The simplest way to connect your iPhone to a TV
You can connect your iPhone to a TV in two main ways: with a cable plugged into the TV's HDMI port, or wirelessly using AirPlay, which sends video from your phone to a compatible TV without any wires. The wireless method works if your TV is made after 2018 or has an external device like an Apple TV box. The cable method works on any TV with an HDMI port, which is nearly all modern televisions.
Most people find the wireless route easier because there is nothing to plug in or unplug, but it requires your iPhone and TV to be on the same home WiFi network. The cable method is more reliable if your WiFi is slow or unstable, and it also charges your phone while you use it.
Key Takeaways
- AirPlay is the wireless method and works on most TVs made after 2018, or on any TV with an Apple TV box connected to it.
- A wired connection using an HDMI adapter cable works on any TV with an HDMI port and does not depend on your WiFi network.
- Your iPhone and TV must be on the same WiFi network for AirPlay to work, and both devices must be awake and unlocked.
- If your TV does not support AirPlay and you do not have an Apple TV box, an HDMI adapter is your only option.
Connecting wirelessly with AirPlay
Open Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen (or swiping up from the bottom if you have an older iPhone). Look for a button labeled "Screen Mirroring" — it shows a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it, and your iPhone will search for nearby devices that support AirPlay.
When your TV appears in the list, tap its name. Your iPhone will send a code to the TV screen — read the code aloud to anyone in the room, or just confirm it matches what you see on the TV. Once you confirm, your entire iPhone screen will appear on the TV. Everything you do on your phone — opening apps, scrolling, typing — shows up on the television in real time.
To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select "Stop Mirroring." Your iPhone screen will return to normal, and the TV will go back to whatever it was showing before.
Connecting with a cable and HDMI adapter
You will need an HDMI adapter — Apple sells an official one called the Lightning Digital AV Adapter, but third-party versions work too and cost less. Plug the Lightning connector (the small rectangular port on the bottom of your iPhone) into the adapter, then plug an HDMI cable into the adapter's HDMI port. Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into any HDMI port on your TV.
Your TV should automatically detect the iPhone and display its screen. If nothing appears, try switching the TV to the correct HDMI input using the remote — most TVs have an "Input" or "Source" button that cycles through HDMI 1, HDMI 2, and so on. Your iPhone will show a notification asking whether to trust the TV; tap "Trust" to allow the connection.
The cable connection charges your iPhone while you use it, and it does not depend on WiFi, so it is more stable if your home network is unreliable. The downside is that you have a cable running from your phone to the TV, which limits where you can hold the phone.
When AirPlay does not work
If your TV does not appear in the Screen Mirroring list, first check that your iPhone and TV are on the same WiFi network. Open Settings on your iPhone, tap WiFi, and note which network you are connected to. Then check your TV's WiFi settings — the method varies by brand, but usually you go to Settings or Network on the TV remote and look for the connected network name.
If both devices are on the same network and the TV still does not appear, restart both devices. Turn off your iPhone completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your TV using its power button or remote. Then try Screen Mirroring again.
If your TV is older than 2018 and does not have built-in AirPlay, you can add it by connecting an Apple TV box to the TV's HDMI port. The Apple TV acts as a bridge between your iPhone and the television. Once the Apple TV is set up on your WiFi network, your iPhone will see it in the Screen Mirroring list.
What to do if you only want audio, not video
If you want to play music or podcasts through your TV's speakers but do not need to see your iPhone screen, use AirPlay audio instead of screen mirroring. Open the app you are using — Music, Podcasts, or another audio app — and look for an AirPlay icon, usually a triangle inside a circle. Tap it and select your TV from the list.
This method uses much less WiFi bandwidth than screen mirroring because it only sends sound, not video. Your iPhone screen stays dark, and you can lock your phone or use other apps while audio plays on the TV. To stop, tap the AirPlay icon again and select your iPhone.
Troubleshooting common connection problems
If the connection keeps dropping, move your iPhone closer to the TV or WiFi router. AirPlay works best when your phone is within 30 feet of the router and there are not too many walls between them. If you have a lot of devices on your WiFi network, disconnect a few to free up bandwidth.
If the picture is choppy or lags behind what you are doing on your phone, your WiFi signal is probably weak. Try the wired HDMI method instead, which does not depend on WiFi at all. If you must use AirPlay, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, waiting for all lights to come back on, and then trying again.
If your TV shows "No Signal" or "No Input" after you plug in the HDMI cable, the TV may be set to the wrong input. Use the TV remote to find the Input or Source button, press it, and select the HDMI port you plugged the cable into. If you are not sure which port, try each one until the iPhone screen appears.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Apple TV box to use AirPlay?
No, if your TV was made after 2018 it likely has AirPlay built in. Check your TV's settings or manual to confirm. If your TV is older or does not have AirPlay, an Apple TV box adds the feature, but a wired HDMI connection works on any TV regardless of age.
Can I use AirPlay if my iPhone and TV are on different WiFi networks?
No, both devices must be connected to the same WiFi network. If you have a guest network separate from your main network, move your iPhone to the same network as your TV. Some routers broadcast both a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name — either one works as long as both devices are on it.
Will connecting my iPhone to the TV drain the battery?
AirPlay uses WiFi and drains the battery faster than normal, but not drastically. A wired HDMI connection actually charges your iPhone while you use it, so the battery will stay the same or go up. If battery life matters, use the cable method.
Can I connect my iPhone to a TV that is not mine?
For AirPlay, you need access to the same WiFi network, so you would need the network password. For a wired connection, you just need an HDMI cable and adapter, which work on any TV. At a hotel or friend's house, ask for the WiFi password if you want to use AirPlay, or bring an HDMI adapter for a wired connection.
What if my iPhone has a USB-C port instead of Lightning?
Newer iPhones use USB-C instead of Lightning. You will need a USB-C to HDMI adapter instead of a Lightning adapter. The process is the same — plug the adapter into your phone, connect the HDMI cable, and plug it into the TV. AirPlay works the same way regardless of which port your iPhone has.