Screen mirroring on your iPhone allows you to display your iPhone’s screen on a larger display, like a TV or a computer monitor. It’s perfect for showing off photos, watching movies, or giving presentations. You’ll need an Apple TV or an AirPlay 2 compatible smart TV to get started. Here’s a quick rundown: enable Wi-Fi, open Control Center, tap Screen Mirroring, select your TV, and enter the passcode if required.
Step by Step Tutorial: Enabling Screen Mirroring on Your iPhone
Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to note that screen mirroring will display exactly what’s on your iPhone, so anything you do on your phone will be visible on the TV or monitor.
Step 1: Ensure your iPhone and TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network
Screen mirroring requires both your iPhone and your Apple TV or AirPlay 2 compatible TV to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Without this, your devices won’t be able to communicate with each other. To check or change your Wi-Fi network, go to Settings > Wi-Fi on your iPhone.
Step 2: Open the Control Center on your iPhone
For iPhones with Face ID, swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen. If your iPhone has a Home button, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen.
The Control Center is your command hub for quick settings and controls. You’ll find the screen mirroring button here, which is what we need to tap next.
Step 3: Tap the Screen Mirroring button
The Screen Mirroring button looks like two overlapping rectangles. Tap this to bring up a list of available devices you can mirror to.
Sometimes, the button might be hidden under the music control section. If that’s the case, just swipe left to find it.
Step 4: Select your TV from the list of available devices
Your Apple TV or AirPlay 2 compatible smart TV should appear in the list. Tap on it to connect.
If your TV doesn’t show up, make sure it’s turned on and not in sleep mode. Also, double-check that you’ve enabled AirPlay on your TV’s settings.
Step 5: Enter the AirPlay passcode if required
Some TVs might ask for an AirPlay passcode. If prompted, enter the passcode that appears on your TV screen into your iPhone.
The passcode ensures that only you can mirror to your TV, protecting your privacy and preventing others from accidentally connecting to your TV.
After completing these steps, your iPhone’s screen will be displayed on your TV. You can now enjoy your content on a bigger screen, use it for presentations, or just show off your latest photos to friends and family.
Tips for Enabling Screen Mirroring on Your iPhone
- Ensure that both your iPhone and TV have the latest software updates for a smooth mirroring experience.
- If you encounter any issues, restart both your iPhone and TV as this can often resolve connection problems.
- Keep your iPhone unlocked and awake while mirroring, as locking your phone will pause the mirroring.
- Use Do Not Disturb mode to prevent incoming calls and notifications from interrupting your mirroring session.
- Remember that audio will also be mirrored to the TV, so adjust the volume on your iPhone or TV as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mirror my iPhone to a non-Apple TV?
Yes, as long as the TV supports AirPlay 2, you can use screen mirroring with your iPhone.
Why won’t my iPhone connect to my TV for screen mirroring?
Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that AirPlay is enabled on your TV.
Can I use my iPhone while it’s mirroring to my TV?
Absolutely! You can continue using your iPhone as normal; just keep in mind that whatever you do will be displayed on the TV.
Will screen mirroring work if my iPhone is not on the same Wi-Fi network as my TV?
No, both devices need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network to communicate with each other for screen mirroring.
What should I do if the screen mirroring button isn’t showing up in my Control Center?
Make sure that Screen Mirroring is enabled in your Control Center settings. Go to Settings > Control Center and add Screen Mirroring if it’s not there already.
Summary
- Connect iPhone and TV to same Wi-Fi network.
- Open Control Center on iPhone.
- Tap Screen Mirroring button.
- Select TV from list of devices.
- Enter AirPlay passcode if prompted.
Conclusion
Enabling screen mirroring on your iPhone is a simple process that can elevate your viewing experience by leaps and bounds. Whether you’re watching your favorite movie, sharing holiday photos with the family, or presenting a work project, mirroring your iPhone to a larger screen offers both convenience and an enhanced experience. Remember, a stable Wi-Fi connection and ensuring both devices are updated will help you avoid any hiccups. So, grab your iPhone and get ready to mirror your screen like a pro. Happy mirroring!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.