Screen mirroring sends your device's display to your Apple TV wirelessly
Screen mirroring is the feature that lets you see everything on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac screen appear on your TV in real time. You swipe or click a button, your Apple TV picks up the signal, and within a few seconds your device's display fills the television. The TV shows exactly what you see on your smaller screen — apps, photos, videos, web pages, everything — and you control it all from your device.
The process works because your Apple TV and your device talk to each other over the same Wi-Fi network. You do not need cables, and you do not need to pair them beforehand. The first time you mirror, your Apple TV will ask you to confirm the connection. After that, mirroring is faster because your devices remember each other.
Key Takeaways
- Your Apple TV and your device 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, then tap Screen Mirroring and select your Apple TV.
- On Mac, click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner, click Screen Mirroring, and choose your Apple TV from the list.
- The first time you connect, your Apple TV will display a code you may need to confirm on your device.
- If mirroring does not start, restart both your device and your Apple TV, then check that both are on the same Wi-Fi network.
How to mirror from an iPhone or iPad
Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen. If you have an older iPad with a home button, swipe up from the bottom instead. You will see a grid of quick-access buttons.
Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it shows a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it. A list of available Apple TVs will appear within a second or two. Tap the name of the Apple TV you want to use.
Your Apple TV will display a four-digit code on the television screen. Look at your device and enter that code when prompted. Some Apple TVs skip this step if you have already mirrored before. Once the code is confirmed, your device's screen will appear on the TV. The status bar at the top of your device will turn blue and show "Screen Mirroring" to confirm the connection is active.
How to mirror from a Mac
Click the Control Center icon in the top-right corner of your menu bar — it looks like a grid of dots. A panel will slide out from the right side of the screen.
Click Screen Mirroring in the Control Center panel. A dropdown menu will show all available Apple TVs on your network. Click the one you want to mirror to.
Your Mac screen will begin mirroring to the TV. If this is your first time connecting to that Apple TV, you may see a prompt asking you to confirm. Your Apple TV might also display a code on the television — if so, enter it on your Mac when asked. Once confirmed, your Mac's display will fill the TV screen, and a blue menu bar icon will indicate that mirroring is active.
Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network
Screen mirroring only works when your device and your Apple TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Check your device's Wi-Fi settings and confirm the network name matches the one your Apple TV is using. If you are unsure which network your Apple TV is on, go to Settings on the Apple TV itself, select Network, and look at the Wi-Fi name listed there.
If your home has a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz network with the same name, your device might connect to one while your Apple TV connects to the other. They will not see each other. Force your device to connect to the same band as your Apple TV by going into Wi-Fi settings, forgetting the network, and reconnecting while standing close to the Apple TV.
Stop screen mirroring when you are done
To disconnect, open Control Center again and tap or click Screen Mirroring. Select Stop Mirroring at the bottom of the menu. Your device's screen will no longer appear on the TV, and the blue status indicator will disappear.
You can also stop mirroring directly from your Apple TV. Use the Apple TV remote to go to the AirPlay menu and select the option to disconnect the mirroring device. Either method works equally well.
Common reasons mirroring will not start
If the Screen Mirroring button does not show any Apple TVs, or if you tap it and nothing happens, the most common cause is that your device and Apple TV are not on the same network. Check both devices' Wi-Fi settings first.
If the network is correct, restart both devices. Turn off your Apple TV completely by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Restart your iPhone, iPad, or Mac using the normal shutdown process. Wait for both to fully boot up, then try mirroring again. This solves most connection problems.
If mirroring still does not work, check that your Apple TV software is current. On your Apple TV, go to Settings, then System, then Software Updates. If an update is available, install it and restart. Older Apple TV software sometimes has trouble connecting to newer devices.
What you can do while mirroring
Once your screen is mirroring, you control everything from your device as usual. Open apps, swipe between screens, adjust volume, and play videos — all of it appears on the TV in real time. The TV straightforward shows what your device shows. You can also adjust the volume using your device's volume buttons, and the TV will get louder or quieter.
Mirroring uses some battery power on your device, especially if you are mirroring video or games. If you are mirroring for a long time, plug your device into power. The Apple TV itself does not use extra power for mirroring — it only displays what it receives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mirror to an Apple TV if I am not the Wi-Fi network owner?
Yes. As long as your device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the Apple TV, you can mirror to it. You do not need to own the network or have any special permissions. This is why mirroring works at friends' houses, offices, and hotels.
What if my Apple TV does not appear in the Screen Mirroring list?
First, check that your Apple TV is powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. Then restart your device and try again. If the Apple TV still does not appear, restart the Apple TV by unplugging it for 10 seconds. Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network — if your home has separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, connect both devices to the same one.
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 someone else is already mirroring, you will see their name in the Screen Mirroring menu, and you will have to wait for them to stop before you can start.
Does mirroring work if my device is on cellular data instead of Wi-Fi?
No. Your device must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV. Cellular data does not work for mirroring because the Apple TV cannot reach your device over cellular. Make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi before you try to mirror.
Can I use my device for other things while mirroring?
Yes, but everything you do will show on the TV. If you open a different app, switch to a different screen, or receive a notification, the TV will display it. If you want privacy, stop mirroring first, then use your device normally.