The fastest way to connect: AirPlay

The simplest way to get your iPhone screen on your Apple TV is AirPlay, Apple's wireless casting system. Your iPhone and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Control Center on your iPhone (swipe down from the top right on newer models, or up from the bottom on older ones), tap Screen Mirroring, select your Apple TV from the list, and your screen appears on the television within seconds.

If you do not see your Apple TV in the list, check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and that your Apple TV is powered on. If it still does not appear, restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. You can also mirror individual apps — open an app like YouTube or Apple TV+, look for the AirPlay icon (usually in the playback controls), and select your Apple TV without mirroring your entire screen.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPlay is the wireless method: both devices need the same Wi-Fi network, then use Control Center on your iPhone to select Screen Mirroring.
  • If your Apple TV does not appear in the list, restart it by unplugging for 10 seconds and confirm both devices are on the same network.
  • You can mirror your whole screen or just cast individual apps like YouTube without showing your home screen.
  • A wired HDMI connection works if your iPhone has a USB-C port and you own a USB-C to HDMI adapter, though this is less common than wireless mirroring.

What to do if your Apple TV does not show up

The most common reason your Apple TV does not appear in the Screen Mirroring menu is that it is on a different Wi-Fi network than your iPhone. Check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm the network name matches the one your Apple TV is connected to. If you have a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, try connecting your iPhone to the 2.4 GHz band — some older Apple TV models work better on that frequency.

If both devices are on the same network and your Apple TV still does not appear, restart your iPhone as well. Hold the power button and slide to power off, wait 10 seconds, then power it back on. After the restart, open Control Center again and look for Screen Mirroring. If you still see nothing, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Using AirPlay to cast apps instead of your whole screen

You do not have to mirror your entire iPhone screen. Many apps have a built-in AirPlay button that lets you send just that app to your Apple TV while keeping your phone free for other tasks. Open an app like YouTube, Apple TV+, Apple Music, or Podcasts, look for the AirPlay icon (it looks like a triangle with curved lines above it), tap it, and select your Apple TV.

This method is useful because your iPhone screen stays private — others cannot see your notifications, messages, or what else you are doing on the phone. The app continues to play on your TV even if you lock your iPhone or switch to another app. When you are done, tap the AirPlay icon again and select your iPhone to stop casting.

Connecting with a USB-C to HDMI cable

If you have an iPhone 15 or later with a USB-C port and a USB-C to HDMI adapter, you can connect directly to your Apple TV using an HDMI cable. Plug the USB-C adapter into your iPhone, connect an HDMI cable to the adapter, and plug the other end into an available HDMI port on your Apple TV. Your iPhone screen appears when ready without needing Wi-Fi.

This wired method is less common than AirPlay because it requires an adapter you may not own, and it ties your phone to the television with a cable. However, it works even if your Wi-Fi is down and does not depend on network strength. When you are finished, straightforward unplug the HDMI cable from your Apple TV.

Troubleshooting audio and video lag

If your screen appears on the Apple TV but the video is choppy or the audio is out of sync, move your iPhone closer to your Apple TV and Wi-Fi router. Wireless interference from other devices, thick walls, or distance can degrade the connection. If lag persists, disconnect other devices from your Wi-Fi network temporarily to reduce congestion, then try mirroring again.

Restarting both devices often fixes audio or video problems. Power off your Apple TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your iPhone using the power button. After both devices restart, reconnect using Screen Mirroring. If you are still experiencing issues after these steps, the wired HDMI method will give you a more stable connection.

Controlling playback from your Apple TV remote

Once your iPhone is mirrored or casting to your Apple TV, you can control playback using your Apple TV remote. If you are mirroring your entire screen, the remote controls your iPhone as if you were touching it — swipe, click, and hold work the same way. If you are casting an app like YouTube, the remote controls the app directly without needing to touch your phone.

You can also use Siri on your Apple TV remote to control playback. Hold the microphone button and say commands like "pause" or "skip forward" while an app is playing. This works whether you are mirroring or casting, making it straightforward to control video or music without picking up your iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to sign in to my Apple account to use AirPlay?

No. AirPlay works as long as both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. You do not need to be signed into the same Apple ID, though signing in to the same account on both devices can make some features work more smoothly.

Can I use AirPlay if my Apple TV is on a guest Wi-Fi network?

Yes, as long as your iPhone is also on that same guest network. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, whether it is your main network or a guest network. Check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings to confirm you are connected to the correct network.

What happens to my iPhone screen when I lock it during mirroring?

If you are mirroring your entire screen, locking your iPhone will lock the display on your Apple TV as well. If you are casting an app instead, the app continues playing on your TV even after you lock your phone. This is why app-specific casting is useful when you want to keep your phone private.

Can I connect an older iPhone to Apple TV without Wi-Fi?

Older iPhones without USB-C cannot use the wired HDMI method. They require Wi-Fi for AirPlay. If your Wi-Fi is unavailable, you will need to restore your Wi-Fi connection or use a different device to connect to your Apple TV.

Why does my screen mirroring keep disconnecting?

Weak Wi-Fi signal is the most common cause. Move closer to your router, reduce the number of devices on your network, or restart both your iPhone and Apple TV. If disconnections continue, try the wired USB-C to HDMI method for a stable connection.