Modern multimedia capabilities can transform simple photo or video viewing into a grand home entertainment experience, provided you know how to properly set up data transfer. Apple smartphone owners often need to share content on a large screen, and Wi-Fi technology provides the most stable and high-quality connection for this. Unlike wired solutions, wireless streaming eliminates unnecessary cables and allows you to control the process directly from the device.
Company LG Electronics has been implementing protocol support in its televisions for several years now AirPlay 2, making syncing with an iPhone virtually instantaneous. However, despite the claimed simplicity, users sometimes encounter technical nuances that require proper configuration of network equipment and the TV itself. In this guide, we'll cover all available connection methods, from native iOS features to third-party apps.
The quality of the transmitted image directly depends on the speed of the local network and the radio channel load. Before starting setup, make sure your router is capable of handling high-definition streaming video without lag. For stable 4K content streaming, it's critical that both your TV and iPhone operate in the 5GHz band, as the 2.4GHz band is often congested with neighboring networks.
Hardware and software requirements
The first step to successful broadcasting is checking the compatibility of the equipment you are using. Not all TV models LG Support native operation with the Apple ecosystem, although most devices released after 2019 already have a built-in AirPlay 2 chip. If you have an older Smart TV model running WebOS, you may need to install additional software.
The most important requirement is the operating system version. The iPhone must have iOS 12.3 or newer for full AirPlay 2 functionality. Older versions of iOS may only support basic mirroring via third-party protocols, which often results in audio lag or image desync.
- 📺 LG TV with support for WebOS 4.0 and higher (models 2018-2019 and newer).
- 📱 iPhone 5s or newer with the latest version of iOS.
- 📡 A router with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 6 support for stable streaming.
Please note that both devices must be on the same subnet. This means that simply connecting to the same router may not be sufficient if you have a guest network or client isolation configured. Check your router settings to ensure there are no restrictions on local traffic exchange between devices.
Preparing your home Wi-Fi network
A stable connection is the foundation of a high-quality stream. If you plan to display images in high resolution, make sure your router isn't overloaded with background tasks, such as torrents or large file downloads on other devices. Your channel's bandwidth should be sufficient to transmit a video stream with a bitrate of at least 15-20 Mbps.
⚠️ Attention: The LG TV interface is updated periodically. The layout of menu items may vary slightly depending on the webOS version. If you don't see the option you're looking for, check the "General" or "Support" section in your system settings.
To set up a network on your LG TV, go to the main menu using the remote control. Magic RemoteFind the settings icon, usually located in the upper right corner of the screen, and select the section All settings. Then follow the path Network → Wi-Fi connection and select your home network from the list of available ones.
It is better to enter the password using the application LG TV Plus On your smartphone or by connecting a keyboard, as navigating the on-screen keyboard with the remote can be tedious. After a successful connection, the TV should automatically obtain an IP address if the DHCP server is enabled in the router.
Setting up AirPlay 2 on an LG TV
AirPlay 2 is often enabled by default on LG TVs, but for security reasons or after a factory reset, manual activation may be required. This protocol not only allows for screen mirroring but also streaming audio to external speakers or using an iPhone as a remote control.
To activate the feature, open the Home screen control panel by pressing the Home button on your remote. Find the icon in the app drawer. Apple AirPlayIf the app is not pinned to the Home screen, go to the LG Content Store and install it if it is not included with your model.
Inside the AirPlay app, go to Settings by selecting AirPlay and HomeKit settingsHere you'll see a toggle switch that needs to be enabled. You can also configure access requirements in this menu: allow access to all devices on the same network or require a code each time a new device is connected.
☑️ Checking AirPlay settings
The "Only people on this network" mode is ideal for home use, as it prevents accidental connections from neighboring devices within your Wi-Fi range, but does not require you to constantly enter a code on your personal devices.
Screen and photo sharing using standard iOS tools
The fastest way to mirror an image is to use the Screen Mirroring feature in the iPhone's Control Center. This method creates an exact copy of what's on your iPhone's display on your TV. Open Control Center by swiping down from the upper-right corner (on models with Face ID) or swiping up (on models with a home button).
Click on the icon Screen mirroring, which looks like two intersecting rectangles. Select your TV from the list of available devices that appears. LGIf this is your first connection, you may see a four-digit code appear on your TV screen that you need to enter on your iPhone.
