Owners of the Apple ecosystem are often faced with the need to display images from their smartphone on the big screen, especially when a modern Smart TV based on the operating system is at hand Android TV or Google TV. Despite the fact that the technologies AirPlay were originally created for Apple equipment, modern wireless communication standards make it easy to overcome this barrier. Broadcasting content allows you to view photos, videos and even mobile gaming on a huge diagonal without losing quality.
The setup process may vary depending on the model of your TV and the version iOSinstalled on your smartphone. Some manufacturers build support for Apple protocols directly into the firmware, while others require the installation of third-party software. It is important to understand that the stability of the connection directly depends on the quality of your home network Wi-Fi.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods, from free built-in functions to specialized applications and wired solutions. You will learn how to set up screen mirroring in a couple of minutes and what to do if the TV does not see the phone. The considered methods are relevant for most popular brands, including Samsung, LG, Sony and budget models based on pure Android.
Checking compatibility and preparing the network
The first and most critical stage is to ensure the correct network infrastructure. For wireless broadcasting, it is extremely important that both devices - your iPhone and the TV on Android - are on the same local network. This means connecting to the same router via the same frequency, preferably 5 GHzwhich provides higher throughput.
Check your router settings. Often modern routers broadcast two networks with the same name (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), combining them into one. If the devices see each other, but the connection is constantly broken or the picture is “slow,” try forcibly connecting the phone and TV to different bands or, conversely, make sure that Client Isolation is disabled in the router settings.
⚠️ Attention: The “Guest Network” function on the router usually isolates devices from each other. If your phone is connected to the guest Wi-Fi, and the TV is connected to the main one, they will not see each other on the network, and the broadcast will become impossible.
You should also make sure that support for device discovery protocols is enabled on the TV. In the settings menu Android TV there is often a section responsible for Cast or Chromecast. Activating these features makes the TV visible to external devices. Without this step, searching for the screen on your smartphone may simply not produce any results.
☑️ Preparing for broadcast
Built-in support for AirPlay on modern TVs
Many modern TV models running on base Android TV 9.0 and higher, as well as TVs with support Google TVhave a built-in function AirPlay 2. This is the simplest and highest quality way to transfer images, as it does not require the installation of additional software. Manufacturers like Sony, Philips i TCL often integrate this technology directly.
To use this method, go to the TV settings and find the item associated with Apple AirPlay i HomeKit. Make sure the switch is in the On position. After activation, the TV will begin to broadcast a signal about its availability for Apple devices on the local network.
On the side iPhone the process is as simplified as possible. Open Control Center (swipe down from the top right corner on new models or swipe up on older models) and click on the Screen Repeat icon (two rectangles). Your TV should appear in the list of available devices. Select it and the image will instantly be mirrored.
If the TV asks for a code when connecting via AirPlay, the four-digit password will be displayed on the TV screen. Enter it on the iPhone to complete pairing.
The advantage of the built-in one is minimal signal delay and support for high-quality audio transmission. However, if your TV was released several years ago, this feature may not be available out of the box, and then you will have to resort to third-party solutions. AirPlay is to minimize signal delay and support high quality audio transmission. However, if your TV was released several years ago, this feature may not be available out of the box, and you will have to resort to third-party solutions.
| TV Brand | AirPlay 2 support | App required | Transmission quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony (Android TV) | Yes (new models) | No | High |
| Philips | Yes | No | High |
| Xiaomi / Mi TV | Partly | Sometimes required | Medium/High |
| Budget NoName | No | Required | Depends on the application |
Using third-party receiver applications
If your TV-based Android does not support AirPlay natively, special recipient applications will save the situation. They emulate the Apple protocol, causing the TV to “pretend” to be an Apple TV device. The most popular and stable solution in this category is the application AirScreen.
Install the application from the store Google Play Store directly on the TV. After launch AirScreen you will be prompted to click the “Start” button to initialize the service. At this moment, information will appear on the screen that the device is ready to connect and its name on the network.
Now return to iPhone. In Control Center, select Screen Mirroring again. You should see the name listed in the app on your TV (for example, AS-Xiaomi-TV). Click on it and the broadcast will begin. This method is universal and works even on older versions Android.
Why might AirScreen not work?
Sometimes the antivirus on the router or firewall settings block the ports used by the application to emulate AirPlay. Try temporarily disabling network protection or adding the application to exceptions.
