The fastest way: AirPlay on an Apple TV or AirPlay 2-compatible TV

If your TV has AirPlay built in or you own an Apple TV box, you can send video and audio from your iPhone to your TV wirelessly in about 30 seconds. Your iPhone and TV must be on the same WiFi network. Open Control Center on your iPhone (swipe down from the top-right corner on newer models, or up from the bottom on older ones), tap Screen Mirroring, then select your TV or Apple TV from the list. Your iPhone screen appears on the TV immediately.

This works for everything on your phone — apps, photos, videos, web pages — and you keep using your iPhone normally while it displays on the TV. The connection stays active until you tap Screen Mirroring again and choose Stop Mirroring.

Not all TVs support AirPlay. Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio models made in 2019 or later often have it built in, but check your TV's manual or settings to confirm. If your TV does not have AirPlay, an Apple TV box (the small black rectangle that plugs into an HDMI port) adds it for around $100 to $200 depending on the model.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPlay is the simplest wireless method and works instantly if your TV supports it or you have an Apple TV box connected.
  • Your iPhone and TV must be connected to the same WiFi network for any wireless method to work.
  • Casting through Google Home or Chromecast works with iPhones but requires a Chromecast device plugged into your TV's HDMI port.
  • If wireless fails, a USB-C or Lightning cable to HDMI adapter is the most reliable backup and costs $20 to $40.
  • Screen mirroring sends everything on your phone to the TV, while casting individual apps gives you more control over what appears.

Using Chromecast or Google Home if you do not have Apple TV

If you have a Google Chromecast device plugged into your TV's HDMI port, you can cast from your iPhone using the Google Home app or apps that support Chromecast casting. Open Google Home, tap the device icon in the top-left corner, select your Chromecast device, then choose Cast Screen. Your iPhone screen mirrors to the TV the same way AirPlay does.

The limitation is that not every app works with Chromecast on iPhone — some apps only support casting on Android phones. If you want to cast a specific app like YouTube or Spotify, open that app, look for a cast icon (usually a rectangle with a WiFi symbol), and tap it to send that app to your TV instead of mirroring your whole screen.

Chromecast devices cost $30 to $50 and plug directly into any TV's HDMI port. They work on any WiFi network, so you do not need an Apple device ecosystem to use them.

What to do if your TV does not support wireless at all

Older TVs and budget models often have no wireless casting built in. The most reliable workaround is a wired adapter: a USB-C to HDMI adapter (for iPhone 15 and newer) or a Lightning to HDMI adapter (for older iPhones) that plugs into your phone and connects to an HDMI cable running to your TV. These cost $20 to $40 and work instantly without needing WiFi or setup.

Plug the adapter into your iPhone, connect an HDMI cable from the adapter to your TV, then switch your TV to the correct HDMI input. Your iPhone screen appears on the TV immediately, and you can use any app normally. This method also charges your phone while you use it if you buy an adapter with a power passthrough port.

The downside is the cable — you are tethered to the TV and cannot move around. But if wireless is not an option, this is the simplest solution that always works.

Troubleshooting when AirPlay or Chromecast will not connect

The most common reason wireless casting fails is that your iPhone and TV are not on the same WiFi network. Check that both devices show they are connected to the same network name in their WiFi settings. If your home has a 5GHz and 2.4GHz network with different names, make sure both devices are on the same one — some older devices only work on 2.4GHz.

Restart both your iPhone and TV if the connection drops or will not start. Turn off your iPhone's WiFi and turn it back on, then try connecting again. If you are using Apple TV, unplug it for 10 seconds and plug it back in. These steps fix most temporary connection problems.

If you are trying to cast an app and it is not working, check whether that app supports casting on iPhone — not all do. Try casting your entire screen instead using Screen Mirroring or Cast Screen to see if the problem is the app or your connection.

Controlling what appears on your TV while casting

When you mirror your screen, everything on your iPhone shows on the TV — notifications, incoming calls, private messages. If you want to hide something, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring. Your phone screen goes private again while the TV goes black.

Some apps let you cast just that app instead of your whole screen. YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and many others have a cast button inside the app itself. Tap it and select your TV to send only that app to the TV while you use your phone for other things. This is useful if you want to watch a video on the TV while texting or browsing on your phone at the same time.

If you are casting a video or music app, your iPhone screen can turn off and lock without stopping the playback on the TV. The audio and video keep playing even if your phone goes to sleep, which saves battery.

Connecting to a hotel TV or someone else's TV

If you are trying to connect to a TV that is not yours, you may not have access to the WiFi network or the TV may have restrictions. Ask the TV owner or hotel staff for the WiFi password and network name, then connect your iPhone to that same network. Once both devices are on the same network, AirPlay or Chromecast works the same way.

Some hotels and public places disable screen mirroring for security reasons. If you cannot find your TV in the Screen Mirroring list even though you are on the same network, the TV owner may have turned off casting. Ask them to enable it in the TV's settings, or use a wired adapter instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need WiFi to connect my iPhone to my TV wirelessly?

Yes, your iPhone and TV must both be connected to the same WiFi network for AirPlay or Chromecast to work. If you do not have WiFi, a wired USB-C to HDMI or Lightning to HDMI adapter is your only option.

Can I use AirPlay if I do not have an Apple TV?

Only if your TV has AirPlay built in. Many newer Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio TVs support it, but you need to check your specific model. If your TV does not have it, you need an Apple TV box to add AirPlay support.

What is the difference between screen mirroring and casting an app?

Screen mirroring sends your entire iPhone display to the TV, including notifications and private messages. Casting an app sends only that app to the TV, so your phone screen stays private. Not all apps support casting on iPhone.

Will casting drain my iPhone battery faster?

Yes, wireless casting uses more battery than normal use because your phone is constantly sending video and audio over WiFi. If you are casting for a long time, plug your phone into power or use a wired adapter instead, which also charges your phone.

Can I cast from my iPhone to a TV that is not on my home network?

No, both devices must be on the same WiFi network. If you are at a hotel or someone else's house, connect your iPhone to their WiFi network first, then try casting. Some public networks block casting for security reasons.