Once paired successfully, the iPhone's image will appear full-screen. It's important to understand that the phone's screen orientation remains the same in this mode: if you hold the phone vertically, the image on the TV will have black borders on the sides. For viewing photos and videos, it's best to rotate the device to landscape mode.
| Parameter | Meaning / Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | AirPlay 2 | Use as default |
| Permission | Up to 4K HDR | Depends on the TV model |
| Delay | Low (< 100 ms) | Optimal for photography |
| Sound | Synchronized | Displayed via TV |
To stop the broadcast, open the Control Center again, tap the Screen Mirroring icon and select Stop repeatingThis action will instantly break the connection and return the TV to the last signal source.
Using the LG TV Plus app and Smart Share
If the native AirPlay function is unstable for some reason or your TV model does not support this protocol, you can use the proprietary application LG TV PlusThis solution allows you to manage content stored on your iPhone and broadcast it to the big screen via the Smart Share interface.
Download the app from the App Store and launch it. The program will automatically scan the network and find compatible LG TVs. After selecting a device and confirming the pairing (a code will appear on the TV screen), you will gain access to your smartphone's media library. Select a section Photo or Videoto start playback.
⚠️ Attention: The LG TV Plus app may not support streaming DRM-protected content from some streaming services (Netflix, Apple TV+) due to digital rights restrictions. For these services, use the built-in Cast button within the player app.
The advantage of using Smart Share is the ability to create slideshows with music or play video files in formats that the standard iOS player may not directly support with a standard cable connection. Furthermore, the app allows you to use your phone as a fully-fledged touchscreen control panel for your TV.
Why might the video be lagging?
Delays when streaming via Smart Share are often caused not by processor power, but by the video file format. If the video is encoded in the HEVC (H.265) codec with a high bitrate, the TV may not have enough resources to decode it on the fly over the network. In this case, try streaming photos—they process them faster.
Stream from YouTube, Netflix, and other apps
Watching online videos requires a special approach, as the phone acts only as a remote control, and the TV downloads the video stream directly from the internet. This significantly reduces the load on the Wi-Fi network and saves battery life on the iPhone. Open an app, for example, YouTube, and find a video to watch.
In the player interface, click on the icon Cast (a rectangle with Wi-Fi waves in the corner). Select your LG TV from the list of devices. The video stream will start directly on the TV, and controls will appear on the iPhone screen: pause, rewind, and volume.
This method provides the best picture quality, as the TV uses its own decoder and a direct connection to the video service's servers. Even if you turn off your iPhone's screen or move to another room, playback on the TV won't be interrupted.
Troubleshooting and connection diagnostics
Despite the technology's refinement, situations sometimes arise where devices "don't see" each other or the connection constantly drops. First, check whether Client Isolation mode is enabled on your router, which prevents devices within the network from communicating with each other.
If your LG TV doesn't appear in the AirPlay list, try restarting both devices. Unplug the TV for 30 seconds to clear the network module cache, and restart your iPhone. Also, make sure Bluetooth is disabled on both devices unless you're using it for the initial pairing, as it can, in rare cases, cause frequency conflicts.
If your connection is constantly dropping, check your Wi-Fi channel usage. Use Wi-Fi analyzer apps on your iPhone to find the least congested channel and switch your router to it via the web interface. Frequent channel changes by the router in search of a better signal can also cause short-term loss of connection to your TV.
Why is my LG TV not visible in the AirPlay menu?
Most often, the problem lies in the devices being connected to different frequency bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), which the router isn't combining into a single network, or client isolation is enabled. Also, make sure your TV isn't running a background firmware update, which could temporarily block network functions.
How to reduce image display latency?
To minimize input lag, enable "Game Mode" in the picture settings on your LG TV. This disables unnecessary image post-processing. Also, make sure your iPhone is connected to a 5 GHz network, not 2.4 GHz.
Is it possible to transmit sound only to the TV?
Yes, when using AirPlay 2, audio is automatically sent to your TV's audio system. If the audio is coming from your phone, check in Control Center that the audio output device (the speaker icon) is set to LG TV, not iPhone.
Does my old LG TV support AirPlay?
Native AirPlay 2 support is available in 2019 and newer models (OLED, NanoCell, and UHD series). Older models (2018 and earlier) will require third-party apps from the LG Content Store, such as "TV Cast" or "AirScreen," which emulate signal reception.