Table of contents(14)+
- 01The 30-Second Test: Does Your TV Support AirPlay?
- 02Method 1: Share Your Screen with AirPlay (Wireless, No App Needed)
- 03Method 2: Share Your Screen with a Lightning or USB-C to HDMI Cable
- 04Method 3: Share Your Screen on TVs Without AirPlay (Roku, Fire TV, Android TV, Chromecast)
- 05Fix 1: What to Do When Your TV Doesn't Show Up in AirPlay
- 06Comparing Your Options
- 07Frequently Asked Questions
- 08Can I share my iPhone screen with a TV without Wi-Fi?
- 09Why isn't my iPhone showing up in my TV's screen mirroring list?
- 10Does sharing my iPhone screen with a TV include sound?
- 11Is there a free way to share my iPhone screen with a TV?
- 12What's the difference between screen sharing and screen mirroring on iPhone?
- 13Can I use screen sharing to watch Netflix on my TV?
- 14Related Guides
Screen mirroring confuses people because iPhones don't work the same way as Android phones. Apple's AirPlay only talks to Apple TV boxes and TVs that are specifically licensed for AirPlay 2. Think newer LG, Samsung, Sony, Vizio, and some Roku and Hisense models. If your TV isn't on that list, AirPlay simply won't find it, which is why this feature can feel broken when it isn't. For a deeper walkthrough of every AirPlay quirk, see our full iPhone screen mirroring guide.
The 30-Second Test: Does Your TV Support AirPlay?
Before trying anything else, check whether your TV can accept AirPlay directly. This takes less time than reading the rest of this guide.
- Connect your iPhone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open Control Center and tap the Screen Mirroring icon.
- Wait a few seconds. If your TV's name appears in the list, you have native AirPlay support — skip straight to Method 1.
- If nothing shows up, your TV doesn't support AirPlay natively, and you'll want Method 2 or Method 3 instead.
If your TV happens to be a Hisense set, there's a second piece of the puzzle worth knowing about. HiRemote is a free iPhone app that pairs with Hisense TVs over Wi-Fi in about 30 seconds. It turns your phone into a full remote — power, volume, channels, and a real keyboard for typing streaming logins. It doesn't mirror your screen. But once you're done casting a video or a photo, it's the fastest way to keep controlling the TV without hunting for the original remote.
Method 1: Share Your Screen with AirPlay (Wireless, No App Needed)
AirPlay is Apple's built-in screen-sharing feature, and it's the easiest option when your TV supports it. No extra app, no account, no cable.
- Connect your iPhone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner on newer iPhones, or up from the bottom edge on older models).
- Tap Screen Mirroring.
- Select your TV from the list.
- Enter the passcode if your TV displays one on screen.
Your whole iPhone screen now shows on the TV, including audio. When you want to stop, open Control Center again and tap Stop Mirroring.
When it won't work: AirPlay only works with Apple TV and TVs manufacturers have specifically licensed for AirPlay 2. Plenty of budget and older smart TVs never got that license, and no software update will add it later. See Apple's official AirPlay guide for the full list of requirements.
Method 2: Share Your Screen with a Lightning or USB-C to HDMI Cable
A cable works with any TV, regardless of brand, Wi-Fi, or AirPlay support. It's the most reliable fallback when wireless options fail.
- Buy an Apple-certified Lightning (or USB-C, on iPhone 15 and later) to HDMI adapter.
- Plug the adapter into your iPhone, then connect an HDMI cable from the adapter to your TV.
- Switch your TV's input to the matching HDMI port.
- Your iPhone screen appears instantly — no pairing, no Wi-Fi network required.
When it won't work: Some apps, particularly Netflix and other licensed streaming apps, block video output over a wired adapter to protect copyrighted content. You'll still see your home screen and photos, just not every app's video.
Method 3: Share Your Screen on TVs Without AirPlay (Roku, Fire TV, Android TV, Chromecast)
If your TV runs Roku, Fire TV, Android TV, or has Chromecast built in, AirPlay is off the table unless the manufacturer added support separately. You have two realistic options.
First, check your TV's own app store for a dedicated casting or mirroring app built for your specific platform. Support varies by brand, model, and region, so what's available on one TV may not exist on another. Second, fall back to the HDMI cable method above, which works regardless of platform.
When it won't work: Not every TV platform offers iPhone screen sharing support, and the available apps vary by region and TV age. If your TV is several years old, the cable is usually your most dependable option.
Do you own a Roku-powered Hisense, TCL, or similar TV? You might just need a working remote while you sort out mirroring. HiRemote's browser-based Roku remote works without installing anything. Type your TV's IP address into the page, and the on-screen buttons control the TV right away. If you'd rather mirror a Hisense set specifically, our Hisense iPhone mirroring guide covers every model.
Fix 1: What to Do When Your TV Doesn't Show Up in AirPlay
When your TV doesn't show up in AirPlay, the cause is almost always one of three things.
- Different Wi-Fi networks. Your iPhone and TV must be on the same network. Dual-band routers sometimes put devices on separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks that can't see each other.
- TV sleep or standby mode. Some TVs don't appear in the AirPlay list while fully powered off. Turn the TV on first, then look again.
- No AirPlay support at all. If you've confirmed the network and the TV is awake and it still won't appear, the TV likely doesn't support AirPlay. Move to Method 2 or Method 3 instead.
Restarting both devices fixes a surprising number of one-off connection failures, so it's worth trying before anything more involved.
Comparing Your Options
| Method | Works With | Needs Wi-Fi | Includes Audio | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirPlay | Apple TV, AirPlay 2 smart TVs | Yes | Yes | Fastest wireless setup |
| HDMI Cable | Any TV with an HDMI port | No | Yes | Older or unsupported TVs |
| Platform Casting App | Roku, Fire TV, Android TV | Yes | Varies | Non-Apple smart TV platforms |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my iPhone screen with a TV without Wi-Fi?
Yes — a Lightning or USB-C to HDMI adapter and cable connect your iPhone directly to the TV without any network. This is the most reliable option when Wi-Fi isn't available or your TV doesn't support AirPlay. The adapter is a one-time purchase and keeps working even if your home Wi-Fi goes down.
Why isn't my iPhone showing up in my TV's screen mirroring list?
Usually it's because your iPhone and TV aren't on the same Wi-Fi network, or your TV doesn't support AirPlay at all. Confirm both devices share a network and the TV is powered on, not just in standby, before trying again.
Does sharing my iPhone screen with a TV include sound?
Yes, AirPlay and a wired HDMI connection both carry audio along with video. If sound doesn't come through, check that your TV's volume isn't muted and that the correct HDMI input is selected. Screen mirroring and casting both work the same way for audio, regardless of which app is playing.
Is there a free way to share my iPhone screen with a TV?
Yes — AirPlay is built into every iPhone at no cost, and it's the fastest free option when your TV supports it. A wired HDMI adapter is a one-time purchase rather than a subscription, and it works with any TV, even ones from a decade ago.
What's the difference between screen sharing and screen mirroring on iPhone?
They describe the same feature. Apple calls it Screen Mirroring inside Control Center, while most people search for "screen sharing" or "casting" to mean the identical AirPlay function. Both terms point to the same Control Center toggle, so you don't need separate instructions for each one.
Can I use screen sharing to watch Netflix on my TV?
Sometimes, but not always. Many streaming apps block video output during AirPlay or wired mirroring to protect licensed content, even though your home screen and photos still mirror fine. Netflix often blocks it, so test with a shorter clip before assuming your setup is broken.
