Share, stream, and shine: How to mirror iPhone to TV or computer

Quick answer: There are four ways to mirror an iPhone to a TV: AirPlay (built-in), an HDMI cable, a streaming device (Chromecast or Roku), or a Setapp app like JustStream or AnyTrans for iOS (both free for 7 days).  I’ll also share some of my hacks in case things don’t go smoothly with your mirroring.

Below is a comparison table to match your specific hardware to the right method.

What is the best way to mirror iPhone to TV?

There are several methods to mirror your Apple devices, depending on your personal preferences. The most popular options are:

Which method should I use?

• You have an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible smart TV > Use AirPlay (Method 1). Free, built-in, no apps needed.
• You want to mirror iPhone to a Mac (e.g., for recording, presenting, or testing) > Use AnyTrans for iOS — Method 2.
• Your TV doesn't support AirPlay (older Samsung, LG, Panasonic, or any DLNA TV) > Mirror from your Mac with JustStream — Method 3. Or use an HDMI cable for a wired fallback.
• You have a Chromecast or Roku > Use the native Cast or AirPlay integration — Method 3.
• Your Wi-Fi is unreliable or unavailable > Use an HDMI cable + Lightning/USB-C adapter — Method 3 (wired section).

Or skip membership, get JustStream in Setapp Marketplace, from $4.99 monthly, for simple TV streaming.

Method 1: Mirror iPhone to TV or Mac with AirPlay

AirPlay (for obvious reasons) is the go-to app people choose when it comes to screen mirroring on iPhone/Mac because AirPlay is one of the fastest built-in options. This is a great tool for sharing things like family photos or having video calls on a much larger display.  For screen mirroring on an iPhone or iPad to a TV, follow these steps.

Here's how to enable Screen Mirroring on iPhone via AirPlay:

1. Check device compatibility. Make sure the device you want to mirror to — like an Apple TV, a smart Samsung TV, or a Mac with macOS Mojave or later — is actually AirPlay-compatible. You can check the device's specs or go through this list to see if your TV supports AirPlay.
2. Connect to the same Wi-Fi network. Correct Wi-Fi is your top priority. Check if the iPhone (or Mac) and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network. AirPlay needs a network connection to stream content from source devices.
3. Access the Control Center. On iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the screen's upper-right corner (on Face ID devices) or swipe up from the bottom of your device if you have a Home button: 

On a Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar:

4. Turn on AirPlay. In this step, after you opened Control Center, tap the Screen Mirroring icon (a kind of two overlapping rectangles). You'll get a pop-up list of available devices supporting AirPlay feature.
5. Choose your TV or Mac. Then, you need to choose the TV (or computer) from that list. If everything's fine and you can see your device, enter the AirPlay passcode shown on your TV on your iPhone or iPad.

6. Stop Mirroring. To stop sharing, go back to Control Center and tap Stop Mirroring.

Method 2: Mirror iPhone to Mac with AnyTrans for iOS

True, Screen Mirroring sometimes may get laggy, so I’ve always been the kind of person who looks for ways to fix things. So, if you want to share your screen on iPhone to Mac and even record it, I’ve got it covered. 

I’m not about wasting time on complicated tech setups, which is why AnyTrans for iOS from Setapp is awesome. It makes mirroring between devices super easy — just a couple of clicks, and I’m ready to go. This tool simply works without any of the usual tech stress, and you can record your device's screen for any task. 

To mirror your iPhone, you need to:

1. Install and open AnyTrans for iOS.
2. Connect your iPhone to a Mac with a USB cable.
3. Click the Screen Mirroring tab.
4. Make sure your device and Mac are connected to the same Wi-Fi.
5. On your iPhone or iPad, open Control Center by swiping down from the top right corner.
6. Tap Screen Mirroring button.
7. Tap AnyTrans_[Your name].

Get a plan B for every setup, TV, Mac, and Wi‑Fi included. Begin trial Setapp access. Or, just get JustStream in Setapp Marketplace, $4.99 monthly.

Method 3: Mirror to TV without AirPlay

No stress if your TV doesn’t support AirPlay or you want to mirror your iPhone without Apple TV. You can mirror your iPhone's screen using some cool alternatives.

How to mirror Mac to smart TVs without Apple TV (Samsung, LG, Sony, Chromecast, DLNA)

If you want to mirror your Mac (not iPhone) to a Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic, or any DLNA-compatible TV without an Apple TV, the fastest way is JustStream from Setapp (free for 7 days). It streams wirelessly from your Mac to any smart TV, Chromecast, or Roku device on your network.

