How to Show Your Phone Screen on Your TV
Watch YouTube videos, share family photos, or video chat on the big screen. Three methods: AirPlay for iPhone, Google Cast for Android.
At a Glance
In this guide (6 steps):
- 1.Choose which method works for your phone and TV
- 2.AirPlay: open Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring
- 3.Google Cast: tap the Cast icon in your app or Quick Settings
- 4.HDMI cable: connect the adapter and switch your TV input
- 5.Show photos, play videos, or start a video call
- 6.Stop mirroring when you are done
Choose which method works for your phone and TV
~31sQuick Tip
For wireless methods (AirPlay and Google Cast), your phone and TV must be connected to the same home Wi-Fi network. This is the most common reason mirroring does not work.
AirPlay: open Control Center and tap Screen Mirroring
~26sQuick Tip
If Screen Mirroring does not appear in Control Center, go to SettingsControl Center and add "Screen Mirroring" to the list of included controls.
Google Cast: tap the Cast icon in your app or Quick Settings
~23sQuick Tip
Casting from inside an app (YouTube, Google Photos) is more stable than full-screen mirroring and uses less battery.
HDMI cable: connect the adapter and switch your TV input
~28sWarning
Use Apple's official Lightning to Digital AV Adapter or a well-reviewed third-party adapter. Very cheap, unknown-brand adapters sometimes cause a dim or unstable picture.
Show photos, play videos, or start a video call
~19sStop mirroring when you are done
~20sQuick Tip
Leaving screen mirroring running when you are not using it drains your phone battery faster. Disconnect when you are finished.
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Have you ever wanted to show vacation photos to the whole family without everyone huddling around your small phone screen? Or watch a YouTube video on a real TV instead of squinting at a 6-inch display? Your phone can send its screen to your television — and in many cases, you do not need any extra equipment at all.
This guide covers three different ways to get your phone's screen onto your TV. Which method works best for you depends on what phone you have and what type of TV you own.
Why this is useful
Sharing your phone screen on your TV opens up several convenient uses: - **Family photos and videos:** Show pictures from a recent trip or holiday without passing the phone around. - **YouTube and streaming apps:** Watch videos from YouTube, Facebook, or other apps on a much larger screen. - **Video calls:** Make FaceTime or Zoom calls from your couch with the TV as a big screen — much easier to see the person you're calling. - **Showing documents or maps:** Display a map or directions on a larger screen before a drive.
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Method 1: AirPlay — for iPhone users with an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible smart TV
AirPlay is Apple's wireless technology for sending your iPhone screen to a TV. It works when your iPhone and your TV (or Apple TV box) are both connected to the same home Wi-Fi network.
What you need:
- An iPhone - Either an Apple TV box plugged into your television, OR a smart TV with AirPlay built in (many LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio TVs from 2019 or later support AirPlay) - Both devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network
How to check if your TV supports AirPlay:
Look in your TV's settings menu for an option called "AirPlay" or "Apple AirPlay." If you see it, your TV is compatible. If you are not sure, search online for your TV's model name followed by "AirPlay" to check.
How to use AirPlay:
1. Make sure your iPhone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. On your iPhone, go to Settings → Wi-Fi to see which network you are connected to. On your TV, go to Settings → Network (or similar) to confirm it is on the same network name. 2. On your iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen. (On older iPhones with a Home button, swipe up from the very bottom of the screen.) This opens the Control Center — a panel of shortcuts. 3. Tap the icon that looks like two overlapping rectangles with a triangle at the bottom. It is labeled "Screen Mirroring." 4. A list will appear showing nearby TVs and Apple TV boxes that support AirPlay. Tap your TV's name from the list. 5. Your TV may display a four-digit code. If it does, type that code on your iPhone when prompted. 6. Your iPhone screen will now appear on your TV. Everything you do on your phone — opening photos, playing a video, using an app — shows up on the big screen.
To stop mirroring:
Open Control Center again, tap Screen Mirroring, and tap "Stop Mirroring."
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Method 2: Google Cast — for Android phone users with a Chromecast or Cast-compatible TV
Google Cast is Android's wireless screen-sharing technology. It works similarly to AirPlay: your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
What you need:
- An Android phone - Either a Google Chromecast device plugged into your TV's HDMI port, OR a smart TV with Chromecast built in (many TVs made from 2020 onward include it — look for "Google TV" or "Chromecast built-in" in the TV's description) - Both devices on the same Wi-Fi network
How to cast from inside an app (the most common method):
Many apps — YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Google Photos — have a Cast button built in. It looks like a small rectangle with a Wi-Fi signal in the bottom-left corner. Tap that button inside the app, choose your TV from the list, and the content starts playing on your TV while you use your phone for other things. This is called casting content (not your whole screen) and is the most reliable method.
How to mirror your entire Android screen:
1. Swipe down from the top of your screen once or twice to open the Quick Settings panel (the row of icons like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Do Not Disturb). 2. Look for a tile labeled "Cast," "Screen Cast," or "Smart View" (Samsung phones use "Smart View"). If you do not see it, tap the pencil/edit icon to add it to your Quick Settings. 3. Tap "Cast" and choose your Chromecast or TV from the list. 4. Your entire Android screen will appear on your TV.
To stop casting:
Pull down Quick Settings again and tap the Cast tile, then tap "Disconnect."
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Method 3: HDMI cable — works with any phone and any TV
If you do not have Wi-Fi, your TV does not support AirPlay or Google Cast, or you want a reliable wired connection, an HDMI cable is a dependable option. You need a small adapter that connects your phone to a standard HDMI cable, which then plugs into your TV.
What you need:
- A standard HDMI cable (most TVs already have one or more HDMI ports on the back or side) - An adapter that matches your phone's charging port: - iPhone: A Lightning to Digital AV Adapter (Apple sells this for about $49, or compatible third-party versions are available for less on Amazon). This plugs into the bottom of your iPhone and has an HDMI port on the other end. - Android (most modern phones): A USB-C to HDMI adapter. These are widely available for $10–$25 on Amazon or at electronics stores.
How to connect:
1. Plug the adapter into the charging port at the bottom of your phone. 2. Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the adapter, and the other end into an HDMI port on the back or side of your TV. 3. Pick up your TV remote and press the Input or Source button. Cycle through the inputs until you see the one labeled with the HDMI port you used (for example, HDMI 1 or HDMI 2). 4. Your phone screen will appear on your TV automatically.
The wired method does not require Wi-Fi and works with any TV that has an HDMI port — including older TVs. The downside is that you are tethered to the TV by a cable while using it.
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Troubleshooting tips
- **Wireless methods not finding your TV:** The most common cause is that your phone and TV are on different Wi-Fi networks. Some homes have two networks (a regular network and a "guest" network) — make sure both devices are on the same one.
- **Picture appears but there is no sound:** Check that your TV's volume is turned up and not muted. If using AirPlay, also check that your iPhone's volume is not set to zero.
- **Screen mirroring is slow or choppy:** This is usually a sign of a weak Wi-Fi signal. Move your phone closer to your router, or use the HDMI cable method instead.
Quick Tip:
If you want to show photos from your iPhone during a family gathering, the AirPlay method is fast and wireless — no cables to fumble with. Open the Photos app, start a slideshow, and tap the AirPlay icon to send it to your TV.
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