Screen mirroring sends your device's display to your TV wirelessly
Screen mirroring on Apple TV copies everything on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac screen to your television in real time. The feature is called AirPlay, and it works over your home Wi-Fi network without cables. You control what appears on the TV from your device — swipe, tap, or type normally, and the TV shows it all.
The process takes seconds once your devices are set up. Your Apple TV and the device you're mirroring from must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and your Apple TV must be powered on and connected to your television.
Key Takeaways
- Open Control Center on your device, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Apple TV from the list to start mirroring when ready.
- Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and your Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for mirroring to work.
- You can mirror from an iPhone or iPad running iOS 12.3 or later, or from a Mac running macOS 10.14 or later.
- Mirroring stops when you disconnect from Control Center or when you turn off your Apple TV.
How to mirror from an iPhone or iPad
Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center. On older iPad models, swipe up from the bottom instead. Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it shows a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom.
Tap Screen Mirroring. A list of available Apple TVs appears. Select the one you want to mirror to. Your device will connect in a few seconds, and your screen will appear on your television. A blue bar with "Screen Mirroring" may appear at the top of your device's screen to confirm the connection is active.
To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.
How to mirror from a Mac
Click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of your menu bar — it looks like three horizontal lines. If you don't see it, go to System Settings, click Control Center, and turn on Control Center in menu bar.
In the Control Center menu, click Screen Mirroring. A dropdown list shows available Apple TVs. Select your Apple TV. Your Mac screen will appear on your television within seconds. A menu bar icon will show that mirroring is active.
To disconnect, click the Screen Mirroring icon in the menu bar and select Stop Mirroring.
What to do if your Apple TV doesn't appear in the list
If you don't see your Apple TV when you open Screen Mirroring, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Look at your Apple TV's network settings in Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit to confirm which network it's connected to. Then check your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and make sure it's on that same network.
Restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. While it restarts, restart your iPhone, iPad, or Mac as well. Once both devices have restarted and reconnected to Wi-Fi, try Screen Mirroring again.
If your Apple TV is very old, it may not support AirPlay mirroring. Apple TV 2nd generation and later support mirroring, but 1st generation does not. Check your model in Settings > About on your Apple TV.
Performance tips for smooth mirroring
Mirroring works best when your device and Apple TV are close to your Wi-Fi router. If you're far away or the signal is weak, the connection may lag or drop. Move closer to the router or consider upgrading to a mesh Wi-Fi system if you have dead zones in your home.
Close apps you're not using on the device you're mirroring from. Mirroring uses Wi-Fi bandwidth, and running many apps at once can slow it down. If you're streaming video or playing a game, close background apps to keep the picture smooth.
Keep your Apple TV and your device updated to the latest software. Go to Settings > System > Software Updates on your Apple TV and check for updates on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac in Settings or System Settings. Newer software often fixes mirroring bugs.
What you can and cannot do while mirroring
While mirroring, your device's screen appears on the TV exactly as it looks on your device. You can use any app, open any document, and navigate normally. The TV shows everything — notifications, incoming calls, and private messages. Be aware of what's on your screen before you start mirroring in front of others.
Mirroring drains your device's battery faster than normal use because Wi-Fi and the screen stay active. Plug in your device if you plan to mirror for more than an hour. Audio plays through your Apple TV's speakers by default, not your device's speakers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mirror to multiple Apple TVs at the same time?
No. You can only mirror to one Apple TV at a time from a single device. If you want to show your screen on a different TV, stop mirroring on the first one and start on the second.
Does mirroring work if my Apple TV is on a different Wi-Fi network?
No. Your device and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your home has a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network, make sure both devices are on the same one — they don't automatically connect to the same band.
Can I mirror from an Android phone or Windows computer?
No. AirPlay mirroring works only with Apple devices: iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Android and Windows devices cannot mirror to Apple TV. Some third-party apps claim to add this feature, but they are not supported by Apple.
What happens to my device when I'm mirroring?
Your device continues to work normally. You can use it to control what appears on the TV, or you can lock the screen and let the TV show what was on it when you locked it. Incoming calls and notifications will still appear on your device and may show on the TV as well.
Does mirroring use a lot of data?
Mirroring uses Wi-Fi only and does not count against your cellular data plan. It does use your home Wi-Fi bandwidth, so other devices on your network may be slower while you're mirroring, especially if you're streaming video or playing online games.