Screen mirroring from iPhone to Fire Stick uses AirPlay, Apple's wireless casting system
Screen mirroring sends everything on your iPhone's display to your Fire Stick and TV in real time. To do this, your iPhone and Fire Stick must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and your Fire Stick must have AirPlay support enabled. Most Fire Stick models made after 2017 support AirPlay, though you may need to update the Fire Stick's software first.
The process itself takes about 30 seconds once both devices are set up correctly. You swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, select your Fire Stick from the list, and your screen appears on the TV. If your Fire Stick doesn't appear in that list, it usually means AirPlay isn't turned on or the devices aren't on the same network.
Key Takeaways
- Your iPhone and Fire Stick must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for screen mirroring to work.
- Fire Stick models from 2017 onward support AirPlay, but you may need to update the software through Settings > Device > About.
- Enable AirPlay on your Fire Stick by going to Settings > Display and Sounds > Enable AirPlay, then restart the device.
- If your Fire Stick doesn't appear when you open Control Center on your iPhone, check that both devices are on the same network and AirPlay is enabled.
Check your Fire Stick model and software version
Not all Fire Stick models support AirPlay. The Fire Stick 4K (all generations), Fire Stick HD, and Fire Stick Lite all have AirPlay built in. The original Fire Stick (released in 2014) and Fire Stick Basic Edition do not support AirPlay at all. If you have one of those older models, screen mirroring from iPhone is not possible.
Even if your Fire Stick model supports AirPlay, the software must be current. Go to your Fire Stick's home screen, select Settings, then Device, then About. Look for System Update. If an update is available, select it and let the Fire Stick restart. This usually takes a few minutes. Once the update finishes, your Fire Stick will be ready for AirPlay.
Turn on AirPlay on your Fire Stick
AirPlay is not always enabled by default, even on compatible Fire Stick models. From the Fire Stick home screen, go to Settings, then Display and Sounds. Scroll down until you see Enable AirPlay. Select it and make sure it shows as On. If it's already on, you can skip this step.
After you enable AirPlay, restart your Fire Stick. You can do this by unplugging it for 10 seconds and plugging it back in, or by going to Settings > Device > Restart. Wait for the Fire Stick to boot back up completely before you try to mirror from your iPhone.
Connect your iPhone and Fire Stick to the same Wi-Fi network
Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and select your home network. On your Fire Stick, go to Settings > Network, select your Wi-Fi network, and enter the password if prompted. Make sure both devices show they are connected — your iPhone will show a Wi-Fi icon in the status bar, and your Fire Stick will show a checkmark next to the network name.
If you have a dual-band router (one that broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks), connect both devices to the same band. Most Fire Sticks work better on 2.4 GHz, so if you have a choice, connect both to that band. If your iPhone is on 5 GHz and your Fire Stick is on 2.4 GHz, they won't see each other.
Start screen mirroring from your iPhone
Open Control Center on your iPhone. On iPhone X and newer, swipe down from the top-right corner. On iPhone 8 and earlier, swipe up from the bottom. Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it.
A list of available devices will appear. Your Fire Stick should show up with its name (for example, "Living Room Fire Stick"). Tap it. Your iPhone will ask for a PIN code that appears on your TV screen. Read the four-digit code from your TV and enter it on your iPhone. Once you enter the code, your iPhone's screen will appear on your TV.
Troubleshoot if your Fire Stick doesn't appear
If you tap Screen Mirroring and your Fire Stick doesn't show up in the list, first check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on both and confirm they show the same network name. If they do, restart both devices — turn off your iPhone and turn it back on, and unplug your Fire Stick for 10 seconds.
If the Fire Stick still doesn't appear, go back to Settings > Display and Sounds > Enable AirPlay on your Fire Stick and make sure it's on. Sometimes the setting turns itself off after a software update. After you turn it back on, restart the Fire Stick again and try mirroring from your iPhone.
If you see your Fire Stick in the list but the connection fails or asks for a PIN that never appears on your TV, unplug the Fire Stick, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Once it finishes restarting, try again.
What you can do once you're mirrored
Once your iPhone screen is mirrored, everything you do on your phone appears on your TV in real time. You can open apps, browse the web, show photos, or play videos. The audio comes through your TV speakers. If you're playing a video or music, you can control the volume from your iPhone or your TV remote.
To stop mirroring, open Control Center on your iPhone again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring. Your iPhone screen will disappear from the TV, but your Fire Stick will stay on and ready to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mirror from an older iPhone model?
Yes. AirPlay works on any iPhone running iOS 12.3 or later. If your iPhone is that old or older, update it to the latest iOS version through Settings > General > Software Update. After the update, you'll be able to use screen mirroring.
Why does the PIN code keep changing?
The PIN is random and changes each time you connect for security. This is normal. Just read the new code from your TV screen and enter it on your iPhone each time you start mirroring. Once you've entered it once, you won't have to enter it again until you disconnect and reconnect later.
Does screen mirroring drain my iPhone battery faster?
Yes, screen mirroring uses more power than normal because your iPhone is constantly sending data to the Fire Stick over Wi-Fi. If you're mirroring for a long time, plug your iPhone into a charger. You can still use it while it's charging and mirroring.
Can I use my iPhone while it's mirroring?
Yes, but whatever you do on your iPhone will show on your TV. If you want to use your phone privately, stop mirroring first by opening Control Center and tapping Stop Mirroring. Then you can use your iPhone without it appearing on the TV.