How to Connect iPhone to Smart TV?

It is easy to watch your favourite content through your iPhone, but it is not the same experience as viewing it on a large screen. It could be a movie night, a presentation or just showing family pictures; being able to connect your iPhone to a smart TV can work miracles. Have you ever wondered how to connect iPhone to smart TV, you will be pleased to learn that there are many straightforward ways to do that, both wirelessly and wired. This guide breaks each one down so you can discover what works best in your setup.

Why You Should Connect Your iPhone to a Smart TV

Plugging your iPhone into your TV changes the entertainment experience. You can screen mirror your phone, stream videos, show apps and even play games on your TV using it as a second screen. You also have a chance to share the content during the meeting, view family videos jointly, or listen to the music via the speakers of your TV. This is connectable via a wireless option through the AirPlay or you can use a physical cable to have a more reliable connection depending on your choice and how compatible your TV is.

Wireless vs Wired Connections

It is worth knowing the difference between wireless and wired connections and when to apply either.

Wireless Connections

Wi-Fi is used in wireless connections like AirPlay or any other screen-casting apps. This is an ideal approach to use when one prefers convenience and does not want to use cables. When your iPhone and your television are connected to the same network, it works well to watch shows, movies or listen to music. It however, requires your TV to have AirPlay or any compatible device such as Chromecast or Roku to be connected.

Wired Connections

Assuming that your Wi-Fi is not that strong and your TV does not mirror wirelessly, you can use wired HDMI instead. It is stable, fast to install, and does not rely on the speed of the internet. All you will need is Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter and a regular HDMI cable. This is particularly helpful when showing slides, gaming or when you would wish to play without interruption. Connecting iPhone to Smart TV Wirelessly with AirPlay.

How to Connect iPhone to Smart TV Wirelessly with AirPlay

What Is AirPlay?

AirPlay is the wireless streaming technology created by Apple that gives you the option of mirroring or sharing content on your iPhone to an Apple TV or a smart TV that is compatible with AirPlay. It is a built-in part of iOS, which means that you do not need to add any other apps. A variety of smart TVs, such as Samsung, LG, Sony, and TCL models, are compatible with AirPlay 2, the improved version of the feature.

Steps to Connect Using AirPlay

The first step is to ensure that you are on the same Wi-Fi network with your smart TV and its iPhone. On the iPhone, swipe down through the corner of the phone that is at the right hand side to open Control Center. Tap Screen Mirroring, and the list of available devices will appear. Select your TV on the list, and in case your TV has a passcode, type it on your iPhone. Your iphone screen should now show up on your TV in a few seconds. 

Once you are finished, open Control center once more and tap Stop Mirroring. AirPlay is compatible with a wide range of streaming applications, which means that you can also cast videos in the apps supported by AirPlay, such as YouTube or Apple TV+, by tapping the AirPlay icon in these apps.

Advantages of AirPlay

AirPlay provides a fast and wireless experience. It enables you to reflect your screen, watch videos, and even expand your screen according to the application. It is quick, easy, and it will fit perfectly in your iPhone ecosystem.

How to Connect iPhone to Samsung Smart TV

Samsung TVs are also one of the most commonly used by iPhone users, with the majority of models currently supporting AirPlay 2. When you ask yourself how to connect iPhone to Samsung smart TV, it is not very complex after enabling AirPlay.

Enabling AirPlay on Samsung TV

To begin with, turn on your Samsung TV and select the Home button on your remote control. Open Settings, then All settings, Connections, and finally Apple AirPlay Settings. From there, turn on AirPlay. When it is activated, open the Control Center on your iPhone, press Screen Mirroring, and choose your Samsung TV on the list. 

In case your TV does not show, make sure that both gadgets are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and that the firmware of your TV is recent. In older Samsung models, you may have to install the latest update manually in order to have AirPlay support.

