This article explains how to connect an iPhone to a mini projector using an adapter for a wired connection or a streaming device for a wireless connection.
What to Know
- Connect your iPhone to a mini projector with the appropriate Digital AV Adapter for high-definition video.Connect your iPhone to a mini projector via the Lightning to VGA Adapter for standard definition video.Use Apple TV (AirPlay) or other streaming devices like Roku or Chromecast with the appropriate app to connect wirelessly.
How to Connect an iPhone to a Mini Projector With a Wired Connection
Your iPhone can output video to any device with HDMI or VGA input, but it isn’t ready to do so right out of the box. If you want to connect your iPhone to a mini projector via HDMI or VGA, you need an adapter.
Here are the video output adapters you can get for an iPhone:
- Lightning Digital AV Adapter: This adapter works with all iPhones which have a Lightning connector. With this adapter, you can connect your iPhone to any device with an HDMI input, and you can output high-definition video.Lightning to VGA Adapter: This adapter works with iPhones with a Lightning connector. It allows you to output standard definition video to any device with a VGA input.
Before you buy an adapter, check your mini projector to see what type of inputs it has. VGA inputs aren’t very common on mini projectors, while most mini projectors have an HDMI or mini HDMI input. In most cases, you’ll want to buy the Digital AV Adapter.
Here’s how to connect an iPhone to a mini projector using a wired connection:
You can get uncertified adapters from third-party sources, but they don’t always work. Certified Apple cables and adapters are guaranteed to work for both DRM-secured and unsecured video content.
- Turn on your mini projector.
- Plug the appropriate adapter into your iPhone.
- Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
- Plug an HDMI cable into your adapter.
- Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire
- Plug the other end of the cable into your projector.
- Jeremy Laukkonen
- Wake up the iPhone.
- Switch the HDMI input on your projector if it doesn’t do so automatically.
- Your iPhone screen will be mirrored by the projector.
How to Connect an iPhone to a Mini Projector Wirelessly
Some mini projectors have built-in wireless connectivity using Wi-Fi. These projectors typically connect to your Wi-Fi network and stream video directly from your iPhone and other sources. Connection procedures differ from one manufacturer to another. You will normally need to connect the projector to your Wi-Fi network and then follow on-screen instructions to finalize the connection to your iPhone.
Turn on your mini projector.
Plug the appropriate adapter into your iPhone.
Plug an HDMI cable into your adapter.
Plug the other end of the cable into your projector.
Wake up the iPhone.
Switch the HDMI input on your projector if it doesn’t do so automatically.
Your iPhone screen will be mirrored by the projector.
How to Connect an iPhone to a Mini Projector With AirPlay
To connect your iPhone to a mini projector with AirPlay, you’ll need to connect an Apple TV to your projector via HDMI. The Apple TV will mirror your iPhone screen and then output that video to your mini projector. There is no wired connection between your phone and the Apple TV, but you need to connect the Apple TV to the projector with an HDMI cable.
Here’s how to connect an iPhone to a mini projector with AirPlay:
- Turn on your mini projector.
- Connect your mini projector to your Apple TV with an HDMI cable.
- If your Apple TV isn’t plugged in and turned on, it will need to be.
- Make sure your iPhone and Apple TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the control center on your iPhone.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen, or swipe down from the upper right corner of the screen.
- Tap Screen Mirroring.
- Tap the Apple TV connected to your mini projector.
- If prompted, enter the AirPlay passcode from your Apple TV.
- Your iPhone screen will be mirrored to the Apple TV and output to your mini projector.
How to Connect an iPhone to a Mini Projector With Other Streaming Devices
If you have a streaming device like a Roku or Chromecast, mirroring your iPhone screen is a little more complicated. Instead of using the built-in screen mirroring functionality included with your iPhone, you need to download a screen mirroring app that supports your streaming device. As such, the procedure will differ slightly depending on the streaming device you have and the app you choose.
Connect your mini projector to your Apple TV with an HDMI cable.
If your Apple TV isn’t plugged in and turned on, it will need to be.
Make sure your iPhone and Apple TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Open the control center on your iPhone.
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen, or swipe down from the upper right corner of the screen.
Tap Screen Mirroring.
Tap the Apple TV connected to your mini projector.
If prompted, enter the AirPlay passcode from your Apple TV.
Your iPhone screen will be mirrored to the Apple TV and output to your mini projector.
The general procedure typically works like this:
- Turn on your mini projector.
- Connect your mini projector to your streaming device with an HDMI cable.
- Download and run a screen mirroring app compatible with your streaming device.
- Select your streaming device.
- Select Screen Mirroring.
- Tap Start Broadcast.
Connect your mini projector to your streaming device with an HDMI cable.
Download and run a screen mirroring app compatible with your streaming device.
Select your streaming device.
Select Screen Mirroring.
Tap Start Broadcast.
- How do I play Netflix on a projector from my iPhone?
- Connect your iPhone to your projector, then use the Netflix app for iPhone. Alternatively, you can connect a streaming device like a Roku and cast Netflix from your iPhone to your projector. Some projectors even come with Netflix built-in.
- How do I connect my iPad to a projector?
- If the iPad has a USB-C port, use a USB-C to HDMI/VGA adapter. If it has a Lightning connector, use a Lightning to HDMI/VGA adapter. You can also use AirPlay to connect your iPad to a projector wirelessly.
- What do I need to make a DIY smartphone projector?
- To make a DIY smartphone projector, you need a shoebox, a large magnifying glass lens, and foamcore or stiff cardboard. Tools you need include an Xacto knife or box cutter, measuring tape, a flashlight, and masking tape or strong glue.
- How do I make a slideshow on iPhone?
- In the Photos app, select your photos and tap the Action icon (the box with an arrow at the bottom of the screen). On the Action screen, tap Slideshow to start the show.
Connect your iPhone to your projector, then use the Netflix app for iPhone. Alternatively, you can connect a streaming device like a Roku and cast Netflix from your iPhone to your projector. Some projectors even come with Netflix built-in.
If the iPad has a USB-C port, use a USB-C to HDMI/VGA adapter. If it has a Lightning connector, use a Lightning to HDMI/VGA adapter. You can also use AirPlay to connect your iPad to a projector wirelessly.
To make a DIY smartphone projector, you need a shoebox, a large magnifying glass lens, and foamcore or stiff cardboard. Tools you need include an Xacto knife or box cutter, measuring tape, a flashlight, and masking tape or strong glue.
In the Photos app, select your photos and tap the Action icon (the box with an arrow at the bottom of the screen). On the Action screen, tap Slideshow to start the show.
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