The basic pairing process

To connect your iPhone to your Apple TV, you need both devices on the same Wi-Fi network, then use the AirPlay feature built into iOS. Open Control Center on your iPhone (swipe down from the top-right corner on newer models, or up from the bottom on older ones), tap Screen Mirroring, select your Apple TV from the list, and enter the four-digit code that appears on your TV screen. That's the full process — it takes about 30 seconds once you know where to look.

The code that appears on your TV is a security step. It prevents someone else's phone from connecting to your TV without permission. After you enter it once, your iPhone will remember your Apple TV and connect faster the next time.

Key Takeaways

  • Both your iPhone and Apple TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before pairing will work.
  • Screen Mirroring is found in Control Center on your iPhone, and you select your Apple TV's name from the list that appears.
  • A four-digit code displays on your TV screen during pairing — enter this code on your iPhone to complete the connection.
  • Once paired, your iPhone will connect to the same Apple TV automatically when both devices are on the same network, without needing the code again.
  • If your Apple TV doesn't appear in the Screen Mirroring list, restart both devices and check that they're on the same Wi-Fi network.

Check your Wi-Fi connection first

Your iPhone and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. This is the most common reason pairing fails. Open Settings on your iPhone, tap Wi-Fi, and note which network you're connected to. Then check your Apple TV: go to Settings, select Network, and confirm it shows the same Wi-Fi name.

If your Apple TV is on a different network — or on a guest network while your iPhone is on the main one — they won't see each other. Switch your iPhone to match your Apple TV's network, or vice versa. Some households have separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands under different names; if that's your setup, make sure both devices are on the same band.

Opening Control Center and finding Screen Mirroring

The location of Control Center depends on your iPhone model. On iPhone X and newer, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen. On iPhone 8 and earlier, swipe up from the bottom. Control Center shows a grid of quick-access buttons.

Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it, and a list of available devices appears. Your Apple TV should show up by name (for example, "Living Room" or "Apple TV"). If you don't see Screen Mirroring in Control Center, you may need to add it: go to Settings, tap Control Center, then tap the plus sign next to Screen Mirroring to make it visible.

Entering the pairing code on your TV

After you tap your Apple TV's name in the Screen Mirroring list, a four-digit code appears on your TV screen. This code is unique to that pairing session. On your iPhone, a prompt asks you to enter the code. Type the four digits exactly as they appear on the TV, then tap Done or press Enter.

The code is case-sensitive and must be entered within a few minutes. If you wait too long, the code expires and you'll need to start over. Once you enter it correctly, your iPhone screen mirrors to the Apple TV, and the connection is saved for future use.

What to do if your Apple TV doesn't appear in the list

If you don't see your Apple TV's name when you open Screen Mirroring, the devices aren't communicating. First, restart both: unplug your Apple TV for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot (about 30 seconds). Then restart your iPhone by holding the power button and sliding to power off, waiting 10 seconds, and turning it back on.

After both devices restart, check Wi-Fi again. Open Settings on your iPhone and confirm you're on the same network as your Apple TV. If your Apple TV's name still doesn't appear, try moving your iPhone closer to the Apple TV and router — sometimes distance or interference blocks the connection. If it still doesn't work, forget the Wi-Fi network on your iPhone (Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the info icon next to the network name, tap Forget), then reconnect by selecting it again and entering the password.

Disconnecting and reconnecting

To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring. Your iPhone screen returns to normal, and your Apple TV shows its home screen or whatever app was open before you started mirroring.

The next time you want to connect to the same Apple TV, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, select your Apple TV, and enter the code again. After the first pairing, your iPhone remembers the Apple TV, so you won't have to re-enter the code every single time — though some users report needing to enter it occasionally if the connection drops for a while.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most frequent error is forgetting to check the Wi-Fi network. If your devices are on different networks, Screen Mirroring won't work no matter what you do. Always verify both are on the same network before troubleshooting anything else.

Another common mistake is entering the code too slowly or making a typo. The code expires after a few minutes, and even one wrong digit requires you to start over. Type carefully and watch the TV screen to confirm each number as you enter it.

Some users also forget that Screen Mirroring requires an active Wi-Fi connection — you can't use Bluetooth alone. If your Wi-Fi is down, mirroring won't work. Finally, if you're using an older iPhone model (iPhone 6s or earlier), your device may not support Screen Mirroring to Apple TV at all; check Apple's support page for your specific model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be on the same Wi-Fi network every time I want to mirror?

Yes. Screen Mirroring requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you take your iPhone to a different location with different Wi-Fi, you'll need to connect to that location's network and pair again. You can't mirror over cellular data.

Why does the code keep expiring before I can enter it?

The code is only valid for a few minutes. If you're typing slowly or get distracted, it may expire. Start over by tapping Screen Mirroring again on your iPhone — a new code will appear on the TV. Type the new code as soon as it appears, without delay.

Can I mirror from multiple iPhones to the same Apple TV?

Only one device can mirror at a time. If a second iPhone tries to connect while the first is mirroring, the first connection will drop. You'll need to stop mirroring on the first device before the second can connect.

What if my Apple TV is an older model?

Older Apple TV models (3rd generation and earlier) don't support Screen Mirroring. If you have an Apple TV 4th generation or newer, mirroring should work. Check your Apple TV's model number in Settings > About to confirm which version you own.

Can I mirror audio only, without the video?

Screen Mirroring sends both video and audio together. If you want to send only audio to a speaker or sound system, use AirPlay audio instead, which is a separate feature found in the Music app or Control Center under AirPlay Audio. That's different from Screen Mirroring.