The fastest way: AirPlay from your iPhone

To connect your iPhone to Apple TV, open Control Center on your iPhone, tap Screen Mirroring, then select your Apple TV from the list. Your iPhone screen appears on your TV within seconds. This works over Wi-Fi as long as both devices are on the same network.

If you don't see your Apple TV in the list, make sure it's powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone. If it still doesn't appear, restart both devices and try again.

You can also start AirPlay from inside an app — many video and music apps have an AirPlay icon (a triangle with a circle underneath) that lets you send content directly to your TV without mirroring your whole screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Mirroring in Control Center is the standard way to connect; it works when ready once both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Many apps have their own AirPlay button, which sends just that app's content to your TV instead of your entire screen.
  • Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network; restarting either one usually fixes connection problems.
  • You can control playback from your iPhone, Apple Remote, or Siri while content plays on your TV.
  • Handoff lets you start something on your iPhone and finish it on your TV, or vice versa, without manually switching.

Setting up your devices on the same network

Your iPhone and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network to communicate. Check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings by opening Settings, tapping Wi-Fi, and noting which network is connected. Then check your Apple TV: go to Settings, select Network, and confirm it's on the same Wi-Fi.

If your Apple TV is connected to a different network, select your home network from the available list and enter the password. Once both devices show the same network name, they can find each other.

If you have a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz band from the same router, either band works — your devices will connect automatically. You don't need to manually choose between them.

Using AirPlay within specific apps

Many apps — including Apple TV+, Netflix, YouTube, and Apple Music — have a built-in AirPlay button. Look for the triangle-and-circle icon, usually in the playback controls or settings menu. Tap it and select your Apple TV to send that content to your TV.

This method is often better than full screen mirroring because it uses less battery and sends only the video or music, not your entire iPhone screen. You can still use your iPhone for other tasks while the content plays on your TV.

If an app doesn't have an AirPlay button, you can still use Screen Mirroring from Control Center to send it to your TV.

Troubleshooting when your Apple TV doesn't appear

If your Apple TV isn't showing up in the Screen Mirroring list, start by restarting both devices. Power off your Apple TV completely (unplug it for 10 seconds), then turn it back on. Restart your iPhone by holding the power button and swiping to power off, then turning it back on.

Next, confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network by checking Settings on each one. If they're on different networks, move your Apple TV to match your iPhone's network.

If the problem persists, forget the Wi-Fi network on your iPhone and reconnect: go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network name, select Forget, then rejoin and enter the password. Do the same on your Apple TV if possible.

Controlling playback once you're connected

Once your iPhone screen is mirroring or an app is playing on your TV, you can control it from your iPhone, an Apple Remote, or by voice through Siri. Use your iPhone's screen as a trackpad — swipe and tap to navigate — or use the Apple Remote's touch surface for the same controls.

You can also ask Siri on your iPhone or Apple TV to pause, play, skip, or adjust volume. Say "Hey Siri, pause" and it will pause whatever is playing on your TV.

To stop mirroring, open Control Center on your iPhone, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring. Your iPhone screen will no longer appear on your TV, but any app running on the Apple TV itself will keep playing.

Using Handoff to switch between devices

Handoff lets you start watching or listening on your iPhone and pick up on your Apple TV without manually switching. Start a video in the Apple TV app on your iPhone, then on your Apple TV, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see your iPhone in the up next section. Select it to continue from where you left off.

The same works in reverse: pause something on your Apple TV, then open the Apple TV app on your iPhone and tap the Handoff notification at the top to resume on your phone.

Handoff requires both devices to be signed in with the same Apple ID and to be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Apple Remote to use AirPlay?

No. You can control everything from your iPhone using Screen Mirroring, or use Siri voice commands. An Apple Remote is optional and makes navigation easier, but it's not required to connect or play content.

Can I use AirPlay over cellular or a hotspot?

No. AirPlay requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you're away from home, you cannot use AirPlay to your Apple TV. You would need to be on the same network — for example, at a friend's house on their Wi-Fi.

Why does my connection keep dropping?

Weak Wi-Fi signal is the most common cause. Move your iPhone or Apple TV closer to your router, or check if other devices are using a lot of bandwidth. Restarting your router can also help. If the problem continues, try connecting both devices to a 5 GHz band if your router supports it, as it's usually more stable over short distances.

Can I mirror my iPhone to an older Apple TV?

Yes, but the older the Apple TV, the slower the connection may be. Apple TV (3rd generation) and later support AirPlay. If you have a much older model, check your Apple TV's Settings > About to see the generation and software version.

What's the difference between Screen Mirroring and using an app's AirPlay button?

Screen Mirroring sends your entire iPhone display to the TV, which uses more battery and bandwidth. An app's AirPlay button sends only that app's content, leaving your iPhone free for other tasks and using less power. Use the app button when available.