The fastest way: AirPlay from Control Center

Open Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top-right corner (iPhone X and later) or swiping up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and earlier). Tap Screen Mirroring. Your iPhone will search for nearby Apple TV devices and display them in a list. Tap the name of your Apple TV. If prompted, enter the four-digit code shown on your TV screen.

Your iPhone screen now appears on your TV. Everything you do on your phone — open apps, scroll, type, watch video — shows on the big screen in real time. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, then tap Stop Mirroring.

This method works with any Apple TV model from 2nd generation onward, and it requires no setup beyond having both devices on the same Wi-Fi network.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen mirroring works from Control Center and requires only that your iPhone and Apple TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • A four-digit code appears on your TV the first time you connect; you enter it on your iPhone to confirm the pairing.
  • Once mirrored, your entire iPhone display shows on the TV, including notifications and any open app.
  • You can mirror video, photos, presentations, or any app without installing additional software.

What you need before you start

Your iPhone must be running iOS 12.3 or later. Check this by opening Settings, tapping General, then About, and looking at the iOS version number. Your Apple TV should be running tvOS 12.3 or later — you can check this in Settings > System > About on the TV itself.

Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If your home has a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, connect both devices to the same band for the most reliable connection. If you are on a guest network or a network that requires a login page, mirroring may not work.

Make sure your iPhone and Apple TV are within reasonable range of your router. Thick walls or distance can weaken the signal and cause the connection to drop.

Mirroring a single app instead of your whole screen

If you want to send just one app to your TV while keeping other things private on your iPhone, use AirPlay receiver mode. This works differently than full screen mirroring. Open the app you want to share — for example, a video player or music app — and look for an AirPlay icon (it looks like a triangle with a circle beneath it). Tap that icon and select your Apple TV.

Only that app's content appears on your TV. Your notifications, messages, and anything else on your iPhone stay hidden. When you are done, tap the AirPlay icon again and select your iPhone to send the content back.

Not every app supports AirPlay. Common ones that do include Apple TV+, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Photos, and most video streaming services. If you do not see an AirPlay icon in an app, that app does not support it.

Troubleshooting when mirroring will not start

If your Apple TV does not appear in the Screen Mirroring list, restart both devices. Turn off your Apple TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your iPhone by holding the side button and volume button together, swiping to power off, waiting a few seconds, and turning it back on.

Check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your iPhone and confirm the network name. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Network and verify it shows the same network. If one device is on a different band or network, they cannot see each other.

If the connection keeps dropping, move your iPhone and Apple TV closer to your router, or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. Interference from other devices or thick walls between your phone and TV can cause the signal to weaken.

Why the code appears and what to do with it

The first time you connect your iPhone to an Apple TV, a four-digit code appears on the TV screen. This is a security step. Enter that code on your iPhone when prompted. This pairing is one-time only — the next time you mirror from the same iPhone to the same Apple TV, no code is needed.

If you want to unpair your devices, go to Settings on your Apple TV, select AirPlay and HomeKit, then select the iPhone you want to remove. This forces you to enter a code the next time you connect from that phone.

Mirroring audio only, without video

If you want to send sound to your Apple TV speakers without showing your screen, use AirPlay audio instead of screen mirroring. Open Control Center, press and hold the volume control, then tap the AirPlay icon at the bottom. Select your Apple TV. Your iPhone screen stays private, but audio from music apps, videos, or podcasts plays through your TV speakers.

This is useful when you want to play music throughout your home or listen to a podcast on better speakers without displaying anything on the TV. To switch audio back to your iPhone, open Control Center again, hold the volume control, tap the AirPlay icon, and select iPhone Speakers.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network to communicate. If you are at someone else's home or on a guest network, connect both your iPhone and Apple TV to that same network first.

Does mirroring drain my iPhone battery faster?

Yes, mirroring uses more power than normal use because your phone is constantly sending video and audio to the TV. If you are mirroring for a long time, plug your iPhone into power to avoid draining the battery.

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

Yes. Everything you do on your iPhone appears on the TV in real time. You can open apps, type, swipe, and interact normally. If you want privacy, stop mirroring or use AirPlay audio mode instead.

What if my Apple TV is an older model?

Screen mirroring works on Apple TV 2nd generation and newer. If you have an original Apple TV (released in 2007), mirroring is not supported. Check your model in Settings > System > About on the TV itself.

Can multiple iPhones mirror to the same Apple TV at the same time?

No. Only one device can mirror at a time. If a second iPhone tries to connect while another is mirroring, the first connection stops. You must stop mirroring on one device before another can connect.