In 2026, the TV brands that support AirPlay include Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, and a growing number of others. These manufacturers have built AirPlay 2 directly into many of their smart TV models, so you can mirror your iPhone or iPad screen without needing an Apple TV box. That said, not every model from those brands is supported, and AirPlay is not the only way to get your screen onto a TV.
Below, we answer the most common questions people have about TV compatibility, AirPlay, and screen mirroring to a TV in plain, simple terms.
Which TV brands have built-in AirPlay support?
The TV brands that currently support built-in AirPlay 2 are Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, TCL, Hisense, and Roku TV. These manufacturers have partnered with Apple to integrate AirPlay 2 directly into their smart TV platforms, which means you can cast content from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac without any extra hardware.
Here is a quick overview of the main brands and their AirPlay compatibility:
- Samsung: AirPlay 2 support available on most Smart TV models from 2018 onward
- LG: AirPlay 2 supported on webOS TVs from 2019 onward
- Sony: AirPlay 2 on Android TV and Google TV models from 2019 onward
- Vizio: AirPlay 2 on SmartCast TVs from 2019 onward
- TCL: AirPlay 2 on Roku TV and Google TV models from 2019 onward
- Hisense: AirPlay 2 on select VIDAA and Roku TV models
- Roku TV: AirPlay 2 supported across most Roku-powered TVs from 2019 onward
If your TV is from one of these brands and was made after 2018 or 2019, there is a good chance it supports AirPlay. The easiest way to check is to look for the AirPlay icon in your TV’s settings menu or home screen.
Does every model from those brands support AirPlay?
No, not every model from these brands supports AirPlay. Compatibility depends on the specific model year and product tier. Budget or entry-level TVs, and most models made before 2018, typically do not have AirPlay built in, even from brands that otherwise support it.
For example, a Samsung TV from 2016 will not have AirPlay, even though Samsung as a brand does support it. Similarly, some lower-cost Hisense models run a different operating system that does not include AirPlay at all.
The safest way to confirm whether your specific TV supports AirPlay is to check your TV’s model number against the manufacturer’s official compatibility list, or simply look in the TV’s settings for an AirPlay or HomeKit option.
What’s the difference between AirPlay and screen mirroring?
AirPlay is Apple’s own wireless streaming technology, built into iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Screen mirroring is a broader term that describes any method of displaying your device’s screen on a TV wirelessly. AirPlay is one way to do screen mirroring, but it is not the only way.
Here is how the two compare:
- AirPlay: Works only with Apple devices. Requires either an Apple TV or a TV with AirPlay 2 built in. Streaming quality is generally very good.
- Screen mirroring (general): Works with Apple, Android, and other devices. Can work on a much wider range of TVs, including older smart TVs and streaming sticks like Fire TV or Chromecast. Often uses apps or protocols like Miracast or DLNA.
In everyday use, people often use “AirPlay” and “screen mirroring” as if they mean the same thing, but they do not. If your TV does not support AirPlay, that does not mean screen mirroring is impossible. It just means you need a different method.
Can you mirror your screen to a TV that doesn’t support AirPlay?
Yes, you can absolutely mirror your screen to a TV that does not support AirPlay. There are several reliable ways to do this, and they work on a wide range of smart TVs, even older ones. You do not need AirPlay to get your iPhone, iPad, Android phone, or Mac onto the big screen.
The most common alternatives include:
- Screen mirroring apps: Apps designed specifically for your TV brand let you cast your screen wirelessly over your home Wi-Fi network. These work with Samsung, LG, Philips, Panasonic, Hisense, and many others.
- Fire TV or Android TV: If you have a Fire TV stick or Android TV device plugged into your TV, you can use a compatible app to mirror your screen through that device instead.
- Chromecast: Android users can cast their screen to any TV with a Chromecast plugged in.
- HDMI cable: The old-fashioned option, but it always works if wireless methods are giving you trouble.
The important thing to know is that AirPlay is just one path. Your TV’s brand and model determine which alternatives are available to you.
Why is screen mirroring not working even on a supported TV?
Screen mirroring can fail even on a TV that officially supports it, and the cause is almost always one of a small number of common issues. The most frequent culprits are a weak Wi-Fi connection, your phone and TV being on different networks, or a setting on the TV that is blocking the connection.
Here are the most common reasons screen mirroring stops working, and what to do:
- Different Wi-Fi networks: Your phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your TV. If your router broadcasts both a 2.4GHz and a 5GHz network, make sure both devices are on the same one.
- TV settings blocking mirroring: Some TVs have a setting called “Screen Share,” “Device Connection,” or similar that needs to be turned on. Check your TV’s settings menu.
- Weak Wi-Fi signal: Screen mirroring needs a stable connection. If your router is far from the TV, the signal may not be strong enough.
- App needs updating: An outdated mirroring app can cause connection failures. Check for updates in your app store.
- Restart everything: Turn off your TV, phone, and universal remote control for TV. Wait 30 seconds, then turn them back on in that order. This fixes a surprising number of issues.
If none of these steps help, the issue may be specific to your device or TV combination. Searching for your exact phone model and TV brand together often turns up a more targeted fix.
How AirBeamTV Helps with Screen Mirroring to TV
We built our apps specifically for people who just want their screen on the TV without fuss. No Apple TV, no cables, no complicated setup. You download the app, open it on your device, and start mirroring. That is genuinely it.
Here is what we offer to make screen mirroring to TV as smooth as possible:
- Brand-specific apps: We have dedicated apps for Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, Panasonic, Hisense, and many more, so the app is optimized for your exact TV.
- Works without AirPlay: Our apps work on TVs that do not support AirPlay at all, so you are not locked out if your TV is older or a less common brand.
- Fire TV and Android TV support: If you have a streaming stick rather than a smart TV, we cover those too.
- iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Android: Whatever device you are mirroring from, we have an app for it.
- HD quality with audio: We mirror your screen and sound in HD, so watching videos, shows, or presentations on the big screen actually looks good.
If screen mirroring has been frustrating you, give our apps a try. Download the app for your TV brand and see your screen on the big screen in minutes.
