How to Connect an iPhone to a Smart TV (Wirelessly or with HDMI)

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Want to watch your iPhone videos or show off photos on a big screen? Whether you’re using AirPlay, screen mirroring, or a good old HDMI cable, it’s easy to connect your iPhone to a smart TV. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you cast your screen from iPhone to TV.

Option 1: Mirror iPhone to Smart TV Using Screen Mirroring

This is the fastest way to display your iPhone screen on your TV using Apple’s built-in screen mirroring feature.

Steps:

  1. Swipe down from the top-right of your iPhone screen to open Control Center.
  2. Tap Screen Mirroring (the icon with two overlapping rectangles).
  3. Wait for your TV name to appear in the list. Tap it.
  4. Enter the AirPlay passcode shown on your TV if prompted.

Your iPhone screen should now appear on the TV. To stop mirroring, go back to Control Center and tap Stop Mirroring.

✅ Make sure your iPhone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and your TV supports AirPlay 2.

Option 2: Stream Content via AirPlay

AirPlay works within supported apps like YouTube, Netflix, Photos, or Apple TV.

Steps:

  1. Open an app (like YouTube) and start playing a video.
  2. Tap the AirPlay icon (a rectangle with an arrow) or the Share icon, then select AirPlay.
  3. Choose your Apple TV or AirPlay 2-enabled TV from the list.

To stop streaming, tap the AirPlay icon again and switch back to your iPhone.

⚠️ Some third-party apps don’t support AirPlay. Check the app’s description in the App Store for compatibility.

Option 3: Use HDMI with a Lightning Digital AV Adapter

If your TV doesn’t support AirPlay, or you want a more stable connection, use a cable.

What you’ll need:

  • Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter
  • HDMI cable

Steps:

  1. Plug the HDMI cable into your TV and the Digital AV Adapter.
  2. Connect the adapter to your iPhone’s Lightning port.
  3. Turn on the TV and switch to the correct HDMI input.
  4. Your iPhone screen should now be mirrored on your TV.

🔌 This method is great for presentations, offline videos, and apps that don’t support AirPlay.

What to Do if Screen Mirroring Isn’t Working

If you can’t connect:

  • Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Ensure your TV supports AirPlay 2.
  • Try restarting both your iPhone and TV.
  • If using a cable, double-check that the HDMI port and cable are working.

If all else fails, consider third-party mirroring apps like:

  • Mirroring360
  • AnyDesk
  • TeamViewer
  • SecondScreen

These apps can sometimes work with TVs or devices that don’t support AirPlay directly.

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