To screen mirror an iPhone, connect it to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV, AirPlay-compatible smart TV or Mac. Open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and choose the TV or Mac from the list. If a code appears on the TV, type it on your iPhone. To stop, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, then Stop Mirroring.
This uses AirPlay, which is built into iPhone, so you don’t need an app. It won’t work with a TV that lacks AirPlay (use an Apple TV or an HDMI adapter instead), and an iPad can’t act as an AirPlay screen. Details for each case are below.
What you can mirror an iPhone to
| Screen | Works? | How |
|---|---|---|
| Apple TV | Yes | AirPlay Screen Mirroring |
| Smart TV with AirPlay (many recent Samsung, LG, Sony and Vizio models) | Yes | AirPlay Screen Mirroring |
| Mac (2018 or later, macOS Monterey or later) | Yes | AirPlay to Mac |
| Any TV or monitor with HDMI | Yes | Wired adapter |
| iPad | No | No built-in mirroring; see alternatives below |
| TV without AirPlay (older sets, some streaming sticks) | Not directly | Add an Apple TV or use a cable |
How to mirror your iPhone screen with AirPlay
Before you start, turn on the TV or Mac and make sure your iPhone is on the same Wi-Fi network as that device.
- Open Control Center: swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen. On an iPhone with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom edge.
- Tap Screen Mirroring (the icon of two overlapping rectangles).
- Tap your TV or Mac in the list.
- If an AirPlay passcode appears on the TV or Mac, enter it on your iPhone. You usually only need to do this the first time.
Your iPhone screen now appears on the big screen, and the Screen Mirroring button in Control Center shows the name of the device you’re connected to. Turn the iPhone sideways for photos and videos so they fill more of a widescreen TV.
Note: Everything on your screen is mirrored, including notifications. Turn on a Focus such as Do Not Disturb before a presentation so texts don’t pop up in front of the room.
How to stop screen mirroring
- Open Control Center.
- Tap Screen Mirroring.
- Tap Stop Mirroring.
On an Apple TV you can also press the Menu or Back button on the remote.
Mirror an iPhone to a smart TV
Many recent Samsung, LG, Sony and Vizio TVs have AirPlay built in. If yours doesn’t show up in the Screen Mirroring list:
- Open the TV’s settings and look for an AirPlay or Apple AirPlay setting. Menu names vary by brand.
- Make sure AirPlay is turned on.
- Check that the TV is on the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone, then try again.
If the TV has no AirPlay setting at all, it doesn’t support AirPlay. An Apple TV plugged into an HDMI port, or a wired adapter, is the reliable fix. Apps that claim to mirror to non-AirPlay TVs come from third parties and vary in quality and privacy practices.
Mirror an iPhone to a Mac
Macs from 2018 or later (plus the iMac Pro and 2020 or later Mac mini) running macOS Monterey or later can receive AirPlay from an iPhone 7 or later with iOS 14 or later.
- On the Mac, open System Settings > General > AirDrop & Continuity and turn on AirPlay Receiver. On macOS Monterey, it’s in System Preferences > Sharing.
- On the iPhone, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and choose the Mac.
If you want to control your iPhone from the Mac rather than just show its screen, that’s a separate Mac feature called iPhone Mirroring. For moving files between the two instead, see how to connect an iPhone to a MacBook.
Mirror an iPhone to a TV with a cable
A wired connection doesn’t need Wi-Fi or AirPlay, which makes it handy in hotels and classrooms. The iPhone screen appears on the TV as soon as you connect it and pick the right HDMI input.
- iPhone with USB-C: use a USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable, such as Apple’s USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter (up to 4K at 60Hz). Apple lists iPhone 15 models, iPhone 16 models (except iPhone 16e), iPhone 17 models (except iPhone 17e) and iPhone 18 Pro models as supporting external displays.
- iPhone with Lightning: use Apple’s Lightning Digital AV Adapter and an HDMI cable.
Screen mirroring vs. AirPlay from an app
For movies and music, you often don’t need to mirror the whole screen. Many video apps have their own AirPlay button in the player. In Photos, tap the Share button, then AirPlay.
The difference matters: with app AirPlay, the TV plays the video itself, so you can lock your iPhone or use other apps without interrupting it. With Screen Mirroring, the TV shows exactly what’s on your iPhone, so leaving the app or getting a call changes what everyone sees. Some streaming apps block mirroring of their content, in which case you’ll see a black screen or only hear audio. Use the app’s AirPlay button, or the TV’s own app for that service.
Can you mirror an iPhone to an iPad?
Not with Screen Mirroring. An iPad doesn’t appear in the AirPlay list because it can’t receive AirPlay. The closest options are sharing your screen in a FaceTime call or using a third-party app. Our guide to showing an iPhone screen on an iPad explains what works, and connecting an iPad to an iPhone covers sharing files and data between them.
Why doesn’t my TV show up under Screen Mirroring?
- Different networks. The iPhone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Guest networks and some hotel or office Wi-Fi block devices from seeing each other.
- AirPlay is off on the TV. Check the TV’s settings, or on Apple TV, Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit.
- Device is asleep. Wake the TV or Mac and try again.
- Software is out of date. Update the iPhone, the TV’s firmware or the Apple TV.
- Restart both devices and your Wi-Fi router, then open Screen Mirroring again.
If mirroring connects but stutters, move closer to the router or switch the TV to a wired Ethernet connection.
Questions about iPhone screen mirroring
Does screen mirroring use mobile data?
No. AirPlay sends the picture over your local Wi-Fi network. The app you’re mirroring may still use data or Wi-Fi to stream its own content.
Can I mirror without Wi-Fi?
Use a wired HDMI adapter. It works with no network at all.
Can I record what I’m mirroring?
Mirroring only displays your screen. To save a copy, use iPhone screen recording at the same time.
Apple’s steps are also on its AirPlay support page, and AirPlay to Mac requirements lists compatible Macs.
Matthew Roberts is the founder and editor of ARS Digitech. He started the site to answer the iPhone questions his friends and family kept asking him, and it has grown into a library of iPhone and iOS how-to guides. Matthew writes and maintains every tutorial on the site, checking steps and menu names against Apple’s official support documentation and updating guides when an iOS release moves a setting.