How to Connect iPhone to Smart TV Using HDMI Cable

The HDMI can be used when the user wants a reliable connection that is not dependent on Wi-Fi. It is a sure method, no lag, and it works even in non-smart TVs.

What You’ll Need

In order to do this you require two items, an Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter and a standard HDMI cable. The adapter is plugged into the charging port on your iPhone and has an HDMI video out port.

Connecting Step-by-Step

Plug in your iPhone with the Lightning adapter first. Next, plug one end of the HDMI cable into the adapter and the other into the HDMI port of your TV. You can turn on your TV and change to the HDMI input channel that you have connected. In a few seconds, you will see your iPhone screen on your TV. This provides the benefit of also charging your iPhone during use, so it is ideal during longer streaming.

How to Connect iPhone to Smart TV Using Chromecast, Roku, or Fire TV

AirPlay is not found on all TVs, though they can still be connected wirelessly to your iPhone with products such as Google Chromecast, Roku, or Amazon Fire TV. These features enable casting or screen mirroring by using compatible applications.

Connecting with Chromecast

To operate Chromecast, you need to plug it into your television and make sure that the Chromecast and iPhone are at the same Wi-Fi network. Launch an app that is compatible with Chromecast like YouTube or Netflix, then tap the Cast icon and choose your TV. The video will start playing on the bigger screen. In case you would prefer full-screen mirroring, then third-party apps such as Replica available in the App Store can help you.

Connecting with Roku

The majority of Roku models are compatible with AirPlay, and it follows the same AirPlay instructions described above. In your Roku, access the settings, and then choose Apple Airplay and HomeKit and enable Airplay. Then you can mirror your iPhone screen.

Connecting with Amazon Fire TV

In the case of Fire TV users, users can download the AirScreen app free of charge in the Fire TV app store. After the app is open, you can connect through Screen Mirroring in the Control Centre of your iPhone. The connection can be established within a few seconds and is reliable in most streaming duties.

Fixing Common Connection Problems

When Your TV Doesn’t Appear in AirPlay

In case your iPhone fails to identify the TV, ensure that both the devices are connected to the same network. Turn off your iPhone and TV and restart them again this will re-establish the connection and make sure that AirPlay is enabled in the television setting.

When There’s No Audio Output

It is possible that your iPhone replicates the video and leaves the audio on the phone. To resolve it, go to Control Center, select the AirPlay icon and, in this case, select your TV as the audio destination.

When AirPlay Keeps Disconnecting

AirPlay may glitch due to a poor Wi-Fi connection or old software. Turn the router back on, update your software on your iPhone and your TV and reconnect.

When You Notice Screen Lag

When your screen lags or freezes during mirroring, then there is a chance that your Wi-Fi is not stable. The change of the HDMI method will remove lag altogether and make playback lag-free.

Which Connection Method Should You Choose?

When to Use AirPlay

AirPlay works best with users who have an AirPlay-compatible television. It is simple, quick, and entirely wireless, so it is the most convenient way to stream on a daily basis.

When to Use HDMI

HDMI is reliable in performance and does not depend on the internet. It is ideal in presentations, games or where no Wi-Fi is available.

When to Use Chromecast, Roku, or Fire TV

These devices suit best unbuilt-in AirPlay TVs. They offer cheap and accessible solutions to casting or mirroring your iPhone content.

Final Thoughts

It is easy to know how to connect iPhone to smart TV  when you know the options at your disposal. Wireless streaming is hassle free and can be configured in just a few seconds provided that your television supports AirPlay. To have a more sturdier, more secure connection, HDMI is still a solid option and can be used anywhere, even with no Wi-Fi. 

Samsung Smart TVs also feature built-in AirPlay support allowing the seamless mirroring of phones and tablets onto the device, whereas Chromecast, Roku, and Fire TV users can do the same with third-party applications. Whichever format you decide to use, you’ll experience the content on your iPhone more than it was ever intended to be seen, on a larger and brighter screen.

FAQs About How to Connect iPhone to Smart TV