Apple smartphone owners often find themselves wanting to show off photos from their gallery to friends or watch a movie on the big screen without using wires. Modern Smart TV from LG offer a wide range of wireless connectivity options, and the key here is technology AirPlay 2If your TV supports this standard, the synchronization process will only take a few seconds, and picture quality will depend solely on the speed of your home network.
However, not all TV models have built-in Apple AirPlay support, especially devices released before 2019. In these cases, third-party apps or the built-in Screen Share feature, which uses the Miracast protocol, can help, although it requires special intermediary software to work on iPhones. It's important to understand that connection stability directly depends on the router configuration and the absence of interference in the air.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at all available streaming methods, from native iOS tools to specialized software. We'll also explore router setup nuances that can block device detection, and offer solutions for common issues that occur when a phone simply doesn't see the TV in the list of available receivers.
Checking compatibility and preparing equipment
Before you begin setup, you need to make sure your equipment is technically ready for wireless transmission of high-definition video. The main requirement is support for the standard AirPlay 2 From the LG TV side. This standard is featured on OLED (B9, C9, E9 and later), NanoCell (SM9000 and later), and UHD (UM7300 and later) TVs released in 2019 and later.
If you have an older model, don't despair, but functionality may be limited. Owners of such TVs will have to rely on third-party apps installed directly on the TV or use external set-top boxes like Apple TV. For native AirPlay to work properly, the TV's operating system also needs to be webOS has been updated to the latest available version.
⚠️ Note: Some routers have a built-in AP Isolation feature that prevents devices on the same Wi-Fi network from communicating with each other. If your TV and phone can't see each other, check your router settings and disable this feature.
Make sure both devices—the iPhone and the LG TV—are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is critical, as using a guest network or different frequencies (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) with separate SSIDs may prevent detection. Check the iOS version on your smartphone, as older versions may not work correctly with newer data protocol implementations.
Stream via built-in AirPlay 2
This is the simplest and highest quality method, which does not require the installation of additional software. Technology AirPlay 2 Built directly into the iOS system and webOS interface, it ensures minimal latency and high-resolution images. You don't need to download anything to get started; simply enable the appropriate features in the menu.
On your LG TV, you need to go to the settings and find the section responsible for connecting from mobile devices. In newer versions of webOS, this option is often called Apple AirPlay or Connecting from a mobile deviceMake sure the feature is enabled and set to "On" or "First Request Only" if you want to confirm the connection from the remote control each time.
On your iPhone, open Control Center. On models with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen, and on models with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom. Find the "Screen Mirroring" icon (two rectangles) and tap it. Select your LG TV from the list of available devices.
☑️ AirPlay connection algorithm
When connecting for the first time, a four-digit code may appear on the TV screen. Enter this code on your iPhone screen to confirm pairing. After this, the image from your smartphone's display will be mirrored to the big screen in either landscape or portrait orientation, depending on the orientation of your phone.
Using the LG TV Plus app
LG has developed its own app LG TV Plus, which allows you to control your TV and stream content from a mobile device. Although the app's primary functionality has shifted to media management and picture settings, it remains relevant for models where native AirPlay is unreliable.
Download the official app from the App Store and launch it. The program will automatically search for compatible devices on your local network. If the search fails, try manually adding the device by IP address, which can be found in the TV's network settings section. Settings → Network → Wi-Fi connection → Advanced settings.
After successful pairing, you can use the app to transfer photos and videos from your phone's gallery. Screen mirroring functionality may be limited depending on your webOS version, so it's best to use built-in iOS tools or third-party solutions, which we'll discuss below.
It's important to note that the LG TV Plus app sometimes requires additional iOS permissions, such as local network access. Without this permission, the app won't be able to "see" the TV, even if they're connected to the same router. Check the privacy settings in the "Local Network" section of your iPhone's settings.
Third-party apps for screen mirroring
For LG TV owners who don't support AirPlay 2, or in cases where standard methods don't work, there are excellent alternatives in the form of third-party apps. The leader in this niche is Replica, which uses screen capture technology and transmits a video stream to a TV via a browser or built-in receiver.
These programs work by creating a temporary data transfer channel. You install the app on your iPhone and launch the corresponding service on your TV (via the built-in browser or a separate receiver app, if required). The devices then connect via a code or QR code.
| Application | Connection type | Delay | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replica | Wi-Fi / Web Browser | Low | Freemium |
| TV Cast for LG | DLNA / Casting | Average | For free |
| Web Video Caster | Live broadcast | Minimum | For free |
When using third-party software, keep in mind that audio may be delayed or not transmitted at all in free versions. This isn't a big deal for viewing videos from a gallery or showing a presentation, but for games or movies, it's best to look for solutions with minimal delays. latency (delay).
Why are there ads in the free versions?
App developers earn money by displaying ads to support servers and develop their projects. Purchasing the Pro version typically disables ads and unlocks audio streaming.
Some apps require installation of a companion app on your TV if it doesn't have a built-in HTML5 browser. Carefully read the app description in the App Store to determine whether you need to install a companion app from the LG Content Store on your TV.
Configuring your router for stable operation
The quality of wireless streaming directly depends on your home network configuration. Video transmission protocols like AirPlay and Miracast are sensitive to interference and channel congestion. If the image is choppy or pixelated, the problem is most likely due to congestion in the frequency band.
It is recommended to use a range 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz. The 5 GHz frequency provides the higher throughput needed for high-resolution video streaming and is less susceptible to interference from household appliances like microwave ovens or Bluetooth devices.
⚠️ Note: Router and TV interfaces may vary depending on the model and year of manufacture. If you don't find the setting described, please refer to your device's documentation or the manufacturer's website.
It's also worth checking your multicast settings. Protocol mDNS Bonjour, which is used to discover Apple devices, relies on multicast packets. If your router blocks multicast traffic between clients (which is sometimes done by ISPs or strict corporate settings), the phone won't see the TV. Enable IGMP Snooping in your router settings.
If you have a dual-band router with identical network names (SSIDs) for 2.4 and 5 GHz, try temporarily separating them by giving them different names and connecting both devices strictly to the 5 GHz network. This will prevent your phone from jumping between frequencies while browsing.
Solving common problems
Even with proper setup, glitches can still occur. One common issue is when the TV appears in the list, but the connection fails or is immediately disconnected. This is often due to outdated software. Check for iOS updates in your phone's settings (Main → Software Update) and for webOS in the TV settings.
Another common error is audio and video desync. If the video is ahead of the audio or behind it, try lowering the stream quality in the app settings or restarting your router. Sometimes, simply restarting the AirPlay service on your TV helps: turn the feature off in the TV menu and then turn it back on.
If all else fails, reset your iPhone's network settings. This will delete saved Wi-Fi passwords and cellular network settings, but it often resolves software conflicts that prevent wireless modules from working properly. After the reset, reconnect to Wi-Fi and try streaming.
Why isn't my LG TV showing up in the AirPlay list?
Make sure both devices are on the same subnet. Check that your antivirus or firewall isn't blocking local traffic on your router. Also, make sure your TV isn't running any heavy applications that could be blocking discovery ports.
Is it possible to broadcast audio separately, without video?
Yes, when selecting an audio output device in Control Center (the speaker icon), you can select an LG TV. In this case, the video will continue to play on the iPhone screen, but will be output through the TV's speakers.
Does screencasting affect battery life?
Yes, actively streaming video over Wi-Fi significantly drains your iPhone's battery. It's recommended to keep your phone connected to a charger during extended movie viewing sessions or presentations.