Introduction
Displaying Airsoft Force Tracking on a TV is a great way to give your whole command team a shared view of the battlefield, perfect for briefing rooms, HQ tents and after-action reviews. With a mouse and keyboard connected to your phone, you can operate AFT comfortably without touching the phone screen.
Getting there isn’t always obvious. Android phones come from many manufacturers, run different Android versions and offer different connection features, and TVs vary just as much. There’s no single method that works for everyone, and most online guides only cover one brand or one scenario.
That’s why we’ve tested the options and put everything into one guide. You’ll find out which method fits your phone and get clear, step-by-step instructions to set it up, without having to figure it out on your own.
Which Method Is Right for You?
There are two ways to get AFT onto a TV:
| Cable Connection | Wireless Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| Works with | Selected phones only | Almost every Android phone |
| Extra equipment | USB-C to HDMI adapter | Google Cast receiver |
| Delay | None | Slight delay |
| Wi-Fi required | No | Yes |
| Picture quality | Excellent | Good |
If your phone supports a cable connection, use it. It’s faster, more reliable and doesn’t need Wi-Fi. If it doesn’t, the wireless method works with almost any phone.
The next section shows you how to check.
Check Your Phone
To connect by cable, your phone’s USB-C port must be able to send a video signal. This feature is called DisplayPort Alt Mode, and it’s available mainly in higher-end phones.
Phones that usually support it:
- Samsung Galaxy S series and Galaxy Z foldables
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S tablets
- Google Pixel 8 and newer
- some other flagship models (e.g. selected Motorola, Sony or ASUS phones)
Phones that usually don’t: most budget and mid-range phones, including most of the Samsung Galaxy A series.
How to check your phone:
- search online for your exact phone model with the phrase „DisplayPort Alt Mode” or „video output”, or
- the simplest way: connect it to a TV with a USB-C to HDMI adapter. If the phone’s screen appears on the TV, cable connection works.
Your phone supports it? Go to Cable Connection.
It doesn’t, or you’re not sure? Go to Wireless Connection.
Cable Connection
What You Need
- a USB-C to HDMI adapter (see Equipment and Practical Tips for recommendations),
- an HDMI cable,
- a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard (or wired ones, see Equipment and Practical Tips).
Step 1: Connect the Phone to the TV
- Plug the adapter into your phone’s USB-C port.
- Connect the adapter to the TV with the HDMI cable.
- On the TV remote, select the right HDMI input (usually the Source or Input button).
Step 2: Choose the Display Mode
What happens next depends on your phone:
- Samsung: Samsung DeX starts automatically, or you’re asked to choose between DeX and Screen mirroring. Choose DeX. If nothing happens, pull down the quick settings panel and tap DeX.
- Google Pixel 8 and newer: a prompt asks whether to use Desktop or Mirror mode. Choose Desktop.
- Other phones: the phone’s screen is mirrored on the TV automatically.
In DeX and Desktop modes, the TV shows a computer-like screen with a taskbar, and apps open in resizable windows. This gives AFT much more space than a mirrored phone screen.
Step 3: Connect a Mouse and Keyboard
- On your phone, open Settings → Connected devices (or Bluetooth).
- Turn on pairing mode on your mouse (see its manual), then select it from the list on your phone.
- Repeat for the keyboard.
A mouse cursor will appear on the TV.
Step 4: Launch AFT
- In DeX or Desktop mode: open Airsoft Force Tracking from the taskbar or app list on the TV screen. Maximize the window for the best view.
- In mirror mode: open AFT on the phone. Turn the phone sideways for a wider view.
Wireless Connection
The wireless method uses Google Cast, a technology built into every Android phone. All you need is a small Google Cast receiver plugged into your TV’s HDMI port.
Recommended Device
We recommend the Google TV Streamer, Google’s current device with Google Cast. It’s widely available, easy to set up and receives regular updates.
If you already have a Chromecast with Google TV (HD or 4K), you don’t need anything new. It works exactly the same way, and it’s the device we used for the screenshots in this guide.
What You Need
- a Google TV Streamer (or Chromecast with Google TV),
- a Wi-Fi network that both the receiver and your phone can connect to,
- the Google Home app on your phone (free on Google Play),
- a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard.
Step 1: Set Up the Receiver (One-Time)
- Plug the receiver into the TV’s HDMI port and connect its power adapter.
