How to Connect Your iPhone to Your TV

The two ways to connect: wireless and wired

You can connect an iPhone to a TV in two ways: AirPlay for wireless streaming, or a physical cable plugged into your TV's HDMI port. AirPlay works if your TV is a smart TV made in the last five years or if you own an Apple TV box. The wired method works on any TV with an HDMI input, but requires a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter and keeps your phone tethered to the screen.

Most people choose AirPlay because it is simpler — no cables, no adapters to buy, and you can still use your phone while content plays on the TV. The wired method is useful if your TV does not support AirPlay or if you want to may provide a stable connection for gaming or video calls.

Key Takeaways

AirPlay is the easiest method if your TV is a smart TV from the last five years or if you have an Apple TV box connected to your TV.
To use AirPlay, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone screen, tap Control Center, find AirPlay, and select your TV from the list.
Wired connection requires a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter (around $20 to $30) and works on any TV with an HDMI port, but your phone stays plugged in.
If your TV does not appear in the AirPlay menu, make sure your iPhone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Using AirPlay to stream wirelessly

AirPlay is built into every iPhone and works with most smart TVs made by Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio from roughly 2018 onward. To check if your TV supports AirPlay, look in your TV's settings menu under "AirPlay" or "Apple AirPlay" — if the option exists, your TV is compatible. If your TV is older or does not have AirPlay, you can add it by connecting an Apple TV box (the $99 or $169 model) to your TV's HDMI port.

To stream from your iPhone using AirPlay, first 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 screen to open Control Center. Look for the "Screen Mirroring" or "AirPlay" button — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it, wait a moment for your TV to appear in the list, and select it. Your iPhone screen will now display on your TV.

If your TV does not appear in the list, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart your TV's Wi-Fi connection by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. If the problem persists, restart your iPhone by turning it off and back on. Some TVs require you to enable AirPlay in their settings before they will show up — check your TV's manual or settings menu under "AirPlay" or "Apple Connectivity."

Connecting with a cable and adapter

If your TV does not support AirPlay or you prefer a wired connection, you will need a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter. Apple sells an official version for around $50, but third-party adapters from brands like Anker or Belkin cost $20 to $30 and work just as well. Plug the Lightning end into your iPhone's charging port and the HDMI end into any available HDMI port on your TV.

Once plugged in, your iPhone screen will automatically display on the TV. You can then open any app — Photos, YouTube, Netflix, or your camera — and it will show on the big screen. The connection is stable and does not depend on Wi-Fi, which makes it useful for video calls or gaming where lag matters. The downside is that your phone stays plugged in and drains battery faster while connected.

What to do if AirPlay is not working

The most common reason AirPlay fails is that your iPhone and TV are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your TV's Wi-Fi settings and make sure it is connected to the same network your iPhone uses. If your TV shows a different network name (SSID), switch it to match your iPhone's network.

If both devices are on the same network but your TV still does not appear, restart both devices. Unplug your TV for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. On your iPhone, go to Settings, then Wi-Fi, and toggle Wi-Fi off and back on. Wait 30 seconds and try Control Center again. If your TV still does not show up, check your TV's manual to see if AirPlay needs to be enabled in the settings menu — some TVs ship with it turned off.

If you have an older TV without AirPlay, the only wireless option is to buy an Apple TV box. The base model costs $99 and plugs into any HDMI port. Once set up, it will appear in your AirPlay menu just like a smart TV would.

Choosing between wireless and wired

Use AirPlay if your TV supports it or if you are willing to buy an Apple TV box. It is faster to set up, requires no cables, and you can use your phone for other things while content plays on the TV. AirPlay also works for mirroring your entire screen (useful for presentations or showing photos) or just streaming audio and video from specific apps.

Use a wired connection if your TV is very old, if you want the most stable connection for gaming, or if you do not have a reliable Wi-Fi network. The wired method also guarantees the highest video quality and does not depend on your Wi-Fi speed. The trade-off is that your phone is tethered to the TV and will drain battery faster.

What apps work with AirPlay

Most video and music apps support AirPlay, including Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV+, Spotify, Apple Music, and Disney+. When you open one of these apps, look for an AirPlay icon — usually a rectangle with a triangle — and tap it to send the stream to your TV. Some apps let you choose whether to mirror your entire screen or just stream the video, which saves battery life.

Not all apps support AirPlay. Games, for example, usually require screen mirroring instead, which means your entire iPhone display shows on the TV. Screen mirroring uses more battery and bandwidth than app-level streaming, but it works with anything you can do on your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my iPhone while AirPlay is streaming?

Yes. When you stream from an app like Netflix or Spotify, your phone is free to use for other tasks. When you use screen mirroring, your entire screen displays on the TV, so anything you do on your phone shows there too — but you can still use it normally.

Do I need to buy anything to use AirPlay?

No, if your TV supports AirPlay or you already own an Apple TV box. If your TV does not support AirPlay and you do not have an Apple TV, you will need to either buy an Apple TV box ($99 or $169) or use a wired connection with a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter ($20 to $50).

What if my TV is not on Wi-Fi?

AirPlay requires both devices to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your TV does not have Wi-Fi built in, you can add it with an Apple TV box connected to your TV's HDMI port, or use a wired Lightning-to-HDMI connection instead.

Does AirPlay work with older iPhones?

AirPlay works on iPhone 6s and newer. If you have an older iPhone, a wired Lightning-to-HDMI connection is your only option for connecting to a TV.

Will AirPlay work if my Wi-Fi is slow?

AirPlay usually works fine on slower Wi-Fi networks, but video may buffer or drop quality if your connection is very weak. A wired connection guarantees the best performance if your Wi-Fi is unreliable.

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.