How to Cast Apple TV From Your iPhone

The Basic Steps to Mirror Your iPhone to Apple TV

To cast content from your iPhone to Apple TV, you use a feature called AirPlay, which sends video and audio wirelessly from your phone to your TV. Open the app or video you want to watch on your iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, tap the Screen Mirroring button, and select your Apple TV from the list. Your iPhone screen will then appear on your television within a few seconds.

The process works the same way whether you're mirroring a movie, a photo album, a presentation, or your entire home screen. Once mirroring is active, you can control playback from your iPhone or use your Apple TV remote. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

Key Takeaways

Your iPhone and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for AirPlay to work.
Screen Mirroring is found in Control Center, accessed by swiping down from the top-right corner of your iPhone screen.
You can mirror your entire iPhone screen or cast individual apps like Apple TV, YouTube, or Photos without mirroring.
AirPlay works when ready once you select your Apple TV from the list, with no setup required beyond being on the same network.
Battery drain is normal during mirroring; keep your iPhone plugged in if you plan to mirror for more than an hour.

Setting Up Your iPhone and Apple TV on the Same Network

AirPlay only works when both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings by opening Settings, tapping Wi-Fi, and confirming which network you're connected to. Then check your Apple TV by going to Settings, selecting Network, and verifying it shows the same Wi-Fi name.

If your Apple TV is not on Wi-Fi, you can connect it through Settings > Network > Wi-Fi Networks. Select your network name, enter the password if prompted, and wait for the connection to complete. Once both devices show the same network, AirPlay will be available when ready.

Finding and Using the Screen Mirroring Button

On iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X and newer), swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center. On iPhones with a home button (iPhone 8 and earlier), swipe up from the bottom of the screen instead. Look for the Screen Mirroring icon, which shows a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom.

Tap Screen Mirroring and wait a moment for your Apple TV to appear in the list. If you have multiple Apple TVs, they will all show up with their names. Tap the one you want to use, and your iPhone screen will begin mirroring within two to three seconds. A blue banner will appear at the top of your screen confirming that mirroring is active.

Casting Individual Apps Without Mirroring Your Whole Screen

Many apps like Apple TV, YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify have their own AirPlay button built in, usually shown as a rectangle with a triangle or a speaker icon. Using this button sends only that app to your TV, not your entire iPhone screen. This approach uses less battery and lets you use your phone for other tasks while the show plays on TV.

To use the AirPlay button in an app, open the app and start playing content. Look for the AirPlay icon in the playback controls or the app's menu bar. Tap it, select your Apple TV from the list, and the video will switch to your television. You can then lock your iPhone or open other apps without interrupting playback.

Troubleshooting When Your Apple TV Doesn't Appear

If your Apple TV doesn't show up in the Screen Mirroring list, first confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. While it restarts, restart your iPhone by turning it off and on again. Once both devices have restarted, open Control Center and check Screen Mirroring again.

If your Apple TV still doesn't appear, check that AirPlay is turned on. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit and confirm AirPlay is set to On. If it's set to "Only for HomeKit" or "Off," change it to On. You may also need to update your Apple TV software: go to Settings > System > Software Updates and install any available updates.

Managing Battery Drain and Performance During Mirroring

Mirroring your iPhone screen uses significant battery power because your phone is constantly sending video to your TV. If you plan to mirror for longer than 30 minutes, plug your iPhone into a charger. Mirroring also works best when your iPhone and Apple TV are within 30 feet of your router and there are no thick walls between them.

If mirroring feels slow or choppy, move your iPhone closer to your router or Apple TV, or reduce the number of other devices using your Wi-Fi network. Closing background apps on your iPhone can also improve performance. If you're mirroring a video app, lowering the video quality in the app's settings will reduce the data being sent and may smooth out playback.

Using AirPlay With HomeKit and Multi-Room Audio

If you have multiple Apple TVs set up in HomeKit, you can choose which one to mirror to directly from Control Center. You can also use AirPlay to send audio to HomePods, AirPods, or other HomeKit speakers while mirroring video to your Apple TV. This is useful if you want to hear sound through a different speaker system than your TV's built-in speakers.

To send audio to a different device, open Control Center while mirroring, tap and hold the audio icon (speaker), and select a different output device from the list. Your video will continue on the Apple TV while audio plays through your chosen speaker. This setup requires all devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network and signed into the same iCloud account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Apple TV 4K or will any Apple TV work?

AirPlay works with any Apple TV model that runs tvOS 5 or later, including older models like Apple TV (3rd generation). If your Apple TV is very old, check Settings > About to see which tvOS version it's running. Most Apple TVs from the past 10 years support AirPlay without any issues.

Can I cast from my iPhone to a non-Apple TV device?

AirPlay only works with Apple TV devices and some third-party TVs that have built-in AirPlay support. If your TV doesn't have AirPlay, you cannot use Screen Mirroring. Some smart TVs from Samsung, LG, and Sony support AirPlay, but you'll need to check your TV's manual or settings to confirm.

What if my iPhone keeps disconnecting from Apple TV?

Disconnections usually happen when your Wi-Fi signal is weak or your router is overloaded. Move your iPhone and Apple TV closer to your router, or restart both devices. If the problem continues, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. You can also try "forgetting" the Wi-Fi network on your iPhone and reconnecting: go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network name, and select Forget.

Can I mirror my iPhone while someone else is using the Apple TV?

No. Only one device can mirror to an Apple TV at a time. If someone is already mirroring, you'll see a message saying the Apple TV is in use. You can ask them to stop mirroring first, or wait until they're finished. If AirPlay is set to "Only for HomeKit," only HomeKit-authenticated users can mirror.

Does mirroring work over cellular or only Wi-Fi?

AirPlay requires Wi-Fi and does not work over cellular data. Both your iPhone and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If you're away from home, you can use HomeKit to set up remote access, but this requires additional setup in the Home app and both devices must be on the same iCloud account.

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.