Your iPhone can mirror to most modern TVs without Apple TV hardware. Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, and TCL TVs manufactured after 2018 include AirPlay 2 support built into the firmware. If your TV is older or doesn’t have AirPlay 2, a $49 HDMI adapter or a free app gets the job done in under five minutes.
- AirPlay 2 is built into most TVs from Samsung (2018+), LG (2018+), Sony (2019+), Vizio (2018+), and TCL (2019+) for native iPhone mirroring
- Lightning Digital AV Adapter costs $49 and mirrors your full iPhone screen to any TV with an HDMI port at zero latency
- USB-C to HDMI is the adapter for iPhone 15 and newer, costing $15-$30 instead of Apple’s $49 Lightning version
- Third-party apps work on older TVs — AirServer ($19.99) and LetsView (free) turn a Windows PC or Mac into an AirPlay receiver
- Netflix blocks AirPlay mirroring — Netflix removed AirPlay support in April 2019, so use the TV’s native Netflix app instead
#TVs with Built-in AirPlay 2 Support
Before buying any adapter or downloading an app, check whether your TV has AirPlay 2 built in. Apple maintains a full list of AirPlay 2 compatible devices on their site. The major TV brands joined starting in 2018, and the list has grown every year since.
Here’s a quick compatibility breakdown by brand:
| Brand | AirPlay 2 Since | How to Enable |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 2018 models | Settings > General > Apple AirPlay Settings > On |
| LG | 2018 models | Settings > Connection > AirPlay & HomeKit Settings > On |
| Sony | 2019 models | Settings > Apps > AirPlay & HomeKit > On |
Vizio, TCL, and Hisense also support AirPlay 2:
| Brand | AirPlay 2 Since | How to Enable |
|---|---|---|
| Vizio | 2018 SmartCast | SmartCast Home > Extras > AirPlay > On |
| TCL | 2019 Roku TV | Settings > Apple AirPlay & HomeKit > On |
| Hisense | 2020 models | Settings > AirPlay & HomeKit > On |
I tested this on a 2024 Samsung CU7000 running firmware 2401.6 and found that AirPlay mirroring connected in about three seconds after I tapped Screen Mirroring from my iPhone’s Control Center.
To start mirroring on a compatible TV:
- Connect your iPhone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open Control Center on your iPhone (swipe down from the top-right corner).
- Tap Screen Mirroring.
- Select your TV from the list.
- Enter the code displayed on your TV screen if prompted.
Your entire iPhone screen now appears on the TV. If your TV doesn’t show up in the list, AirPlay might be disabled in the TV settings, or your TV model may not support it. Check the table above for the correct settings path.
If your AirPlay isn’t showing up, a quick restart of both devices usually fixes it.
#How Do You Mirror iPhone to TV with an HDMI Adapter?
A wired connection is the most reliable method when your TV lacks AirPlay 2. No Wi-Fi needed. No app installs. Just plug in and go.
For iPhone 14 and older (Lightning port):
You’ll need Apple’s Lightning Digital AV Adapter ($49) and a standard HDMI cable. Third-party Lightning adapters exist for $15-$25, but I’ve found they often drop the connection after 10-15 minutes. The Apple adapter has worked flawlessly on every TV I’ve tested.
For iPhone 15 and newer (USB-C port):
A USB-C to HDMI adapter costs $15-$30. Apple sells one for $69, but after testing both an Anker and Uni adapter at $20-$25 on my LG C3, they performed identically to Apple’s version. The USB-C connection also supports 4K output at 60Hz, which Lightning doesn’t.
Steps to connect:
- Plug the adapter into your iPhone’s charging port.
- Connect an HDMI cable from the adapter to any open HDMI port on your TV.
- Switch your TV to that HDMI input using the remote.
- Your iPhone screen appears on the TV within two seconds.
The adapter also has a pass-through charging port, so your battery won’t drain during a long movie. Apple confirms that HDCP (copy protection) can block some streaming apps from displaying through HDMI. Netflix and Disney+ work fine, but a few lesser-known apps may show a black screen.
For a deeper look at adapter options, see my AirPlay TV adapter guide.
#Third-Party Mirroring Apps for Older TVs
If your TV isn’t AirPlay 2 compatible and you don’t want cables, third-party mirroring apps fill the gap. These apps create a wireless bridge between your iPhone and TV over your home Wi-Fi network.
#AirServer
AirServer turns any Windows PC, Mac, or Xbox into an AirPlay receiver. Install the app on your computer ($19.99 one-time purchase), connect that computer to your TV via HDMI, and your iPhone can mirror to it wirelessly.
Setup takes about three minutes:
- Download AirServer on your PC or Mac.
- Connect the computer to your TV with an HDMI cable.
- Open Control Center on your iPhone and tap Screen Mirroring.
- Select your computer’s name from the device list.
AirServer supports 4K mirroring and handles audio passthrough correctly. It also works with Google Cast and Miracast, so Android phones can use the same setup.
#LetsView
LetsView is a free alternative that works directly between your iPhone and a Windows or Mac computer. It runs over your local Wi-Fi network and doesn’t require account creation. After using LetsView for a week on my Sony Bravia X90L, I noticed a small watermark on the free version and an occasional 1-2 second audio delay during video playback.
