How to Mirror Your iPad to Apple TV in Three Steps

The fastest way to mirror your iPad to Apple TV

Mirroring sends everything on your iPad screen to your Apple TV — apps, photos, videos, web pages, all of it — in real time. The simplest method is AirPlay, Apple's built-in wireless system. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPad to open Control Center, tap the Screen Mirroring icon (it looks like a rectangle with an arrow), select your Apple TV from the list, and enter the four-digit code that appears on your TV screen if prompted. Your iPad screen now appears on your television.

This works on any iPad running iPadOS 12.3 or later paired with an Apple TV (4th generation or newer). Your iPad and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. The connection is wireless and stays active until you stop mirroring — tap Screen Mirroring again and select Stop Mirroring.

Key Takeaways

Open Control Center on your iPad, tap Screen Mirroring, choose your Apple TV, and enter the on-screen code to begin mirroring when ready.
Your iPad and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for mirroring to work.
Mirroring drains your iPad battery faster than normal use, so plug it in if you plan to mirror for more than an hour.
If your Apple TV does not appear in the Screen Mirroring list, restart both devices and check that Wi-Fi is on.

Where to find Screen Mirroring on different iPad models

The location of the Screen Mirroring control depends on which iPad you own. On iPad Pro, iPad Air, and newer iPad models with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. On older iPad models with a home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen instead.

Once Control Center is open, look for the Screen Mirroring icon — it shows a small rectangle with an arrow pointing into a larger rectangle. Tap it, and a menu appears listing all available Apple TV devices on your network. Select the one you want to use.

What to do if your Apple TV does not appear in the list

If you do not see your Apple TV in the Screen Mirroring menu, the devices are not on the same network. Check that both your iPad and Apple TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network by going to Settings on each device and confirming the network name matches.

If the networks match, restart both devices. Turn off your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Restart your iPad by holding the power button and swiping to power off, then turning it back on. After both devices restart, open Control Center again and check whether your Apple TV now appears.

If it still does not show up, move your iPad closer to your Apple TV and router. Walls and distance can weaken the Wi-Fi signal. You can also try "forgetting" the Wi-Fi network on your iPad — go to Settings, tap Wi-Fi, find your network, tap the info icon, and select Forget This Network. Then reconnect by selecting the network again and entering your password.

Entering the pairing code and starting to mirror

After you select your Apple TV from the Screen Mirroring menu, a four-digit code appears on your TV screen. Your iPad asks you to enter this code. Type the four numbers into your iPad — this confirms that you own both devices and prevents someone else from mirroring to your TV remotely.

Once you enter the code correctly, mirroring begins when ready. Your iPad screen fills your TV, and everything you do on your iPad appears on the television with a slight delay of one to two seconds. The audio from your iPad also plays through your Apple TV's speakers or connected sound system.

Battery drain and performance while mirroring

Mirroring uses significant power on your iPad because the screen stays on and the Wi-Fi radio works continuously. If you plan to mirror for longer than 30 to 45 minutes, plug your iPad into power. Without power, your battery can drop 15 to 20 percent per hour while mirroring.

Mirroring also works best when your iPad is not running other demanding tasks. If you are streaming video, playing games, or editing photos while mirroring, the connection may stutter or drop. Close unused apps before you start, and avoid opening new ones while mirroring is active.

Stopping the mirror and returning to normal iPad use

To stop mirroring, open Control Center again and tap Screen Mirroring. A menu appears showing your Apple TV with a checkmark next to it. Tap Stop Mirroring at the bottom of the menu. Your iPad screen returns to normal, and your Apple TV shows whatever was on it before you started mirroring.

If you want to switch to a different Apple TV without fully stopping, you can tap Screen Mirroring, select a different device, and enter its pairing code. The mirror switches to the new device without interruption.

When to use mirroring versus AirPlay for specific content

Mirroring shows your entire iPad screen, which is useful for presentations, showing photos to a group, or displaying web pages. However, if you only want to send audio or video from a single app, AirPlay within that app may be faster and use less battery. Many apps like Apple TV+, Netflix, YouTube, and Apple Music have their own AirPlay buttons inside the app — look for the speaker or rectangle-with-arrow icon and tap it to send just that content to your Apple TV without mirroring the whole screen.

Mirroring is the right choice when you need to show multiple apps, navigate between screens, or display content that does not have built-in AirPlay support. Single-app AirPlay is the right choice when you want to save battery and avoid showing your entire iPad to others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mirror from my iPad to an older Apple TV?

Mirroring works on Apple TV 4th generation and newer. If you have a 3rd generation Apple TV or earlier, you cannot use AirPlay mirroring. You can still use AirPlay to send audio or video from compatible apps, but full-screen mirroring is not supported.

Does mirroring work over cellular or a hotspot?

No. Your iPad and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you are away from home, you cannot mirror unless both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi — for example, at a hotel, office, or coffee shop. Cellular data does not work for mirroring.

Why does the picture lag or freeze while I am mirroring?

Lag usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move your iPad and Apple TV closer to your router, or restart your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds. Close other apps on your iPad that might be using Wi-Fi, like downloads or video streaming. If lag continues, your Wi-Fi network may be overcrowded — try connecting to a less busy network if available.

Can I mirror from my iPad to a non-Apple TV?

No. AirPlay mirroring only works with Apple TV devices. Some third-party televisions and streaming devices support AirPlay, but you need to check your device's specifications. If your TV does not support AirPlay, you cannot mirror directly from your iPad to it.

What happens to my iPad when I stop mirroring?

Your iPad returns to normal operation. The screen wakes up if it had gone to sleep, and you can use your iPad independently again. Stopping mirroring does not affect any files, apps, or settings on your iPad.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.