Last updated: October 2026
You can mirror an iPhone screen to a TV or Mac wirelessly with AirPlay, to a TV with a cable, or to a Windows PC with a third-party receiver app. Which one fits depends on what you are connecting to. This guide gives Apple's own steps first, then the alternatives, and clears up a common mix-up: "iPhone Mirroring" on a Mac is a different feature.
- Put the iPhone and the TV or Mac on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open Control Center (swipe down from the upper-right corner on iPhone X or later).
- Tap Screen Mirroring and choose the TV or Mac.
- Enter the passcode if one appears on the screen.
- To stop: Control Center > Screen Mirroring > Stop Mirroring.
Pick your method
| Method | Works with | Catch |
|---|---|---|
| AirPlay screen mirroring | Apple TV, AirPlay-compatible smart TVs, Mac | Same Wi-Fi needed. Some video apps do not support AirPlay (Apple). |
| HDMI adapter and cable | Any TV or projector with HDMI | Adapter sold separately; Apple's page for the Lightning version says the HDMI cable is bought separately and mirroring is up to 1080p. |
| AirPlay receiver app on Windows | Windows PC | Windows has no built-in AirPlay receiver, so you rely on a third-party app. |
| iPhone Mirroring (Mac app) | Mac only | Shows and controls the iPhone from the Mac. It is not casting to a TV. |
Method 1: Mirror to a TV or Mac with AirPlay
Apple's support page (published May 15, 2026) lists these steps. It refers to "the latest version of iOS" rather than naming iOS 26 or iOS 27, so if a label looks slightly different on your phone, look for the Screen Mirroring tile.
- Connect to the same Wi-Fi. The iPhone and the Apple TV, AirPlay-compatible smart TV or Mac must be on the same network.
- Open Control Center. Apple says to swipe down from the upper-right corner on iPhone X or later, or swipe up from the bottom edge on iPhone 8 or earlier.
- Tap Screen Mirroring.
- Choose your device from the list.
- Enter the passcode if an AirPlay passcode appears on the TV or Mac screen.
- Stop when done: open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, then tap Stop Mirroring.
Streaming a video instead of mirroring. Apple says to tap the AirPlay button inside the video app (in Photos: Share, then AirPlay). That sends the video to the TV rather than copying your whole screen.
Automatic AirPlay. Apple lists a setting at Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity > Automatically AirPlay, with the options Never, Ask or Automatic. It needs the same Wi-Fi, and Apple TV or HomePod also need the same iCloud account.
Is my TV compatible?
Look for a "Works with Apple AirPlay" badge or an AirPlay setting in the TV's menu. iGeeksBlog's AirPlay 2 list (last updated April 1, 2026; affiliate-supported, so treat the years as approximate) names Samsung from 2018, LG from 2019, Sony BRAVIA from 2019, Hisense from 2020, TCL Google TV from 2021, some Vizio models, and some Roku and Fire TV devices. Update the TV's firmware if the option is missing. Apple's own compatibility list is the safer final check.
Mirroring to a Mac
Apple's Mac User Guide says to turn the Mac into a receiver first:
- Open System Settings > General > AirDrop & Continuity.
- Turn on AirPlay Receiver.
- Under "Allow AirPlay for," choose Current User, Anyone on the Same Network, or Everyone. You can also require a password.
- On the iPhone, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring and choose the Mac.
Both devices need Wi-Fi on the same network. Apple's page points to a separate article for minimum Mac requirements, which I did not check, so confirm your Mac model there.
Method 2: Use an HDMI cable
If your TV has no AirPlay or the Wi-Fi is unreliable, a wired connection avoids the network. Apple's product page for the Lightning Digital AV Adapter says it connects an iPhone, iPad or iPod with a Lightning connector to an HDMI display, mirrors the device screen (apps, presentations, websites, slideshows) and plays video at up to 1080p. You plug it into the Lightning port and connect it to the TV or projector with an HDMI cable bought separately.
The same page says nothing about a charging port, HDCP, or limits on streaming apps. For iPhones with a USB-C port, I did not retrieve an Apple page for the matching adapter, so check Apple's current listing before buying one.
Method 3: Mirror to a Windows PC
Windows does not support AirPlay natively, according to the Bandicam guide (December 2025) and Switching to Mac's guide (updated August 28, 2026). You install a receiver app on the PC, keep both devices on the same Wi-Fi, then use Screen Mirroring on the iPhone as above.
