How to Connect Your iPhone to an LG TV

The fastest way: AirPlay over WiFi

The simplest way to connect an iPhone to an LG TV is through AirPlay, Apple's wireless casting system. Your iPhone and LG TV must be on the same WiFi network. Once they are, you can mirror your entire screen or stream video and audio from specific apps — no cables needed.

AirPlay works on LG TVs made from 2019 onward that have webOS 4.0 or later. If your TV is older, check the model number in your TV's settings (usually under Settings > General > About This TV) and search "LG [model number] webOS version" to confirm. Older LG models may not support AirPlay at all.

Key Takeaways

AirPlay is the wireless method that works with most LG TVs made after 2019, and requires both devices on the same WiFi network.
To cast from your iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner, tap Control Center, hold the Music and Video icon, then select your LG TV from the AirPlay menu.
If your LG TV does not support AirPlay, you can use an HDMI adapter (Lightning to HDMI) to plug your iPhone directly into the TV's HDMI port.
Screen mirroring shows everything on your iPhone; app-specific casting (like from YouTube or Netflix) uses less bandwidth and is more reliable for streaming.
If AirPlay stops working, restart both your iPhone and TV, then check that both are still connected to the same WiFi network.

Step-by-step: Casting with AirPlay

Open Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top-right corner (or swiping up from the bottom on older models). Look for the Screen Mirroring icon — it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap and hold it until a menu appears showing available devices.

Your LG TV should appear in that list by its model name or the custom name you gave it. Tap the TV name. Your iPhone will ask for a code that appears on your TV screen — enter it on your iPhone to confirm the connection. Once paired, your entire iPhone screen will appear on the TV.

To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap and hold Screen Mirroring, then tap Stop Mirroring. The connection will close immediately.

Using app-specific casting instead of full screen mirroring

Many apps — YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify — have their own cast buttons built in. These are more reliable than screen mirroring because they stream directly from the app to your TV without sending your entire screen. Look for an icon that looks like a rectangle with WiFi waves in the corner, usually in the top-right or bottom-right of the app.

Tap that icon and select your LG TV from the list. The app will stream to your TV while your iPhone screen goes dark or returns to your home screen. You can use your iPhone for other tasks while the content plays on the TV. This method uses less battery and WiFi bandwidth than screen mirroring.

Using an HDMI adapter if your TV does not support AirPlay

If your LG TV is older or does not appear in your AirPlay menu, you can connect your iPhone with a cable. You will need a Lightning to HDMI adapter — Apple sells an official version, or third-party versions work as well. Plug the Lightning connector into your iPhone's charging port and the HDMI end into any available HDMI port on your TV.

Your iPhone screen will appear on the TV immediately. This method works on any iPhone with a Lightning port (iPhone 5 and later) and any TV with an HDMI input. The downside is that your iPhone is tethered to the TV by cable, and the adapter itself costs between $20 and $50 depending on the brand.

Troubleshooting when AirPlay is not working

If your LG TV does not appear in the AirPlay menu, first check that both devices are connected to the same WiFi network. Open Settings on your iPhone and confirm the WiFi network name. Then go to your TV's settings (usually Settings > Network) and confirm it shows the same network name. If they are on different networks, connect your iPhone to the TV's network.

If they are on the same network but the TV still does not appear, restart both devices. Turn off your iPhone completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then use your TV's remote to power it off, wait 10 seconds, and power it back on. Try AirPlay again after both devices have fully restarted.

If the TV appears in the AirPlay menu but the connection fails or drops, move your iPhone closer to the TV and router. WiFi interference from other devices can weaken the signal. You can also try "forgetting" the WiFi network on your iPhone (Settings > WiFi, tap the network name, then Forget) and reconnecting to it fresh.

What to expect from picture and sound quality

AirPlay sends a compressed version of your screen to the TV, so the picture quality depends on your WiFi connection speed and stability. On a strong 5GHz WiFi network, the image is sharp and responsive. On a weaker 2.4GHz network or if other devices are using bandwidth, you may notice slight lag or pixelation, especially during fast motion or gaming.

Sound travels through the same WiFi connection, so audio quality is also affected by network strength. If you experience stuttering or dropouts, try moving closer to your router or reducing the number of devices using WiFi. Wired HDMI connections have no compression and no lag, but they require the adapter and a cable.

Connecting multiple iPhones or other Apple devices to the same TV

Only one device can mirror to an LG TV at a time through AirPlay. If you try to connect a second iPhone while one is already mirroring, the first connection will stop. However, you can switch between devices quickly — just open Control Center on a different iPhone and select the same TV.

If you want to cast from an iPad or Mac instead, the process is the same: open Control Center (or use the AirPlay menu on Mac) and select your LG TV. All Apple devices use the same AirPlay system, so the TV does not care which device is sending the signal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pair my iPhone with the TV every time I use AirPlay?

No. After you pair your iPhone and LG TV once by entering the code, they remember each other. The next time both are on the same WiFi network, your TV will appear in the AirPlay menu without asking for a code again. You only need to re-pair if you reset your TV or remove it from your WiFi network.

Can I use AirPlay if my iPhone and TV are on different WiFi networks?

No. AirPlay requires both devices on the same network. If your iPhone is on your home WiFi and your TV is on a guest network, they cannot connect. Connect both to the same network — usually your main home WiFi — and try again.

Will AirPlay work if my internet goes down?

Yes. AirPlay uses your local WiFi network, not the internet. As long as your router is on and both devices are connected to it, AirPlay will work even if your internet connection is down. You can stream content stored on your iPhone or cached in apps without any internet.

What is the difference between screen mirroring and app casting?

Screen mirroring sends everything on your iPhone to the TV — your home screen, notifications, all open apps. App casting sends only the content from one app (like Netflix or YouTube) directly to the TV. App casting is faster, uses less power, and is more stable for streaming video.

Can I use Bluetooth instead of AirPlay to connect my iPhone to an LG TV?

Bluetooth can connect your iPhone to the TV's speakers for audio only, but it cannot send video or mirror your screen. For video and audio together, you need AirPlay, HDMI, or another wired connection. Bluetooth is useful if you want to play music through your TV's speakers without mirroring your screen.

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.