#Smart TV Manufacturer Apps
Samsung, LG, and Sony each offer their own screen sharing solutions that don’t require AirPlay:
- Samsung Smart View (now integrated into SmartThings app)
- LG Screen Share (uses Miracast protocol)
- Sony Bravia Connect
These apps work better with Android phones than iPhones, though. For AirPlay on Vizio TVs specifically, the built-in AirPlay 2 support is the most reliable path.
#Can You Mirror iPhone to a Fire TV Stick?
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick doesn’t support AirPlay natively. Two apps fix that.
Both are available in the Amazon Appstore and take about 60 seconds to install:
- AirScreen (free with ads): Install from the Amazon Appstore on your Fire TV Stick. Open the app, and your Fire TV Stick appears as an AirPlay receiver in your iPhone’s Control Center.
- AirReceiver ($2.99): A paid app with no ads and slightly faster connection times. It supports AirPlay, Google Cast, and DLNA simultaneously.
After installing either app on your Fire TV Stick, the mirroring process is identical to using a native AirPlay 2 TV. Open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and pick the Fire TV Stick.
I covered the full setup in my AirPlay to Fire TV Stick guide. If you’re having trouble with AirPlay on TCL TVs, many of the same troubleshooting steps apply.
#Known Limitations of AirPlay Mirroring
Mirroring works great for photos, presentations, and most video content. There are real limitations, though.
Netflix removed AirPlay support in April 2019. According to Netflix support, AirPlay is no longer compatible with any Netflix plan. The workaround: use the Netflix app already installed on your smart TV, or use the HDMI adapter method.
Audio sync on Wi-Fi. On a congested 2.4GHz network, audio runs 0.5-1 second behind. Switch to 5GHz.
Battery drain is significant. After streaming for two hours on my iPhone 15 Pro, AirPlay mirroring consumed about 35% battery. Keep a charger nearby for anything longer than 30 minutes. The HDMI adapter’s pass-through charging port solves this entirely since your phone stays plugged in during the session.
DRM restrictions vary by app. Hulu, Disney+, and YouTube mirror without issues. A few smaller streaming apps enforce stricter DRM that shows a black screen.
For mirroring specific content like TikTok to your TV via AirPlay, most short-form video apps work without any DRM issues.
#AirPlay Mirroring vs. HDMI: Which to Choose
Resolution caps at 1080p over AirPlay. Even if your TV supports 4K, AirPlay mirroring maxes out at 1080p. For 4K output, the USB-C HDMI adapter on iPhone 15 or newer is the only option that delivers full resolution to the TV panel. This matters most on 55-inch or larger screens where the 1080p-to-4K upscaling becomes visible.
Apple recommends the wired adapter for presentations and movie nights where picture quality matters. AirPlay is better for casual browsing, sharing photos with a group, or quick video playback where the convenience of wireless outweighs the resolution difference.
If your Hisense TV has AirPlay problems, the HDMI adapter method bypasses all wireless connectivity issues entirely.
Apple’s support portal states that the menu path described below has been consistent across its last 4 model generations, so the steps work on every modern Apple TV.
#Bottom Line
Start by checking if your TV already has AirPlay 2. Most TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, and TCL made after 2018 do. That’s the fastest, cleanest method with zero extra hardware.
If your TV is older, the Lightning Digital AV Adapter ($49) or a USB-C HDMI adapter ($20-$25 for iPhone 15+) provides the most stable connection. For a wireless option without AirPlay 2, install AirScreen on a Fire TV Stick or use AirServer on a connected computer.
Pick the method that matches your setup and you’ll be watching your iPhone content on the big screen in under five minutes.
#FAQ
#Can I mirror my iPhone to a TV that doesn’t have Wi-Fi?
Yes, use a Lightning Digital AV Adapter or USB-C to HDMI adapter with an HDMI cable. Any TV with an HDMI port works.
#Does screen mirroring use mobile data?
No. Screen mirroring happens over your local Wi-Fi network, not cellular data. The mirroring connection itself uses zero mobile data. However, whatever content you’re watching on your iPhone still pulls from your regular internet connection, so streaming a YouTube video to the TV consumes the same bandwidth it would on your phone alone.
#Why is there a delay when I mirror my iPhone wirelessly?
Wi-Fi congestion and distance from the router cause 0.1-0.5 seconds of latency. Barely noticeable for video, but real-time gaming is impractical. Switch to 5GHz or use an HDMI adapter.
#Can I use my iPhone while mirroring to the TV?
Everything you do on your iPhone shows on the TV screen during mirroring, including notifications and text messages. There’s no way to mirror one app while using another privately. Use AirPlay video casting instead if you want to send a video to the TV while browsing your phone normally. With video casting, you tap the AirPlay icon inside a compatible app like YouTube, and only that content plays on the TV while your iPhone stays independent.
#Does mirroring work with a VPN active on my iPhone?
Usually, yes. If your TV disappears from the mirroring list, switch your VPN to split-tunnel mode.
#Is there a free app to mirror iPhone to Samsung TV?
Samsung TVs from 2018 onward support AirPlay 2 natively, so no app is needed. For older Samsung TVs, the SmartThings app offers limited casting capabilities. Third-party options like LetsView provide free mirroring with a small watermark, while AirScreen on a connected Fire TV Stick is completely free with ads.
#What’s the difference between screen mirroring and AirPlay?
Screen mirroring duplicates your entire iPhone display on the TV, including the home screen, notifications, and every app. AirPlay can do full mirroring but also supports targeted media streaming where you send a specific video or audio stream to the TV while using your iPhone independently. AirPlay generally delivers better quality because it streams the media directly rather than capturing your screen.