The easiest way to show your entire iPhone screen on a compatible TV is AirPlay screen mirroring. The iPhone and TV normally need to be on the same Wi-Fi network, and the television must support AirPlay or be connected to an Apple TV.
Quick steps
- Connect the iPhone and AirPlay-compatible TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open Control Center.
- Tap Screen Mirroring.
- Choose the TV or Apple TV.
- Enter the AirPlay code shown on the TV if prompted.
Screen mirroring versus streaming a video
Screen Mirroring duplicates most of what appears on your iPhone. Some video apps instead provide their own AirPlay button, which can send the video directly to the TV while leaving the iPhone available for other controls.
If the TV does not appear
Confirm AirPlay is enabled on the TV, make sure both devices are on the same network, and restart the TV and iPhone if necessary. Guest networks and networks that isolate wireless devices can prevent discovery.
When AirPlay is not available
A wired HDMI adapter is an alternative for TVs without AirPlay. The correct adapter depends on whether your iPhone uses USB-C or Lightning. Some protected video services can restrict mirroring or external playback.
Before you finish
If audio works but video does not, or a streaming app displays a black screen, test Screen Mirroring with the Home Screen or Photos app. If ordinary mirroring works, the limitation is probably specific to the video service or protected content. Also check the television manufacturer’s software-update menu because AirPlay compatibility problems can originate on the TV.
Before troubleshooting mirroring quality, distinguish between a discovery problem and a playback problem. If the TV never appears in Screen Mirroring, focus on AirPlay settings and the local network. If it connects but video stutters, check Wi-Fi signal strength and network congestion. This separation avoids resetting the iPhone for an issue caused by the television or router.
Use AirPlay for wireless screen mirroring
Open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select a compatible Apple TV, smart TV, or Mac. Enter the AirPlay code shown on the receiving display if requested. Both devices generally need to be on compatible networks and configured to allow AirPlay.
If the TV does not appear
Confirm that the television or streaming device supports AirPlay and that AirPlay is enabled in its settings. Restart the iPhone and receiver, verify the Wi-Fi connection, and temporarily disable VPN or network-isolation features if they prevent devices on the local network from discovering each other.
Matthew Roberts created this site to help his friends and family with questions that they might have about how to change the settings on their iPhones. It now serves as an archive of iPhone how-to guides to help anyone that stumbles upon this website.