Mirror your device to Apple TV using AirPlay

AirPlay is Apple's built-in wireless system that sends video, audio, and screen content from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac directly to your Apple TV. To mirror, swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone or iPad screen (or down from the top-right on newer models) to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, select your Apple TV from the list, and enter the four-digit code that appears on your TV screen if prompted. On a Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar, select Screen Mirroring, and choose your Apple TV.

The process takes about 5 to 10 seconds from start to finish. Your entire screen—apps, notifications, everything—appears on the TV in real time. When you're done, return to Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring again, then select Stop Mirroring.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Control Center on your device, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Apple TV from the list to begin mirroring when ready.
  • Your Apple TV and the device you're mirroring from must be on the same Wi-Fi network for AirPlay to work.
  • If your Apple TV asks for a code, look at your TV screen—the four-digit code appears there, not on your device.
  • Mirroring drains your device's battery faster than normal use, so plug in your iPhone or iPad if you plan to mirror for more than an hour.
  • If mirroring fails, restart both your Apple TV and your device, then try again.

Check your Wi-Fi connection and Apple TV setup

AirPlay only works when your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV. Before you attempt to mirror, open Settings on your device and confirm you're logged into the correct network. Your Apple TV should show the same network name in its settings (Settings > Network on the TV itself).

Make sure your Apple TV is powered on and fully booted—the home screen should be visible. If your Apple TV is in sleep mode, press any button on the remote to wake it. Check that your Apple TV software is current by going to Settings > System > About on the TV; if an update is available, install it before mirroring.

Find and select your Apple TV in Screen Mirroring

On iPhone or iPad, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center (or swipe down from the top-right corner on iPhone X and newer). Look for the Screen Mirroring icon—it shows a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it to see a list of available Apple TVs on your network.

Your Apple TV should appear by name in the list. Tap its name to connect. If you see a four-digit code on your TV screen, enter that code on your device when prompted. If no code appears, mirroring will start when ready. The status bar at the top of your device will turn blue when mirroring is active.

On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar (top-right corner), select Screen Mirroring, and choose your Apple TV from the dropdown menu. Enter the code if one appears on your TV screen.

Troubleshoot when your Apple TV doesn't appear in the list

If your Apple TV isn't showing up in Screen Mirroring, the most common cause is that your device and Apple TV are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check both devices again to confirm they're on the same network. Some homes have a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name—try connecting your device to the same frequency band your Apple TV uses (check Settings > Network on your Apple TV to see which one it's on).

Restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. While it boots up, restart your iPhone, iPad, or Mac as well. Once both devices are fully restarted and on the same network, open Control Center again and look for your Apple TV in the Screen Mirroring list.

If your Apple TV still doesn't appear, check that AirPlay is turned on in the Apple TV settings. Go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit on your TV and confirm AirPlay is set to On. You can also try forgetting the Wi-Fi network on your device and reconnecting to it—sometimes this clears connection issues that prevent AirPlay from working.

Stop mirroring and return to your device's normal screen

To end mirroring, open Control Center on your device again and tap Screen Mirroring. Select Stop Mirroring from the menu. Your device's screen will return to normal, and your Apple TV will show its home screen or the last app you were using before you started mirroring.

If you want to switch to a different Apple TV without stopping mirroring first, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select a new Apple TV from the list. Your connection will switch to the new device. If mirroring freezes or becomes unresponsive, force-close Control Center by swiping up and holding, then try again.

Understand what happens to your battery and performance while mirroring

Mirroring uses Wi-Fi constantly and keeps your device's screen on, which drains the battery much faster than normal use. On an iPhone or iPad, expect your battery to drop 10 to 15 percent every 30 minutes while mirroring. If you're mirroring for longer than an hour, plug your device into power to avoid running out of battery mid-session.

Mirroring also uses processing power, so your device may feel slightly slower while it's active. If you're running other apps in the background, close them before you start mirroring to improve performance. On Mac, mirroring can also make your computer warmer, so make sure the vents aren't blocked and the room is well-ventilated.

Use AirPlay to mirror specific apps instead of your whole screen

Some apps let you send just that app to your Apple TV without mirroring your entire screen. This is useful if you want to keep using your device for other things while the app plays on the TV. Open the app you want to send to Apple TV, look for an AirPlay icon (usually a rectangle with a triangle), and tap it. Select your Apple TV from the list.

Not all apps support this feature—it depends on whether the app developer built AirPlay into their software. Video apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Apple TV+ usually have this option. When you're done, tap the AirPlay icon again and select your device to stop sending the app to the TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be on the same Wi-Fi network to use AirPlay?

Yes. Your device and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If you're on a guest network or a different network entirely, AirPlay won't work. Check your network settings on both devices to confirm they match.

What if my Apple TV keeps asking for a code?

The code appears on your TV screen, not on your device. Look at what's displayed on the television and enter that four-digit number on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. If the code expires before you enter it, the TV will generate a new one automatically.

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 connect, it will interrupt the first one. You must stop mirroring on the first device before a second device can connect.

Why does mirroring stop working after a few minutes?

This usually happens if your Wi-Fi connection drops or becomes unstable. Move closer to your router, restart both devices, and try again. If the problem persists, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in.

Can I mirror to Apple TV while using cellular data instead of Wi-Fi?

No. AirPlay requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. Cellular data won't work for mirroring. You must connect to a Wi-Fi network that your Apple TV can also access.