How to Connect Your iPhone to Apple TV

The simplest way: AirPlay from your iPhone

The fastest way to get your iPhone screen on your TV is AirPlay, which sends video and audio wirelessly from your phone to an Apple TV box. You swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone screen to open Control Center, tap the Screen Mirroring button, select your Apple TV from the list, and your phone's display appears on the TV within seconds. No cables, no apps to read, no setup beyond making sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.

This works on any iPhone from iPhone 5s onward, and on any Apple TV from the 3rd generation box onward. If your Apple TV is older than that or you have a different brand of TV, you will need a different method — but for most people with current hardware, AirPlay is the answer.

The connection stays active until you tap Screen Mirroring again and select "Stop Mirroring". Your iPhone keeps working normally while the screen is mirrored — you can open apps, take calls, or adjust volume from your phone, and all of it shows on the TV.

Key Takeaways

AirPlay is the built-in wireless method: swipe up to Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, select your Apple TV, and your iPhone display appears on the TV.
Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and your Apple TV must be 3rd generation or newer for AirPlay to work.
You can mirror your entire screen or stream video from specific apps like YouTube or Netflix without mirroring everything.
If you have an older Apple TV or non-Apple television, you can use an HDMI cable and a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter instead.

What to do if AirPlay does not show your Apple TV

If you open Control Center and your Apple TV does not appear in the Screen Mirroring list, the devices are not seeing each other on the network. First, restart both: unplug your Apple TV for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and restart your iPhone by holding the power button and swiping to power off. Then turn it back on.

Next, check that both devices are truly on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Settings on your iPhone, go to Wi-Fi, and note which network you are connected to. On your Apple TV, go to Settings, then Network, and confirm it shows the same network name. If one device is on a 5 GHz band and the other is on 2.4 GHz, they may not find each other — most home routers broadcast both, so try disconnecting from one and reconnecting to the other on both devices.

If they are on the same network and still not connecting, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If that does not work, forget the Wi-Fi network on your iPhone (Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network name, tap Forget), then reconnect by selecting it again and entering the password.

Streaming from apps instead of mirroring your whole screen

You do not always need to mirror your entire iPhone screen. Many apps — Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV+, Spotify — have their own AirPlay button built in. When you are watching or listening in one of these apps, look for the AirPlay icon (a triangle with a circle underneath) and tap it to send just that content to your Apple TV, leaving your iPhone free to do other things.

This uses less battery on your phone and gives you better picture quality because the app streams directly to the TV rather than sending your whole screen. The downside is that you can only stream from apps that support AirPlay — if an app does not have the button, you will need to mirror your screen instead.

Using a cable if you do not have Wi-Fi or AirPlay

If your Apple TV is older than the 3rd generation, or if you have a different brand of TV and want to connect your iPhone, you can use a wired connection instead. You will need a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter (made by Apple or a third-party brand) and an HDMI cable. Plug the Lightning connector into your iPhone's charging port, plug the HDMI cable into the adapter, and plug the other end of the HDMI cable into your TV or Apple TV.

Your iPhone screen will appear on the TV when ready. This method does not require Wi-Fi and works with any TV that has an HDMI port. The downside is that your iPhone is tethered to the TV by the cable, and you cannot use the charging port while you are connected.

Third-party Lightning-to-HDMI adapters are cheaper than Apple's official version and work the same way. Look for one with good reviews on Amazon or at an electronics retailer.

Controlling what appears on your TV

When you are mirroring your iPhone screen, everything that appears on your phone appears on the TV — including notifications, incoming calls, and private messages. If you want to show something specific without broadcasting everything, use app-specific AirPlay instead (the method described above), or open only the app or content you want to share before you start mirroring.

You can also use Do Not Disturb mode to silence notifications while you are mirroring. Open Control Center, press and hold the Do Not Disturb icon, and set it to stay on for as long as you need. Notifications will still arrive, but they will not pop up on your screen or the TV.

Troubleshooting audio and video problems

If your video appears on the TV but there is no sound, check the volume on both your iPhone and your TV. The TV's volume is separate from your phone's volume when you are using AirPlay. If the TV volume is up but you still hear nothing, try restarting the mirroring: tap Screen Mirroring again, select Stop Mirroring, wait a few seconds, then tap Screen Mirroring and select your Apple TV again.

If the picture is choppy or keeps freezing, move your iPhone closer to your Apple TV or router. Walls, microwaves, and cordless phones can interfere with Wi-Fi. If you have other devices streaming on the same network, pause them temporarily — AirPlay works better when the network is not crowded.

If the colors look wrong or the picture is stretched, check your TV's input settings. Some TVs have an option to zoom or stretch the image. Look in your TV's picture settings menu and make sure it is set to display the full image without scaling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPlay with a non-Apple TV?

Not directly. AirPlay only works with Apple TV boxes. If you have a Samsung, LG, or other brand of smart TV, you can use a cable connection with a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter instead, or check whether your TV supports AirPlay 2 (some newer models do). Otherwise, a cable is your only option.

Do I need to buy anything to use AirPlay?

No. If you already own an iPhone and an Apple TV, AirPlay is built in and costs nothing. You only need to buy something if you want to use a cable connection instead, in which case a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter costs between $15 and $50 depending on the brand.

Will AirPlay work if my Apple TV is not plugged in?

No. Your Apple TV must be powered on and connected to Wi-Fi for AirPlay to work. If it is unplugged or in sleep mode, it will not appear in your iPhone's Screen Mirroring list.

Can multiple people AirPlay to the same Apple TV at the same time?

No. Only one iPhone can mirror to an Apple TV at a time. If someone else tries to connect while you are already mirroring, they will be asked to stop your connection first. However, multiple people can use app-specific AirPlay (like Netflix) if the app supports it.

Does AirPlay work over cellular, or do I need Wi-Fi?

You need Wi-Fi. Both your iPhone and Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. AirPlay does not work over cellular data or if the devices are on different networks.

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.