You just captured the perfect moment—a birthday surprise, a vacation sunset, or your kid’s first bike ride. And now you want to show it to others. But instead of gathering everyone around your phone, why not send it to the TV where everyone can actually see it?
Streaming from an iPhone or iPad to a TV shouldn’t feel like a technical hurdle. The goal is simple: press play, and your video or photo fills the room. No cables, no adapters, no confusion. Just a smooth, wireless connection that works when you need it.
This guide will walk you through how to make that happen, whether you’re streaming one video or casting a full album slideshow.
Why Not Just Use a Cable?
Lightning-to-HDMI cables exist—but they’re clunky, easy to lose, and not exactly convenient when you're standing across the room. Cables also limit how you control playback. You're tethered to the TV, quite literally.
Wireless casting fixes that. You get freedom to move, swipe, pause, or skip—without needing to pass your phone around or dig behind the TV for ports.
Plus, most TVs and streaming devices now support wireless protocols in some form, so there’s no good reason to go the wired route anymore.
Is Your TV Compatible with Wireless Streaming?
The good news: most are. The key is understanding how to stream based on what kind of device you have.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- AirPlay 2-enabled TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony models from the last few years): Work natively with iPhones
- Apple TV: Full support for AirPlay mirroring and streaming
- Chromecast or Google TV: Work with third-party iOS apps
- Roku and Fire TV: Support screen mirroring via their respective casting protocols
- DLNA-enabled Smart TVs: May require a third-party bridge app
So even if your TV doesn’t have built-in AirPlay, there’s usually a workaround.
Streaming Videos from the Photos App to Your TV
If you’re using an AirPlay-compatible TV or an Apple TV, sharing videos wirelessly is straightforward.
Steps:
- Make sure both your iPhone and the TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
- Find the video you want to play.
- Tap the Share icon.
- Choose AirPlay, then select your TV from the list.
- Your video should begin playing immediately on the TV screen.
Want to pause or scrub through? Use your iPhone—it acts as the remote.
But what if your TV doesn’t show up under AirPlay?
Casting Photos and Videos Without AirPlay
Not every TV plays nice with Apple’s ecosystem. If AirPlay doesn’t work—or isn’t even available—you’ll need a casting app that can bridge the gap between iOS and your TV’s protocol.
That’s where the DoCast app for iPhone comes in. It allows you to wirelessly cast both photos and videos from your iPhone or iPad to a wide range of devices including Roku, Chromecast, Fire TV, and most DLNA-enabled smart TVs. Setup is quick, and the connection stays stable even for longer clips or full-album slideshows.
No cables. No format errors. Just tap, select your device, and enjoy your content in full resolution, right on the big screen.
This is especially handy for sharing highlights at a party, flipping through vacation shots with family, or even creating a makeshift slideshow for a last-minute work presentation.
How to Cast Content Using a Third-Party App
The exact interface depends on the app, but the process is generally simple:
- Install the casting app on your iPhone.
- Make sure your iPhone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the app and select your TV or casting device.
- Choose photos or videos from your camera roll.
- Start streaming with a single tap.
- Use your phone to control playback or switch media as needed.
The best apps offer slideshow modes, album selection, and options to adjust playback speed and screen orientation—all of which help you keep control of the viewing experience.
Common Problems (and How to Fix Them)
Even with a good setup, issues can pop up. Here’s how to handle them:
TV not showing up?
Restart the TV and your phone. Check that both are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Lag or buffering?
Reduce background activity on your Wi-Fi. Streaming works best on a stable, high-speed connection.
No sound on video playback?
Check if the app has a mute toggle or audio permission setting. Some devices also require audio settings to be adjusted separately.
Unsupported formats?
Use apps that convert or adapt video formats automatically. Most modern apps handle this behind the scenes.
Fixing most issues takes a minute or two—much easier than untangling an HDMI cable mid-party.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Your Memories Stay on a Small Screen
Your phone is where memories live, but your TV is where they come alive. Whether it's a 4K vacation video or a batch of candid photos, sharing them on the big screen shouldn’t feel like a tech project.
With the right casting app, your iPhone can become the remote for every slideshow, recap, or highlight reel—no extra hardware, no tangled wires.
Set it up once. Use it forever. The next time you say “you’ve got to see this,” you’ll actually mean it.
