How to Stream from iPhone to Apple TV

Got a video on your iPhone you'd like to watch on a big screen? If you've got an Apple TV, it's really easy. This article explains how to stream content from your iPhone to an Apple TV.

How Do I Stream to Apple TV?

One of the benefits of having multiple Apple devices is they work together seamlessly. That's the case when you want to stream from an iPhone to Apple TV. To do this, you use an Apple technology called AirPlay, which is built into iOS and tvOS and is used by many apps.

It's easiest if the app with the content you want to stream supports AirPlay. Even if it doesn't, you can still show your content on the Apple TV.

Stream From iPhone Using AirPlay-Compatible Apps

To stream from iPhone to Apple TV using AirPlay-compatible apps, such as Apple apps that support audio, video, or photos, follow these steps:

1. Connect your iPhone and Apple TV to the same Wi-Fi network.

2. On the iPhone, launch the app with the content you want to stream.
   

3. In the app, tap the AirPlay icon (a rectangle with a triangle poking into the bottom).
   

   In some compatible apps, the AirPlay icon is a little hidden. Look in the Share menu, by tapping its icon (the square with the arrow coming out of it).

4. Tap the name of the Apple TV you want to stream to. Your video appears on the TV in a moment.
   

5. Control your content through the iPhone app. To stop streaming entirely, tap the AirPlay icon and then tap your iPhone.
   

Mirror iPhone Screen to Apple TV

Not every app supports AirPlay. Luckily, AirPlay is built into Apple operating systems, so you can mirror the entire screen of your iPhone to your Apple TV. Here's how:

1. Connect your iPhone and Apple TV to the same Wi-Fi network.

2. Open Control Center.
   

   You can also use Control Center as a remote control to control the Apple TV.

3. Tap Screen Mirroring (the may look like two overlaid rectangles on some version of the iOS).
   

4. Tap the Apple TV you want to mirror to.
   

5. Enter the AirPlay Code from your Apple TV, if prompted.
   

6. The entire screen of your iPhone appears on your TV. Go to the app with the content you want to stream. Press play on that content.
   

   Want the content to take up your whole TV screen? Put your iPhone into landscape mode and, if the app supports it, the app takes up the whole TV screen.

Can You Connect iPhone to the Apple TV App?

Not exactly. The Apple TV app isn't involved in streaming content from your iPhone to the Apple TV device. Rather, the Apple TV app lets you watch movies and TV shows from Apple TV+, Apple TV Channels, and other streaming services you subscribe to.

The Apple TV app is pre-installed on the Apple TV device, iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Your viewing history and your Up Next queue automatically sync across all devices, so the Apple TV app is connected on all of your devices.

This is mostly a case where Apple naming an app, streaming service, and hardware device all the same thing—Apple TV—is really confusing. Luckily, we've untangled the Apple TV naming for you.

Can You Home Share From iPhone to Apple TV? 

Before all of your media was easily available on all of your devices, there was Home Sharing. It's an Apple feature that lets you access media from other devices on the same Wi-Fi network. For example, if someone in your house makes their music available via Home Sharing, you can listen to their library on your Mac or iPhone.

The iPhone and Apple TV both support Home Sharing, which lets you send music and videos to an Apple TV. This is less useful than AirPlay in most cases, but it's worth knowing about. Here's what to do:

1. Make sure both the iPhone and Apple TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, are running the latest versions of their OSes, signed into the same Apple ID, and are authorized to play content belonging to that Apple ID.

2. Enable Home Sharing on each device:

   • iPhone: Settings > Music or TV > if TV, iTunes Videos > Home Sharing > Sign In with Apple ID.
   • Apple TV: Settings > Users and Accounts > Home Sharing > Sign In with Apple ID.
     

3. On the iPhone, open the Music or TV app.
   

4. On the Apple TV, click on Computers and choose the shared iPhone library you want to play content from.

5. When you find music or videos to play, click on them with the Apple TV remote the way you'd select any other content.
   

   In this scenario, Home Sharing is probably less effective than simply browsing the Music or TV apps pre-installed on the Apple TV, since they should have all of the content available on all devices (assuming you sync all of your media to all of your devices).