A Step-by-Step Guide to Mirroring Your iPhone's Screen

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Easily share your iPhone's screen to your TV, computer, or other device
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Want to mirror your iPhone's screen to a smart TV or Mac? If the device supports AirPlay 2, you can do so wirelessly by tapping the Screen Mirroring tile in Control Center. If your TV doesn't support AirPlay, you can connect a streaming device with AirPlay support, like an Apple TV or Roku, or use a Lightning to HDMI adapter. This wikiHow article will teach you two simple ways to use screen mirroring on your iPhone. We'll also give you several helpful troubleshooting tips for fixing AirPlay and other screen mirroring problems.

Things You Should Know

  • If your TV, Mac, or projector is AirPlay-compatible, you can mirror your iPhone's screen wirelessly.
  • To mirror with AirPlay, open Control Center, tap the Screen Mirroring icon (the overlapping rectangles), then select your TV or computer.
  • If you can't use AirPlay, you can mirror your iPhone's screen using a Lightning to HDMI adapter.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using AirPlay

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  1. As long as your smart TV, streaming device, or Mac is AirPlay 2-enabled, you can mirror your iPhone or iPad's screen wirelessly. [1]
    • To change the Wi-Fi network on your iPhone, tap the Settings app (the gear icon) on the home screen, tap Wi-Fi , and then select a network.
    • If you have a TV that doesn't support AirPlay, you can attach a streaming device that does support AirPlay, such as an Apple TV or Roku streaming stick. [2] This is also a great way to turn a standard TV into a smart TV .
  2. If your iPhone has Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner of the Home screen. If you use Touch ID, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
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  3. It's the tile with two overlapping rectangles in Control Center. Your iPhone will now detect AirPlay devices on the network.
  4. Your iPhone's screen will begin mirroring to your TV or computer.
    • Depending on the device you're mirroring to, you may see an AirPlay password on its screen. If so, enter the passcode on your iPhone to start mirroring the screen. You will then see your iPhone's screen on the display.
    • To stop mirroring, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring , and then select Stop Mirroring .
    • If you're having trouble with screen mirroring, check out our troubleshooting tips .
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using an Adapter

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  1. You can use a Lightning to HDMI adapter, such as Apple's Lightning Digital AV Adapter, to mirror your iPhone's screen to a TV, projector, or other compatible device without AirPlay. Start by connecting the Lightning end of the adapter to your iPhone's charging port.
    • Make sure the TV or device you're mirroring to has an available HDMI port and that you have an HDMI cable you can connect to the adapter. [3]
    • If you're using a much older iPhone or iPad that doesn't have a Lightning port, get an adapter that matches the charging port on your iPhone. For example, if you have an iPad 3 or earlier, you'll need a 30-pin to HDMI adapter instead.
  2. Any HDMI cable will do—just make sure it's long enough to reach your TV or device from where you're iPhone will be.
    • Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the adapter, and the other to an available HDMI port on your TV.
    • If your TV has multiple HDMI ports, check the number near the port so you know which input to select.
  3. Press the Input or Source button on your TV or projector's remote control to switch to the HDMI input. Once you select the proper input, you'll see your iPhone's screen on the device.
    • If screen mirroring isn't working with the adapter, make sure you've selected the correct HDMI port.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting

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  1. If you don't see the device you want to mirror to when screen mirroring your iPhone, the device may not be turned on or is too far away. If the TV or computer is turned on, move closer and try mirroring again.
  2. Not all smart TVs and streaming devices are AirPlay-compatible . For a full list of AirPlay-compatible TVs and streaming devices, see https://www.apple.com/home-app/accessories/#section-tvs .
    • If your TV or computer doesn't support AirPlay but does support Chromecast , you won't be able to mirror your screen, but you can cast certain apps (like Netflix and Hulu) to the TV. Launch the app you want to stream, tap the Cast icon (a TV with a Wi-Fi symbol at the bottom), then tap the Chromecast-enabled device. [4]
  3. You'll need to make sure your iPhone and the device you're mirroring to are both connected to the same network. The steps to see which Wi-Fi network your device is connected differ by device:
    • On a Mac, just click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. [5]
    • On an Apple TV, go to Settings > Network > Wi-Fi .
    • On Roku , go to Settings > Network > About .
    • On other smart TVs, check your Settings for a Network or Wi-Fi option.
  4. If you cannot mirror your iPhone to a Mac, AirPlay Receiver may be turned off.
    • Click the Apple menu and select System Settings .
    • Click General .
    • Click AirDrop & Handoff .
    • If AirPlay Receiver is disabled, turn it on now.
    • Click the menu next to "Allow AirPlay for" and choose Anyone on the Same Network to allow anyone connected to this Wi-Fi network to AirPlay to the Mac. [6]
  5. When you mirror your iPhone's screen using AirPlay or HDMI, audio playing through your phone will also be routed through your connected device. If you don't hear audio, make sure the volume on your TV or computer is turned up.
  6. If you're still not able to mirror your iPhone's screen, restart your iPhone, as well as your TV, computer, or projector, and then try again.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can you do screen sharing on an iPhone?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Depending on your operating system and the app you are using, yes. For instance, if you’re using Zoom, you can share your screen on any device running iOS 11 or higher. You’ll need to turn on “Screen Recording” in your phone’s control center first.
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  • Question
    How do you screen mirror on iPhone 12?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Make sure your iPhone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the device you’d like to connect with. Once you find the video you want to share on the screen, tap “Airplay.” You might need to tap the share button first to get the AirPlay option. Select the TV or other device from the list of AirPlay options to start streaming.
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  • Question
    How do I connect my iPhone to my TV without HDMI?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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    If your TV isn’t AirPlay compatible and doesn’t have HDMI, you may need to get an adapter. For instance, you can get a multi-adapter that allows you to connect your iPhone to an older AV cable (such as a VGA cable).
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      Tips

      • Some video streaming apps on your iPhone may not work when mirrored to another screen. If you can't see content from a video streaming app on your Apple TV, check the Apple TV App Store to see if there's a TV version of the app.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204289
      2. ↑ https://www.apple.com/eg/apple-tv-app/devices/
      3. ↑ https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD826AM/A/lightning-digital-av-adapter
      4. ↑ https://help.netflix.com/en/node/49
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204400
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-up-your-mac-to-be-an-airplay-receiver-mchleee00ec8/mac

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Connect to the same Wi-Fi network as the TV.
      2. Open the Control Center.
      3. Tap Screen Mirroring .
      4. Select the TV.

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