and i got a new phone number and data usage say no apps use during this time
    then i cant make a call it said mobile network not available
    pls help

    Reply

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