How do I connect my iPhone to my TV?

Answered by Tom Adger

To connect your iPhone to your TV, you have a few options depending on the type of TV you have. If you have an Apple TV or a smart TV with AirPlay 2 support, you can easily mirror your iPhone screen onto the TV. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Make sure your iPhone and Apple TV or smart TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

2. On your iPhone, open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner on iPhone X or later, or swiping up from the bottom on iPhone 8 or earlier.

3. In Control Center, you’ll see a button that looks like a rectangle with a triangle inside (this is the AirPlay button). Tap on it.

4. A list of available AirPlay devices will appear. Choose your Apple TV or the AirPlay 2-enabled smart TV you want to connect to.

5. If it’s the first time you’re connecting to the TV, you may be prompted to enter an AirPlay passcode. This passcode will be displayed on your TV screen. Simply enter the passcode on your iPhone to proceed.

6. Once connected, you will see your iPhone screen mirrored onto your TV. You can now enjoy your favorite apps, videos, photos, or even games on the big screen.

It’s worth noting that not all TVs support AirPlay 2 natively. If your TV doesn’t have built-in AirPlay 2 support, you can still connect your iPhone using an HDMI adapter. Here’s how:

1. Purchase an HDMI adapter that is compatible with your iPhone model. Apple sells Lightning to HDMI adapters, or you can find third-party options as well.

2. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI port on your TV, and the other end to the HDMI adapter.

3. Plug the Lightning end of the adapter into your iPhone’s charging port.

4. On your TV, select the appropriate HDMI input source to display your iPhone screen.

5. Your iPhone screen should now be mirrored on your TV. You can navigate and use your iPhone as usual, and the content will be displayed on the TV.

This method is useful if you don’t have an Apple TV or a smart TV with AirPlay 2 support. It’s a direct connection between your iPhone and the TV using a cable.

Connecting your iPhone to your TV can be done wirelessly using AirPlay 2 on an Apple TV or a compatible smart TV, or you can use an HDMI adapter to establish a direct wired connection. Choose the method that suits your setup and enjoy your iPhone content on the big screen.