The fastest way to connect your iPhone to Apple TV

To connect your iPhone to Apple TV, use AirPlay, which is Apple's wireless casting system. Open Control Center on your iPhone, tap the screen mirroring icon, select your Apple TV from the list, and enter the four-digit code that appears on your TV screen. Your iPhone screen will then mirror to the television. The whole process takes about 30 seconds once you have both devices on the same Wi-Fi network.

AirPlay works with any Apple TV model from the 3rd generation onward. If you have an older Apple TV (2nd generation or earlier), you will need to use an HDMI cable instead, which is not wireless but is still straightforward to set up.

Key Takeaways

  • Both your iPhone and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can use AirPlay.
  • The screen mirroring icon in Control Center looks like two overlapping rectangles and is found by swiping down from the top-right corner of your iPhone.
  • You will see a four-digit code on your TV screen after selecting your Apple TV; enter this code on your iPhone to complete the connection.
  • Once connected, everything on your iPhone screen appears on your TV, including apps, videos, photos, and your home screen.
  • If AirPlay does not appear in Control Center, restart both your iPhone and Apple TV, then check that they are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Check your Wi-Fi network before you start

Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your iPhone and tap Wi-Fi to see which network you are connected to. Then check your Apple TV by going to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit and looking at the network name listed there. If they match, you are ready to proceed. If they do not match, connect your iPhone to the same network as your Apple TV.

If you do not know your Apple TV's Wi-Fi network, ask anyone else in your home who set it up, or check the back of your Apple TV box for setup instructions. Some households have multiple Wi-Fi networks (a main one and a guest one, for example), so double-check that both devices are on the intended network.

Open Control Center and select screen mirroring

On your iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center. You will see a grid of icons including brightness, volume, and flashlight controls. Look for the icon that looks like two overlapping rectangles — this is the screen mirroring button. Tap it to see a list of available devices.

If you do not see the screen mirroring icon, it may not be added to your Control Center. Go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls and tap the green plus sign next to "Screen Mirroring" to add it. Then return to Control Center and try again.

Select your Apple TV and enter the code

After tapping the screen mirroring icon, a list of nearby Apple TV devices will appear. Tap the name of your Apple TV. Within a few seconds, a four-digit code will appear on your TV screen. On your iPhone, you will see a prompt asking you to enter this code. Type the four digits exactly as they appear on the TV, then tap "Confirm" or "Done."

The code is a security measure that prevents someone else's iPhone from connecting to your Apple TV without permission. Once you enter the code correctly, your iPhone screen will mirror to the television. The connection usually stays active until you manually disconnect it, so you will not need to enter the code again the next time you use the same Apple TV.

What you can do once connected

Once your iPhone is mirrored to Apple TV, everything on your phone appears on the television screen. You can watch videos, view photos, play games, or show presentations. The audio from your iPhone will play through your TV speakers (or through whatever speakers are connected to your Apple TV). You can adjust the volume using your TV remote or your iPhone's volume buttons.

While mirrored, your iPhone continues to work normally — you can receive calls, texts, and notifications. If you answer a call or open an app while mirroring, that action will also appear on your TV screen. To stop mirroring without disconnecting, you can lock your iPhone or switch to a different app.

Disconnect from Apple TV

To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap the screen mirroring icon, and select "Stop Mirroring." Your iPhone screen will no longer appear on the television, though you will remain connected to the same Wi-Fi network. You can reconnect at any time by repeating the screen mirroring steps.

If you want to completely disconnect from your Apple TV's Wi-Fi network (for example, if you are leaving your home), go to Settings > Wi-Fi and tap the network name, then select "Forget This Network."

Troubleshooting common connection problems

If your Apple TV does not appear in the screen mirroring list, restart both devices. Turn off your iPhone completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your Apple TV by going to Settings > System > Restart. After both devices have restarted, check that they are on the same Wi-Fi network and try again.

If the connection drops frequently, move your iPhone and Apple TV closer to your Wi-Fi router, or check whether other devices are using a lot of bandwidth on your network. If you are using a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network, try connecting both devices to a 2.4 GHz network instead, as some older Apple TV models work more reliably on 2.4 GHz. If problems persist, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPlay if my iPhone and Apple TV are on different Wi-Fi networks?

No. AirPlay requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you have a guest network separate from your main network, move both devices to the same network before attempting to connect.

What if I have an older Apple TV that does not support AirPlay?

Apple TV 2nd generation and earlier do not support AirPlay. For these models, you will need to use an HDMI cable to connect your iPhone to your TV. You can purchase an iPhone-to-HDMI adapter from Apple or other electronics retailers.

Does screen mirroring drain my iPhone battery quickly?

Yes, screen mirroring uses more battery than normal use because your iPhone is constantly sending video and audio to your Apple TV. If you plan to mirror for an extended period, plug your iPhone into a charger.

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 another is already mirroring, the first connection will be interrupted. However, multiple iPhones can be on the same Wi-Fi network and take turns connecting.

Why does the four-digit code keep changing?

The code changes each time you attempt to connect for security reasons. Always enter the code that is currently displayed on your TV screen, not a code from a previous connection attempt.