How to Connect iPhone to TV: Step-by-Step Guide

Learning how to connect iPhone to TV can be challenging if you have no experience in smart TVs or iOS. If you are seeking how to connect wirelessly, without Wi-Fi, or using a cable, this guide will walk you through various methods to help you achieve a seamless connection. Keep reading to find out how to easily connect your iPhone or iPad to your TV.

How to Connect iPhone to TV Wirelessly?

Connecting your iPhone to a TV wirelessly is easy and doesn't need any cables. The main method is using AirPlay, which is built into iOS devices and works with many smart TVs. Here’s how to do it:

Connect Devices: Make sure both your iPhone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Open Control Center: Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone screen (or up from the bottom on older models).
Start Mirroring: Tap on "Screen Mirroring."
Select Your TV: Choose your AirPlay-compatible TV from the list.
Enter Passcode: If prompted, type in the AirPlay passcode shown on your TV screen.

Your iPhone screen will be mirrored on your TV. To stop mirroring, go back to Control Center, tap "Screen Mirroring," and then select "Stop Mirroring."

For TVs without AirPlay, you can use devices like Roku, or Chromecast. These devices connect to your TV with an HDMI cable and let you wirelessly cast from your iPhone.

How to Cast iPhone to TV Without WiFi?

While most casting methods require a Wi-Fi connection, there are ways how to cast from iPhone to TV without Wi-Fi. Here’s how:

Gather these items: an HDMI cable, an Apple Lightning digital AV adapter, an iPhone, and a TV with an available HDMI port.
Insert the Lightning Digital AV Adapter into your iPhone's Lightning port.
Attach one end of the HDMI cable to the adapter’s HDMI port, and the other end to an HDMI port on your TV.
Power on your TV and use the remote to switch to the appropriate HDMI input (use the input/source button to find it).
Your iPhone screen should now be visible on the TV. If it isn’t, enable screen mirroring on your iPhone by swiping down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, tapping "Screen Mirroring," and selecting your TV from the list of devices.
You can now use your iPhone normally, and everything on your screen will be displayed on the TV.

While using this method, your iPhone will be tethered to the TV via the cable, so you may want to ensure you have a long enough HDMI cable for comfortable use.

H2: How to Mirror iPad to TV Screen?

Mirroring your iPad to your TV is similar to the iPhone process and can be done using an HDMI adapter. Here’s how to connect iPad to TV:

Gather Your iPad, Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter, HDMI cable, and a TV with an HDMI input.
Plug the Lightning Digital AV Adapter into your iPad’s Lightning port.
Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the adapter’s HDMI port. Then connect the other end to an available HDMI input on your TV.
Turn on your TV and use the remote to select the correct HDMI input.
Your iPad screen should appear on the TV. If it doesn’t, check all connections and make sure your iPad is on.
For longer use, you can plug a charger into the adapter’s second Lightning port to keep your iPad charged.

Most apps will mirror your iPad display on the TV. Some apps, like Netflix, may allow you to control playback on the TV. To stop mirroring, just unplug the adapter from your iPad.

How to Project iPhone to TV?

To project your iPhone to a TV, you can use different methods depending on your device and preferences. Here’s how to use AirPlay, Chromecast, or Roku to display your iPhone’s screen or stream videos to your TV.

Screen Mirror Using AirPlay

To mirror your iPhone’s screen to your TV using AirPlay, both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network and your TV should support AirPlay. Here are steps on how to mirror from iPhone to TV:

Access Control Center: Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen on an iPhone X or later. Use the bottom edge of the screen to swipe up on an iPhone 8 or earlier.
Tap the Screen Mirroring icon, which looks like two overlapping rectangles.
Choose your TV from the list that appears.
If your TV screen prompts you, enter the AirPlay passcode.
To end mirroring, open Control Center again, tap the Screen Mirroring icon, and select Stop Mirroring.

Stream Videos Using AirPlay

If you just want to project a video from your iPhone to your TV, follow these steps:

Play the video on your iPhone.
Tap the AirPlay icon (a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom).
Select your smart TV from the list.
To stop streaming, tap the AirPlay icon again and select your iPhone from the list.

Project Using Chromecast

To mirror your iPhone to a TV using Chromecast, follow these steps, as iPhones don’t natively support Chromecast for screen mirroring:

Install a casting app such as DoCast, Replica, or Chromecast Streamer from the App Store.
Ensure both your iPhone and Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Launch the app and allow it to access your local network and Bluetooth.
In the app, tap the casting icon (typically in the top right corner) and choose your Chromecast from the list.
Tap on "Screen Mirror" or a similar option, then select "Start Broadcast" or "Start Mirroring."
Your iPhone's screen should now be visible on the TV connected to your Chromecast.

Project Using Roku

You can also easily project your iPhone screen to your TV using Roku. Here’s how to mirror iPhone on TV using a Roku device:

Plug the Roku device into your TV’s HDMI port and set it up.
Ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Use AirPlay to mirror your iPhone to the Roku device.

There are also TVs like TCL Roku TV that have Roku OS built-in. This allows you to mirror your screen effortlessly to your large screen TV without any need for an HDMI cord. You can even use your Roku TV as a second screen on your Mac.

Conclusion

The process of how to connect iPhone to TV is relatively straightforward especially when you use the AirPlay method. Remember that the best method for you depends on your TV, available equipment, and whether you have access to Wi-Fi. With the techniques outlined in this guide, you'll be able to connect your iPhone to TV in various situations.

FAQs

How Do I Pair My iPhone with My TV?

To pair your iPhone with your TV, you can use AirPlay for wireless streaming if your TV supports it. Alternatively, connect your iPhone directly to the TV with an HDMI adapter for a wired connection.

Can I Mirror My iPhone Screen on Any Smart TV?

Not all smart TVs support direct iPhone screen mirroring, as it depends on the TV's compatibility with AirPlay or other mirroring technologies. However, you can mirror your iPhone screen to virtually any smart TV by using third-party apps or devices like Chromecast, Roku, or HDMI adapters.

How to Cast iPhone to TV Chromecast?

To cast your iPhone to a TV using Chromecast, first download and set up the Google Home app on your iPhone. Next, open a compatible app, tap the cast icon, and choose your Chromecast device to start streaming content to your TV.