The fastest way: use AirPlay if your TV supports it

If your TV is a newer model made in the last five years, it almost certainly has AirPlay built in. AirPlay is Apple's wireless connection system, and it works with most Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio TVs. You do not need any cables or extra equipment — just your iPhone and your TV on the same WiFi network.

Open Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom if you have an older model). Tap Screen Mirroring. Your TV should appear in the list within a few seconds. Tap your TV's name, and your iPhone screen will appear on the television. If your TV asks for a code, it will show a four-digit number on the screen — enter it on your iPhone and you are done.

If Screen Mirroring does not appear in Control Center, swipe up or down again to find it — it may be on a second page. If your TV does not appear in the list, make sure both devices are connected to the same WiFi network. Restart your iPhone and your TV if they still will not find each other.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPlay is the wireless method that works with most modern TVs and requires no cables or apps.
  • If your TV is older or does not have AirPlay, you can use an HDMI adapter cable to connect your iPhone directly to the TV.
  • Screen Mirroring in Control Center is the fastest way to start — your entire iPhone display appears on the TV.
  • If you only want to watch video or listen to music, some apps like YouTube and Netflix let you cast to your TV without mirroring your whole screen.

Using an HDMI adapter cable if your TV does not have AirPlay

Older TVs and some budget models do not have AirPlay. In that case, you need a physical cable. Buy a Lightning to HDMI adapter — Apple makes an official one, but third-party versions work just as well and cost less. Plug the Lightning end into your iPhone's charging port and plug an HDMI cable into the adapter. Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into any HDMI port on your TV.

Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input using the remote. Most TVs have a button labeled HDMI or Input. Your iPhone screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds. The adapter works with any app — photos, videos, web browsers, everything. The picture quality is excellent because the connection is wired.

One important note: some older iPhones use a 30-pin connector instead of Lightning. If your iPhone is from 2011 or earlier, you need a 30-pin to HDMI adapter instead. Check your charging port before you buy.

Casting video from apps without mirroring your whole screen

If you only want to watch Netflix, YouTube, or another streaming app on your TV, you do not have to mirror your entire iPhone. Most streaming apps have a Cast button built in — it looks like a rectangle with WiFi waves in the corner. Open the app, start playing a video, and tap the Cast button. Select your TV from the list, and the video will play on the big screen while your iPhone goes dark or shows the app menu.

This method uses less battery than screen mirroring and lets you use your iPhone for other things while the video plays. You can pause, rewind, or change the volume from your phone. If the app does not have a Cast button, it does not support this feature — use screen mirroring instead.

Casting works with YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Spotify, Apple Music, and most other major apps. Smaller or older apps may not have the feature. Check the app's menu or settings if you cannot find the Cast button right away.

Troubleshooting when your iPhone and TV will not connect

The most common reason connection fails is that your iPhone and TV are on different WiFi networks. Check that both devices are connected to the same network name. If you have a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network with the same name, try connecting both devices to the 2.4 GHz version — older TVs sometimes have trouble with 5 GHz.

If your TV appears in the Screen Mirroring list but will not connect, restart both devices. Turn off your iPhone completely, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your TV — unplug it for ten seconds, then plug it back in. Try connecting again.

If you are using an HDMI adapter cable and nothing appears on the TV, make sure you selected the correct HDMI input on your TV remote. Most TVs have multiple HDMI ports, and you need to switch to the one your cable is plugged into. Also check that the Lightning end of the adapter is fully seated in your iPhone's charging port — a loose connection will not work.

What to do if your TV is very old or does not support any of these methods

If your TV has no HDMI ports and no AirPlay, you have two options. The first is to buy a streaming device like an Apple TV, Roku, or Amazon Fire Stick. These plug into your TV's HDMI port and add AirPlay or casting features. An Apple TV is the most seamless with iPhones, but Roku and Fire Stick are cheaper and work just as well.

The second option is to buy a wireless HDMI transmitter. This is a small device that connects to your iPhone via USB and transmits video wirelessly to a receiver that plugs into your TV's HDMI port. These are less common than they used to be, but they still exist and work with any TV that has an HDMI port. Search for "wireless HDMI transmitter for iPhone" if you want to explore this route.

For most people, a streaming device is the better choice. It is more reliable, works with more apps, and costs between thirty and one hundred dollars depending on the model.

Understanding the difference between mirroring and casting

Screen mirroring copies everything on your iPhone to your TV — your entire screen, all notifications, everything. It is useful when you want to show someone photos, browse the web together, or play a game on the big screen. The downside is that it uses more battery and you cannot use your iPhone for other things while it is mirroring.

Casting sends only the video or audio from one app to your TV. Your iPhone screen stays dark or shows just the app controls. Casting uses less battery and lets you keep using your phone. The downside is that not all apps support it — only streaming services and music apps usually have the feature.

For watching movies or TV shows, casting is almost always the better choice. For everything else — photos, web browsing, presentations, games — use screen mirroring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy anything to connect my iPhone to my TV?

Not if your TV has AirPlay and is on the same WiFi network as your iPhone. If your TV does not have AirPlay or does not have HDMI ports, you will need to buy an adapter cable or a streaming device. Most people already own an HDMI cable, so the only purchase is the Lightning to HDMI adapter, which costs between fifteen and thirty dollars.

Can I connect my iPhone to my TV without WiFi?

Yes, if you use an HDMI adapter cable. The cable creates a direct connection between your iPhone and TV and does not need WiFi. Wireless methods like AirPlay and casting require both devices to be on the same WiFi network.

Will connecting my iPhone to my TV drain the battery?

Screen mirroring uses more battery than normal because your iPhone is constantly sending video to the TV. Casting uses less battery. If you are using an HDMI cable, the adapter may charge your iPhone at the same time, depending on the model. For long viewing sessions, plug your iPhone into power.

Can I use my iPhone while it is mirroring to the TV?

No. When you are screen mirroring, whatever you do on your iPhone appears on the TV. If you want to use your phone for other things, stop mirroring first. Casting is different — you can use your phone normally while a video plays on the TV.

What if my TV is connected to a soundbar instead of built-in speakers?

The audio will play through your TV's HDMI connection to the soundbar, just like it normally does. You do not need to do anything special. If the sound is not working, check that your soundbar is turned on and set to the correct input.