How to Connect Your iPhone to a TV

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

You can connect an iPhone to a TV in two ways: AirPlay, which is wireless and works with most modern TVs, and a physical cable, which works with any TV but requires you to stay plugged in. AirPlay is faster to set up if your TV supports it. A cable works everywhere but needs the right adapter for your iPhone model.

Both methods let you mirror your entire iPhone screen or stream video and music apps to the TV. The choice depends on whether your TV has AirPlay built in, how far you want to sit from the TV, and whether you already own the cables.

Key Takeaways

AirPlay is wireless and works on most TVs made after 2018, but requires your iPhone and TV to be on the same WiFi network.
A wired connection using a USB-C to HDMI adapter (iPhone 15 and newer) or a Lightning to HDMI adapter (older iPhones) works with any TV that has an HDMI port.
AirPlay setup takes under one minute if your TV supports it; cable setup takes seconds but limits where you can sit.
You can use AirPlay to mirror your entire screen or to stream from specific apps like Apple TV, Netflix, or YouTube without mirroring.

Using AirPlay to connect wirelessly

AirPlay works if your TV was made after 2018 and has AirPlay built in, or if you own an Apple TV box connected to any TV. Check your TV's settings or manual to confirm it has AirPlay — most Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio TVs from 2018 onward do. If you are not sure, look in your TV's WiFi settings or search the model number plus "AirPlay" online.

To connect, make sure your iPhone and TV are on the same WiFi 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. Select your TV from the list. Your iPhone screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds. To stop, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring.

If your TV does not appear in the list, restart both devices and try again. Make sure they are truly on the same network — some WiFi networks have a separate guest network that will not work. If your TV is older or does not have AirPlay, use a cable instead.

Using a cable to connect directly to the TV

A wired connection works with any TV that has an HDMI port. You will need an adapter that matches your iPhone model. iPhones 15 and newer use USB-C and need a USB-C to HDMI adapter. iPhones 14 and older use Lightning and need a Lightning to HDMI adapter. Both adapters cost between $15 and $30 and are sold at most electronics stores or online.

Plug the adapter into your iPhone, connect an HDMI cable to the adapter, and plug the other end into your TV's HDMI port. Switch your TV to the HDMI input that matches the port you used. Your iPhone screen will appear when ready. To disconnect, unplug the cable from your iPhone.

One limitation: your iPhone will stay locked to the cable, so you cannot move around the room. The cable also charges your iPhone while it is plugged in, which is useful for longer viewing sessions.

What you can do once you are connected

Once your iPhone is mirrored to the TV, everything on your screen appears on the TV — apps, photos, videos, web pages, and text. You control it all from your iPhone. This is useful for showing photos to a group, playing games, or displaying a presentation.

With AirPlay, you can also stream from specific apps without mirroring your whole screen. Open an app like Apple TV, Netflix, YouTube, or Spotify, look for an AirPlay icon (usually a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom), and tap it to send just that app to the TV. Your iPhone screen goes dark, and you can use your phone for other things while the app plays on the TV.

Cable connections always mirror the entire screen — you cannot send just one app without mirroring everything else.

Troubleshooting when the connection does not work

If AirPlay does not find your TV, check that both devices are on the same WiFi network. Some routers have separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands — make sure your iPhone and TV are on the same band. Restart your TV and iPhone, then try again. If your TV still does not appear, check whether it actually has AirPlay by looking in the TV's settings menu or searching the model number online.

If you are using a cable and nothing appears on the TV, make sure you selected the correct HDMI input on your TV remote. Try a different HDMI port on the TV. If you have an older iPhone, confirm you have the right adapter — Lightning, not USB-C. Restart your iPhone if the picture is frozen or delayed.

If the picture is very small on the TV, check your iPhone's display settings. Go to Settings, then Display & Brightness, and make sure the text size is not set to extra large, which can shrink the mirrored image.

AirPlay versus cable: which should you choose

Use AirPlay if your TV supports it and you want freedom to move around the room. It is faster to set up, does not require buying anything, and lets you stream individual apps without mirroring your whole screen. The downside is that your iPhone and TV must be on the same WiFi network, and the connection can occasionally drop if you move too far away.

Use a cable if your TV does not have AirPlay, if you want a connection that never drops, or if you are in a place with unreliable WiFi. The cable costs $15 to $30 one time. The downside is that you stay plugged in and cannot move far from the TV.

Many people keep a cable in a drawer and use AirPlay most of the time, switching to the cable when AirPlay is not working or when they need a rock-solid connection for something important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect my iPhone to a TV that does not have AirPlay?

Yes, use a cable instead. A USB-C to HDMI adapter (iPhone 15 and newer) or Lightning to HDMI adapter (iPhone 14 and older) works with any TV that has an HDMI port. The adapter costs $15 to $30 and is available at most electronics stores.

Do I need an Apple TV to use AirPlay?

No. Most TVs made after 2018 have AirPlay built in. You only need an Apple TV box if your TV is older or does not have AirPlay. Check your TV's manual or settings to confirm it has AirPlay before you buy anything.

Can I use AirPlay if my iPhone and TV are on different WiFi networks?

No. Both devices must be on the same WiFi network. If your home has a guest network, make sure both your iPhone and TV are on the main network, not the guest network. Restart your router if they are on the same network but AirPlay still does not work.

Will the cable connection work with any HDMI cable?

Yes. Once you have the right adapter for your iPhone model, any standard HDMI cable will work. You do not need an expensive cable — a basic one from any store will do the job.

Can I charge my iPhone while it is connected to the TV with a cable?

Yes. The HDMI adapter passes power through, so your iPhone charges while it is plugged in. This is helpful for long viewing sessions.

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.