The fastest way: AirPlay from Control Center

Open Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older models). Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it shows two overlapping rectangles. Tap it, then select your Apple TV from the list. Your iPhone screen appears on your TV within seconds.

This method works for mirroring your entire screen, playing videos, or showing photos. Your Apple TV and iPhone must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your Apple TV doesn't appear in the list, restart both devices and try again.

You can also use AirPlay to send audio or video to your Apple TV without mirroring your whole screen. Open any app that supports AirPlay — Music, Podcasts, Photos, or a streaming service — and look for the AirPlay icon (a triangle with sound waves). Tap it and choose your Apple TV.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen Mirroring through Control Center is the quickest method and works for any app or content on your iPhone.
  • AirPlay lets you send just audio or video to your Apple TV without mirroring your entire screen, which saves battery life.
  • Both methods require your iPhone and Apple TV to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • HomeKit lets you control your Apple TV and other smart home devices from the Home app on your iPhone.
  • If your Apple TV doesn't appear, restart both devices, check your Wi-Fi connection, and make sure both are signed into the same iCloud account.

Using AirPlay for audio and video only

If you want to send music, podcasts, or video to your Apple TV without showing your entire iPhone screen, use the AirPlay button inside the app itself. Open Music, Podcasts, Apple TV+, or any streaming app that supports AirPlay. Look for the AirPlay icon — a small triangle with curved lines above it.

Tap the AirPlay icon and select your Apple TV from the menu. The audio or video plays on your TV while your iPhone screen stays dark or shows something else. This uses far less battery than screen mirroring and lets you use your phone for other tasks while content plays.

Not all apps support AirPlay. YouTube, Netflix, and most streaming services do. Smaller apps may not. If you don't see the AirPlay icon in an app, screen mirroring is your only option.

Controlling Apple TV from your iPhone

Your iPhone can act as a remote for your Apple TV. Open the Control Center and look for the Remote button, or open the Apple TV app and tap the remote icon at the bottom. A virtual remote appears on your screen with directional buttons, a select button in the center, and a menu button.

Use the directional pad to navigate menus, press the center button to select, and swipe on the touchpad area to move through lists quickly. This works even if you're not mirroring your screen — your iPhone communicates with your Apple TV over Wi-Fi.

The Apple TV app also shows what's currently playing on your TV and lets you search for shows and movies across multiple streaming services. You can start playing something on your TV without picking up the physical remote.

Using HomeKit to control your Apple TV

If your Apple TV is set up as a HomeKit hub, you can control it and other smart home devices from the Home app on your iPhone. Open the Home app, select your Apple TV, and you'll see options to turn it on or off, adjust volume, or switch inputs.

A HomeKit hub also lets you control your smart home devices when you're away from home — your Apple TV acts as a bridge between your iPhone and your other connected devices like lights, locks, and thermostats. You need at least one HomeKit hub to set up home automation.

To set your Apple TV as a HomeKit hub, open the Home app, go to Home Settings, select your Apple TV, and toggle on "Use as HomeKit Hub." Your Apple TV must be plugged in and on the same Wi-Fi network as your other devices.

Troubleshooting when your Apple TV doesn't appear

If your Apple TV isn't showing up in the Screen Mirroring or AirPlay menu, first check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your iPhone and confirm the network name. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Network and verify it's connected to the same network.

Restart both devices. Unplug your Apple TV for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Shut Down, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. After both devices restart, try Screen Mirroring again.

Make sure both devices are signed into the same iCloud account. On your iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] and check the account. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > iCloud and verify the same account is active. If the accounts don't match, sign out and sign in with the same account on both devices.

What to do if mirroring is slow or keeps disconnecting

Screen mirroring and AirPlay both depend on a strong Wi-Fi signal. If your connection is weak, move your iPhone and Apple TV closer to your router, or move the router away from walls and metal objects that block the signal. A 5 GHz Wi-Fi network is faster than 2.4 GHz, though it has shorter range.

Close other apps on your iPhone that use a lot of bandwidth — streaming video, large downloads, or video calls. These compete with the AirPlay connection and can cause lag or drops. Also check whether other devices on your network are downloading large files.

If mirroring still stutters, try using AirPlay for audio or video only instead of mirroring your entire screen. This puts less strain on your Wi-Fi connection. You can also try restarting your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Connecting older iPhones to Apple TV

iPhones running iOS 12 or later support AirPlay and Screen Mirroring to Apple TV. If you have an older iPhone, update to the latest iOS version available for your model. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.

The steps for Screen Mirroring are the same on all recent iOS versions. Control Center looks slightly different on iPhone X and earlier — swipe up from the bottom instead of down from the top-right — but the Screen Mirroring button is in the same place.

If your iPhone is too old to update to iOS 12, you cannot use AirPlay or Screen Mirroring. You would need to use an HDMI cable or a different streaming device.

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 for AirPlay and Screen Mirroring to work. If they're on different networks, they can't find each other. Check your network settings on both devices and make sure the network names match.

Can I use AirPlay if I don't have an Apple TV?

No. AirPlay and Screen Mirroring are designed for Apple TV. Some third-party devices like smart TVs or speakers support AirPlay, but you need a compatible receiver. Check your TV or speaker's manual to see if it lists AirPlay support.

Will screen mirroring drain my iPhone battery?

Yes, screen mirroring uses more battery than normal because your iPhone is constantly sending video and audio to your Apple TV over Wi-Fi. If battery life is a concern, use AirPlay to send just audio or video instead, or plug your iPhone into a charger while mirroring.

What's the difference between Screen Mirroring and AirPlay?

Screen Mirroring copies your entire iPhone display to your TV. AirPlay sends specific content — like music or a video — to your Apple TV without showing your whole screen. AirPlay uses less battery and lets you use your iPhone for other things while content plays.

Can multiple iPhones connect to the same Apple TV at the same time?

Only one iPhone can mirror its screen to an Apple TV at a time. However, multiple iPhones can send audio or video through AirPlay to the same Apple TV if the app supports it — for example, multiple people can add songs to a shared queue in Music.