The fastest way: AirPlay from Control Center

Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad by swiping down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older models). Tap Screen Mirroring or AirPlay and HomeKit, depending on your iOS version. Your Apple TV will appear in the list if it is on the same Wi-Fi network. Tap your Apple TV's name, and your phone's screen will mirror to the television within seconds.

If you do not see your Apple TV in the list, make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. If the problem persists, restart your phone as well.

You can also use AirPlay to send individual apps — music, photos, or video — without mirroring your entire screen. Open the app, look for the AirPlay icon (a triangle with a circle at the bottom), tap it, and select your Apple TV.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPlay through Control Center is the standard method and works when ready when both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Screen mirroring sends everything on your phone to your TV, while individual app AirPlay lets you send only music, photos, or video.
  • If your Apple TV does not appear in the AirPlay list, restart both devices and confirm they are on the same network.
  • Older Apple TV models (3rd generation and earlier) may require you to enter a code that appears on your television to complete the connection.
  • Some apps like Netflix and YouTube have their own AirPlay buttons built in, which is faster than mirroring your whole screen.

What to do if your Apple TV does not show up

The most common reason your Apple TV does not appear in the AirPlay menu is that it is on a different Wi-Fi network than your phone. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and make sure you are connected to the same network your Apple TV uses. If your home has a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, try switching to the other one.

If both devices are definitely on the same network, restart your Apple TV. Unplug it from power, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. While it boots up, restart your phone by holding the power button and swiping to power off, then turning it back on.

If you still do not see it, check that AirPlay is turned on in your Apple TV settings. On your TV remote, go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit, and make sure AirPlay is set to On. If it is set to Off, toggle it back on.

Connecting on older Apple TV models

If you have an Apple TV 3rd generation or earlier, the connection process is slightly different. When you select your Apple TV from the AirPlay menu, a four-digit code will appear on your television. You do not need to enter this code on your phone — it appears automatically to confirm the connection is find. Just wait for the code to appear and your screen will begin mirroring.

These older models may also take longer to appear in the AirPlay list. If your Apple TV 3 does not show up when ready, wait 15 to 20 seconds and try again. If it still does not appear, make sure your Apple TV is running the latest software by going to Settings > General > About and checking for updates.

Using AirPlay for specific apps instead of your whole screen

You do not always need to mirror your entire phone screen. Many apps have a built-in AirPlay button that sends only that app's content to your TV. Open the app — Music, Podcasts, Photos, or a video app — and look for the AirPlay icon, which looks like a triangle with a filled circle at the bottom. Tap it and select your Apple TV.

This method is faster and uses less battery than screen mirroring because your phone is only sending the app's content, not rendering your entire screen. It also means you can use your phone for other things while the app plays on your TV — you can check email, browse the web, or answer texts without interrupting playback.

Some streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and Hulu have their own AirPlay buttons built directly into the player. Look for the icon in the bottom-right or top-right corner of the video player, tap it, and choose your Apple TV.

Troubleshooting connection drops and lag

If your AirPlay connection keeps dropping, move your phone closer to your Apple TV and router. AirPlay works over Wi-Fi, and distance or obstacles like walls can weaken the signal. If you are far from your router, try moving to a room closer to it and see if the connection stabilizes.

Lag or stuttering during screen mirroring usually means your Wi-Fi network is congested. If other devices are downloading large files or streaming video, pause those activities. You can also try restarting your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.

If the problem only happens with one app, try closing and reopening that app. If it happens across all apps, restart both your phone and Apple TV. Hold the power button on your phone to shut it down completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. For your Apple TV, unplug it, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in.

Controlling playback while using AirPlay

When you are mirroring your phone screen, you control everything from your phone as usual. When you are using app-specific AirPlay — sending music or video without mirroring — you can control playback from your phone, your Apple TV remote, or the Control Center on your phone.

If you are playing music through AirPlay, you can adjust the volume using your Apple TV remote or your phone's volume buttons. For video, use your phone to pause, play, or skip, or use your Apple TV remote if you have one. The playback controls appear on your phone's lock screen, so you can control the content without unlocking your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect my Android phone to Apple TV?

No. AirPlay is an Apple-only technology and does not work with Android phones. If you have an Android device, you can use Chromecast or other casting methods if your Apple TV supports them, but standard AirPlay is not available. Check your specific Apple TV model's documentation for alternative casting options.

Do I need to be on Wi-Fi to use AirPlay?

Yes. Both your phone and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for AirPlay to work. You cannot use AirPlay over Bluetooth or a cellular connection. Make sure your Wi-Fi is turned on and both devices are connected to the same network name.

Why is my screen mirroring so slow?

Screen mirroring sends a lot of data over Wi-Fi, so a weak signal or congested network will cause lag. Move closer to your router, reduce the number of devices using your Wi-Fi, or restart your router. If you are just trying to watch video or listen to music, use app-specific AirPlay instead of screen mirroring — it uses less bandwidth and will be faster.

Can I use AirPlay while my phone is locked?

Yes. Once AirPlay is connected, you can lock your phone and the content will continue playing on your TV. You can also control playback from your lock screen without unlocking your phone. This is especially useful for music and video playback.

What if I want to disconnect from Apple TV?

Open Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring or AirPlay and HomeKit again. Select Stop Mirroring at the bottom of the menu. Your phone's screen will no longer appear on your TV. If you were using app-specific AirPlay, just close the app or tap the AirPlay icon and select your phone instead of the Apple TV.