Table of contents(14)+
- 01The 30-Second Test: Will Screen Mirroring Work on Your TV?
- 02Method 1: Turn On Screen Mirroring From Control Center (Native AirPlay)
- 03Method 2: Mirror Through an Apple TV Box
- 04Method 3: Mirror to a Non-AirPlay Smart TV or Roku Device
- 05Method 4: Mirror With a Wired HDMI Adapter (No Wi-Fi Needed)
- 06Fix 1: What to Do When Screen Mirroring Doesn't Show Your TV
- 07Frequently Asked Questions
- 08What is screen mirroring on iPhone?
- 09Does screen mirroring work without Wi-Fi?
- 10Why isn't my TV showing up for screen mirroring?
- 11Does screen mirroring have sound?
- 12How do I turn off screen mirroring on iPhone?
- 13Is screen mirroring the same as casting?
- 14Related Guides
I've mirrored an iPhone 13 Pro to an LG C1 in my living room and an iPhone SE (2022) to a Hisense U6 in the bedroom. Both took under a minute over Wi-Fi. But I've also owned an older Hisense Roku TV that never showed up in the mirroring list at all. That gap is the whole reason this guide covers more than one method.
The 30-Second Test: Will Screen Mirroring Work on Your TV?
Open Control Center on your iPhone and tap the Screen Mirroring icon — two overlapping rectangles near the top right. If your TV's name pops up within a few seconds, you're one tap away from mirroring. If nothing appears, your TV probably doesn't support AirPlay natively. Skip to Method 3 or Method 4 below.
One thing screen mirroring won't do is replace your TV remote. Once your iPhone is mirroring, you still need a way to control volume or power on the TV itself. If that TV is a Hisense, the free HiRemote app can help. It pairs over Wi-Fi in about 30 seconds and adds volume, power, and app-launch buttons. HiRemote holds a 4.4 rating from 1,600+ App Store reviews.
Method 1: Turn On Screen Mirroring From Control Center (Native AirPlay)
AirPlay is the technology behind iPhone's built-in screen mirroring. Apple's support page explains that AirPlay lets you stream or mirror your screen to a compatible Apple TV or smart TV over Wi-Fi. No app, no cable, and no account setup is required on the TV side.
- Connect your iPhone and your TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older iPhones).
- Tap Screen Mirroring.
- Select your TV or Apple TV from the list.
- Enter the on-screen code on your TV if one appears.
This works out of the box on Apple TV boxes and on smart TVs with built-in AirPlay 2, including some newer Hisense VIDAA models. If you own a Hisense TV, our Hisense mirroring guide covers model-specific menu paths in more depth.
Method 2: Mirror Through an Apple TV Box
An Apple TV box is the most reliable mirroring target, because Apple builds and tests AirPlay against its own hardware. Plug it into any TV with an HDMI port, connect it to your Wi-Fi, and it shows up in the Screen Mirroring list automatically. This route works even on TVs from the 2010s that have zero smart features.
Method 3: Mirror to a Non-AirPlay Smart TV or Roku Device
Not every TV supports AirPlay out of the box. Roku added AirPlay 2 support to many of its streaming devices and Roku TV models, so a Roku box or stick can act as the mirroring target even when the TV itself can't. Plug in the Roku, update its software, and it appears in your iPhone's Screen Mirroring list like any AirPlay device.
If your Hisense TV runs Roku TV and you'd rather skip installing anything, the free browser remote at hiremote.app/hisense-roku-tv-remote works from any phone or laptop. Type in your TV's IP address and the on-screen buttons start working immediately. It's a separate tool from HiRemote's iPhone app, built for anyone who just needs quick control without a download.
Method 4: Mirror With a Wired HDMI Adapter (No Wi-Fi Needed)
Wi-Fi mirroring can lag on crowded networks, drop the connection, or simply not exist if your TV has no smart features at all. A Lightning to HDMI or USB-C to HDMI adapter sidesteps all of that. Plug one end into your iPhone and the other into an HDMI cable running to the TV. The picture appears instantly, with no Wi-Fi and no pairing step. See our guide on screen mirroring without Wi-Fi for the full adapter rundown.
Fix 1: What to Do When Screen Mirroring Doesn't Show Your TV
In my experience, failed connections usually trace back to one of three causes. First, check that both devices sit on the exact same Wi-Fi network — not a guest network or a neighboring band. Second, restart the TV's Wi-Fi or smart-hub module, since a stuck background process is a common culprit. Third, confirm your TV's software is current; older firmware sometimes drops AirPlay support entirely. If none of that works, the wired adapter in Method 4 is the fallback that basically never fails.
| Method | Needs Wi-Fi | Extra Hardware | Works With |
|---|---|---|---|
| Method 1: Control Center AirPlay | Yes | None | AirPlay 2 smart TVs, Apple TV |
| Method 2: Apple TV Box | Yes | Apple TV | Any TV with HDMI |
| Method 3: Roku Device | Yes | Roku streaming device | Roku TVs and Roku sticks |
| Method 4: Wired HDMI Adapter | No | Lightning/USB-C to HDMI adapter + cable | Any TV with HDMI |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is screen mirroring on iPhone?
Screen mirroring on iPhone is Apple's AirPlay feature that copies your entire screen to a TV or Mac in real time. It works over Wi-Fi through Control Center, and it shows anything on your display, including apps, photos, and games. You don't need to install anything on a compatible TV; the option just appears when both devices share a network.
Does screen mirroring work without Wi-Fi?
No, native AirPlay mirroring needs both devices on the same Wi-Fi network to work. If you don't have reliable Wi-Fi, a wired Lightning or USB-C to HDMI adapter mirrors your screen with a cable instead. Our screen mirroring without Wi-Fi guide walks through the wired setup step by step.
Why isn't my TV showing up for screen mirroring?
Your TV usually isn't showing up because it's on a different Wi-Fi network than your iPhone, or because it doesn't support AirPlay at all. Older TVs and base Roku models without AirPlay 2 won't appear in the list no matter what you try. Check the same-network requirement first, then confirm your TV model actually supports AirPlay before troubleshooting further.
Does screen mirroring have sound?
Yes, screen mirroring carries audio along with video by default. Whatever plays through your iPhone's speaker mirrors to the TV's speakers instead, once mirroring starts. If sound stops working mid-mirror, it's usually a Bluetooth device still connected to your phone. See our screen mirroring sound guide for the specific fixes.
How do I turn off screen mirroring on iPhone?
Open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, and select Stop Mirroring. Your iPhone disconnects from the TV immediately, and the TV returns to its normal home screen or last input. You can also just turn off the TV, which ends the AirPlay session on its own. Our full stop-mirroring guide covers a few edge cases too.
Is screen mirroring the same as casting?
No, mirroring and casting are related but different. Mirroring copies your exact screen, including notifications and app switching, while casting sends just one piece of content, like a video, and frees up your phone. AirPlay does both: hold the Screen Mirroring toggle for a full mirror, or cast directly from apps like Apple TV+ and Photos for a lighter connection.
