What you need
- An Apple TV or an AirPlay-compatible smart TV. Check your TV’s specifications if you’re not sure it supports AirPlay.
- The same Wi-Fi network for the iPhone or iPad and the TV, as Apple requires.
- An IPTV player on the iPhone or iPad with your login added. See the best IPTV apps for iPhone and iPad.
Option 1: stream from the player (best for IPTV)
- Connect the iPhone and the TV to the same Wi-Fi.
- Start a channel or film in your IPTV player.
- Tap the AirPlay button. On iPhone it usually appears in the lower-right corner during playback; in some apps you need to tap another button first.
- Choose your Apple TV or smart TV from the list.
- If a passcode appears on the TV, enter it on your iPhone or iPad.
The TV now plays the stream, and your phone controls playback.
Option 2: mirror the whole screen
Use this when the player has no AirPlay button.
- Open Control Centre (swipe down from the top-right corner on iPhone X and later).
- Tap Screen Mirroring and choose the TV.
- Enter the passcode if one appears.
Everything on your screen is now copied to the TV. Keep the player in full screen and the phone plugged in for long viewing.
How to stop
- Streaming: tap the AirPlay button in the app, then choose your iPhone or iPad.
- Mirroring: open Control Centre, tap Screen Mirroring, then Stop Mirroring, or press the Menu button on the Apple TV Remote.
If it doesn’t work
| Problem | Try this |
|---|---|
| The TV isn’t in the list | Put both devices on the same Wi-Fi network, not a guest network; restart the TV and the router |
| No AirPlay button in the app | Apple notes some video apps don’t support AirPlay: use Screen Mirroring, or install a player on the Apple TV |
| Stuttering or dropouts | Move closer to the router, use 5 GHz Wi-Fi, or connect the Apple TV with Ethernet |
| Picture but no sound | Check the TV’s volume and output; try another channel to rule out the stream |
A better long-term option
If you watch on the TV most evenings, install a player on the Apple TV itself. It plays the stream directly at full quality with the Siri Remote, and your phone stays free. See IPTV on Apple TV.