How to Connect Your iPhone to Your TV

The three ways to get your iPhone screen on your TV

You can connect an iPhone to a TV in three ways: AirPlay (wireless, Apple devices only), an HDMI adapter (wired, works with any TV), or screen mirroring through your TV's built-in casting feature if it supports it. AirPlay is the fastest if your TV has it. An HDMI adapter works on any TV but requires a cable. Screen mirroring through apps like Roku or Google Cast works if your TV has those platforms built in.

Which method you choose depends on what TV you own and whether you want to stay wireless. Most people start with AirPlay if they have an Apple TV or a newer smart TV with AirPlay support. If that is not an option, an HDMI adapter is the most reliable backup.

Key Takeaways

AirPlay works wirelessly on Apple TV, newer Samsung TVs, LG TVs, and some other brands, but requires both devices on the same Wi-Fi network.
An HDMI adapter plugs into your iPhone's charging port and connects to any TV's HDMI port, and works immediately without setup.
Screen mirroring through Roku, Google Cast, or Fire TV works if your TV has one of those platforms, but setup varies by brand.
AirPlay and HDMI adapters let you mirror your entire screen or stream video apps; screen mirroring depends on the app and TV platform.

Using AirPlay on Apple TV or compatible smart TVs

AirPlay is Apple's wireless standard and works on Apple TV boxes, and on newer Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio TVs that have AirPlay built in. To use it, your iPhone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Open Control Center on your iPhone (swipe down from the top right on newer models, or up from the bottom on older ones), tap Screen Mirroring, and select your TV from the list. Your iPhone screen appears on the TV within a few seconds.

If your TV does not appear in the list, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your TV has AirPlay turned on. On Samsung TVs, this is usually under Settings > General > Apple AirPlay Settings. On LG TVs, check Settings > Connection > Apple AirPlay Settings. If your TV is older than about five years, it may not support AirPlay at all.

Once connected, you can mirror your entire screen, open apps, or play video. Some apps like Netflix or YouTube detect that you are mirroring and may ask if you want to stream directly to the TV instead, which uses less battery on your phone. You can disconnect by opening Control Center again and tapping Screen Mirroring, then selecting Stop Mirroring.

Connecting with an HDMI adapter

An HDMI adapter is a small cable that plugs into your iPhone's charging port (the Lightning port on most iPhones) and has an HDMI connector on the other end. You plug the HDMI end into your TV's HDMI port, and your iPhone screen appears on the TV. This works on any TV with an HDMI port, regardless of age or brand. You need to buy the adapter separately — Apple sells an official Lightning to HDMI adapter, or third-party versions are available from Amazon or electronics retailers for $15 to $40.

The advantage of an HDMI adapter is that it works immediately with no setup, no Wi-Fi needed, and no pairing. The disadvantage is that your iPhone is tethered to the TV by a cable, and you cannot charge your phone while using it (unless you buy a more expensive adapter with a separate charging port). HDMI adapters also work with older iPhones and older TVs, making them the most universal option.

Plug the adapter in, connect the HDMI cable to your TV, and select the correct HDMI input on your TV remote. Your iPhone screen should appear within a few seconds. If it does not, try unplugging and replugging the adapter, or restarting your iPhone.

Screen mirroring through Roku, Google Cast, or Fire TV

If your TV has Roku, Google Cast (Chromecast), or Amazon Fire TV built in, you can mirror your iPhone to it without AirPlay or an adapter. The steps vary by platform. On a Roku TV, open the Roku app on your iPhone, tap the TV icon at the top, select your TV, then tap the cast icon and choose Screen Mirroring. On a Google TV or Chromecast-enabled TV, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select your TV. On a Fire TV, use the Silk browser app or the Fire TV app to cast.

These methods work over Wi-Fi and do not require your TV to support AirPlay. However, not all apps work with screen mirroring on these platforms — Netflix, YouTube, and other streaming services often require you to use their built-in casting feature instead of mirroring your whole screen. Check the app's settings to see if it has a cast button.

If your TV has multiple casting platforms (for example, both Roku and Google Cast), you may see multiple options in Control Center. Pick whichever one your TV uses. If you do not see your TV listed, restart both devices and make sure they are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Troubleshooting when your iPhone will not connect

If your iPhone does not appear on your TV, start by checking that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and confirm the network name. On your TV, check the network settings in the TV's main menu. If they are on different networks, connect your iPhone to the TV's network.

If they are on the same network and AirPlay still does not work, restart both devices. Turn off your iPhone completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your TV. Then try connecting again. If your TV is very old or does not support AirPlay, you will need to use an HDMI adapter instead.

For HDMI adapters, make sure the adapter is fully plugged into your iPhone and the HDMI cable is fully plugged into both the adapter and the TV. Try a different HDMI port on your TV if you have one. If the screen still does not appear, try restarting your iPhone or replacing the HDMI cable — sometimes cables go bad.

What you can and cannot do once connected

Once your iPhone is connected to your TV, you can mirror your entire screen, which means everything on your phone appears on the TV. You can open apps, browse the web, show photos, or play videos. Some apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Apple TV+ detect that you are mirroring and offer a cast button instead, which streams the video directly from the app to the TV without using your phone as a middleman. This saves battery and lets you use your phone for other things while the video plays.

Not all apps support casting or mirroring. Games, for example, usually only work through full screen mirroring, not through a cast button. If you want to play a game on your TV, you will need to mirror your entire screen and keep your phone in your hand to control it.

If you are using an HDMI adapter, your iPhone will charge more slowly or not at all while connected, because the adapter uses the charging port. If you need to charge while connected, buy an adapter with a separate Lightning port for charging, though these are more expensive and bulkier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Apple TV to use AirPlay?

No. Apple TV boxes support AirPlay, but so do many newer Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio TVs. Check your TV's settings or manual to see if it has AirPlay built in. If it does not, you can buy an Apple TV box, or use an HDMI adapter instead.

Can I use AirPlay and an HDMI adapter at the same time?

No. Your iPhone can only send its screen to one display at a time. Pick one method and disconnect from it before trying another.

Will connecting my iPhone to the TV drain the battery?

AirPlay uses Wi-Fi and will drain your battery faster than normal, but not drastically. HDMI adapters do not drain the battery faster, but they also do not charge your phone. If you plan to connect for more than an hour, plug your iPhone into power if possible.

What if my TV is too old to support any of these methods?

An HDMI adapter will work on any TV with an HDMI port, even very old ones. If your TV has no HDMI port, you can buy an older adapter that uses composite cables (red, white, and yellow connectors), though these are harder to find and give lower picture quality.

Can I connect multiple iPhones to the same TV?

Only one device can mirror or cast to a TV at a time. If two people want to show something, one person must disconnect first. Some apps like Apple TV+ let multiple people watch the same content, but only one person controls what plays.

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.