AirPlay or Screen Mirroring Not Working? Fix iPhone to TV, Apple TV and Mac
Your TV does not appear in AirPlay, the mirroring freezes, or there is no sound? Here is how to fix AirPlay and Screen Mirroring from iPhone to Apple TV, smart TVs and Mac.
AirPlay lets you show photos, videos or your whole iPhone screen on a TV or a Mac. When the TV does not appear in the list, or the image freezes, the problem is usually the network or a setting on the TV.
Requirements
- A compatible receiver: Apple TV, an AirPlay-compatible smart TV (many recent Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio and others), or a Mac.
- Both devices on the same Wi-Fi network. Guest networks and some office or hotel networks block AirPlay.
1. Check the TV's AirPlay setting
On AirPlay smart TVs, open the TV's settings and look for Apple AirPlay Settings: AirPlay must be On, and "Require Code" can be set to first time only. On Apple TV: Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit, set "Allow Access" to Everyone or Anyone on the Same Network.
2. Same network, really
Check the network name on the iPhone and on the TV. Many routers have two names (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) or a guest network: put both devices on the same one.
3. Restart everything
Restart the iPhone, the TV or Apple TV, and the router. This fixes most "device not found" problems.
4. Update the TV and the iPhone
TV makers update their AirPlay support. Install the TV's latest firmware and the latest iOS (iOS 27.0.1). For Apple TV: tvOS update guide.
5. Mirroring is laggy or freezes
- Move closer to the router, or connect the TV/Apple TV with an Ethernet cable.
- Prefer playing videos with the app's AirPlay button rather than full screen mirroring: the TV then streams directly and the quality is better.
- Close heavy apps on the iPhone and turn off Low Power Mode.
6. No sound on the TV
- Check the iPhone's volume and the TV volume.
- In Control Center, press and hold the audio card, tap AirPlay and make sure the TV is selected.
- Silent mode does not mute AirPlay video, but some apps follow it.
7. Mac as an AirPlay receiver
On recent Macs: System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff > AirPlay Receiver must be on. The Mac firewall must not block incoming connections.
8. Router settings
Some routers block the protocols AirPlay uses (multicast, Bonjour/mDNS), especially with "AP isolation" or "client isolation" enabled. Turn it off in the router settings or ask your internet provider.
9. Reset Network Settings
Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Related: Wi-Fi not working, AirDrop not working.
No AirPlay TV? Use a cable
A Lightning to HDMI adapter (Lightning iPhones) or a USB-C to HDMI adapter (iPhone 15 and later) mirrors the screen without any network.
Official reference: Apple: If screen mirroring or streaming is not working.
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