How to Connect Your iPhone to Apple TV

The fastest way to connect your iPhone to Apple TV

You can connect your iPhone to Apple TV in two ways: AirPlay (wireless, no cables) or HDMI cable with an adapter (wired). AirPlay is simpler and works from anywhere in your home. Both your iPhone and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for AirPlay to work.

To use AirPlay, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone screen to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, then select your Apple TV from the list. Your iPhone screen appears on your TV within seconds. To stop, open Control Center again and tap Screen Mirroring, then tap Stop Mirroring.

If you want to use a wired connection instead, you will need a USB-C to HDMI adapter (for newer iPhones) or a Lightning to HDMI adapter (for older models). Plug the adapter into your iPhone, connect an HDMI cable to the adapter, and plug the other end into your Apple TV's HDMI port. Your iPhone screen will mirror automatically.

Key Takeaways

AirPlay is wireless and requires both devices on the same Wi-Fi network—open Control Center on your iPhone, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Apple TV.
Your iPhone screen mirrors to the TV in real time, so anything you do on your phone appears on the big screen.
A wired HDMI connection works without Wi-Fi but requires an adapter that matches your iPhone model (USB-C or Lightning).
If your Apple TV does not appear in the Screen Mirroring list, restart both devices and check that they are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Setting up Wi-Fi for AirPlay to work

AirPlay only works when your iPhone and Apple TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your Apple TV's Wi-Fi connection first: go to Settings on the Apple TV, select Network, and confirm it shows your Wi-Fi name and a connected status. Then on your iPhone, open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, and make sure you are connected to the exact same network name.

If your home has a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, both devices should work on either band, but some older iPhones work better on 2.4 GHz. If AirPlay still does not appear, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully restart before trying again.

What to do if Screen Mirroring does not show your Apple TV

If your Apple TV does not appear in the Screen Mirroring list, the most common cause is that the devices are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Double-check both connections as described above. Then restart your iPhone by holding the power button and swiping to power off, waiting 10 seconds, and turning it back on.

Next, restart your Apple TV: go to Settings, select System, then Restart. Wait for it to fully boot up (about one minute). After both devices have restarted and reconnected to Wi-Fi, open Control Center on your iPhone again and check if your Apple TV now appears in the Screen Mirroring list.

If it still does not appear, check that AirPlay is turned on for your Apple TV. On the Apple TV, go to Settings, select AirPlay and HomeKit, and make sure AirPlay is set to On. Some Apple TV models also have an option to require a code for AirPlay connections—if this is turned on, you will see a four-digit code on your TV screen the first time you try to connect, and you will need to enter it on your iPhone.

Using a wired HDMI connection instead

A wired connection bypasses Wi-Fi entirely and works when ready. You will need the correct adapter for your iPhone model: iPhones with USB-C (iPhone 15 and newer) need a USB-C to HDMI adapter, while older iPhones with a Lightning port need a Lightning to HDMI adapter. Both types are available from Apple or third-party manufacturers.

Plug the adapter into your iPhone's charging port, connect an HDMI cable to the adapter, and plug the other end into any available HDMI port on your Apple TV. Your iPhone screen will mirror to the TV when ready—no setup required. The connection stays active as long as the cable is plugged in. To disconnect, straightforward unplug the HDMI cable from the adapter.

One advantage of wired connection is that it also charges your iPhone while you are using it. The downside is that you are tethered to the TV by a cable, so you cannot move around your home while mirroring.

Mirroring specific apps instead of your whole screen

If you want to send video from just one app to your Apple TV instead of mirroring your entire screen, some apps support AirPlay to Mac or direct AirPlay output. Open the app you want to use, look for an AirPlay icon (usually a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom), tap it, and select your Apple TV. Not all apps support this feature—it depends on whether the app developer built it in.

For apps that do not have an AirPlay button, you can still mirror your whole screen using the method described earlier. Your iPhone will show everything on the TV, including notifications and other apps you open, until you stop mirroring.

Common mistakes that prevent connection

The most frequent problem is forgetting to check the Wi-Fi network. Your iPhone might be on your home Wi-Fi, but your Apple TV could be on a guest network or an older network name. Open Settings on both devices and verify they show the exact same network name.

Another common issue is having Bluetooth turned off on your iPhone. While AirPlay does not require Bluetooth, some iPhone models need Bluetooth enabled for the connection to work smoothly. Open Control Center and make sure the Bluetooth icon is lit up (not grayed out).

If you are using a wired connection, make sure the adapter is fully seated in your iPhone's port and the HDMI cable is fully inserted into both the adapter and the Apple TV. A loose connection will not work. If the screen does not appear after 10 seconds, unplug and reconnect the cable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Apple TV subscription to use AirPlay?

No. AirPlay is a built-in feature of Apple TV hardware and works without any subscription. You only need both devices on the same Wi-Fi network. An Apple TV+ subscription is separate and only needed if you want to watch Apple TV+ shows.

Can I connect an older iPhone to Apple TV?

Yes. AirPlay works on iPhones running iOS 12.3 or later. If your iPhone is older than that, you can still use a wired HDMI connection with the correct Lightning to HDMI adapter for your model.

What happens to my iPhone while it is mirroring?

Your iPhone continues to work normally. You can use apps, answer calls, and receive notifications while mirroring. Everything you do on your phone appears on the TV screen in real time, so be aware of what is visible before you start mirroring in front of others.

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

Only one iPhone can mirror to an Apple TV at a time. If a second iPhone tries to connect while one is already mirroring, the first connection will stop. However, multiple iPhones can use AirPlay to send audio to Apple TV speakers without mirroring the screen.

Why does my screen mirroring keep disconnecting?

Weak Wi-Fi signal is the most common cause. Move closer to your router or Apple TV, or check if other devices are using a lot of bandwidth. Restarting both devices also fixes most disconnection problems. If it keeps happening, try the wired HDMI connection instead.

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.