Table of contents(14)+
- 01The 30-Second Test: Which One Do You Actually Need?
- 02Method 1: Use AirPlay (Apple Devices Only)
- 03Method 2: Use Miracast or Built-In Android Mirroring
- 04Method 3: Use Google Cast Instead of Mirroring
- 05Method 4: Skip Mirroring and Use a Remote App
- 06Method 5: Use a Wired HDMI Connection
- 07AirPlay vs Screen Mirroring at a Glance
- 08Frequently Asked Questions
- 09Is AirPlay the Same as Screen Mirroring?
- 10Why Won't AirPlay Show Up on My TV?
- 11Does Android Screen Mirroring Work the Same Way as AirPlay?
- 12Is There a Free App for Screen Mirroring?
- 13Does Screen Mirroring Have Sound?
- 14Related Guides
At HiRemote, we get this mix-up constantly from Hisense TV owners. Someone wants to send a phone screen to a VIDAA U7 TV. Or maybe an Android TV model like the H9. Then AirPlay, Miracast, and random 'cast' buttons all blur together. The short version: AirPlay only works between Apple devices and AirPlay-ready receivers. Everything else usually falls under the screen mirroring umbrella instead.
The 30-Second Test: Which One Do You Actually Need?
Answer two quick questions before picking a method. Do you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac? And is your TV or receiver confirmed AirPlay-compatible?
If both answers are yes, AirPlay is usually the simplest path below. If either answer is no — an Android phone, or a receiver without AirPlay — skip ahead to Miracast, Google Cast, or a wired connection instead.
Quick option for Hisense owners: if your real goal is just controlling the TV, you may not need mirroring at all. Switching inputs, launching Netflix, or typing a password all work through a plain remote app. The free HiRemote app turns your iPhone into a Hisense TV remote over Wi-Fi. No mirroring required. More on that under Method 4 below.
Method 1: Use AirPlay (Apple Devices Only)
AirPlay is Apple's built-in way to send video and audio to a compatible receiver. It works between iPhones, iPads, and Macs, and devices like an Apple TV, a HomePod, or certain smart TVs.
- Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap Screen Mirroring.
- Pick the receiver from the list that appears.
Where this falls short: AirPlay only shows receivers that actually support it. Many non-Apple TVs don't ship with AirPlay built in. Check your TV's manual or spec sheet to confirm support before you try. For the full walkthrough, see our AirPlay iPhone to TV guide. Apple also keeps an official overview at apple.com/airplay.
Method 2: Use Miracast or Built-In Android Mirroring
Android and Windows devices generally use Miracast instead of AirPlay. The idea is the same: your screen gets copied to a bigger display in real time.
- Open your phone's quick settings panel.
- Look for 'Cast,' 'Smart View,' or 'Screen mirroring' — the label varies by phone brand.
- Select your TV or receiver from the list.
Where this falls short: both devices need Miracast support, and some brands rename or hide the feature. If nothing shows up, check your phone's settings app for a 'Wireless display' option instead. For a broader explanation of how the technology works, see how screen mirroring works.
Method 3: Use Google Cast Instead of Mirroring
Google Cast isn't technically screen mirroring, even though people use the terms interchangeably. Casting sends a single app's video stream, like Netflix or YouTube, straight to the TV. Mirroring instead copies your entire screen, including your home screen and notifications.
Where this falls short: casting only works inside apps that support it. You can't cast your whole screen this way, just the content inside a Cast-enabled app. If you want your full screen on the TV, use AirPlay, Miracast, or a wired connection instead.
Method 4: Skip Mirroring and Use a Remote App
Mirroring is overkill for some jobs. If you just want to type a Netflix password or open an app, a dedicated remote app handles it without streaming your entire screen.
For Hisense TV owners, HiRemote is one option. It pairs with VIDAA, Android TV, and Roku-based Hisense models over the same home Wi-Fi network your original remote used. The app adds a full keyboard for typing streaming logins, plus direct launch shortcuts for apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+. The core remote is free; a $9.99-per-year Pro plan adds unlimited touchpad and playback controls.
Where this falls short: a remote app controls the TV, it doesn't mirror your phone's screen onto it. If you actually need your screen on the TV — photos, a presentation, a game — go back to AirPlay, Miracast, or Google Cast above.
If your Hisense TV runs Roku TV specifically, you can also skip the app and use the browser-based Roku remote on this site.
Method 5: Use a Wired HDMI Connection
A cable is the oldest screen mirroring method, and still one of the most dependable. It skips Wi-Fi entirely, so there's nothing to pair or troubleshoot.
- Get a Lightning-to-HDMI or USB-C-to-HDMI adapter that matches your phone.
- Plug the adapter into your phone and an HDMI cable into your TV.
- Switch your TV to the matching HDMI input.
Where this falls short: not every phone supports video output over USB-C, and adapters cost extra. It's also less convenient than a wireless option if you move around while mirroring. Still, it's a fallback that works without Wi-Fi at all.
AirPlay vs Screen Mirroring at a Glance
Here's how the main methods stack up side by side.
| Method | Works Between | Needs | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPlay | Apple devices and AirPlay-ready receivers | Apple hardware, same Wi-Fi network | Quick mirroring inside the Apple ecosystem |
| Miracast | Android/Windows devices and Miracast-ready receivers | Miracast support on both ends | Mirroring without Apple hardware |
| Google Cast | Any phone running a Cast-enabled app and a Chromecast or Google TV | A Cast-enabled app, same Wi-Fi network | Streaming one app, not your full screen |
| Wired HDMI | Any phone with video-out and any TV with an HDMI port | An adapter or cable | A fallback that works without Wi-Fi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AirPlay the Same as Screen Mirroring?
No, AirPlay is one specific way to screen mirror, not a different thing entirely. AirPlay only works between Apple devices and AirPlay-compatible receivers like an Apple TV, a HomePod, or certain smart TVs. Screen mirroring is the broader name for copying your display onto another screen, and includes AirPlay, Miracast, Chromecast, and wired HDMI connections.
Why Won't AirPlay Show Up on My TV?
AirPlay usually won't appear if your receiver doesn't support it natively. Plenty of non-Apple smart TVs don't ship with built-in AirPlay support. Check your TV's manual or spec sheet to confirm — support varies by brand, model, and release year. If your TV lacks AirPlay, try Miracast, Chromecast, or a wired HDMI connection instead.
Does Android Screen Mirroring Work the Same Way as AirPlay?
Not exactly — Android uses Miracast instead of AirPlay. The core idea is the same: your phone's screen gets duplicated on a bigger display in real time. The menu name changes by phone brand, so look for 'Cast,' 'Smart View,' or 'Screen mirroring' in your quick settings. Compatibility also depends on whether your TV or receiver supports Miracast.
Is There a Free App for Screen Mirroring?
Yes, both iPhone and Android include free, built-in mirroring tools, so you don't need a separate app for basic mirroring. iPhone's Control Center has Screen Mirroring built in, and Android phones include a similar Cast or Smart View option. A dedicated app helps when you want extra controls, like typing with a keyboard, which is where a tool like HiRemote fits for Hisense TV owners. See our picks for free screen mirroring apps for more options.
Does Screen Mirroring Have Sound?
Yes, screen mirroring sends audio along with video, not just the picture, in most setups. AirPlay, Miracast, and Chromecast all route sound to the receiving speaker or TV by default. One common exception: a basic HDMI connection to an older TV where speakers aren't enabled. See our full sound troubleshooting guide if you don't hear anything.
