Connect Your Phone Using AirPlay on the Same Wi-Fi Network

The fastest way to connect your phone to Apple TV is through AirPlay, Apple's wireless connection system. Your phone and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Once they are, you can stream video, photos, or mirror your entire phone screen to your TV in seconds.

Open the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad by swiping down from the top-right corner (iPhone X and newer) or swiping up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and earlier). Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it, then select your Apple TV from the list. Your phone screen will appear on your TV within a few seconds.

If you do not see your Apple TV in the list, make sure both devices are plugged in and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Try Screen Mirroring again.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can use AirPlay or Screen Mirroring.
  • On iPhone, open Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring to see a list of nearby Apple TVs, then select yours.
  • Android phones cannot use AirPlay, but you can cast video and audio through the Google Home app or apps that support Chromecast.
  • If your Apple TV does not appear in the Screen Mirroring list, restart both devices and check that they are on the same network.
  • You can stop mirroring by opening Control Center again and tapping Screen Mirroring, then selecting Stop Mirroring.

Stream Video and Photos Without Mirroring Your Entire Screen

If you only want to send a video or photo to your TV instead of mirroring everything on your phone, you do not need to use Screen Mirroring. Many apps have their own AirPlay button built in.

Open the video or photo in an app like Photos, YouTube, or Apple TV+. Look for the AirPlay icon — it looks like a triangle inside a rectangle. Tap it and select your Apple TV. The content will play on your TV while your phone screen returns to normal, so you can use your phone for other things while watching.

This method uses less battery than full screen mirroring and lets you keep your phone private while content plays on the big screen.

Connect Android Phones to Apple TV

Android phones do not support AirPlay directly, but you have two main options to send content to your Apple TV.

The first option is to use the Google Home app if your Apple TV is a newer model that supports AirPlay from Google devices. Open the Google Home app, tap the device icon in the top right, select your Apple TV, and choose what you want to cast. This works with YouTube, Google Play Music, and other Google services.

The second option is to use an app that supports both Android and Apple TV, such as Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu. Open the app on your Android phone, start playing content, and look for the cast icon (usually three curved lines). Select your Apple TV from the list. This method works with most streaming services and does not require Screen Mirroring.

Troubleshoot When Your Phone Will Not Connect

If your phone does not see your Apple TV in the Screen Mirroring list, start by checking your Wi-Fi. Both devices must be on the same network — not a guest network. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm you are connected to your home network. Then check your Apple TV's settings: go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit and make sure AirPlay is turned on.

Restart both devices. Unplug your Apple TV for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. On your phone, turn Wi-Fi off and back on. Wait 30 seconds and try Screen Mirroring again.

If you still do not see your Apple TV, move your phone closer to the Apple TV and router. Walls and distance can weaken the Wi-Fi signal. If the problem continues, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. This often fixes connection problems between devices on the same network.

Stop Mirroring and Disconnect Your Phone

To stop mirroring, open Control Center on your iPhone and tap Screen Mirroring again. Select Stop Mirroring from the menu. Your phone screen will no longer appear on your TV, but your TV will stay on the last thing you were watching.

If you were streaming a single video or photo instead of mirroring your whole screen, you can stop it by pausing the content on your TV remote or closing the app on your phone. The connection will end automatically when the content stops playing.

Use AirPlay with Multiple Rooms and Devices

If you have more than one Apple TV in your home, you can send the same audio or video to multiple TVs at once. Open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select multiple Apple TVs from the list by tapping each one. Your content will play on all of them simultaneously.

You can also use AirPlay to send audio to Apple TV speakers, HomePod speakers, or AirPlay-compatible speakers in other rooms. The process is the same: tap the AirPlay icon in an app or Control Center, and select the speaker or TV you want to use. This is useful for playing music throughout your home or sending a video to a different room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a password to connect my phone to Apple TV?

No password is required if your phone and Apple TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. The connection happens automatically once you select your Apple TV from the Screen Mirroring list. If your Wi-Fi network requires a password, you enter it on your phone when you first connect to the network, not when you use AirPlay.

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

No. Your phone and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network to use AirPlay or Screen Mirroring. If they are on different networks, they cannot find each other. Connect both devices to your main home Wi-Fi network and try again.

Why does my screen mirroring keep disconnecting?

Disconnections usually happen because of weak Wi-Fi signal or interference. Move your phone and Apple TV closer to your router, or move your router away from other electronics like microwaves and cordless phones. If the problem continues, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Can I mirror my phone while charging it?

Yes. You can use Screen Mirroring while your phone is plugged in and charging. This is actually a good idea because mirroring uses battery power, and charging while you use your phone keeps the battery from draining.

What is the difference between Screen Mirroring and AirPlay?

Screen Mirroring sends everything on your phone screen to your TV. AirPlay is the technology that makes it work. When you use the AirPlay button in an app to send just a video or photo, that is also AirPlay — you are just choosing to send one piece of content instead of your whole screen.