There are alternatives, such as Receiver for AirPlay or AirPin(PRO). The principle of their operation is identical: installation on TV, launching the service, connecting from the iPhone. The difference may lie in codec support: some paid versions of applications are better at transmitting video in resolution 4K without compression artifacts.
Broadcasting through streaming service applications
It is worth mentioning separately the function Castthat is built into many popular applications such as YouTube, Netflix or VK Video. In this case, there is not complete mirroring of the iPhone screen, but direct transmission of the video stream from the server to the TV. This creates less load on the network and smartphone.
To use this function, open the application on your phone, find the broadcast icon (a rectangle with Wi-Fi waves in the corner) and select your Android TV from the list. The video will start playing on the big screen, and the phone can be used for other tasks or as a control panel.
This method is ideal for watching movies and TV series, since the picture quality will be the maximum supported by the service, without the losses typical for wireless desktop mirroring. However, it is not suitable for displaying a photo gallery, games or the interface of other applications.
Wired connection via Lightning-HDMI adapter
When the wireless connection is unstable or perfect synchronization is required (for example, in games), the only reliable solution is a cable. You will need an adapter Lightning to HDMI (or USB-C to HDMI for new iPhone 15/16 models) and a regular HDMI cable.
Connect the adapter to the iPhone charging port, and then connect it with an HDMI cable to the corresponding port on the TV. Switch the signal source on the TV to HDMI 1 mode (or another one to which you connected the cable). The image will appear instantly, without the need to set up a network.
⚠️ Attention: For the wired method to work on an iPhone with iOS 17 or higher, you may need to confirm trust in the accessory. If the screen remains black, unlock the phone and click “Trust” in the pop-up window.
The main advantage of this connection is the absence of delay (input lag) and independence from Internet speed. The downside is the need to purchase a high-quality adapter, since cheap analogues often do not support audio output or produce a low-resolution picture. In addition, you are tied to the length of the cable.
A wired connection via an HDMI adapter guarantees the best image quality and the absence of delays, which is critical for fast-paced games and professional presentations.
Solving problems with latency and image quality
Even with proper configuration, users may encounter desynchronization of audio and video or “squares” on the screen. Most often, the reason lies in an overloaded channel Wi-Fi. If you are simultaneously downloading torrents or watching 4K videos on other devices on the network, the bandwidth may not be sufficient for the stream AirPlay.
Try to reduce the load on the network by disconnecting unnecessary devices. It also makes sense to change the Wi-Fi channel in the router settings to a less busy one. Using the band 5 GHz is mandatory for comfortable broadcasting, since the old standard 2.4 GHz is physically unable to transmit a high-resolution video stream without artifacts.
If the problem persists, check settings of the receiver application on the TV. In AirScreen and analogues there are settings for resolution and frame rate. Reducing these parameters from 60 FPS to 30 FPS or from 4K to 1080p can significantly stabilize the connection on weak routers.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces TVs and menu names may differ depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer's shell. If you do not find the specified setting, check the official instructions for your TV model.
Comparison of methods and final recommendations
The choice of broadcast method depends on your specific tasks. For one-time showing of photos to friends, a built-in AirPlay or emulator application is suitable. To watch movies for a long time, it is better to use the native function Cast inside video services. Gamers and professionals should invest in a quality HDMI adapter.
Remember that software methods always introduce a slight delay. This is fine for videos, but can be annoying when controlling the cursor or in shooters. Update your TV's firmware regularly, as manufacturers often release patches that improve the performance of network modules and compatibility with Apple protocols.
Rebooting the router once a week clears the cache of network tables and can solve problems with the visibility of devices that suddenly no longer find each other.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the TV not see the iPhone in the list of devices?
Make sure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (same SSID name). Check if the client isolation mode is enabled on the router. Also try restarting both your phone and TV.
Is it possible to transmit audio separately, without video?
When using AirPlay or third-party applications, audio is transmitted along with video. Separate audio transmission is only possible via Bluetooth (if the TV supports the A2DP profile) or through the Cast function in music applications.
The picture slows down during broadcasting, what should I do?
Most likely, the problem is the Wi-Fi speed. Switch to the 5 GHz network, move closer to the router, or lower the broadcast quality in the settings of the receiver application on the TV.
Does broadcast work without the Internet?
Yes, a local Wi-Fi network is enough for AirPlay and Cast to work. Access to the global Internet is not required if you are streaming files stored in the phone's memory.
Which HDMI adapter is best to buy for iPhone?
It is recommended to use an original Apple adapter or certified analogues (marked MFi). Cheap Chinese copies often work unstable and may not output sound.