The two ways to connect your iPhone to a smart TV

You can connect your iPhone to a smart TV in two ways: wirelessly using AirPlay, or with a physical cable. AirPlay is faster to set up and works with most modern smart TVs. A cable connection is more reliable if your Wi-Fi is weak, but requires an adapter you may not have on hand.

AirPlay works only if your iPhone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. The TV must support AirPlay — most Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio models made in the last five years do, but some older or budget models do not. A cable connection works with any TV that has an HDMI port, which nearly all smart TVs have.

The choice between them depends on what you own and what you are trying to do. If you want to mirror your entire iPhone screen (useful for showing photos or playing games), AirPlay is simpler. If you only want to play video or audio from one app, both methods work equally well.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPlay is the wireless method and requires your iPhone and TV to be on the same Wi-Fi network, with no adapter needed.
  • A cable connection uses an HDMI adapter and works with any TV, even without Wi-Fi, but costs $15 to $30 for the adapter if you do not already own one.
  • Most smart TVs made in the last five years support AirPlay, but you should check your TV's manual or settings to confirm.
  • AirPlay mirrors your entire screen, while some apps let you send video or audio without mirroring, which uses less battery.

Connecting with AirPlay on Wi-Fi

Open the app or screen on your iPhone that you want to show on the TV. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center. Look for the Screen Mirroring button — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it.

A list of available devices appears. Find your TV's name and tap it. Your iPhone will ask for a code that appears on your TV screen — this is a security step that happens only the first time you connect. Enter the code on your iPhone, and your screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds.

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 going to its settings menu and toggling Wi-Fi off and back on. If the TV still does not appear, restart your iPhone by powering it off and back on. Some TVs also require you to turn on AirPlay in their settings before they show up — check your TV's manual for where this option is located.

Connecting with an HDMI cable and adapter

You will need an HDMI adapter that matches your iPhone model. iPhones from 2012 to 2017 use a 30-pin or Lightning to HDMI adapter. iPhones from 2018 onward use a USB-C to HDMI adapter. These adapters cost $15 to $30 and are sold at electronics stores or online retailers.

Plug the adapter into the charging port at the bottom of your iPhone. Plug an HDMI cable into the adapter, then plug the other end of the cable into an HDMI port on your TV. Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input — use your remote to find the input button, usually labeled HDMI or Input, and select the port you plugged the cable into.

Your iPhone screen will appear on the TV when ready. Unlike AirPlay, this method does not require Wi-Fi and works when ready. The downside is that your iPhone will drain battery faster because it is powering both the screen and the HDMI output, and you cannot use your phone while it is plugged in without holding the cable.

Sending video or audio without mirroring your whole screen

Many apps — including Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV, and Spotify — have their own casting buttons built in. These buttons let you send just that app's video or audio to your TV without mirroring your entire iPhone screen. This saves battery and lets you use other apps on your phone while the video plays on the TV.

Look for a button that looks like a rectangle with curved lines or a Wi-Fi symbol in the corner. In Netflix, it is in the top-right corner. In YouTube, it is in the top-right corner as well. In Spotify, it is labeled "Devices Available" and appears at the bottom of the now-playing screen. Tap the button and select your TV from the list.

This method requires AirPlay and Wi-Fi, just like screen mirroring. It does not work with a cable connection. If the casting button does not appear, the app may not support it, or your TV may not be compatible with that particular app's casting feature.

Troubleshooting when your TV does not appear

The most common reason your TV does not show up is that it is not on the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone. Check your TV's Wi-Fi settings by going to the TV's main menu, finding Network or Wi-Fi settings, and confirming it is connected to the same network name (SSID) as your iPhone. You can see your iPhone's network by going to Settings > Wi-Fi and looking at which network has a checkmark.

If both devices are on the same network and the TV still does not appear, restart both devices. Turn off your TV completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your iPhone by holding the power button and sliding to power off. Wait a few seconds and turn it back on. Try Screen Mirroring again.

Some older smart TVs require you to turn on AirPlay manually in their settings before they will appear in your iPhone's list. Check your TV's manual for "AirPlay" or "Screen Mirroring" settings. If your TV is very old or is a budget model, it may not support AirPlay at all — in that case, a cable connection is your only option.

When to use each method

Use AirPlay if you have a modern smart TV, a working Wi-Fi network, and want the simplest setup. You do not need to buy anything, and you can disconnect and reconnect without unplugging cables. Use a cable connection if your Wi-Fi is unreliable, your TV is older, or you want a may provide connection with no setup steps.

Use an app's built-in casting button if you want to save battery and keep using your iPhone for other things while video plays on the TV. This only works for apps that support it, and it requires AirPlay and Wi-Fi, so it is not an option if you are using a cable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy anything to use AirPlay?

No. AirPlay is built into every iPhone and most smart TVs made in the last five years. You do not need an adapter, cable, or subscription. You only need both devices on the same Wi-Fi network.

Can I use AirPlay if my TV is not a smart TV?

Not directly. If your TV does not have built-in Wi-Fi or AirPlay, you can buy a separate device like an Apple TV, Roku, or Fire Stick that plugs into your TV's HDMI port and adds AirPlay support. These devices cost $25 to $100 depending on the model.

Will connecting my iPhone to the TV drain the battery?

AirPlay uses some battery because your iPhone is sending video over Wi-Fi, but not dramatically. A cable connection drains battery faster because your iPhone is powering the HDMI output as well. If you plan to use it for more than an hour, plug your iPhone into power.

Can I control the TV with my iPhone while it is mirrored?

No. When your screen is mirrored, your iPhone is sending everything it displays to the TV, so you cannot control the TV separately. If you want to control the TV, you need to use the TV's remote or a separate control app for your TV brand.

What if my iPhone and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks?

AirPlay will not work. Both devices must be on the same network. If your home has a guest network separate from your main network, make sure both your iPhone and TV are connected to the same one. If you cannot get them on the same network, use a cable connection instead.