How to Mirror Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to Apple TV

What mirroring is and how to start

Mirroring sends everything on your device's screen to your Apple TV in real time. Whatever you tap, swipe, or open on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac appears on your TV at the same moment. You control it all from your device — the Apple TV remote stays in your pocket.

To mirror, your device and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad (swipe down from the top right), or on your Mac open the menu bar in the top right corner. Look for the AirPlay icon — it looks like a triangle with curved lines above it. Tap or click it, select your Apple TV from the list, and mirroring starts when ready.

The first time you mirror to a new Apple TV, your device may ask for a four-digit code that appears on your TV screen. Type it into your device to confirm. After that, mirroring to the same TV happens without the code.

Key Takeaways

Your device and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before mirroring will work.
On iPhone and iPad, open Control Center and tap the AirPlay icon to see available Apple TVs and start mirroring.
On Mac, click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar at the top right of the screen to mirror or extend your display.
The first time you mirror to an Apple TV, you will need to enter a four-digit code shown on your TV screen.
Mirroring drains your device's battery faster than normal use, so plug in your phone or tablet if you plan to mirror for more than an hour.

Mirroring from iPhone and iPad

On an iPhone or iPad with Face ID (iPhone X and newer, iPad Pro 2018 and newer, iPad Air 3 and newer), swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center. On older models with a home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen instead. Look for the AirPlay icon — three curved lines stacked like a triangle pointing up.

Tap the AirPlay icon. A list of available Apple TVs appears. Select the one you want to mirror to. Your screen will flash, and within a second or two, your device's display appears on your TV. The AirPlay icon now shows a filled-in triangle, telling you mirroring is active.

To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap the AirPlay icon, and select "Stop Mirroring." Your TV screen returns to whatever was showing before, and your device goes back to normal.

Mirroring from a Mac

On your Mac, look at the menu bar in the top right corner of the screen. Click the AirPlay icon — it looks the same as on iPhone and iPad. A dropdown menu appears with a list of available Apple TVs and display options.

Select your Apple TV. A second option appears below the TV name: "Mirror Built-in Retina Display" or similar. Click it to mirror. Your Mac's screen now appears on your TV. The AirPlay icon in the menu bar fills in to show mirroring is active.

If you do not see the AirPlay icon in your menu bar, go to System Settings, click "Displays," then check the box next to "Show mirroring options in the menu bar when available." The icon will appear the next time an Apple TV is nearby.

Troubleshooting when mirroring does not work

If your Apple TV does not appear in the AirPlay list, the most common reason is that your device and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check that both are connected to the same network name. If you have a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name, try connecting your device to the same band your Apple TV uses — check your Apple TV settings under "Network" to see which one it is on.

If they are on the same network and the Apple TV still does not show up, restart both devices. Turn off your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Restart your iPhone, iPad, or Mac normally. Wait 30 seconds after both devices restart, then try opening the AirPlay menu again.

If mirroring starts but the picture is choppy, laggy, or keeps disconnecting, move closer to your Wi-Fi router. Mirroring uses a lot of bandwidth, and walls or distance can weaken the signal. If you are far from the router, the connection may drop. Alternatively, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 10 seconds.

What mirroring uses and what it does not

Mirroring works over Wi-Fi only — it does not use Bluetooth or a cable. Your device must stay awake and connected to the network the entire time you are mirroring. If your device goes to sleep, mirroring stops. On iPhone and iPad, you can prevent sleep by opening Settings, tapping "Display & Brightness," and turning on "Auto-Lock" to "Never" while you are mirroring — just remember to turn it back on afterward.

Mirroring sends video and audio from your device to your Apple TV. If you are playing a video or music, both the picture and sound go to the TV. If you are using an app that does not support mirroring, the app may show a black screen on your TV, or the TV may display a message saying the content cannot be mirrored. This is a restriction built into some apps, not a problem with your setup.

Mirroring is different from AirPlay, which sends only audio or video to the TV without mirroring your whole screen. For example, you can AirPlay a movie from the Apple TV app without mirroring — the TV shows the movie, but your iPhone screen shows your home screen or another app. Mirroring shows everything.

Extending your Mac display instead of mirroring

On a Mac, you have a second option besides mirroring: extending your display. Instead of showing the same thing on both screens, extending uses your Apple TV as a second monitor. You can drag windows between your Mac and the TV, or use the TV to show one app while your Mac shows another.

To extend instead of mirror, click the AirPlay icon in the menu bar and look for an option that says "Use as Separate Display" or "Extend Display." Click it. Your Mac's menu bar now appears on the TV, and you can move windows to it. To go back to mirroring, click the AirPlay icon again and select "Mirror Built-in Retina Display."

Frequently Asked Questions

Does mirroring work if my device is not plugged in?

Yes, but mirroring drains your battery much faster than normal use. A full charge typically lasts one to two hours of mirroring, depending on your device and what you are displaying. If you plan to mirror for longer than an hour, plug your device into power.

Can I use my device while mirroring?

Yes. Everything you do on your device appears on the TV in real time. You can open apps, type, swipe, and tap normally. The TV shows it all. If you want privacy, stop mirroring by opening the AirPlay menu and selecting "Stop Mirroring."

Why does my Apple TV not appear in the AirPlay list?

The most common reason is that your device and Apple TV are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check that both are connected to the same network name. If they are on the same network, restart both devices and try again. If the Apple TV is still missing, check that AirPlay is turned on in the Apple TV settings under "AirPlay and HomeKit."

Can I mirror from multiple devices to the same Apple TV at the same time?

No. Only one device can mirror to an Apple TV at a time. If a second device tries to mirror while one is already mirroring, the first one will stop. You must stop mirroring on the first device before a second device can start.

Does mirroring work over a cellular connection or hotspot?

No. Mirroring requires a Wi-Fi network. Both your device and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. A cellular connection or personal hotspot will not work for mirroring.

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.