To AirPlay from an iPhone or MacBook to a TV, connect the sender and receiver to the same Wi-Fi network, then either send a supported video from its app or mirror the whole screen. Use an app’s AirPlay control for selected video; use Screen Mirroring when you want the TV to show the device display. The TV must support AirPlay, or you can use an Apple TV 4K as the receiver.
Choose streaming or screen mirroring
| Method | What appears on the TV | Start it from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stream selected video | The video selected in a compatible app | The app’s AirPlay control | Watching a supported video without sending the whole device screen |
| Mirror the screen | The iPhone or Mac display as a whole | Screen Mirroring in Control Center | Showing content or activity beyond a single video |
Mirroring shows what is displayed on the device, so anything visible there may also appear on the TV. Streaming and mirroring have separate controls, and some video apps do not support AirPlay.
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Check that your TV can receive AirPlay
Apple documents Apple TV 4K and AirPlay 2-enabled smart TVs as iPhone destinations. Not every smart TV supports AirPlay, so check the documentation for your exact TV model if it does not appear. If your TV lacks built-in AirPlay support, Apple TV 4K is an optional receiver; it is unnecessary when the TV already supports AirPlay.
Apple’s connection instructions call for the iPhone and receiver to use the same Wi-Fi network. For a MacBook, Apple says Wi-Fi should be on for both devices and that they should be connected to the same network. A passcode may be required when connecting.
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AirPlay a video from iPhone
- Connect the iPhone and TV or Apple TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the video in a compatible app and start playback. Tap the AirPlay control in the playback controls, then select the TV or Apple TV.
- If the TV displays an AirPlay passcode, enter it on the iPhone.
- To end playback on the TV, use the AirPlay control in the app and turn AirPlay off or select the iPhone as the playback destination. Controls vary by app.
In Photos, Apple directs users to tap Share and then AirPlay. If an app does not offer AirPlay, check whether that app is available directly on Apple TV.
Mirror an iPhone screen to the TV
- Put the iPhone and AirPlay receiver on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open Control Center: on iPhone X or later, swipe down from the upper-right corner; on iPhone 8 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom edge.
- Tap Screen Mirroring, then select the TV or Apple TV.
- Enter the passcode shown on the TV, if prompted.
- To disconnect, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, then tap Stop Mirroring.
AirPlay from a MacBook
Mirror the Mac screen
On macOS Big Sur or later, open Control Center from the menu bar, choose Screen Mirroring, and select the Apple TV. Stop mirroring from the same menu. On macOS Catalina or earlier, Apple’s Apple TV guide describes using the AirPlay menu-bar control instead.
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Send a video from a Mac app
In a supported video app, use the AirPlay control in the playback window and choose the TV. This sends the selected video rather than mirroring the whole Mac display. A password may be required.
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If the TV does not appear or AirPlay fails
A missing destination does not point to one guaranteed cause. Check compatibility, network setup, receiver settings, software, and any Home app restrictions in a practical order:
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- Make sure the TV or Apple TV is on and nearby.
- Confirm both devices have current software and are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Check that AirPlay receiving is allowed on the destination.
- Restart the sender and receiver, then try again.
- If the device is managed in the Home app, check Home Settings > Speakers & TV for AirPlay restrictions.
- If video streams but there is no sound, check volume and mute settings on both the sending device and the TV or receiver.
Use a Mac as the AirPlay receiver only if that is your setup
A Mac can receive AirPlay from an iPhone, but that is different from sending a MacBook’s content to a TV. To allow a Mac to receive AirPlay, Apple documents the setting at System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff > AirPlay Receiver. This setting is for the Mac acting as the destination, not the MacBook-to-TV steps above.
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