How to Connect Your iPhone to Your TV

The three ways to get your iPhone picture on a TV screen

You can connect an iPhone to a TV using AirPlay (wireless, Apple devices only), an HDMI adapter (wired, works with any TV), or screen mirroring through your TV's built-in features if it supports AirPlay or Miracast. AirPlay is the fastest if your TV supports it. An HDMI adapter works with every TV made in the last fifteen years but requires a cable and an adapter you may need to buy. Screen mirroring through your TV's native features is free if your TV has it, but setup varies by brand.

The method you choose depends on whether your TV is new enough to have wireless features, whether you want to mirror your entire screen or just stream video, and whether you already own the cables and adapters. Most people start with AirPlay if their TV supports it, then fall back to HDMI if it does not.

Key Takeaways

AirPlay is the simplest method if your TV has an Apple TV box or built-in AirPlay support, requiring only that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
An HDMI adapter (Lightning to HDMI or USB-C to HDMI, depending on your iPhone model) works with any TV but costs $15 to $30 and requires a cable.
Older TVs without wireless features need an HDMI adapter; newer smart TVs often have AirPlay or Miracast built in.
Screen mirroring copies everything on your iPhone screen, while AirPlay video apps like YouTube or Netflix often send video without mirroring the whole display.

Using AirPlay if your TV supports it

AirPlay works only if your TV has either an Apple TV box connected to it or built-in AirPlay support. Most newer LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio TVs made after 2018 have AirPlay built in. If you have an older TV or are not sure, check your TV's settings menu or the manual—the TV will list AirPlay under "AirPlay and HomeKit" or "AirPlay Settings" in the network or apps section.

To use AirPlay, make sure your iPhone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open the app you want to watch (YouTube, Netflix, Apple TV+, or any app with an AirPlay icon). Look for the AirPlay icon—it looks like a triangle with a rectangle underneath—usually in the top right or bottom right of the screen. Tap it, select your TV from the list, and the video will start playing on the TV. Your iPhone screen can go dark or show other apps while the video plays.

If you do not see your TV in the AirPlay list, restart your iPhone and TV, make sure both are on the same Wi-Fi network (not a guest network), and try again. If your TV still does not appear, it may not support AirPlay, or AirPlay may be turned off in the TV's settings.

Connecting with an HDMI adapter for any TV

An HDMI adapter is a small cable that plugs into your iPhone's charging port and connects to an HDMI cable, which then plugs into your TV. The adapter you need depends on your iPhone model: iPhones with a Lightning port (iPhone 14 and earlier) use a Lightning to HDMI adapter, while iPhone 15 and later use a USB-C to HDMI adapter. Both cost between $15 and $30 from Apple or third-party makers like Anker or Belkin.

To set up the connection, plug the adapter into your iPhone's charging port, connect an HDMI cable to the adapter, and plug the other end of the HDMI cable into an available HDMI port on your TV. Turn on your TV and switch to the correct HDMI input (usually labeled HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or HDMI 3 on the remote). Your iPhone screen will appear on the TV. You can now use any app, browse the web, or show photos—everything on your iPhone displays on the TV.

The HDMI adapter also charges your iPhone while it is plugged in, so you can leave it connected for as long as you need. If the picture does not appear, try a different HDMI cable or a different HDMI port on the TV. Some older TVs may require you to adjust the resolution in your iPhone settings, but most modern TVs detect the connection automatically.

Screen mirroring through your TV's built-in features

Many newer smart TVs have screen mirroring built in using either AirPlay or Miracast (a wireless standard used by Android and some Windows devices). If your TV has this feature, you can mirror your iPhone screen without buying anything extra. Check your TV's settings menu or remote for "AirPlay," "Screen Mirroring," or "Miracast." If you find it, the TV will show you how to turn it on.

To mirror your iPhone screen, swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom on older iPhones) to open Control Center. Tap "Screen Mirroring" and select your TV from the list. Your entire iPhone screen will appear on the TV. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again and tap "Screen Mirroring," then select "Stop Mirroring."

