How to Mirror Your iPhone to Apple TV in Three Steps

The fastest way to get your iPhone screen on your TV

To mirror your iPhone to Apple TV, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, then select your Apple TV from the list. Your iPhone screen will appear on your TV within a few seconds. The connection stays live until you swipe Control Center again and tap Stop Mirroring.

This works on any iPhone with Face ID (iPhone X and newer) and any Apple TV model from 2nd generation onward. If you have an older iPhone with a home button, swipe up from the bottom instead to reach Control Center. The TV and phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Key Takeaways

Open Control Center on your iPhone and tap Screen Mirroring to see a list of nearby Apple TVs.
Your iPhone and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for mirroring to work.
The mirrored image appears on your TV in real time, and you can still use your iPhone normally while mirroring.
If your Apple TV does not appear in the list, restart both devices and check that Wi-Fi is enabled on both.

What you need before you start

Check that your iPhone and Apple TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your iPhone, tap Wi-Fi, and confirm the network name. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit and verify it is connected to the same network. If either device is on a different network or a guest network, mirroring will not work.

Make sure your Apple TV is turned on and not in sleep mode. If it has been idle for a while, press any button on the remote or use the Apple TV app on your iPhone to wake it. Your iPhone should be running iOS 12.3 or later; check Settings > General > About to see your current version.

Step-by-step mirroring on iPhone with Face ID

Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone screen to open Control Center. You will see a grid of quick-access buttons. Look for Screen Mirroring, which shows a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it.

A list of available Apple TVs will appear within a second or two. Tap the name of the Apple TV you want to use. If you see a password field, your Apple TV has AirPlay security turned on; enter the four-digit code shown on your TV screen. Your iPhone screen will now mirror to the TV.

To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring. Your iPhone screen will no longer appear on the TV, but you can start mirroring again at any time.

Step-by-step mirroring on older iPhones with a home button

On iPhone 8 and earlier models, Control Center is accessed differently. Swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone screen to reveal Control Center. You will see the same grid of buttons as newer iPhones.

Tap Screen Mirroring and follow the same steps: select your Apple TV from the list, enter a code if prompted, and wait for your screen to appear on the TV. The mirroring process works identically once you reach the Screen Mirroring menu.

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

The most common reason an Apple TV does not show up is that it is on a different Wi-Fi network than your iPhone. Check both devices again: Settings > Wi-Fi on your iPhone, and Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit on your Apple TV. If one is on a 5 GHz network and the other is on 2.4 GHz, they may not see each other. Switch both to the same band.

Restart both devices. Turn off your Apple TV using the remote or by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then turn it back on. Restart your iPhone by holding the side button and volume button, sliding to power off, waiting a few seconds, then holding the side button again until you see the Apple logo. Once both devices are back on and connected to Wi-Fi, try Screen Mirroring again.

If your Apple TV is still not visible, check that AirPlay is enabled. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit and make sure AirPlay is turned on. Some older Apple TV models may have this setting under Settings > AirPlay instead. If you are still having trouble, unpair and re-pair the devices: on your Apple TV, go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > AirPlay Security and select Everyone or Anyone on the Same Network.

Using mirroring for common tasks

Mirroring is useful for showing photos, videos, or presentations to a group. Open the Photos app on your iPhone, start mirroring, and browse your library on the TV. For video calls, open FaceTime or another video app, start mirroring, and your call will appear on the TV screen. You can still hear and speak through your iPhone's speaker and microphone.

If you are playing a game or using an app that supports full-screen display, the app will automatically fill your TV screen. Some apps, like Apple TV+, may not allow mirroring due to copyright protection; in those cases, you will need to use AirPlay to send video directly to the TV instead of mirroring your entire screen. The difference is that AirPlay sends only the video content, while mirroring sends everything on your iPhone.

When to use AirPlay instead of mirroring

AirPlay is a separate feature that sends video or audio directly to your Apple TV without mirroring your entire screen. Use AirPlay when you want to keep your iPhone private while watching a movie or listening to music on the TV. Open the app you want to use (Apple TV+, Netflix, Spotify, or another streaming service), look for the AirPlay icon (a triangle with a circle), and tap it to send the content to your Apple TV.

AirPlay is faster than mirroring because it sends only the video or audio stream, not your entire screen. It also uses less battery on your iPhone. However, you cannot use AirPlay with every app; mirroring works with any app on your iPhone, so it is the fallback option if an app does not support AirPlay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mirror my iPhone to Apple TV if we are on different Wi-Fi networks?

No. Your iPhone and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your home has a guest network, make sure both devices are on the main network, not the guest network. Some routers allow you to connect both bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) to the same network name, which will work.

Does mirroring drain my iPhone battery quickly?

Yes, mirroring uses more battery than normal use because your iPhone is constantly sending video to the TV. If you plan to mirror for a long time, plug your iPhone into a charger. If you are just watching a movie, consider using AirPlay instead, which uses less battery.

Can I use my iPhone while it is mirroring to Apple TV?

Yes. Everything you do on your iPhone will appear on the TV in real time, but you can still use your phone normally. If you want to keep your iPhone private while something plays on the TV, use AirPlay instead of mirroring.

Why is my mirrored video choppy or delayed?

A weak Wi-Fi signal or network congestion can cause lag or stuttering. Move your iPhone closer to the router, or restart both your iPhone and Apple TV. If you have many devices on your Wi-Fi network, try disconnecting some of them temporarily. A wired connection on your Apple TV (if available) can also improve performance.

Do I need to pair my iPhone with Apple TV before mirroring?

No pairing is required. As long as both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, your iPhone will see your Apple TV in the Screen Mirroring list. The first time you connect, you may need to enter a code shown on your TV screen, but after that, mirroring is automatic.

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.