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 wired HDMI adapter, which works with any TV but requires a cable. AirPlay is faster to set up if your TV supports it. A wired connection is your only option if your TV is older or doesn't have AirPlay built in.
Both methods let you mirror your entire iPhone screen or stream just one app — like Netflix or Apple TV+ — to the TV. The choice between them depends on what TV you own and whether you want to move the iPhone around while you're watching.
Key Takeaways
- AirPlay works wirelessly if your TV has it built in or if you own an Apple TV box, and requires only that your iPhone and TV are on the same WiFi network.
- A wired HDMI adapter plugs into your iPhone's charging port and into the TV's HDMI input, and works with any TV regardless of age or brand.
- Mirroring shows your entire iPhone screen on the TV, while streaming a single app lets you keep using your phone for other things at the same time.
- If your TV is older than five years and doesn't say "AirPlay" or "HomeKit" on the box, a wired adapter is usually your only option.
Using AirPlay to connect wirelessly
AirPlay works if your TV has it built in — most Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio TVs made in the last five years do — or if you own an Apple TV (a small box that plugs into any TV's HDMI port). Your iPhone and TV must be connected to the same WiFi network.
To mirror your entire iPhone screen: swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your TV from the list. Your iPhone screen appears on the TV within a few seconds. To stop, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and tap Stop Mirroring.
To stream a single app instead: open the app you want to watch (Netflix, Apple TV+, YouTube, or others that support AirPlay), look for an AirPlay icon — usually a triangle with a circle underneath — tap it, and select your TV. The app plays on the TV while your iPhone screen goes dark, so you can use your phone for texts or email without interrupting what's on the TV.
If your TV doesn't appear in the AirPlay list, restart both your iPhone and TV, then check that they're on the same WiFi network. If your TV is very new, you may need to enable AirPlay in the TV's settings first — check your TV's manual or the manufacturer's website for the exact steps.
Using a wired HDMI adapter
A wired connection works with any TV, no matter the age or brand. You need a Lightning to HDMI adapter (for iPhone 14 and older) or a USB-C to HDMI adapter (for iPhone 15 and newer). These cost $20 to $40 and are sold at Best Buy, Target, Amazon, and Apple's website.
Plug the adapter into your iPhone's charging port, plug an HDMI cable into the adapter, and plug the other end of the cable into any HDMI input on your TV. Your iPhone screen appears on the TV when ready. To disconnect, unplug the cable from the TV — you don't need to do anything on your iPhone.
The adapter stays in place while you're using it, so you can't move your iPhone around easily. However, you can still use your phone while the TV is mirroring — the screen will show whatever you're doing on your iPhone, including apps, settings, or notifications.
If your TV has multiple HDMI inputs, try a different one if the first doesn't work. If nothing appears on the TV, restart your iPhone and try again. Some older TVs require you to manually select the HDMI input using the TV remote — look for a button labeled "Input" or "HDMI" and cycle through until you see your iPhone screen.
Choosing between AirPlay and a wired adapter
Use AirPlay if your TV supports it and you want the simplest setup. You don't need to buy anything, and you can move your iPhone around the room. The downside is that AirPlay sometimes disconnects if your WiFi is weak or if you move too far from the TV.
Use a wired adapter if your TV is older, if AirPlay keeps dropping, or if you want a rock-solid connection that never fails. The adapter is a one-time purchase that works forever. The downside is that you're tethered to the TV by a cable, and you need to buy the right adapter for your iPhone model.
Many people keep a wired adapter in a drawer as a backup even if they use AirPlay most of the time. It's cheap insurance against WiFi problems on movie night.
What to do if your TV doesn't have AirPlay
If your TV is older than five years and the box doesn't mention AirPlay or HomeKit, it almost certainly doesn't have it built in. Your options are a wired HDMI adapter or an Apple TV box.
An Apple TV is a small device that plugs into your TV's HDMI port and adds AirPlay to any TV. The base model costs around $100 and works with any TV made in the last 20 years. If you already subscribe to Apple TV+ or use other Apple services, an Apple TV also gives you a dedicated remote and access to apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple Fitness+. If you just want to mirror your iPhone occasionally, a wired adapter is cheaper and simpler.
Troubleshooting common connection problems
If AirPlay doesn't show your TV in the list, make sure your iPhone and TV are on the same WiFi network. Check your WiFi settings on your iPhone and your TV's network settings — they should show the same network name. If they don't, connect the TV to your WiFi first, then try AirPlay again.
If your iPhone screen appears on the TV but the picture is upside down or sideways, rotate your iPhone to the orientation you want. The TV will follow. If the picture is too small or too large, check your TV's picture settings — some TVs have a "zoom" or "aspect ratio" option that may be set wrong.
If a wired adapter isn't working, try a different HDMI cable first — the cable may be damaged. Then try a different HDMI input on your TV. If you still see nothing, restart your iPhone, unplug the adapter, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. If it's still not working, the adapter itself may be faulty — try borrowing one from a friend to test.
Streaming apps that work best with iPhone-to-TV connections
Most streaming apps work fine when you mirror your entire iPhone screen, but some apps are designed to work better when streamed directly to the TV using AirPlay. Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, YouTube, Hulu, and HBO Max all support direct streaming — you'll see the AirPlay icon inside the app itself.
If you're using a wired adapter and want to keep your iPhone free for other tasks, you're stuck mirroring the whole screen. This works fine, but your phone's battery will drain faster because the screen stays on. If you plan to watch for more than an hour, plug your iPhone into power while it's connected to the TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use AirPlay if my iPhone and TV are on different WiFi networks?
No. Both devices must be on the same WiFi network for AirPlay to work. If you're at someone else's house, connect your iPhone to their WiFi first, then try AirPlay. If the TV is on a guest network and your iPhone isn't, ask the TV owner to connect you to the same network.
Will my iPhone battery drain faster when connected to the TV?
Yes, especially with a wired connection, because your iPhone screen stays on while it's sending video to the TV. With AirPlay, the drain is slower because your iPhone screen can turn off. Plug your iPhone into power if you're watching for more than an hour.
What's the difference between mirroring and streaming a single app?
Mirroring shows your entire iPhone screen on the TV — everything you do on your phone appears on the TV. Streaming a single app sends just that app to the TV while your iPhone screen goes dark, so you can use your phone for other things without interrupting what's on the TV. Not all apps support single-app streaming.
Do I need an Apple TV box if my TV has AirPlay built in?
No. If your TV has AirPlay, you can connect directly without an Apple TV box. An Apple TV is only necessary if your TV is older and doesn't have AirPlay, or if you want the extra features like a dedicated remote and access to streaming apps.
Can I connect my iPhone to a TV at a hotel or in a public place?
With AirPlay, only if the TV is on the same WiFi network you're connected to. Most hotel and public TVs don't support AirPlay. A wired HDMI adapter will work with any TV that has an HDMI input, but you'll need the right adapter for your iPhone model and an HDMI cable.