How to AirPlay to LG TV from iPhone, iPad, or Mac
TL;DR: Verify AirPlay support for your exact LG model, enable AirPlay and HomeKit in the TV's dashboard or settings, and connect the Apple device to the same home network. Use an app's AirPlay button for supported media, or Control Center > Screen Mirroring for the whole display. LG webOS does not run Android TV receiver apps.
Check AirPlay on Your Exact LG Model
Find the full model number in the TV's information settings or on its label. Search that number on LG's support site for your region, then check the specification and manual for AirPlay/AirPlay 2. If an update is required, follow the instructions for that model.
LG's compatibility guide lists supported model families, rather than promising every television with a particular webOS version. A broad claim such as “all LG TVs after 2018” is not a sufficient check for your regional model.
| What you find on the TV | What to do next |
|---|---|
| AirPlay is listed and available | Enable it and choose a sending method below |
| Manual lists AirPlay, but its tile is missing | Check model-specific menu locations and software updates |
| Screen Share or another wireless-display feature only | Verify the protocol; that label does not establish iPhone AirPlay support |
| Apple TV streaming app only | Check AirPlay separately; the video app is not a receiving feature |
| No supported AirPlay receiver | Consider compatible external hardware or HDMI |
Turn On AirPlay in the LG Dashboard
LG documents this route on supported models:
- Turn on the TV and press Input to open Home Dashboard.
- Select AirPlay.
- Open AirPlay and HomeKit settings.
- Set AirPlay to On.
Names and locations vary with webOS and firmware. Your television may use Home Hub or expose AirPlay through another settings screen; use its own manual when the illustrated dashboard differs. Keep the receiver enabled and the TV awake for the first connection.
Do not enable unrelated device-control features just to make the iPhone appear. HomeKit controls and LG ThinQ account functions have different purposes from choosing an AirPlay playback destination.
Mirror the Entire iPhone or iPad Screen
This route is useful for a photo session, a document, or demonstrating an app to other people in the room.
- Join the same home network as the LG TV.
- Open Control Center on the Apple device.
- Tap Screen Mirroring and select the LG TV's name.
- If a code appears on the TV, enter it on the sending device.
- Display a local photo before testing an online video service.
On a Face ID iPhone, swipe down from the top-right to open Control Center; older Home-button iPhones use a swipe up from the bottom. To finish, choose Screen Mirroring > Stop Mirroring.
Full-screen sharing can also show notifications and app changes. Prepare a suitable Focus mode and close private content before sharing. If the picture has black borders, check the content's orientation and proportions rather than stretching it immediately; the full-screen guide explains that tradeoff.
Send a Video or Photo Instead of the Whole Screen
For an app that supports AirPlay, open the media, select its AirPlay control, and choose the LG TV. The control may sit inside Share or another playback menu. Apple distinguishes media streaming from whole-screen mirroring.
Use that media route when you want the TV to play a supported item rather than follow every visible phone action. A Google Cast button is a different option and requires support from both the app and receiver; it is not another name for the TV's AirPlay setting.
Some apps restrict external playback. If a local photo works but one subscription title is black, check the service's supported TV app or official output method. Switching receivers does not bypass DRM.
AirPlay from a Mac
Open Control Center > Screen Mirroring on the Mac and choose the compatible LG TV. Select the available mirroring or display option that suits your task. For supported media, the app's own AirPlay control can provide a separate playback route.
Test a simple desktop window first. If you chose an extended display, move the VLC window, presentation, or other content onto that display; a connected TV showing an empty desktop is different from a failed connection.
If Your LG TV Has No AirPlay
An external AirPlay-capable receiver connected to HDMI can provide a destination without changing webOS. A compatible wired video adapter is another option; verify the sending device's video-output capability and adapter requirements first.
AirMirror is an Android TV receiver for compatible iPhone, iPad, and Mac sharing on the local network. It is not a webOS app. If you use a separate compatible Android TV device attached to the LG's HDMI input, check receiver availability on that device and follow the Android TV connection guide.
AirPlay to LG TV FAQ
How can I tell if my TV has AirPlay?
Check the exact regional model's specification or manual for AirPlay, then locate its receiving settings. An Apple TV streaming-app icon or a generic Screen Share label is not enough to establish compatibility.
How do I turn on AirPlay?
Use the AirPlay receiving settings for your model. On some supported webOS 4.0 televisions, LG documents an AirPlay card in Home Launcher instead of Home Dashboard; first verify the model and required firmware.
Why won't my LG TV show up on Screen Mirroring?
Confirm documented support and an active AirPlay receiver first, then check the local network. If the TV appears in another app's Cast list only, use the discovery guide to separate protocol support from network faults.