How to connect iPhone to TV

The popularity of TVs without Smart functions is falling extremely quickly. It’s not surprising, because every user wants to watch movies online and, if necessary, access their favorite sites. However, this does not mean that you need to run to the electronics supermarket and buy expensive “smart” equipment.

First, learn how to connect your iPhone to your TV. Such synchronization will significantly improve the functionality of the most ordinary TV:

Internet surfing;
playing media content online;
video calls via Skype and other similar programs;
making presentations on the big screen.

This is just a short list of opportunities that will open up after connecting a TV device to a mobile phone. There are several popular ways to achieve this task. Let's look at each of them to determine the most effective one.

Connect via Wi-Fi

Modern TV models are equipped with a Smart platform, so they are able to connect to the Internet without additional devices, both via cable and via Wi-Fi, which can be used to play media content from a smartphone on TV.

It is worth noting that this method remains one of the most practical, since you can do without connecting wires. There is also no need to use additional devices.

Connecting an iPhone to a TV is as follows:

If you already have a router and a Wi-Fi network, then we simply connect the smartphone and TV to the home network.
If there is no home Wi-Fi network, you can use the Wi-Fi Direct function. It allows you to connect devices via Wi-Fi without a router. However, not all TV models support it. Activation is carried out differently, depending on the TV model. Often you need to go to the “Applications” section and activate the “Wi-Fi Direct” mode. The TV will show the name of the Wi-Fi network to which you need to connect your iPhone and the password to connect.

When the preparatory work is done, you can connect the iPhone to the TV:

On the iPhone we launch an application for playing media content on TV. For example, you can use the following programs: iMediaShare, Belkin MediaPlay. You can download the software from the Apple Store.

Managing the software is much easier than it might seem at first glance. You just need to select a file for subsequent broadcast on the big screen. The intuitive application interface is a guarantee that you will not have any difficulties.

If you are unable to connect your mobile phone to your TV equipment via Wi-Fi, use a Google Chromecast device - this is a compact adapter that visually resembles a flash drive, which must be inserted into the HDMI connector. With its help, you can significantly simplify setting up a wireless connection with various TV models.

Connecting to a TV for playback

For what is described in the instructions to be possible, the TV must be connected to the same wireless network (to the same router) as your iPhone (the TV can also be connected via a LAN wire).

If you don’t have a router, you can connect your iPhone to your TV via Wi-Fi Direct (most TVs that support a wireless network also support Wi-Fi Direct). To connect, you usually just need to go to settings on your iPhone - Wi-Fi, find the network with the name of your TV and connect to it (the TV must be turned on). The network password can be found in the Wi-Fi Direct connection settings (in the same place as other connection settings, sometimes you need to select the manual function setting option) on the TV itself.

Using an HDMI cable

Particularly popular today is the HDMI digital interface, which allows you to synchronize various devices. The advantage of this cable is that it allows you to transmit the highest quality digital signal. Therefore, if you plan to watch videos in Full HD format, then connect your TV via HDMI.

Connecting an iPhone to a TV using this principle will be somewhat problematic, since Apple gadgets are equipped with a proprietary Lightning interface. However, all this can be easily solved by purchasing a Digital AV or MiraScreen adapter.

How to connect iPhone to TV via HDMI? To set up media playback on the big screen, follow these simple step-by-step instructions:

We connect a pre-purchased adapter to the smartphone.
We insert one end of the HDMI cable into the adapter.
The second end of the cord must be connected to the TV by inserting the wire into the appropriate connector. Absolutely all modern models are equipped with this interface, regardless of the manufacturer.
Now you need to select the signal source. To do this, go to the menu and select the appropriate settings section. This option can also be launched by pressing the remote control button (usually Source). Be careful, many TVs are equipped with multiple HDMI connectors. Next to the connector itself, its number is usually indicated in small print - select it in the TV menu.
After these steps, the connection will be completed. If you have an iPhone 4 or an even older model, then instead of the display, only shortcuts for playing video, audio and photos will be displayed. However, this will not stop you from watching your favorite movie or listening to music.

Setting up a connection between your smartphone and TV via HDMI is extremely simple, since you only need to insert the cable into the appropriate connectors, and subsequent synchronization is carried out automatically. If for some reason information is not displayed on the screen, then be sure to go to the TV settings and select HDMI as the main signal source.

Connection via HDMI

Is it possible to display an image on a TV using an HDMI cable? In fact, it is possible to make such a connection, but some difficulties arise. The problem is that any devices released by Apple have a patented “Lightning” connector.

