The three ways to connect your iPhone to a TV
You can connect your iPhone to a TV in three ways: with a cable plugged into an adapter, by mirroring wirelessly through AirPlay, or by using an HDMI adapter. Which one works depends on what TV you have and what you want to do — watch video, show photos, or mirror your entire screen.
The fastest route is usually a cable if you have one nearby. Wireless mirroring is more convenient once it is set up, but requires both devices on the same Wi-Fi network. HDMI adapters work with any TV that has an HDMI port, which most modern televisions do.
Key Takeaways
- AirPlay wireless mirroring works only with Apple TVs or certain smart TVs that support AirPlay, and both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
- An HDMI adapter plugged into your iPhone's charging port lets you connect to any TV with an HDMI input, and works when ready without setup.
- A standard USB-C to HDMI adapter costs between $15 and $40 and is the most universal option across different TV models.
- Once connected by cable or AirPlay, your iPhone screen appears on the TV in real time — what you tap on your phone shows on the television.
Using AirPlay to mirror wirelessly to an Apple TV or compatible smart TV
AirPlay is Apple's wireless system for sending video and audio from your iPhone to a TV. It works only if your TV is an Apple TV, or a smart TV from Samsung, LG, Sony, or Vizio that has AirPlay built in. Check your TV's settings or manual to confirm it supports AirPlay — not all models from these brands have it.
To use AirPlay, make sure your iPhone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older models). Tap "Screen Mirroring" and select your TV from the list. Your iPhone screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again and tap "Screen Mirroring," then choose "Stop Mirroring."
AirPlay works smoothly for watching videos, showing photos, or displaying anything on your phone. The connection stays stable as long as both devices remain on the same Wi-Fi network. If your TV does not appear in the mirroring list, restart both your iPhone and TV, then try again.
Connecting with an HDMI adapter and cable
An HDMI adapter is a small device that plugs into your iPhone's charging port (the Lightning port on older iPhones, or the USB-C port on iPhone 15 and newer). The other end connects to an HDMI cable, which plugs into your TV. This method works with any TV that has an HDMI input, which includes nearly all televisions made in the last ten years.
Buy a USB-C to HDMI adapter if you have an iPhone 15, or a Lightning to HDMI adapter for older models. Plug the adapter into your iPhone, connect an HDMI cable to the adapter, and plug the other end of the cable into an available HDMI port on your TV. Switch your TV to that HDMI input using the remote. Your iPhone screen will appear on the TV when ready — no setup required.
This connection is reliable and works when ready. Your iPhone will charge while connected if the adapter supports it, though not all do. The main drawback is that you are tethered to a cable, so you cannot move around freely while using it.
Using a USB-C or Lightning to HDMI adapter
The adapter itself is a small rectangular device, usually between two and four inches long. One end has a port that matches your iPhone's charging port (USB-C for iPhone 15 and newer, Lightning for iPhone 14 and earlier). The other end has a female HDMI port where you plug in a standard HDMI cable.
Adapters range from $15 to $40 depending on the brand and whether they support charging. Apple's official adapters are more expensive but may provide to work. Third-party adapters from brands like Anker or Belkin are cheaper and work just as well for most people. Some adapters have a separate charging port so your iPhone can charge while mirroring, which is useful if you plan to use it for a long time.
Once you plug in the adapter and cable, your iPhone recognizes the TV as an external display. Some apps will automatically expand to fill the TV screen, while others may show a smaller version of what is on your phone. You control everything from your iPhone — the TV is just a larger display.
What happens when your iPhone connects to a TV
When you connect your iPhone to a TV by any method, the TV becomes an extension of your phone's screen. Whatever appears on your iPhone — videos, photos, web pages, apps — also appears on the TV. You control it all from your iPhone; the TV has no separate control.
Some apps are designed to use the TV screen intelligently. Video apps like Netflix or YouTube will expand to fill the TV, while your iPhone becomes a remote control. Photo apps will show full-screen images. Other apps may just show a larger version of what is on your phone. The behavior depends on how the app was built.
Your iPhone's battery will drain faster when mirroring, especially over a cable connection. If you plan to use it for more than an hour, plug your iPhone into power. Wireless mirroring (AirPlay) drains the battery more slowly than a cable connection.
Troubleshooting when your iPhone will not connect
If your iPhone does not appear in the AirPlay list, restart both your iPhone and TV. Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network — check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings and your TV's network settings. If your TV is on a guest network or a different band (2.4 GHz versus 5 GHz), AirPlay may not work. Move your iPhone closer to the TV and try again.
If you are using a cable and the TV does not recognize it, try a different HDMI port on your TV. Some ports may be damaged or disabled. Restart your iPhone and TV. If you are using a third-party adapter, try a different one if possible — some adapters are defective or incompatible with certain iPhone models.
If the picture appears but is very small or off-center, check your TV's display settings. Some TVs have an overscan setting that crops the edges of the image. Adjust this in your TV's picture or display menu. If the image is upside down or rotated, your iPhone may have rotation lock enabled — swipe down from the top-right corner and make sure the rotation lock icon is off.
Choosing between cable and wireless for your situation
Use a cable connection if you want the simplest setup with no configuration needed, or if your TV does not support AirPlay. A cable works when ready and never drops the connection. The trade-off is that you are physically connected to the TV.
Use AirPlay if your TV supports it and you want to move around freely without a cable. AirPlay is faster to start once it is set up the first time, and you can easily switch between mirroring and not mirroring using Control Center. The trade-off is that it requires both devices on the same Wi-Fi network, and the connection can occasionally drop if the signal is weak.
If you own multiple TVs, a cable adapter is worth buying because it works with any of them. If you have one main TV that supports AirPlay, wireless mirroring is more convenient for daily use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect my iPhone to a TV that does not have AirPlay?
Yes. Use a USB-C to HDMI adapter (for iPhone 15) or Lightning to HDMI adapter (for older models) and plug it into any TV with an HDMI port. This works with any television made in the last decade, regardless of whether it has AirPlay or smart features.
Do I need Wi-Fi to use AirPlay?
Yes, both your iPhone and TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for AirPlay to work. If your Wi-Fi is down or your TV is not on the network, use a cable adapter instead.
Will my iPhone charge while connected to a TV with a cable?
Some HDMI adapters have a separate charging port, so you can plug your iPhone into power while the adapter is connected to the TV. Check the adapter's description before buying. If your adapter does not have a charging port, you can use a separate charging cable at the same time.
Can I use my iPhone as a remote control while mirroring?
Yes. When you mirror your iPhone to a TV, your phone remains fully functional. You can tap, swipe, and type on your iPhone, and everything appears on the TV. Some apps like Netflix will show playback controls on your iPhone while the video plays on the TV.
What is the difference between mirroring and extending the display?
Mirroring shows the exact same image on both your iPhone and TV. Extending would show different content on each screen, but iPhones do not support extending to a TV — only mirroring is available.