How to Connect Your iPhone to Your TV

The three ways to get your iPhone screen on a TV

You can connect an iPhone to a TV in three ways: AirPlay (wireless, Apple devices only), HDMI adapter (wired, works with any TV), or screen mirroring through a streaming device like Apple TV, Roku, or Fire Stick. Which one works depends on what TV you have, whether you want to mirror your whole screen or just stream video, and how much lag you can tolerate.

AirPlay is the fastest and simplest if your TV supports it — most newer smart TVs do. A wired HDMI connection is the most reliable if you need zero delay, like for gaming or presentations. A streaming device gives you flexibility if your TV is older or you want to use multiple devices.

All three methods work with any iPhone model from the past several years. The main trade-off is between convenience (wireless) and reliability (wired).

Key Takeaways

AirPlay works wirelessly on most TVs made after 2018, but requires your iPhone and TV to be on the same Wi-Fi network.
An HDMI adapter plugs into your iPhone's charging port and connects to your TV's HDMI input, with no setup required beyond plugging it in.
Streaming devices like Apple TV, Roku, and Fire Stick let you mirror your iPhone screen or cast individual apps, and work with older TVs.
Wireless connections may have a one- to two-second delay, while wired HDMI has almost no delay.
You do not need to buy anything extra if your TV already has AirPlay built in.

Using AirPlay on a TV that supports it

If your TV was made after 2018 and is a smart TV (Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, or similar), it likely has AirPlay built in. To check, look in your TV's settings menu for "AirPlay" or "Apple TV" — the exact location varies by brand, but it is usually under a "Connections" or "Apps" section.

Once you confirm AirPlay is available, make sure your iPhone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open Control Center on your iPhone (swipe down from the top-right corner on newer models, or up from the bottom on older ones). 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, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select "Stop Mirroring." You can also just swipe out of Control Center and keep using your phone normally — the TV will keep showing what was on screen, but it will not update in real time.

Connecting with an HDMI adapter if your TV does not have AirPlay

If your TV is older or does not have AirPlay, a wired HDMI adapter is the most straightforward option. You need a Lightning to HDMI adapter (made by Apple or a third-party brand like Belkin or Anker). These cost between $20 and $50 and plug directly into your iPhone's charging port.

Plug the adapter into your iPhone, connect an HDMI cable to the adapter, and plug the other end into any available HDMI port on your TV. Switch your TV to that HDMI input using the remote or the input button. Your iPhone screen will appear on the TV when ready — no pairing, no Wi-Fi, no setup. Everything you do on your phone shows on the TV with almost no delay.

The main drawback is that your iPhone is tethered to the TV by a cable, and the phone charges slowly or not at all while the adapter is in use. If you need to charge while connected, buy an adapter that includes a charging port, though these are bulkier and more expensive.

Using a streaming device like Apple TV, Roku, or Fire Stick

If you already own a streaming device, you can mirror your iPhone through it. Plug the device into an HDMI port on your TV and connect it to Wi-Fi. On your iPhone, open Control Center and tap "Screen Mirroring," then select your device from the list.

Streaming devices are useful if you have an older TV without AirPlay, or if you want to use the same connection for multiple devices (your iPhone, a laptop, a tablet). They also let you cast individual apps — for example, you can send a YouTube video to the TV while keeping your phone free to do other things. The trade-off is that you need to buy the device upfront (Apple TV costs $100 to $200, Roku and Fire Stick cost $30 to $100), and wireless mirroring may have a slight delay.

When to use each method and what to expect

Use AirPlay if your TV supports it and you want the simplest setup. It works when ready, requires no extra hardware, and works reliably as long as your Wi-Fi is stable. The only real downside is a one- to two-second delay between what you do on your phone and what appears on the TV.

Use an HDMI adapter if you need zero delay (for gaming, presentations, or video editing work) or if your TV is too old for AirPlay. The cable is annoying, but the connection is rock-solid and there is no setup to troubleshoot.

Use a streaming device if you want flexibility — the ability to switch between devices, cast individual apps, or use the device for other purposes like watching Netflix or Hulu. These devices are also the best choice if you have multiple people in your household who need to connect different devices to the same TV.

Troubleshooting when your iPhone will not connect

If AirPlay is not showing your TV in the list, first check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Your iPhone and TV must be on the same network — if your TV is on a guest network or a different band (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz), they will not see each other. Log into your TV's Wi-Fi settings and switch to the same network your iPhone is using.

If they are on the same network and AirPlay still does not appear, restart both devices. Turn off your TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Shut Down, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. Then try Screen Mirroring again.

If you are using an HDMI adapter and the TV shows a black screen, try switching HDMI inputs on your TV — sometimes the TV defaults to the wrong input. If that does not work, unplug the adapter, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. If the screen is still black, the adapter may be faulty; try a different one if you have access to one.

What you can and cannot do while mirroring

When you mirror your iPhone to a TV, everything on your phone screen appears on the TV — your home screen, apps, notifications, and anything you type. This means you should be careful about mirroring if you have sensitive information on screen, like banking apps or private messages.

You can use your iPhone normally while mirroring — open apps, take photos, send texts. The TV will show whatever is on your phone screen at that moment. If you want to keep your phone private while something plays on the TV, use casting instead: open YouTube, Netflix, or another app, tap the cast icon, and select your TV. The app will play on the TV while your phone screen goes dark or shows something else.

Casting is not the same as mirroring. Mirroring shows your whole screen. Casting sends just the video or audio to the TV, and your phone is free to do other things. Not all apps support casting, but most video and music apps do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Wi-Fi to connect my iPhone to my TV?

Only for AirPlay and streaming devices. An HDMI adapter works without Wi-Fi because it uses a physical cable. If you are using AirPlay or a Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV, both devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Can I connect an iPhone to a TV that is 10 years old?

Yes, with an HDMI adapter. Older TVs do not have AirPlay, but they all have HDMI ports. Plug in the adapter and you are done. If you want wireless, you can add a streaming device like a Roku or Fire Stick, which plugs into the HDMI port and connects to Wi-Fi.

Will mirroring drain my iPhone battery?

Yes, mirroring uses more power than normal use because your phone is constantly sending video to the TV over Wi-Fi. If you are mirroring for more than an hour or two, plug your phone in. An HDMI adapter also drains the battery, but some adapters include a charging port so you can charge while connected.

What is the difference between mirroring and casting?

Mirroring shows your entire iPhone screen on the TV. Casting sends just a video or audio stream from an app to the TV, leaving your phone free to do other things. Most video apps like YouTube and Netflix support casting. Casting uses less battery and gives you more privacy on your phone.

Can I use AirPlay on a TV that does not have it built in?

Not directly, but you can add it by connecting an Apple TV, which supports AirPlay. You can also use an HDMI adapter or a Roku or Fire Stick, which support screen mirroring from iPhones.

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.