The three ways to get your iPhone screen on a TV

You can connect your iPhone to a TV in three ways: with a cable plugged into an HDMI adapter, by casting wirelessly through AirPlay, or by using a smart TV's built-in screen mirroring. Which one works depends on what TV you have and what equipment you already own. Cable connections are the most reliable but require you to stay near the TV. Wireless options give you freedom to move around, but they work best when your iPhone and TV are on the same WiFi network.

The method you choose also depends on what you want to do. If you're showing photos or videos to a group, mirroring your entire screen works well. If you're streaming a specific app like Netflix or YouTube, many of those apps have built-in TV buttons that don't require any connection setup at all.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPlay is the easiest wireless option if you have an Apple TV or a newer smart TV with AirPlay built in — just swipe up from the bottom of your screen and tap the AirPlay icon.
  • A wired HDMI connection using a Lightning to HDMI adapter works with any TV and is the most stable option, but you need to buy the adapter if you don't have one.
  • Many streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ have their own cast buttons inside the app, so you don't need to mirror your whole screen.
  • Your iPhone and TV must be on the same WiFi network for wireless mirroring to work, and they need to be close enough for a strong signal.

Using AirPlay to mirror your screen wirelessly

AirPlay is Apple's wireless system for sending video and audio from your iPhone to a TV. It works with Apple TV devices and with many newer smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and other brands. To use it, both your iPhone and your TV must be connected to the same WiFi network.

Open Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen (or swiping up from the bottom if you have an older iPhone). Look for a button labeled "Screen Mirroring" — it shows a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom. Tap it, then select your TV from the list. Your iPhone screen will appear on the TV within a few seconds. To stop mirroring, open Control Center again, tap "Screen Mirroring," and select "Stop Mirroring."

If you don't see your TV in the list, make sure both devices are on the same WiFi network. Restart your TV and your iPhone if they still won't connect. Some older TVs don't support AirPlay — check your TV's manual or settings to see if the feature is available.

Connecting with a wired HDMI adapter

A wired connection is the most dependable way to get your iPhone picture on any TV. You'll need a Lightning to HDMI adapter, which plugs into the charging port at the bottom of your iPhone. These adapters cost between $15 and $30 and work with any TV that has an HDMI port — which is nearly every TV made in the last 15 years.

Plug the Lightning end into your iPhone and the HDMI end into an available HDMI port on your TV. Switch your TV to that HDMI input using the remote. Your iPhone screen will show up on the TV immediately. This method works for everything — photos, videos, apps, websites — and you don't need WiFi or any setup. The downside is that you're tethered to the TV by a cable, and you'll need to keep your iPhone plugged in if you're using it for more than an hour or two.

Make sure you buy an official Apple Lightning to HDMI adapter or a certified third-party version. Cheap knockoffs may not work reliably or may damage your iPhone's charging port.

Using built-in TV apps instead of mirroring

Many streaming services have their own buttons to send video directly to your TV without mirroring your entire screen. Open Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, or another app you use, and look for a TV icon or cast icon — usually a rectangle with a WiFi symbol or a small triangle. Tap it and select your TV from the list.

This method is faster than mirroring because it only sends the video stream, not your whole screen. You can use your iPhone for other things while the show plays on the TV. You can also control playback from your iPhone — pause, rewind, change volume — without interrupting what's on screen. Most apps work this way as long as your iPhone and TV are on the same WiFi network.

If you don't see a cast button in an app, that app doesn't support direct casting. In that case, use AirPlay mirroring or a wired connection instead.

Troubleshooting when your iPhone won't connect

If your iPhone and TV won't connect, start by checking that both are on the same WiFi network. Open Settings on your iPhone, tap WiFi, and confirm you're connected. Check your TV's WiFi settings the same way. If they're on different networks, connect your iPhone to the TV's network.

Restart both devices. Turn off your iPhone completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your TV. This fixes most connection problems. If you're using AirPlay and your TV still doesn't appear in the list, restart your WiFi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.

If you're using a wired HDMI adapter and nothing appears on the TV, try a different HDMI cable or a different HDMI port on the TV. Some ports may not work. Make sure your TV is set to the correct HDMI input — use your remote to cycle through inputs until you see your iPhone screen.

If your screen appears but the picture is stretched or cut off, go to Settings on your iPhone, tap Display & Brightness, and look for an option to adjust the resolution or overscan. Some TVs also have picture settings that can fix this — check your TV's menu.

Choosing between wired and wireless for different situations

Use a wired HDMI connection when you need the most reliable setup, when your WiFi is weak or unreliable, or when you're in a place with a lot of WiFi networks interfering with each other. Wired connections never drop, and they work immediately. They're also best if you're playing games or watching video that needs to stay in sync with sound.

Use AirPlay or app casting when you want to move around the room, when you're showing something to a group and don't want to be tethered to the TV, or when you're streaming from a single app. Wireless is also better if you want to keep using your iPhone normally while something plays on the TV.

If you use your iPhone and TV together often, an Apple TV device ($99 to $199) makes everything simpler — it has AirPlay built in, it remembers your WiFi, and it works faster than most smart TV built-in systems. But if you only connect occasionally, a wired adapter is cheaper and more straightforward.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Only for wireless methods like AirPlay or app casting. A wired HDMI connection doesn't need WiFi at all — it works as soon as you plug it in. If you're using wireless and your WiFi is down, switch to a wired adapter instead.

Can I connect my iPhone to an old TV that doesn't have WiFi?

Yes, use a wired HDMI adapter. It works with any TV that has an HDMI port, regardless of age or whether the TV has WiFi. If your TV is very old and doesn't have HDMI, you can buy an adapter that converts HDMI to older video connections, but these are less common and may not work with all content.

Why does my screen keep disconnecting from the TV?

Wireless connections drop when your iPhone moves too far from the TV or when WiFi signal is weak. Move closer to the TV or your WiFi router. If you're using a wired connection and it keeps disconnecting, try a different cable or a different HDMI port on the TV — the port may be loose or damaged.

Can I charge my iPhone while it's connected to the TV with a cable?

Not with a standard Lightning to HDMI adapter. If you need to charge while connected, buy a Lightning to HDMI adapter that has a pass-through charging port, or use a wireless connection instead so you can plug your iPhone into a charger separately.

What's the difference between screen mirroring and casting?

Screen mirroring sends everything on your iPhone screen to the TV, including notifications and private messages. Casting sends only the video from a specific app. Casting is more private and uses less battery, but it only works with apps that support it.