Modern technologies allow you to turn your smartphone into a powerful remote control for multimedia content, and the bundle Apple iPhone with TV LG A wireless TV is one of the most popular smart home combinations. Users often look for a way to display photos, videos, or app screens on a larger screen without unnecessary wires, relying solely on a wireless connection. This is not only convenient for viewing family albums but also essential for showing presentations or playing games.
The main protocol that ensures stable data transfer in the Apple ecosystem is the technology AirPlay 2, built into many modern Smart TV models. However, if your TV was released before 2019, you'll have to use alternative methods, such as the built-in app. LG TV Plus or third-party solutions. Understanding the operating principles of your specific model will help avoid compatibility issues.
In this guide, we'll walk you through every setup step, from checking the firmware version to fine-tuning network security settings. You'll learn how to ensure maximum data transfer speeds and what to do if devices don't see each other in the list of available devices.
Hardware and software version requirements
Before you begin synchronization, you need to ensure that your equipment is technically ready to operate on a single network. Availability of the module is critical. Wi-Fi in both devices, and they must operate in the same frequency range to minimize delays. Older routers of the standard 802.11n may not be able to handle high-definition video streaming, causing buffering.
For owners of new LG TVs, the key factor is the support of the function AirPlay 2This technology appeared in 2019 and newer models, and was also added to some earlier versions via a firmware update. Checking the software is up-to-date is a first step that shouldn't be ignored, as older versions webOS may not contain the necessary drivers.
⚠️ Note: The menu interface and item names may vary slightly depending on the webOS operating system version (3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, and higher). If you don't see the option listed, please consult the official documentation for your specific TV series.
It's also worth keeping in mind that your iPhone should be running a relatively recent version of iOS, preferably no older than the last three major releases. This ensures the latest encryption protocols and video compression codecs used by the TV when receiving the signal.
Preparing a Wi-Fi network and checking compatibility
Connection stability directly depends on your home network configuration. Make sure both your smartphone and TV are connected to the same router. A common mistake is when one device is connected to the main network and the other to a guest network or a range extender, which blocks direct communication between them.
To check the current connection settings on your LG TV, navigate to the settings menu. This is done using the remote control. Magic Remote, which significantly speeds up the data entry process. You need to find the section responsible for network connections and check the connection status.
Please follow these steps to check:
- 📡 Press the settings button (gear) on the remote control.
- 📡 Go to the section
All Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Connection. - 📡 Make sure the status is "Connected" and the device's IP address is visible.
- 📡 On iPhone, open
Settings → Wi-Fiand check the network name.
If the network names match but the devices can't see each other, try temporarily disabling the "AP Isolation" feature in your router settings if you have access to them. This security feature is specifically designed to prevent devices on the same network from communicating with each other.
Method 1: Stream via AirPlay 2 (Native Support)
The highest quality image transmission method is available to owners of LG TVs with support AirPlay 2This method allows you to stream your screen or specific content in high definition with minimal latency. Activating this feature does not require installing additional apps on your smartphone.
First, you need to activate the signal receiver on the TV. Go to Settings and find the section related to mobile device connections. This section may have different names in different firmware versions, but it usually contains the words "AirPlay" or "Apple."
Activation procedure on TV:
- 🍏 Open the menu
All settings → Connect to a mobile device. - 🍏 Find the item
AirPlay settingsand switch it to the "On" position. - 🍏 When you connect for the first time, a code may appear on the TV screen that you will need to enter on your iPhone.
After enabling the feature on your TV, grab your iPhone and open Control Center. For models with Face ID, swipe down from the upper-right corner; for models with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Tap the "Screen Mirroring" icon and select your TV from the list.
☑️ AirPlay Test
It's important to note that when streaming via AirPlay 2, audio is also transmitted over Wi-Fi, so the audio quality will be significantly higher than when using Bluetooth headsets. If you plan to watch movies, make sure your router isn't overloaded with other tasks, such as downloading large files.
Method 2: Using the LG TV Plus app
For TV models that do not support native AirPlay (usually devices released before 2018), LG has developed its own app. LG TV PlusIt's available in the App Store and allows for basic photo and video streaming, as well as using your phone as a remote control.
The setup process requires installing the app on your iPhone and performing initial pairing. Unlike AirPlay, the connection may be less stable when working with large video files, as it uses a different data compression algorithm.
Connection instructions:
- Download and install the application LG TV Plus from the App Store.
- Launch the application and wait for it to scan the network.
- A request to allow the connection will appear on the TV screen; confirm it with the remote control.
- Enter the PIN code, if it is displayed on the TV screen, into the corresponding field on your smartphone.
⚠️ Please note: The LG TV Plus app may not support audio streaming from some DRM-protected services (such as Netflix or Apple TV+) due to copyright protection policies. In such cases, the image may be streamed, but there will be no audio.
Once paired successfully, you'll be able to select media files from your phone's memory and send them to the big screen. The app also lets you control playback, pause content, and adjust the volume directly from your smartphone's screen.
Method 3: Third-party apps and Screen Share
If the built-in tools don't satisfy you in terms of functionality or speed, you can turn to third-party solutions. There are numerous repeater apps in the App Store that use the protocol. Miracast or custom image output algorithms. Popular options include Replica, TV Cast or Web Video Caster.
These apps often perform faster than standard solutions when streaming video from the Safari browser. They can pull the video stream from the page and send it directly to the TV, bypassing the full screen mirroring process, reducing the load on the iPhone's processor.
Comparison of connection methods:
| Method | Image quality | Latency | Sound support |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPlay 2 | High (up to 4K) | Low | Full |
| LG TV Plus | Average | Average | Partial |
| Third-party apps | Depends on the application | High | Depends on the codec |
When using third-party software, pay attention to the permissions you grant to the app. Some require local network access, which you'll need to confirm in an iOS pop-up window upon first launch.
Why can third-party apps charge money?
Developers spend resources on supporting codecs and updating communication protocols, so they often offer paid versions without unnecessary features or with expanded functionality.
Setting up display and sound options
After successfully connecting, it's important to configure the output settings correctly to ensure the content displays correctly. A common situation is when the image doesn't fill the entire screen or has black margins around the edges. This can be resolved by adjusting the aspect ratio.
On LG TV use the button Aspect Ratio on the remote control or go to Settings → All settings → Display → Aspect ratioSelect "Original," "Screen Fit," or "16:9" depending on how the image looks. For games, it's important to select "Game" mode in the display settings to reduce input lag.
If the audio is streaming to your TV but you want to listen to it through your AirPods or a connected Bluetooth headset, swipe