Screen mirroring on iPhone works through AirPlay, Apple's built-in wireless connection system

Screen mirroring lets you display your iPhone's screen on a TV, projector, or Mac computer without plugging in any cables. On iPhones, this feature is called AirPlay, and it comes built in — you don't need to download anything or buy special software. The device you're mirroring to needs to support AirPlay, which most modern Apple TVs, smart TVs with AirPlay built in, and Mac computers do.

The basic process takes about 30 seconds once you're set up: you swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone, tap Control Center, find the Screen Mirroring button, and select the device you want to mirror to. The real work is making sure your iPhone and the receiving device are on the same Wi-Fi network and that AirPlay is actually available on that device.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen mirroring on iPhone uses AirPlay, which is built into iOS and requires no separate app or purchase.
  • Your iPhone and the device you're mirroring to must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for AirPlay to work.
  • You access Screen Mirroring through Control Center, which you open by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen.
  • Not all TVs support AirPlay — check your TV's manual or settings to confirm, or use an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible device as an intermediary.

Check that your devices support AirPlay

Before you start, confirm that the device you want to mirror to actually has AirPlay built in. Apple TVs (all models from 2nd generation onward) support AirPlay. Many newer smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and other brands have added AirPlay support in recent years, but not all of them do. If you're unsure, check your TV's manual or look in its settings menu for "AirPlay" or "Apple TV" options.

If your TV doesn't have AirPlay, you have two options: buy an Apple TV (the smallest model, Apple TV 4K, costs around $99), or use an AirPlay-compatible device like a Mac computer or iPad if you have one. Some people also use third-party AirPlay receivers, though these are less common and vary in reliability.

Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network

AirPlay works over your home Wi-Fi network, so your iPhone and the receiving device must be connected to the same network. Check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings by opening Settings, tapping Wi-Fi, and confirming which network you're connected to. Then check your TV or Apple TV — look in its network settings and confirm it's on the same Wi-Fi network name (SSID).

If your home has a 5GHz and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network with different names, make sure both devices are on the same one. Some older devices only support 2.4GHz, so if mirroring doesn't work, try switching your iPhone to the 2.4GHz network and trying again. Your router's manual or your internet provider can tell you which networks are available.

Open Control Center and select Screen Mirroring

On iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X and newer), swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center. On iPhones with a home button (iPhone 8 and earlier), swipe up from the bottom of the screen instead. Look for a rectangle with a triangle in the corner — that's the Screen Mirroring button.

Tap Screen Mirroring. A list of available AirPlay devices will appear within a few seconds. Tap the device you want to mirror to. If you don't see any devices listed, go back and double-check that both your iPhone and the receiving device are on the same Wi-Fi network. If the list is empty after 10 seconds, try turning Wi-Fi off and back on, or restarting both devices.

Enter a code if one appears on your TV

When you select a device, your TV may display a four-digit code. If it does, type that code into your iPhone when prompted. This is a security step that prevents someone else's iPhone from accidentally (or intentionally) mirroring to your TV. Once you enter the code correctly, your iPhone screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds.

If no code appears, mirroring should start automatically. Your iPhone's screen will now display on the TV, and anything you do on your iPhone — opening apps, scrolling, typing — will show up on the larger screen in real time.

Stop mirroring and troubleshoot common problems

To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring. Your iPhone screen will no longer appear on the TV, though you can still use your iPhone normally.

If mirroring stops working after it was working before, the most common fix is to restart both devices. Turn off your iPhone completely (hold the power button and slide to power off), wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same for your TV or Apple TV. Then try mirroring again. If that doesn't work, check that both devices are still on the same Wi-Fi network — sometimes a device will disconnect without you noticing.

If mirroring never worked in the first place, the problem is usually one of three things: the devices aren't on the same Wi-Fi network, your TV doesn't support AirPlay, or there's interference on your Wi-Fi (try moving closer to your router). Less commonly, your iPhone's software is outdated — go to Settings, tap General, then Software Update to check for updates.

What you can and can't do while mirroring

When you're mirroring, your iPhone's entire screen appears on the TV, including notifications, Control Center, and anything else that pops up. This means if a text message arrives, the TV will show it. If you want privacy, you can use AirPlay audio only instead — open Control Center, tap and hold the audio/music controls, and select a different AirPlay device. This plays sound through your TV's speakers without showing your screen.

Mirroring uses your Wi-Fi bandwidth, so if your internet connection is slow or unstable, the mirrored image may lag or drop out. If this happens, try moving your iPhone closer to your router, or temporarily disconnecting other devices from Wi-Fi to free up bandwidth. Some apps, like Netflix and Disney+, don't allow their video to be mirrored for copyright reasons — instead, you'll see a black screen on your TV even though the app is playing on your iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Apple TV to use screen mirroring?

No. If your TV has AirPlay built in, you can mirror directly to it. Many newer Samsung, LG, Sony, and other brand TVs support AirPlay. If your TV doesn't have it, then yes, an Apple TV is the easiest solution, though you can also mirror to a Mac computer or iPad if you have one.

Why doesn't my TV show up in the Screen Mirroring list?

The most common reason is that your iPhone and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings and your TV's network settings to confirm they're both connected to the same network name. If they are, restart both devices and try again. If your TV still doesn't appear, your TV may not support AirPlay.

Can I mirror my iPhone to a non-Apple TV?

Only if that TV has AirPlay built in. Many newer smart TVs do, but older ones don't. Check your TV's manual or settings for AirPlay support. If it doesn't have it, you'll need an Apple TV or another AirPlay-compatible device connected to your TV.

Does screen mirroring work over cellular data?

No. AirPlay only works over Wi-Fi. Both your iPhone and the receiving device must be on the same Wi-Fi network. You can't mirror using cellular data or a mobile hotspot.

Can I mirror to multiple devices at once?

No. You can only mirror to one device at a time. If you want to switch to a different device, stop mirroring first, then select a new device from the Screen Mirroring list.