Connecting a Huawei P20 Pro to an HDMI Display over USB-C

Before you start

A reliable HDMI connection from a Huawei P20 Pro depends on getting one compatibility detail right: the phone's USB-C port does not support standard USB-C alternate mode video output. This means a simple USB-C to HDMI cable or ordinary USB-C hub with HDMI will usually not produce a picture. Instead, the P20 Pro is designed to work with adapters that use DisplayLink technology, which requires an additional driver or companion app to process the video signal through USB.

Before buying or connecting anything, check whether your adapter is specifically listed as DisplayLink-compatible and whether the manufacturer provides an app for Huawei or Android devices. You also need an HDMI cable and a display with an available HDMI input. The phone must be charged or connected to a suitable power source if the adapter requires external power, because video output through DisplayLink can increase battery use.

Step-by-step instructions

Follow these steps in order. The process can be reversed at any time by disconnecting the adapter and closing the companion app.

Check adapter compatibility

Confirm that the adapter or dock is DisplayLink-compatible and supports Android. A standard USB-C HDMI adapter, MHL adapter, or passive USB-C to HDMI cable is not enough for the P20 Pro. If the product listing does not mention DisplayLink or an Android driver app, assume it will not work.

Install the required app

Many DisplayLink adapters require the DisplayLink Presenter app or a manufacturer-specific app from the official app store. Install it before connecting the adapter, then open the app once to make sure it has the permissions it requests. On some adapters, the app is needed only for the initial setup; on others, it must remain active during the connection.

Connect the adapter to the display

Connect one end of an HDMI cable to the adapter and the other end to an HDMI input on the TV or monitor. Select that HDMI input using the display's source or input control.

Connect the adapter to the phone

Plug the adapter into the P20 Pro's USB-C port. If the phone shows a permission prompt about the connected device, allow it according to the adapter app's instructions. Open the companion app and follow any on-screen setup prompt to start the display output.

Adjust the display mode

Depending on the app and adapter, the phone screen may be mirrored or extended. Use the companion app's controls to choose between screen mirroring and a desktop-style view if available. Set the display resolution or orientation only if the app offers those options; unsupported settings can cause a blank screen.

Check the output

A successful connection shows the phone's current screen or home screen on the display. Move between apps or open the camera and confirm that the image changes on the external display as it does on the phone.

Video output from a DisplayLink adapter is not a native HDMI signal and may have lower frame rates or slight delay compared with direct video output. This can be noticeable during fast-moving video, games, or live camera preview. For photos, presentations, documents, and other mostly static content, the result is usually acceptable.

Common problems and next steps

The display stays black

First confirm that the display is set to the correct HDMI input. Then check that the adapter is DisplayLink-compatible and that the companion app is installed and open. Disconnect and reconnect the adapter after the app is running. A black screen with a standard USB-C to HDMI adapter is expected behavior on this phone, not a cable fault.

The connection drops or the image freezes

Connect a charger to any available power input on the adapter if it has one. Close other demanding apps and turn off battery-saving features while using video output. If the companion app was removed from the recent-apps list or put to sleep by the system, return to the app and restart the connection.

There is no sound on the display

Check the display's volume and mute settings, and confirm that it is not set to a different audio input. Some DisplayLink setups do not route audio over HDMI automatically; in that case, use the phone speaker or connect Bluetooth audio separately.

The image does not fill the screen

Use the display's aspect-ratio or picture-size control to match the external image. Avoid overriding the phone's output format unless the app exposes a supported setting. If a supported resolution option is available, try a lower one before changing the display mode.

If the adapter remains unresponsive after these checks, test it with the same companion app on another supported phone or tablet if one is available. Also check the manufacturer's support information for Android compatibility notes or updated app requirements.