- Switching to Mac names AirServer, LonelyScreen, 5KPlayer and Microsoft Store options. It gives no prices, says paid apps usually offer better support, and notes it earns commissions from some links.
- Bandicam's guide walks through LonelyScreen and 5KPlayer, both described as free. Bandicam sells screen-recording software and recommends it in the same article, so its comparison is not neutral.
- Allow the receiver through Windows Firewall if Windows prompts you. Guest networks and firewalls can block the connection (Switching to Mac).
- Switching to Mac warns against apps that require replacing Apple drivers for USB mirroring.
Expect no control of the iPhone from the PC, and audio support depends on the app. I did not test any receiver, so I cannot say which is best or whether free tiers have limits.
Do not confuse this with iPhone Mirroring on Mac
iPhone Mirroring is a Mac app that shows your iPhone in a window and lets you control it with the Mac's keyboard and trackpad. Switching to Mac lists the requirements as macOS Sequoia 15 or later, iOS 18 or later, an Apple silicon Mac or an Intel Mac with the T2 chip, the same Apple Account with two-factor authentication on both, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.
9to5Mac (October 11, 2026) reports three upgrades in macOS 27 with iOS 27: a resizable window (Apple's own apps only for now; it was limited to three preset sizes before), Control Center access with Cmd+4 or the View menu, and playback of protected video that used to show a black screen. It needs both macOS 27 and iOS 27. None of this applies to casting to a TV.
If it will not connect
- Check the Wi-Fi. Apple lists the same network as the first requirement.
- Enter the passcode shown on the TV or Mac, if one appears.
- Try the app's own AirPlay button. Apple says some video apps do not support AirPlay.
- Update the TV's firmware and confirm it supports AirPlay (iGeeksBlog).
- On a Mac, confirm AirPlay Receiver is on and the "Allow AirPlay for" setting includes your iPhone.
- On Windows, allow the receiver app through the firewall and avoid guest networks.
- Restart the phone and the TV, then try again. This is general troubleshooting rather than an Apple-published step.
Catches and limits
- Wi-Fi quality matters. Switching to Mac says wireless mirroring can lag or stutter on busy networks.
- Protected apps. It says some streaming apps block capture, and Bandicam says mirroring can fail with some, such as YouTube, on its Windows setups. Playing the video through the app's AirPlay or cast button is the usual workaround.
- Stop mirroring when finished. A mirrored screen shows what is on your phone, so end the session on shared or public screens. I found no source on how notifications behave while mirroring, so check before presenting.
FAQ
Do I need an Apple TV?
No. Apple's page says AirPlay works with an Apple TV, an AirPlay-compatible smart TV or a Mac.
Can I mirror without Wi-Fi?
Not with AirPlay, which needs both devices on the same network. A wired HDMI adapter avoids it.
Can I mirror an iPhone to an Android TV?
Only if the TV supports AirPlay or you install a receiver app. I did not verify specific apps.
Does iOS 27 change screen mirroring?
I found no Apple page describing a change to AirPlay screen mirroring in iOS 27. The reported iOS 27 changes concern iPhone Mirroring on a Mac.
My verdict
For a modern smart TV or a Mac, AirPlay from Control Center is the simplest route: same Wi-Fi, Screen Mirroring, pick the device. Use an HDMI adapter when the TV has no AirPlay or the network is poor. On Windows, expect to install a third-party receiver and check its terms. While you are in Settings, our 10 iPhone settings you should change covers other worthwhile switches, and how to free up iPhone storage helps if you mirror videos and photos often.
What I could not verify: the live version of this post, Apple's current page for the USB-C HDMI adapter, an Apple list of the exact Macs that can receive AirPlay, iOS 27 Control Center layout, any Windows receiver app's current features or pricing, and TV compatibility beyond the approximate iGeeksBlog list. I did not test any method myself.
Sources: Apple Support: Use AirPlay to stream video or mirror the screen of your iPhone or iPad | Apple Mac User Guide: Use AirPlay to stream content to your Mac | Apple Store: Lightning Digital AV Adapter | Switching to Mac: Mirror an iPhone or iPad to a Mac or Windows PC (affiliate-supported) | Bandicam: Mirror iPhone screen to PC (vendor source) | 9to5Mac: macOS 27 iPhone Mirroring upgrades | iGeeksBlog: AirPlay 2 supported TVs (affiliate-supported)