This wikiHow teaches you how to broadcast iPad screen and audio to a television. If you have an Apple TV device, you can mirror the screen wirelessly via AirPlay. If you're using a different type of television, you can connect iPad to an HDMI or VGA port using a digital AV or VGA adapter.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using AirPlay with Apple TV Devices
Step 1. Connect Apple TV and iPad to the same WiFi network
As long as your tablet and Apple TV are connected to the same wireless network, you can mirror your iPad screen to your television without additional cables.
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To connect iPad to a WiFi network, go to “ Settings ”
Iphonesettingsappicon touch Wi-Fi, and select a network.
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To connect your Apple TV device to a WiFi network, go to “ Settings ”
Iphonesettingsappicon select Network (or General > Network), and select a network.
Step 2. Open the “Control Center” panel on the iPad
If you're using a device with iOS 12 or later operating system, swipe down from the top-right corner of the iPad home screen. If your device is using an older version of iOS, swipe up from the bottom of the home screen.
Some apps allow you to broadcast content to your Apple TV without mirroring the entire iPad screen. You just need to touch the “AirPlay” icon (a square icon with a triangle on the bottom side) on apps that support screen mirroring. However, the icon position is usually different for each app
Step 3. Touch the Screen Mirroring button
This button also displays a square icon with a triangle on the bottom side. A list of compatible Apple products will appear.
Step 4. Select the Apple TV device
Once selected, you can see the iPad screen on Apple TV.
If you don't see Apple TV in the list, make sure both devices are connected to the same WiFi network and that the network is up and running. Try restarting the router, then reconnecting the devices to the WiFi network. If you're still having trouble connecting your device to the network, connect your Apple TV to your router via an ethernet cable
Step 5. Open the app on the iPad
Once iPad is connected to the television, any actions performed on the tablet are displayed on the television screen. You can play videos, browse the internet, and view photos as usual.
If you don't hear audio (or the sound output is too low), make sure that the volume on your iPad and Apple TV is turned up. If your Apple TV is connected to external speakers, make sure the speakers are turned on and working
Step 6. Press the “Menu” button on the Apple TV controller to stop mirroring the screen
You can also stop mirroring from iPad by opening the “Control Center” panel and touching Screen Mirroring.
Method 2 of 2: Using the Adapter
Step 1. Locate the HDMI port on the television
This port is labeled "HDMI" and is rectangular (like a USB port) with a pointed bottom. You can usually find an HDMI port or two on the back of the television.
- If you don't have an HDMI port, look for a VGA port. This port is also rectangular, but has three rows of small circles.
- An HDMI connection can transmit audio, but a VGA connection cannot transmit sound signals. If you need to use a VGA connection, you can still hear audio output through the television by connecting iPad to the television's headphone port. You'll need a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm audio cable that plugs into the headphone port of the iPad and television. If your iPad doesn't have a headphone port, you'll also need a USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter.
Step 2. Purchase the appropriate adapter for iPad
As long as your television has an HDMI or VGA port, you can connect iPad via a compatible adapter. The adapter needed depends on the type of port on the iPad:
- If you're using a new iPad (fourth generation or later model), iPad Air, iPad Mini, or iPad Pro, you'll need a Lightning Digital AV (HDMI) adapter or a Lighting-to-VGA (VGA) adapter. The Lightning port is a small oval opening at the bottom of the tablet.
- If you have an iPad 1, iPad 2, or iPad 3, you'll need an Apple 30-pin Digital AV (HDMI) adapter or an Apple 30-pin to VGA (VGA) adapter. The 30-pin port is a wide oval opening located on the bottom of the tablet.
Step 3. Connect the adapter to the iPad's charging port
The adapter fits securely into the port you use to charge iPad.
Step 4. Connect the HDMI cable to the television's HDMI port
If you are using a VGA connection, connect the VGA cable to the VGA port.
Step 5. Plug the other end of the HDMI or VGA cable into the adapter
The iPad is now connected to the television.
Step 6. Change the television channel to the appropriate input
You can use the controller to select the HDMI or VGA port channel to use, depending on the television. The input channel switch on the controller is usually labeled "Source" or "Input". Once you find the right input, you can see the iPad screen on the television.
If you are using a VGA adapter and want to hear sound output from the television, connect a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm aux audio cable (and an appropriate adapter if necessary) to iPad, and plug the other end of the cable into the television's headphone port
Step 7. Open the app on the iPad
Once iPad is connected to the television, any actions performed on the tablet are displayed on the television screen. You can play videos, browse the internet, and view photos as usual.
- If you don't hear audio (or the sound output is too low), make sure that the volume on your iPad and Apple TV is turned up. If you are using external speakers, make sure the device is turned on and the sound output is not muted.
- If you see an "HDCP-compatible device is required" error message while watching streaming content, it's usually not supported by a VGA connection.
- If you can't see the iPad screen on the television, make sure the television is set to the correct source/input channel. You may need to use a different port or a different HDMI/VGA cable.