Plus, it has a huge advantage: better compatibility. Whether your TV is a Samsung, LG, or even an older model, JustStream ensures a smooth mirroring experience without compatibility hiccups.

Also, you can add subtitles or customize video playback settings — perfect for when you want to impress during movie nights or presentations, without the "does this work on your TV?" panic.

How to mirror Mac to a smart TV using JustStream:

1. Install and open JustStream from Setapp.
2. Click the JustStream icon in your Mac's menu bar.
3. Select the screen or window you want to mirror.
4. Click the AirPlay/streaming icon and choose your TV from the list of detected devices.
5. Click Start Streaming. Your Mac screen now appears on your TV.
6. To stop, click the JustStream menu bar icon > Stop Streaming.

Works with: Samsung Smart TVs, LG webOS, Sony Bravia, Panasonic, Philips, any DLNA-certified TV, Chromecast (all generations), Google TV Streamer, and Roku devices.

How to connect iPhone to TV with an HDMI cable

Luckily, wired options are still in use, so you can connect your iPhone to a TV with either USB-C cable (for newer iPhones) or Lightning cable (for older iPhones) with an HDMI adapter. 

To connect with a cable:

1. First, connect your cable with an HDMI adapter.
2. Then, connect your iPhone to the TV.
3. Change the TV input that shows your iPhone — you should see your iPhone screen on your TV.

If you want to screen share on Mac, use a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) and a Mini DisplayPort cable for older Macs and connect it with an HDMI cable.

How to mirror iPhone to TV with Chromecast

If you’re using Google products, you should know about Chromecast. If not, Chromecast is a streaming device created by Google that let you mirror and stream different content. The setup is quite simple and requires little effort to stream all sorts of stuff — photos, videos, music, and apps straight to your TV screen. 

Here’s a simple way to get it all set up:

1. Install the Google Home app from the App Store on your iPhone.
2. Plug the Chromecast into your TV’s HDMI port and a power source.
3. Connect your iPhone and Chromecast to the same Wi-Fi.
4. Install a supported app. Apps like YouTube, Netflix, or Google Photos support Chromecast. Open any of these apps on your iPhone.
5. Tap the Cast icon (a rectangle with Wi-Fi waves) in the app, and choose your Chromecast device from the list. The content will immediately begin playing on your TV.
6. To end the session, tap the Cast icon again and choose Stop Casting.

   

Depending on your region, you may not download Google Home, as it works in certain countries only. Without the app, setting up Chromecast is impossible.

How to mirror iPhone to TV with Roku

Don’t get upset if the previous options didn’t impress you. If you’re a lucky user of the Roku streaming platform, you can use it to mirror iPhone, too. It is widely used in the U.S., but if you’re not sure whether you can get it, check the list of countries where Roku is available via the support page.

Here’s how to mirror your iPhone to a Roku device:

1. Make sure your Roku runs OS 9.4 or newer (Settings > System > About). Update if needed.
2. Connect your iPhone and Roku device to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. On your iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center.
4. Tap Screen Mirroring.
5. Select your Roku from the device list.
6. Enter the code shown on your TV into your iPhone and tap OK.

Just double-check that your Roku device can use AirPlay. Most models with Roku OS 9.4 or newer should be good to go. You can check your model’s version by going to Settings > System > About on your Roku. If it’s outdated, you need to update the software on your Roku.  

Why is my Screen Mirroring not working?

Chances are, Screen Mirroring might not be working for a few simple reasons:

Screen share iPhone to TV like a pro

Finally, there are no questions left on where is Screen Mirroring on your iPhone. You can now easily share your screen, stream videos, and show off your stuff — whether you’re using a TV, a Mac, or different apps. Just kick back, tap play, and enjoy the bigger picture!

AirPlay is not the only solution, and you can screen mirror without AirPlay using AnyTrans for iOS to mirror iPhone content to Mac, or JustStream to mirror Mac to a TV. Also, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your network with NetSpot, as laggy Wi-Fi is one of the top reasons why you can’t mirror your devices normally.

A big bonus: you don’t have to download each separately, as you can get them all ( and 300 apps more) under a single subscription on Setapp. The platform has a great collection of macOS and iOS apps, from productivity to creativity, that you can test for a 7-day free trial.