How to Mirror Your iPad to Apple TV in Three Steps

The fastest way to mirror your iPad to Apple TV

To mirror your iPad to Apple TV, open Control Center on your iPad, tap Screen Mirroring, select your Apple TV from the list, and enter the four-digit code that appears on your TV screen. The process takes about 10 seconds once both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Your iPad screen then appears on your TV in real time — everything you do on the iPad shows up there, including apps, photos, videos, and web pages.

This works on any iPad running iPadOS 11 or later paired with an Apple TV (2nd generation or newer). If you have an older iPad or Apple TV, the steps are slightly different, but the principle is the same.

Key Takeaways

Screen Mirroring is built into every iPad and Apple TV — you do not need to read anything or buy extra hardware.
Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for mirroring to work.
You will see a four-digit code on your TV screen that you enter on your iPad to confirm the connection.
Once connected, your iPad screen displays on the TV, and you can use your iPad as normal while the TV shows everything you do.

What you need before you start

Check that your iPad and Apple TV are both plugged in and turned on. Your iPad should be running iPadOS 11 or later — you can check this by going to Settings > General > About and looking at the Software Version. Most iPads sold in the last eight years meet this requirement.

Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your iPad is connected to a different network than your Apple TV, mirroring will not work. You can check your iPad's network in Settings > Wi-Fi and your Apple TV's network in Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit on the TV itself.

Make sure your Apple TV is set to the input that shows the home screen. If it is showing a different input (like HDMI 1 or a cable box), switch it back to the Apple TV input first.

How to open Control Center on your iPad

The location of Control Center depends on which iPad you have. On iPad Pro models and newer iPad Air and iPad mini models, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen. On older iPad models, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. A menu will slide in with quick-access buttons for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, brightness, and other settings.

Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. If you do not see it when ready, you may need to tap the grid icon (three dots in a box) to expand the menu and find it. Once you tap Screen Mirroring, a list of available devices appears.

Selecting your Apple TV and entering the code

From the Screen Mirroring menu, tap the name of your Apple TV. It will appear in the list with "Apple TV" in the name. If you have more than one Apple TV on your network, they will all show up here — pick the one you want to use.

Within a few seconds, a four-digit code will appear on your TV screen. Type this code into the prompt that appears on your iPad. This code is a security measure — it confirms that you are the one starting the mirroring session and not someone else on your network. Once you enter the code, the connection is established and your iPad screen appears on the TV.

What happens after you connect

Once mirroring is active, your iPad screen fills the Apple TV display. Everything you do on the iPad — opening apps, scrolling through photos, typing in a browser — appears on the TV in real time. The iPad remains fully functional; you can use it normally while the TV mirrors what you are doing.

To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring. The TV will return to the Apple TV home screen, and your iPad will no longer be connected.

Troubleshooting when mirroring does not work

If Screen Mirroring does not appear in Control Center, restart both your iPad and Apple TV. Turn them off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on. This fixes most connection issues.

If your Apple TV does not show up in the Screen Mirroring list, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. You can also try forgetting the Wi-Fi network on your iPad (Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network name, and select Forget) and then reconnecting to it. If the Apple TV is far from your router or in a different room, move it closer to the router temporarily to rule out a weak signal.

If you see the code on the TV but the iPad does not accept it, make sure you are typing the code correctly and that you are entering it before the code expires (usually within 30 seconds). If the code disappears, the connection attempt has timed out — start over by tapping Screen Mirroring again.

Using AirPlay for audio and video without full mirroring

If you only want to send audio or a specific app to your Apple TV rather than mirror your entire iPad screen, you can use AirPlay instead. This is useful when you want to play music or a video on the TV without showing everything else on your iPad.

To use AirPlay for a single app or video, look for the AirPlay icon (a triangle with a circle at the bottom) within that app. Tap it and select your Apple TV. The audio or video will play on the TV while your iPad remains under your control. This is different from Screen Mirroring, which shows your entire iPad screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mirror my iPad to Apple TV if they are on different Wi-Fi networks?

No. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your iPad is on a guest network and your Apple TV is on the main network, mirroring will not work. Connect both to the same network first.

Does mirroring drain my iPad battery faster?

Yes, mirroring uses more power than normal iPad use because it is constantly sending video to the TV. If you are mirroring for a long time, plug your iPad into power. The Apple TV itself does not drain your iPad battery — the iPad is doing the work.

Can I use my iPad while it is mirroring to Apple TV?

Yes. Your iPad remains fully functional while mirroring. Everything you do on the iPad shows on the TV, so you can open apps, browse the web, or view photos while the TV displays them.

What if the four-digit code does not appear on my TV?

Make sure your Apple TV is on and set to the correct input. If it is showing a different input (like a cable box), switch back to Apple TV. If the code still does not appear, restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in.

Can I mirror from multiple iPads to the same Apple TV at the same time?

No. Only one device can mirror to an Apple TV at a time. If another iPad is already mirroring, you must stop that connection first before starting a new one.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.