Today’s smartphones are more powerful than ever—especially the iPhone. From streaming your favorite videos and showing off vacation photos to playing mobile games or giving a presentation, your iPhone can do it all. But let’s be honest—sometimes, a 6-inch screen just isn’t enough. That’s where casting your iPhone to a TV comes in.
Casting (or screen mirroring) lets you display your iPhone’s content on a much larger screen—perfect for home entertainment, remote work, or classroom use. And the best part? You don’t need fancy cables or extra hardware to get started. This guide will teach you how to cast iPhone to TV using several easy, practical methods. Whether you have an Apple TV, a smart TV, or a third-party device like Chromecast, you’ll find all the steps right here.
📺 What Does It Mean to “Cast” iPhone to TV?
Casting or screen mirroring means displaying the iPhone’s screen on your TV in real time. Anything you do on your iPhone—swiping, typing, watching videos—will appear on your TV screen.
There are two main ways to cast iPhone to TV:
- AirPlay – Apple’s built-in wireless streaming system.
- Third-Party Devices – Like Chromecast, Roku, or smart TV apps.
Each method varies slightly depending on your TV brand and what device you have. But don’t worry—we’ll cover them all.
🔗 Requirements for Casting iPhone to TV
Before you begin, make sure you have:
- A compatible TV (smart TV or with a casting device like Apple TV or Chromecast).
- A stable Wi-Fi connection (both iPhone and TV must be on the same network).
- An iPhone running iOS 12 or later (most current models are supported).
Now let’s look at each method one by one.
✅ Method 1: How to Cast iPhone to TV Using AirPlay
This is the easiest and most seamless method if you have an Apple TV or a smart TV with AirPlay 2 built-in.
🔹 Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Connect iPhone and TV to the Same Wi-Fi Network
- AirPlay will only work if both devices are connected to the same network.
- Open the Content You Want to Cast
- This could be a video in Photos, YouTube, Safari, Netflix, etc.
- Tap the AirPlay or Screen Mirroring Icon
- In some apps, it looks like a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom.
- Or swipe down from the top-right of your iPhone (Control Center) and tap Screen Mirroring.
- Select Your TV
- Your TV or Apple TV should appear in the list.
- Enter the AirPlay Code (if prompted)
- Your TV may show a code. Type it into your iPhone.
- Your iPhone Screen Will Now Appear on the TV!
✅ Works Best With:
- Apple TV (any generation)
- Smart TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio that support AirPlay 2
🖥️ Method 2: How to Mirror iPhone to TV with HDMI Cable
If you don’t have a smart TV or AirPlay device, you can still cast your iPhone with a simple adapter and cable.
🔹 What You’ll Need:
- A Lightning to HDMI adapter (also called a Lightning Digital AV Adapter)
- A standard HDMI cable
🔹 Steps:
- Connect the Lightning adapter to your iPhone.
- Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the adapter and the other into the TV.
- Switch your TV to the correct HDMI input.
- Your iPhone screen will appear on the TV immediately—no Wi-Fi needed!
✅ Pros:
- No internet or Wi-Fi required
- Fast and stable connection
- Works with any TV with an HDMI port
❌ Cons:
- Requires purchasing an adapter and cable
- Not wireless
📡 Method 3: How to Cast iPhone to TV Using Chromecast
Google’s Chromecast is a popular and affordable way to stream from your iPhone to your TV.
🔹 Steps:
- Plug Chromecast into your TV and set it up with the Google Home app.
- Connect both iPhone and Chromecast to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open a supported app (like YouTube, Netflix, or Hulu).
- Tap the Cast icon (looks like a rectangle with Wi-Fi waves in the bottom left).
- Select your Chromecast device from the list.
- The content will now play on your TV.
❗Note:
Chromecast does not support full iPhone screen mirroring by default. It only casts content from supported apps.
📺 Method 4: Use a Smart TV App to Mirror iPhone
Many smart TVs (LG, Samsung, Roku, etc.) offer free companion apps that let you cast or mirror your iPhone.
🔹 Example: Samsung Smart View App
- Download the Samsung Smart View app on your iPhone.
- Make sure your TV and iPhone are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the app and select your TV.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to start casting or mirroring.
Different brands have different apps (e.g., LG ThinQ, Roku Mobile, etc.), but most follow similar steps.
✅ Pros:
- No additional hardware needed
- Good option if your TV doesn’t support AirPlay
❌ Cons:
- May have limitations or latency issues
- Some features may require in-app purchases
🛠️ Troubleshooting Tips: When Casting Doesn’t Work
⚠️ iPhone Can’t Find the TV?
- Ensure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Restart both your iPhone and TV.
- Make sure your TV firmware is up to date.
⚠️ Audio or Video Lagging?
- Try rebooting your router or moving your iPhone closer to the TV.
- For smoother playback, consider casting specific videos rather than full screen mirroring.
⚠️ AirPlay Not Showing?
- Make sure AirPlay is enabled on your TV settings.
- Some TVs have AirPlay disabled by default.
🔄 Alternatives to Casting: Other Ways to Share Content from iPhone
Not every situation requires screen mirroring. Sometimes, you just want to view photos or videos without showing your entire screen.
Here are a few other options:
- Photos App → AirPlay Slideshow
- YouTube App → Cast Button
- Use Apple TV App on your smart TV
- Transfer videos via USB or upload to cloud drive
🧠 When Should You Use Casting?
Casting is perfect for:
- Streaming movies and videos from your favorite apps
- Showing photos or slideshows at events or family gatherings
- Gaming on a bigger screen
- Presentations or classes
- Video calls with apps like FaceTime (mirroring supported)
Just remember, the method you choose depends on your TV type, internet connection, and personal preference.
Summary Table – How to Cast iPhone to TV
| Method | Requirements | Wireless? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPlay (Built-in) | AirPlay-compatible TV or Apple TV | ✅ Yes | iOS users with Apple-compatible devices |
| HDMI Adapter | Lightning to HDMI + HDMI Cable | ❌ No | Non-smart TVs or no internet |
| Chromecast | Chromecast + Google Home App | ✅ Yes | Streaming from specific apps |
| Smart TV Apps | Compatible app (Samsung, LG, Roku) | ✅ Yes | Mirroring on supported smart TVs |
Final Thoughts
So, how do you cast iPhone to TV? It’s easier than ever, and you have multiple methods to choose from depending on your setup. Whether you’re using AirPlay for an Apple-native experience, a Chromecast for popular app streaming, or even an HDMI cable for simplicity—you can enjoy your favorite content on the big screen in just minutes.
Screen mirroring can turn your iPhone into a portable entertainment powerhouse. Once you’ve tried it, watching shows, playing games, or even conducting meetings on your TV will feel natural and effortless.
Now that you know your options, go ahead and cast away!
Would you like a printable setup checklist for each method or a quick comparison guide for Chromecast vs. AirPlay?