The Basic Steps to Mirror or Cast from iPhone to Apple TV

To send video or audio from your iPhone to an Apple TV, you use AirPlay, which is Apple's built-in wireless casting system. The process takes about 30 seconds once everything is set up. Your iPhone and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and your Apple TV must be turned on and ready to receive.

Open the app on your iPhone that has the content you want to cast — this might be a video app, music app, or your screen itself. Look for the AirPlay icon, which looks like a triangle with a circle underneath it. Tap it, select your Apple TV from the list, and the content will stream to your television. If you do not see the icon in the app, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center and look for it there.

Key Takeaways

  • Your iPhone and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can cast anything.
  • The AirPlay icon appears either in the app itself or in Control Center, depending on which app you are using.
  • Screen mirroring sends everything on your iPhone display to the TV, while casting individual apps sends only that app's content.
  • If the AirPlay icon does not appear, restart both your iPhone and Apple TV, then check that they are on the same network.
  • Some apps do not support AirPlay, so you may need to use screen mirroring as an alternative.

Casting Video and Music Apps

Most video and music apps built by Apple — including TV, Music, Podcasts, and Books — have an AirPlay button built in. When you are playing a video or song, look for the triangle-and-circle icon, usually in the bottom-right or top-right corner of the player. Tap it and choose your Apple TV from the list. The app will send only that content to your TV, not your entire screen.

Third-party apps like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and Spotify also support AirPlay in most cases. The button location varies by app — it might be in the player controls, in a menu, or in the top corner. If you cannot find it, check the app's settings or help section. Once you tap it and select your Apple TV, the video or music plays on your television while your iPhone screen returns to normal, letting you use your phone for other things.

Using Screen Mirroring When Apps Do Not Support AirPlay

If an app does not have an AirPlay button, you can mirror your entire iPhone screen to the Apple TV instead. This sends everything you see on your phone — including the app, notifications, and anything else — to your television. Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your iPhone (or up from the bottom on older models). Tap Screen Mirroring, then select your Apple TV from the list.

Screen mirroring is useful for apps that do not support direct casting, for presentations, or when you want to show someone something on your phone on a bigger screen. Keep in mind that your iPhone will display everything, including incoming calls and messages, so you may want to silence notifications first. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

Checking Your Wi-Fi Connection and Network Settings

The most common reason AirPlay does not work is that your iPhone and Apple TV are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings by going to Settings > Wi-Fi and note which network you are connected to. Then check your Apple TV by going to Settings > Network and confirming it is on the same network. If they are on different networks — for example, if your Apple TV is on a guest network — they cannot communicate.

If both devices are on the same network but AirPlay still does not appear, restart both devices. Turn off your Apple TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Restart your iPhone by holding the side button and volume button, sliding to power off, waiting a few seconds, and turning it back on. Once both are fully restarted and reconnected to Wi-Fi, try again.

Troubleshooting When AirPlay Does Not Show Up

If you open Control Center or an app and do not see the AirPlay icon at all, first confirm both devices are on the same network (see the section above). If they are, check that your Apple TV software is current by going to Settings > System > Software Updates on the TV itself. An outdated Apple TV can sometimes fail to appear in AirPlay lists.

If your Apple TV is listed but selecting it does nothing, or if the connection drops after a few seconds, try moving your iPhone closer to the Apple TV or router. Walls, distance, and interference from other devices can weaken the Wi-Fi signal. If the problem persists, forget the Wi-Fi network on your iPhone (Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network name, tap Forget), then reconnect by entering the password again. This often clears connection glitches that prevent AirPlay from working.

What to Do If Your Apple TV Does Not Appear in the AirPlay List

When you tap AirPlay or Screen Mirroring, you should see your Apple TV listed by name. If it does not appear, the most likely cause is that it is not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your Apple TV's network settings as described above. If it is on the correct network but still does not show up, restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in.

If restarting does not help, check that AirPlay is actually turned on for your Apple TV. Go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit on the Apple TV and make sure AirPlay is set to On. You can also check the Require Code option here — if it is set to Always, your iPhone will need to enter a code the first time it connects, which you will see on your TV screen. Once you enter the code, the connection is remembered for future use.

Controlling Playback and Stopping the Cast

Once you are casting to your Apple TV, you can control playback from your iPhone. In most apps, the playback controls (play, pause, skip, volume) appear on your iPhone screen and affect what plays on the TV. You can also use your Apple TV remote to control playback if the app supports it — this varies by app.

To stop casting, open the app or Control Center and tap the AirPlay icon again. Select your iPhone from the list, or tap Stop Mirroring if you are using screen mirroring. The content will stop playing on your TV and return to your iPhone. If you are using screen mirroring, your iPhone screen will no longer be sent to the television.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Your iPhone and Apple TV must both be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If one is on a guest network or a different network entirely, AirPlay will not work. Check both devices' network settings to confirm they are on the same network name.

Can I use AirPlay if my Apple TV is wired to ethernet instead of Wi-Fi?

Yes. Your Apple TV can be connected to the internet via ethernet cable, and your iPhone can be on Wi-Fi, as long as they are on the same local network. This setup works fine for AirPlay.

What is the difference between casting an app and screen mirroring?

Casting an app (using the AirPlay button in the app) sends only that app's content to your TV, and your iPhone screen shows something else. Screen mirroring sends your entire iPhone display to the TV, including notifications and anything else on your screen. Casting uses less battery and network bandwidth.

Will casting drain my iPhone battery quickly?

Casting uses some battery, but not dramatically more than normal use. Screen mirroring uses slightly more battery than casting a single app. If you are casting for an extended time, plugging your iPhone into power is a good idea, but it is not required for short sessions.

Can I use my iPhone for other things while casting?

Yes, if you are casting an app using the AirPlay button. Your iPhone screen is free to use for other tasks. If you are using screen mirroring, everything on your iPhone screen appears on the TV, so you cannot use your phone privately at the same time.