- Turn on the TV and select the right HDMI input.
- Follow the setup instructions on the TV screen. When asked, use the Google Home app on your phone to complete the setup and connect the receiver to your Wi-Fi network.
You only need to do this once. After that, the receiver is ready whenever the TV is on.
Step 2: Cast Your Phone Screen
- Make sure your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the receiver.
- Open the Google Home app.
- Tap your receiver in the device list.
- Tap Cast my screen, then confirm with Start now.
Your phone’s screen will appear on the TV.
Shortcut: on many phones, you can also cast directly from the quick settings panel. Swipe down from the top of the screen and look for Cast or Screen cast.
Step 3: Connect a Mouse and Keyboard
- On your phone, open Settings → Connected devices (or Bluetooth).
- Turn on pairing mode on your mouse, then select it from the list on your phone.
- Repeat for the keyboard.
Step 4: Launch AFT
- Open Airsoft Force Tracking on your phone.
- Turn the phone sideways for a wider view on the TV.
Good to know: wireless casting has a slight delay, usually a fraction of a second. It’s fine for monitoring the map and managing markers, but the mouse may feel a bit less responsive than with a cable.
To stop casting, open Google Home, tap your receiver and tap Stop mirroring.
Other Manufacturer Solutions
Some phone and TV manufacturers offer their own screen-sharing features, such as Samsung Smart View and Wireless DeX, Motorola Smart Connect, or the casting features built into Xiaomi, Huawei and Honor phones and many smart TVs. There are also DisplayLink USB adapters, which provide a cable connection for phones without DisplayPort Alt Mode.
If your phone or TV supports one of these, you’re welcome to try it. AFT will work just like any other app. We focus on the two methods above because they work across the widest range of devices, and we haven’t tested these alternatives with AFT.
Equipment and Practical Tips
Choose a Hub Instead of a Simple Adapter
A simple USB-C to HDMI adapter occupies your phone’s only port, so you can’t charge the phone while using it. For longer sessions, use a USB-C hub with:
- an HDMI port for the TV,
- USB ports for a wired mouse and keyboard, or a wireless receiver,
- a USB-C Power Delivery (PD) port for charging the phone.
This way, a single cable connects your phone to everything.
Not every hub works with every phone. If possible, buy from a store with an easy return policy, or check the manufacturer’s compatibility list for your phone model.
Keep the Phone Charged
Displaying on a TV uses more power than normal use. During a long game:
- with a cable connection, charge the phone through a hub with Power Delivery,
- with a wireless connection, keep the phone connected to a charger.
Wi-Fi in the Field
The wireless method needs a Wi-Fi network. At a field HQ without internet, a pocket Wi-Fi router is a reliable solution. The initial receiver setup needs internet access, so do it at home before the event. The cable method needs no network at all.
Improve Readability
- If text on the TV looks too small or too large, adjust Settings → Display → Font size / Display size on your phone. In DeX and Desktop modes, the external display has its own size setting.
- Sit or stand at a comfortable distance. For a group of people, a TV of 50 inches or more works best.
Mouse and Keyboard Tips
- Right-click usually works as Back.
- If the mouse pointer disappears, move the mouse or reconnect it via Bluetooth.
- A combined keyboard and touchpad is a compact option for an HQ setup.
Troubleshooting
Nothing appears on the TV (cable connection)
- Make sure the TV is set to the correct HDMI input.
- Your phone may not support video output over USB-C. See Check Your Phone.
- Try a different adapter or cable. Some cheap adapters don’t work with all phones.
The receiver doesn’t appear in Google Home (wireless connection)
- Make sure your phone and the receiver are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Restart the receiver by unplugging its power for a few seconds.
The image is laggy or freezes (wireless connection)
- Move the Wi-Fi router closer to the receiver, or reduce the number of devices using the network.
- Close other apps on your phone.
The mouse or keyboard doesn’t work
- Check that it’s paired with the phone, not with the TV or the receiver.
- Remove the pairing in the phone’s Bluetooth settings and pair it again.
Summary
Displaying AFT on a TV turns your phone into a shared command screen for the whole team:
- if your phone supports it, the cable connection gives the best experience, especially with Samsung DeX or Pixel Desktop mode,
- if not, a Google TV Streamer or Chromecast with Google TV lets you cast wirelessly from almost any Android phone.
Add a mouse and keyboard, keep the phone charged, and your briefing room is ready.