To solve this problem, you must additionally purchase an Apple Digital AV Adapter. This adapter has an HDMI connector. When you have all the components in your hands, you can connect them to your phone and TV.

First you need to turn off your iPhone and also your TV. Now you can connect the wire. One end is inserted into the TV (the connector is located on the side panel or back). The other end connects to the adapter, which in turn needs to be connected to Lightning.

Once the wire is connected to both devices, you can turn on the TV and iPhone. In most cases, device detection and configuration occurs automatically. After finding the TV, the “Mirroring” option is activated. Thanks to this function, the image is transmitted to the TV screen.

Sometimes there are cases when the connection cannot be configured automatically. If this happens, you need to do everything manually:

On iPhone you need to enable data transfer via HDMI. The parameter is enabled in the settings;
On the TV you need to turn on the signal source - HDMI;
Wait 10-15 seconds.

After this, the image will be transferred to the TV screen. It should be noted that this type of connection allows you to transmit not only images, but also sound to the TV display.

USB connection

Without a doubt, the USB cable remains the most universal solution that allows you to synchronize your phone and TV equipment. The main advantage of this interface is its popularity; such a connector is available on all devices. Therefore, you can easily connect your iPhone to your TV using a USB cable.

Follow the step-by-step instructions:

We connect a micro USB cable (30-pin or Lightning - it all depends on the smartphone model) to the TV. Typically, ports are located on the back or side panel.
Turn on the TV and go to settings to select the USB port as the main signal source.

Wait a few seconds for the synchronization to complete. How to watch iPhone on TV? Unfortunately, this is impossible to do; to duplicate the image on a large screen, use HDMI. As for the USB interface, it allows you to use your mobile phone as a memory storage device. Therefore, this type of connection is suitable for those who have downloaded media content to their smartphone in advance. You won't be able to launch an application or video game either.

Wi-Fi Connection Guide

Now you can begin to take decisive action. How to connect iPhone to TV via WiFi? Once the previously listed programs are installed, you will need:

Enable Smart TV on your TV.
Connect TV to Wi-Fi.
Launch the appropriate software on the iPhone.
Connect to the Internet from your Apple device.
Go to the iPhone application settings and select your TV model.

I guess that's all. If the user acted correctly, an image from the Apple device will appear on the TV display. All the techniques presented here work with both iPhone and iPad, which makes life much easier.

Connecting using an Apple TV set-top box

This is another way to wirelessly synchronize a smartphone and a TV device, however, it can only be implemented if you have previously purchased an Apple TV set-top box.

You can link devices if you use an Apple smartphone no older than the fourth generation. Before you start syncing, be sure to install the latest iOS operating system updates, otherwise you may experience connection problems.

Connecting the iPhone to the TV is carried out according to the following algorithm:

We launch the set-top box and connect the TV to it using an HDMI cable.

Connecting iPhone to Apple TV. To do this, connect your devices to the same wireless network or turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and bring it closer to the set-top box. You should see connection prompts on both screens.

Double-click the Home button on your iPhone, then select Volume and Brightness Control. Or make a long swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

Select “AirPlay” or “Screen mirroring”, and then select Apple TV from the list provided.

When you click on the console, the “AirPlay Mirroring” switch will open, activate it and wait until the image of the smartphone’s desktop appears on the TV screen.

This option is not relevant for Smart TV.

Other options

You can synchronize television equipment and a mobile phone in other ways, for example, with tulips - a composite cable that was actively used in the early 2000s. Using this wire, today you can connect your iPhone to your TV. However, you need to understand that you won’t be able to view high-resolution videos and photos.

You can connect from a smartphone to a TV using a composite cable using several types of adapters at once. Which adapter should you prefer? It's up to you to decide. Much depends on the iPhone model.

Composite AV cable – 3 plugs (tulips) and one USB input. Suitable for iPhone 4s and older versions of smartphones from Apple.x

A component AV cord is somewhat similar to a composite cable. The main difference is the presence of plugs for synchronizing the image and improving the quality of the broadcast image. Also suitable for iPhone 3, 4, 4s.

VGA Lightning adapter - used to connect new models - 5, 5s. The main feature is the presence of a 15-pin analog connector for a VGA cable.

Connecting an iPhone to a TV is a simple procedure that every user can handle. It is enough to simply connect the connectors using a cable; in some situations, additional adapters are used that act as adapters. No special programs are required to connect an iPhone.

There is also no additional software configuration. You just need to open the main menu on your TV and select the signal source.