How to Mirror or Stream Your iPhone to Your TV

The fastest way to get your iPhone on your TV screen

You can send your iPhone screen to a TV in two ways: AirPlay mirroring, which copies everything on your phone in real time, or AirPlay streaming, which sends just a single app or video while you use your phone for other things. Both work wirelessly if your TV has AirPlay built in, or if you connect an Apple TV box. The method you choose depends on what you want to watch and whether you need to use your phone at the same time.

Mirroring is the simpler option for most people — your entire screen appears on the TV, and anything you tap on your phone shows up there too. Streaming a single app or video is better if you want to keep browsing, texting, or checking email without that activity showing on the big screen.

Key Takeaways

AirPlay mirroring copies your entire iPhone screen to the TV and works with any TV that has AirPlay support or with an Apple TV box connected to any TV.
To mirror, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone, tap Control Center, hold down the Brightness slider, then tap Screen Mirroring and select your TV.
If your TV does not have AirPlay built in, you can add it by connecting an Apple TV box (4th generation or newer) to an HDMI port.
Streaming a single app or video lets you keep using your phone for other tasks while the content plays on the TV.
Both methods require your iPhone and TV to be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Mirroring your entire iPhone screen

Mirroring sends everything on your phone to the TV — your home screen, apps, notifications, and all. To start, make sure your iPhone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Then swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center. You will see a grid of quick-access buttons.

Hold your finger on the Brightness slider at the top of Control Center until a second row of controls appears. Tap Screen Mirroring. Your phone will search for nearby devices. Select your TV from the list. If you see a four-digit code on your TV screen, enter it on your iPhone to confirm the connection. Your iPhone screen will now appear on the TV.

To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring. Your phone screen will no longer appear on the TV, but you can still use your phone normally.

Streaming a single app or video instead

If you want to watch something on the TV but keep your phone free for texting or browsing, you can stream just that one app or video. Open the app or video you want to watch — for example, YouTube, Netflix, or Apple TV+. Look for an AirPlay icon, which looks like a triangle with a circle underneath it. Tap it.

Select your TV from the list. The video or app will now play on the TV, but your phone screen returns to normal. You can lock your phone, open other apps, or set it down without affecting what is playing on the TV. To stop streaming, tap the AirPlay icon again and select your iPhone.

Not every app has an AirPlay button. If you do not see one, the app does not support streaming to a TV — you would need to use full screen mirroring instead.

What to do if your TV does not have AirPlay

Many newer TVs have AirPlay built in, but older models do not. If your TV does not appear in the Screen Mirroring list, you can add AirPlay support by connecting an Apple TV box to an HDMI port on your TV. Apple TV 4th generation and newer all support AirPlay.

Plug the Apple TV into power and into an HDMI port on your TV. Follow the on-screen setup steps, including connecting it to your Wi-Fi network. Once it is set up, your TV will appear in your iPhone's Screen Mirroring list. You can then mirror or stream to it the same way you would with a TV that has AirPlay built in.

If you do not want to buy an Apple TV box, some streaming devices like Roku or Amazon Fire TV also support AirPlay, though you should check the specific model to confirm.

Troubleshooting when mirroring does not work

If your TV does not appear in the Screen Mirroring list, the most common cause is that your iPhone and TV are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both devices are connected to the same network name. If you have a 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz network with the same name, try connecting your iPhone to the 2.4 GHz band, as some older devices work better on that frequency.

If they are on the same network and the TV still does not appear, restart your iPhone and your TV. Turn off Wi-Fi on your iPhone, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. If the TV has a restart option in its settings, use that too. Then try Screen Mirroring again.

If mirroring starts but the picture is choppy or keeps disconnecting, move your iPhone closer to the TV or router. Walls and distance can weaken the Wi-Fi signal. You can also try turning off other devices that are using the network, as too much traffic can cause drops.

Controlling what appears on your TV while mirroring

When you are mirroring, your entire phone screen shows on the TV, including notifications, incoming calls, and messages. If you want privacy, you can use Focus modes to hide notifications while mirroring. Open Settings on your iPhone, tap Focus, and create or edit a Focus mode to silence notifications. When you set up that Focus before mirroring, notifications will not appear on the TV screen.

You can also use Do Not Disturb to silence calls and messages during mirroring. Open Control Center, tap Do Not Disturb, and it will stay on until you turn it off. This hides notifications from the TV screen without stopping calls from people in your Favorites list.

Mirroring video and audio quality

AirPlay mirroring sends video at the resolution your TV supports, up to 4K on newer Apple TV boxes and compatible TVs. The quality depends on your Wi-Fi connection — a strong, close connection gives you the sharpest picture. If you are far from the router or the signal is weak, the image may look softer or pixelated.

Audio plays through your TV speakers by default. If you want to hear sound through your iPhone instead, or through both at once, you can adjust this in Control Center. When you are mirroring, open Control Center, tap the audio output icon (it looks like a speaker), and choose where you want sound to play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mirror my iPhone to a TV without Wi-Fi?

No. AirPlay requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If you do not have Wi-Fi, you can use a wired connection with a Lightning to HDMI adapter, but that is a different method than AirPlay mirroring.

Does mirroring drain my iPhone battery faster?

Yes, mirroring uses more power than normal use because your phone is constantly sending video to the TV over Wi-Fi. If you are mirroring for a long time, plug your iPhone into power to keep the battery from draining.

Can I mirror my iPhone to multiple TVs at once?

No. You can only mirror to one device at a time. If you want to send the same content to multiple TVs, you would need to mirror to each one separately, one after the other.

What if my TV brand is not Apple?

AirPlay works on most modern TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and other brands if they have AirPlay built in. Check your TV's settings or manual to see if it supports AirPlay. If it does not, an Apple TV box will add AirPlay support to any TV with an HDMI port.

Can I use AirPlay while on a mobile hotspot instead of Wi-Fi?

Yes, as long as both your iPhone and Apple TV (or AirPlay-compatible TV) are connected to the same mobile hotspot. The connection may be slower than a home Wi-Fi network, which can affect video quality.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.