How to mirror an iPhone screen to a TV

2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Screen mirroring shows everything on your iPhone on a TV: photos, apps, a presentation. It uses AirPlay, which is built into Apple TV, into many smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony and others, and into recent Macs.

Step by step

1. Put both devices on the same Wi-Fi

   The iPhone and the Apple TV, smart TV or Mac must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

   Done

2. Open Control Centre

   Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen. On an iPhone with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom edge.

   Done

3. Tap Screen Mirroring

   The button shows two rectangles, one behind the other. If you do not see it, look on the other pages of Control Centre.

   Done

4. Tap your TV in the list

   After a moment, the names of the AirPlay devices nearby appear. Tap the one you want.

   Done

5. Enter the code

   The first time, the TV or Mac shows an AirPlay code. Type it on the iPhone. The whole iPhone screen now appears on the TV.

   Done

6. Stop mirroring

   Open Control Centre, tap Screen Mirroring and tap Stop Mirroring.

   Done

Good to know

To send only a video and keep using the iPhone, do not mirror. Tap the AirPlay button inside the video app instead, a rectangle with a triangle below it, and choose the TV. In the Photos app, tap the share button first.

If the iPhone starts playing on a TV by itself, open Settings, General, AirPlay & Continuity, tap Automatically AirPlay and choose Never or Ask.

A TV without AirPlay needs an Apple TV box or an HDMI adapter for the iPhone's port.

Everything on the screen is shown, including message previews. Turn on a Focus before you present: how to turn on Do Not Disturb on an iPhone.

In short: Same Wi-Fi, Control Centre, Screen Mirroring, tap the TV, enter the code. Stop Mirroring to end.