Screen mirroring is useful for presentations, showing photos to a group, or playing games on a larger display. The downside is that it uses more battery power than AirPlay video streaming and can sometimes lag if your Wi-Fi connection is weak. If mirroring is slow or keeps disconnecting, move your iPhone closer to the TV or router, or switch to an HDMI adapter for a more stable connection.

Troubleshooting when the connection does not work

If your iPhone and TV are not connecting, start by checking that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Some TVs have a separate guest network, and your iPhone may be connected to that instead of the main network. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi on your iPhone and make sure you are on the same network name as your TV.

If you are using AirPlay and your TV does not appear in the list, restart both your iPhone and TV by turning them off and back on. Wait thirty seconds between turning off and turning back on. If the TV still does not show up, check whether AirPlay is turned on in your TV's settings—some TVs have it disabled by default or require you to enable it in the network settings.

For HDMI adapters, try a different HDMI cable first, as cables can fail. If a different cable does not work, try a different HDMI port on the TV. If the picture appears but is distorted or the wrong resolution, unplug the adapter, wait ten seconds, and plug it back in. If none of these steps work, the adapter itself may be faulty—try borrowing one from a friend to confirm.

Choosing between wireless and wired based on your TV

If your TV is less than five years old and you do not know whether it has AirPlay, start by checking the settings menu or looking up your TV model online. Search "[TV brand and model] AirPlay support" to find out quickly. If your TV supports AirPlay and you have a stable Wi-Fi network, AirPlay is the easiest option because there is nothing to buy and no cables to manage.

If your TV is older or does not have AirPlay, an HDMI adapter is your only wireless-free option. The upfront cost is small, and the adapter works with every TV. If you plan to connect your iPhone to the TV regularly, buying an adapter is worth it. If you only need to do it once or twice a year, borrowing an adapter from a friend or family member may make more sense.

For presentations or situations where you need a reliable connection that will not drop, HDMI is more stable than wireless. For everyday streaming of video apps, AirPlay is faster and cleaner because you do not see your entire screen—just the video playing.

What to know about audio when connecting

When you connect your iPhone to a TV using AirPlay or HDMI, the audio automatically plays through the TV's speakers by default. You do not need to adjust anything. If the TV's speakers are quiet or you want to use a soundbar or external speaker instead, you can change the audio output in most apps before you start playing.

Some apps, like Netflix and YouTube, let you choose the audio output from within the app settings. Others send audio to whatever device is connected. If you want to use a Bluetooth speaker or soundbar instead of the TV's speakers, connect that speaker to your iPhone before you start mirroring or streaming. The audio will then play through the Bluetooth device while the video plays on the TV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Apple TV box to use AirPlay?

No. Newer TVs have AirPlay built in without needing an Apple TV box. If your TV is older or does not have AirPlay, you can buy an Apple TV box (the small device that connects to your TV) to add AirPlay support. An Apple TV 4K costs around $130, but you only need it if you want wireless streaming and your TV does not already support it.

Can I charge my iPhone while using an HDMI adapter?

Yes. HDMI adapters have a charging port built in, so you can plug a power cable into the adapter while it is connected to your TV. This is useful if you are mirroring for a long time or if your battery is low.

Will screen mirroring work if my Wi-Fi is slow?

Screen mirroring will work on slow Wi-Fi, but it may lag or disconnect. If you experience problems, move your iPhone closer to the router, reduce the number of other devices using Wi-Fi, or switch to an HDMI adapter for a wired connection that does not depend on Wi-Fi.

What if my TV does not have HDMI ports?

Very old TVs may have only composite (red, white, yellow) or component (red, green, blue) ports instead of HDMI. You can buy an adapter that converts HDMI to composite or component, but these are harder to find and less reliable. If your TV is this old, buying an inexpensive streaming device like an Apple TV or Roku may be a better choice than trying to connect your iPhone directly.

Can I use AirPlay and HDMI at the same time?

No. You can use only one connection method at a time. If you have an HDMI adapter plugged in, AirPlay will not work. Unplug the HDMI adapter if you want to switch to AirPlay, or disconnect from AirPlay if you want to use the HDMI adapter.

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.