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), HDMI adapter (wired, works with any TV), or USB-C to HDMI (wired, newer iPhones). AirPlay is fastest if you have an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible smart TV. An HDMI adapter works with any television and costs $15 to $30. Which method works depends on your TV model, iPhone model, and whether you want to move around while connected.
All three methods let you mirror your entire screen or stream just video and audio from apps like Netflix or YouTube. The main difference is speed of setup and what equipment you already own.
Key Takeaways
- AirPlay works wirelessly if your TV is an Apple TV, Samsung, LG, or other brand with built-in AirPlay support, and is the fastest method to set up.
- An HDMI adapter plugs into your iPhone's charging port and into any TV's HDMI port, and works with any iPhone model and any television.
- USB-C to HDMI adapters work only with iPhone 15 and newer models.
- Mirroring shows everything on your phone; streaming from an app shows only that app and lets you use your phone for other things at the same time.
Using AirPlay on a compatible TV
AirPlay is Apple's wireless standard. If your TV has AirPlay built in, you can mirror your iPhone screen or stream video from apps without any cables. Most newer Samsung, LG, Sony, and Roku TVs support AirPlay. Older TVs and budget models often do not.
To check if your TV supports AirPlay, look in the TV's settings menu for "AirPlay" or "Apple AirPlay", or check the TV's manual. If your TV does not have AirPlay, you can add it with an Apple TV device (starting at $99), which plugs into any HDMI port.
Once your TV supports AirPlay, connect your iPhone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network. Open Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older models). Tap "Screen Mirroring" and select your TV from the list. Your iPhone screen appears on the TV within a few seconds. To stop, open Control Center again and tap "Stop Mirroring".
Using an HDMI adapter with any TV
An HDMI adapter is a small cable that plugs into your iPhone's charging port on one end and into a standard HDMI cable on the other. You can buy these adapters from Apple, Amazon, or any electronics store for $15 to $30. They work with any iPhone model and any TV with an HDMI port, which includes nearly every television made in the last 15 years.
Plug the adapter into your iPhone's charging port. Plug an HDMI cable into the adapter's HDMI port, then plug the other end of the HDMI cable into an available HDMI port on your TV. Switch your TV to that HDMI input using the remote. Your iPhone screen appears on the TV immediately. The adapter also charges your phone while in use.
There are two types of HDMI adapters: Lightning (for iPhone 14 and older) and USB-C (for iPhone 15 and newer). Check your iPhone's charging port to know which one you need. Lightning ports are small and rectangular; USB-C ports are oval and symmetrical.
Using USB-C to HDMI on iPhone 15 and newer
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro use USB-C instead of Lightning. You can use a USB-C to HDMI adapter, which works the same way as the Lightning version: plug it into your phone, connect an HDMI cable, and plug into your TV. These adapters cost $15 to $25 and are widely available.
Some USB-C to HDMI adapters also include a USB-C port for charging while you use them, which is useful if you plan to leave your phone connected for a long time.
Mirroring versus streaming from an app
Mirroring copies everything on your iPhone screen to the TV. Whatever you do on your phone — open apps, scroll, type — appears on the TV in real time. This is useful for presentations, showing photos, or playing games. The downside is your phone is locked to that task; you cannot use it for anything else without the TV showing what you are doing.
Streaming from an app sends only that app's video and audio to the TV. Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and most video apps support this. Your phone screen stays dark or shows only controls, and you can use your phone to text, email, or browse while the TV plays. To stream from an app, open the app, look for an AirPlay icon or "Cast" button (usually in the top or bottom corner), and select your TV.
Troubleshooting common connection problems
If your iPhone does not appear in the AirPlay list, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart your iPhone and TV, then try again. If your TV does not show up after restarting, check that your TV actually supports AirPlay by looking in its settings or manual.
If you are using an HDMI adapter and the TV shows "No Signal", try a different HDMI port on the TV. Some ports are faster than others. If the image is blurry or cuts off at the edges, go to Settings > Display & Brightness on your iPhone and look for an option to adjust the TV resolution or overscan. Not all TVs need this, but older ones sometimes do.
If the connection drops frequently, move your iPhone closer to your Wi-Fi router or Apple TV. Walls and distance weaken the wireless signal. If you are using an HDMI adapter, try a different HDMI cable — the cable itself can fail.
When to use each method
| Method | Best for | Cost | Setup time |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPlay | Wireless streaming, no cables, works across the room | Free (if TV supports it) or $99+ for Apple TV | 10 seconds |
| HDMI adapter | Any TV, any iPhone, reliable connection | $15–$30 | 30 seconds |
| USB-C to HDMI | iPhone 15 and newer, any TV | $15–$25 | 30 seconds |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect my iPhone to a TV without Wi-Fi?
Yes, with an HDMI adapter. Wired connections do not need Wi-Fi. AirPlay requires Wi-Fi because it is wireless. If your Wi-Fi is down, use an HDMI adapter instead.
Will connecting my iPhone to the TV drain the battery?
AirPlay drains the battery faster than normal because your phone is streaming wirelessly. HDMI adapters actually charge your phone while you use them, since they plug into the charging port. If battery life matters, use an HDMI adapter.
Can I use AirPlay if my TV is older?
Older TVs usually do not have AirPlay built in. You can add it by plugging an Apple TV into an HDMI port. Apple TV is the only way to add AirPlay to a TV that does not already have it.
What if my TV has no HDMI ports?
Very old TVs use composite cables (red, white, yellow connectors) instead of HDMI. You would need a composite-to-HDMI converter, which costs $20 to $40, plus an HDMI adapter for your iPhone. AirPlay with an Apple TV is usually simpler for these older TVs.
Can I connect two iPhones to the same TV at once?
No. Only one device can mirror or stream to a TV at a time. You would need to disconnect one iPhone before connecting another. Some apps let multiple people control playback, but only one device can send the video signal.