Screen mirroring sends your iPhone, iPad, or Mac display to your Apple TV wirelessly
Screen mirroring (also called AirPlay) lets you show what's on your phone, tablet, or computer on your TV screen without plugging in any cables. Your Apple device and Apple TV talk to each other over your home Wi-Fi network and display whatever you're looking at in real time. This works for watching videos, showing photos, playing games, or presenting anything else on a bigger screen.
The process is straightforward: you swipe or click to open the mirroring menu on your device, pick your Apple TV from the list, and your screen appears on the TV. You can stop mirroring just as easily by opening that same menu and selecting "Stop Mirroring."
Key Takeaways
- Your Apple device and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network for mirroring to work.
- On iPhone and iPad, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your Apple TV.
- On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar, select Screen Mirroring, and choose your Apple TV from the list.
- If your Apple TV doesn't appear in the mirroring list, restart both devices and check that they're connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Mirroring works with any Apple TV model that supports AirPlay, including Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, and earlier generations.
How to mirror from iPhone or iPad
On iPhone or iPad, open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen (or swiping up from the bottom on older models). Look for the "Screen Mirroring" option—it usually appears in the second or third row of icons.
Tap "Screen Mirroring" and wait a moment for your Apple TV to appear in the list. Your TV will show its name, often something like "Living Room Apple TV" or just "Apple TV." Tap the name of the TV you want to use. If you see a passcode on your TV screen, enter it on your iPhone or iPad to complete the connection.
Once connected, your entire screen displays on the TV. Everything you do on your device—opening apps, scrolling, typing—shows up on the bigger display in real time. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select "Stop Mirroring."
How to mirror from a Mac
On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar at the top right of your screen. It looks like a rectangle with sliders inside. A menu drops down showing various options.
Look for "Screen Mirroring" in that menu and click it. Your Apple TV should appear in a submenu. Click your TV's name to start mirroring. If a passcode appears on your TV, type it into the dialog box on your Mac.
Your Mac's display now shows on the TV. You can continue working normally—open documents, browse the web, or play videos. To stop mirroring, click Control Center again, select "Screen Mirroring," and choose "Stop Mirroring."
Making sure your devices can find each other
Screen mirroring only works when your Apple device and Apple TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Check your iPhone, iPad, or Mac Wi-Fi settings and confirm they're on the same network as your Apple TV. If you're on a guest network or a different band (2.4 GHz versus 5 GHz), they may not see each other.
If your Apple TV doesn't show up in the mirroring list, restart both devices. Unplug your Apple TV for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot up. Then restart your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Once both are back online and on the same network, try opening the mirroring menu again.
Some older Apple TV models may not support AirPlay mirroring. If you have an Apple TV 3rd generation or earlier, you may not be able to use this feature. Check your Apple TV's settings or the model number on the back to confirm it supports AirPlay.
What to do if the passcode won't work
When you first try to mirror to an Apple TV, the TV may display a four-digit passcode. Type this code exactly as it appears into your device. If you enter it wrong three times, you'll need to wait a few minutes before trying again.
If the passcode keeps rejecting your input, restart both devices and try mirroring again. A fresh restart often clears up passcode issues. You can also check your Apple TV's AirPlay settings to see if you can disable the passcode requirement, though this makes your TV less find if guests are nearby.
Mirroring audio only without the full screen
If you want to send just audio to your Apple TV (for music or podcasts) without mirroring your entire screen, use AirPlay audio instead. Open Control Center on your device, look for the audio or music controls, and tap the AirPlay icon—it looks like a triangle with sound waves. Select your Apple TV to send audio only.
This is useful when you want to play music through your TV's speakers without showing your screen. Your device stays private while the sound plays through the TV. To switch back to your device's speaker, open the same audio menu and select your device's name.
Troubleshooting when mirroring cuts out or lags
If mirroring disconnects unexpectedly, move closer to your Wi-Fi router. Walls, distance, and interference from other devices can weaken the signal. If your router is far from your TV, consider moving it or using a Wi-Fi extender.
Lag or stuttering usually means your Wi-Fi is busy. Close other apps using the internet on your device, and ask others on your network to pause streaming or downloads. If you're on a 2.4 GHz network, try switching to 5 GHz if your router supports it—5 GHz is faster but has shorter range.
If mirroring keeps dropping, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. Also check that your Apple TV has the latest software by going to Settings > System > Software Updates on the TV itself.
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 the first one and then select the second TV from the mirroring menu.
Does screen mirroring use a lot of battery on my iPhone or iPad?
Yes, mirroring drains battery faster than normal use because your device is constantly sending video and audio over Wi-Fi. If you're mirroring for a long time, plug your device into power. Turning off Wi-Fi when you're done mirroring also helps preserve battery.
Can I use my device while it's mirroring to the TV?
Yes, your device works normally while mirroring. Everything you do shows on the TV in real time, so you can open apps, type, scroll, or take actions as usual. The TV just displays whatever is on your device's screen.
What if my Apple TV is on a different Wi-Fi band than my phone?
Some routers split Wi-Fi into 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Your device and Apple TV must be on the same band to see each other. Check your router settings or your device's Wi-Fi menu to confirm both are connected to the same network name and band.
Can I mirror from an Android phone or non-Apple device?
No, AirPlay mirroring only works with Apple devices—iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Android phones and Windows computers cannot mirror to Apple TV. Some third-party apps claim to offer this, but they are not supported by Apple and may not work reliably.