Mirror With AirPlay (2019 and Newer Sony TVs)
Most Sony Bravia TVs from 2019 onward have AirPlay 2 built in. This is the easiest method – no extra hardware needed.
- Make sure your iPhone and Sony TV are connected to the same WiFi network.
- On the Sony TV, go to Settings, then Apps, then Apple AirPlay & HomeKit Settings, and make sure AirPlay is turned on.
- On your iPhone, open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner).
- Tap “Screen Mirroring.”
- Select your Sony TV from the list.
- If prompted, enter the AirPlay code displayed on the TV.
- Your iPhone screen appears on the TV.
Everything on your iPhone screen shows on the TV in real time – apps, photos, videos, presentations, games. To stop mirroring, open Control Center and tap “Screen Mirroring” again, then “Stop Mirroring.”
Stream Video Without Mirroring
If you just want to play a video on the TV (not mirror your entire screen), AirPlay streaming is better. It plays the video on the TV while freeing up your iPhone for other tasks.
- Open the video in an app that supports AirPlay (YouTube, Netflix, Photos, Safari, etc.).
- Tap the AirPlay icon (a rectangle with a triangle at the bottom).
- Select your Sony TV.
- The video plays on the TV. You can use your iPhone normally while it streams.
Streaming uses less battery than full screen mirroring and typically gives better video quality since the TV receives the video stream directly rather than capturing your screen.
Check AirPlay Compatibility
| Sony TV Series | AirPlay Support |
|---|---|
| Sony Bravia XR (2021+) | Yes – AirPlay 2 built in |
| Sony X900H / X950H (2020) | Yes – AirPlay 2 via firmware update |
| Sony X850G / X950G (2019) | Yes – AirPlay 2 via firmware update |
| Sony TVs before 2019 | No built-in AirPlay |
If your TV is from 2019 or later and AirPlay isn’t showing up, update the TV firmware: go to Settings, then System, then “About,” then “System software update.” The AirPlay feature may need a software update to activate.
Mirror With Chromecast Built-In
Sony TVs with Google TV or Android TV have Chromecast built in. While this doesn’t mirror the iPhone screen directly, you can cast content from supported apps.
- Make sure both devices are on the same WiFi network.
- Open a Chromecast-compatible app on your iPhone (YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, etc.).
- Tap the Cast icon (a rectangle with WiFi waves in the corner).
- Select your Sony TV.
- The content plays on the TV.
Chromecast casting works for streaming content from apps, but it doesn’t mirror your entire iPhone screen the way AirPlay does. For full screen mirroring, use AirPlay.
We also wrote a hands-on guide on how to connect iPhone to Roku TV that you might find useful.
Mirror With an HDMI Adapter (Any Sony TV)
This method works with any Sony TV regardless of age or smart features.
- Get a Lightning to HDMI adapter (Apple’s official one is called “Lightning Digital AV Adapter”) or a USB-C to HDMI adapter if you have an iPhone 15 or newer.
- Connect the adapter to your iPhone.
- Connect an HDMI cable from the adapter to an HDMI port on the Sony TV.
- Switch the TV to the correct HDMI input using the remote.
- Your iPhone screen appears on the TV immediately.
The HDMI method has zero lag and doesn’t require WiFi. It’s the most reliable option for presentations or when WiFi is unreliable. The Apple Lightning adapter costs about $49, though third-party alternatives are available for less. USB-C to HDMI adapters for iPhone 15+ are cheaper and more widely available.
Mirror With a Third-Party App (Older TVs)
If your Sony TV doesn’t support AirPlay and you don’t want to use an HDMI cable, third-party mirroring apps can bridge the gap.
- Download a mirroring app on your iPhone (options include AirScreen, TV Cast, or Mirror for Sony TV).
- Install the companion app on your Sony TV from the Google Play Store (on Android TV) or follow the app’s instructions.
- Open the app on both devices and follow the pairing instructions.
- Start mirroring from the iPhone app.
Third-party apps vary in quality and most have some lag compared to AirPlay. Many are free with ads or offer paid versions for ad-free use. Test a few to find one that works well with your specific TV model.
Troubleshooting
TV not showing in AirPlay list. Make sure both devices are on the same WiFi network. Check that AirPlay is enabled on the TV: Settings, then Apps, then “Apple AirPlay & HomeKit Settings.” Restart both the TV and iPhone. If your router has client isolation enabled (common on guest networks), AirPlay won’t work – switch to the main network.
Mirroring lags or stutters. Move your iPhone closer to the WiFi router. Reduce the number of devices using the network. If possible, connect the TV to the router via Ethernet for a more stable connection. Close unused apps on the iPhone to free up processing power.
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No sound on TV. Check that the TV volume isn’t muted. On the iPhone, make sure the ringer/silent switch isn’t set to silent (the physical switch on the side). Go to the TV’s sound settings and make sure the correct audio output is selected. If mirroring via HDMI, the adapter sometimes needs to be unplugged and reconnected to reset the audio connection.
AirPlay code keeps appearing. By default, the TV asks for a code the first time you connect. To change this: go to TV Settings, then “Apple AirPlay & HomeKit Settings,” then “Require Code,” and change it to “First Time Only” or “Never.” Using “Never” is less secure if others on your network might connect without permission.
Video plays but screen is black (DRM content). Some streaming apps (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+) block screen mirroring due to DRM restrictions. The video plays audio but shows a black screen on the TV. For these apps, use the app’s built-in Cast or AirPlay button instead of screen mirroring – this sends the stream directly to the TV and avoids the DRM block.
Does screen mirroring affect video quality?
AirPlay mirroring typically outputs at 1080p, which looks good on most TVs. For 4K content, use AirPlay streaming (the AirPlay button inside apps) instead of full screen mirroring – streaming sends the original video quality to the TV. HDMI adapters also output at 1080p. Neither method supports 4K screen mirroring from an iPhone.
Can I mirror while using other apps?
During full screen mirroring, everything on your iPhone shows on the TV – including notifications, texts, and anything you open. If you want to play a video on the TV while using your phone privately, use AirPlay streaming instead of mirroring. Streaming only sends the video to the TV, and your iPhone screen stays private.
Does mirroring use a lot of battery?
Yes, screen mirroring drains battery faster than normal use because the iPhone is constantly encoding and transmitting the screen. For extended mirroring sessions, keep the iPhone plugged in. The HDMI adapter has a Lightning port for charging while mirroring. AirPlay streaming uses less battery than full screen mirroring.
Sources
Sony – AirPlay on Sony TV | Apple – AirPlay to TV
